Brussels
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Culture
Bozar
Bozar is Brussels’ centre for fine arts: a multi-disciplinary space with a spirited programme of exhibitions, concerts and family events. The big exhibition for January is a retrospective of works by Flemish expressionist Constant Permeke, but that’s backed up by myriad other offerings, including an ongoing Arab music season.
Musical Instruments Museum
Two minutes’ walk away, the Musical Instruments Museum might sound dry but is actually rather good fun: housed in an Art Nouveau department store building with stunning views over the city, it comes alive thanks to headsets and audio extracts.
Heckenhauer Gallery
The Heckenhauer Gallery displays contemporary photography. Until 19 January, it’s showcasing works by Russian photographer Nadya Kuznetsova, whose black-and-white portraits have a romantic, painterly feel.
Van Buuren Museum
The Van Buuren Museum is a perfectly preserved Art Deco villa, surrounded by beautiful gardens. The interiors were conceived by collectors Alice and David van Buuren to represent the pinnacle of 1930s design, taking in stained glass, sculptures, textiles and antiques.
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Eat
Bozar Brasserie
The Bozar Brasserie is a cut above the usual museum canteen: chef David Martin has a Michelin star at his other Brussels restaurant, La Paix, and there’s some seriously good cooking on display. At €25, the two-course weekday lunch is an affordable way to try it out.
Royal Brasserie
It’s impossible not to be cheered by the Royal Brasserie, an infectiously jolly restaurant with excellent seafood, a sociable crowd of locals and plentiful portions. Set in a white-tiled, soberly elegant former tripe butchers’ shop,
Viva M’Boma
Viva M’Boma specialises in nose-to-tail eating, with an emphasis on offal. The name, if you’re wondering, translates as ‘long live granny’ in Brussels dialect.
Les Pêcheries
Set in a former dairy on the banks of the Boitsfort pond, Les Pêcheries is a classic brasserie with a view that’s scarcely credible in a capital city; you might even spot a heron fishing.
Epicerie Ici
New café-deli Epicerie Ici has a cosy, thrift-chic interior and a menu of fresh juices and seasonal dishes (salads, tartines, roasted veggies). It also sells hard-to-find gourmet treats like Poilâne bread, and some pretty kitchenware.
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Tip
Starbucks
If you really can’t live without your skinny mocha latte, Brussels’ only citycentre Starbucks opened last year on the concourse of Central Station.
Le Saint- Aulaye
Local patisserie hero Le Saint- Aulaye has recently moved just north of Place Brugmann. Try the Phénix, an amazing blackcurrant and pistachio mousse.
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Sleep
Le Méridien
Directly opposite Central Station, Le Méridien (from €149) is perfectly situated between the lower and upper town. The new ‘Unlock Art’ programme gives guests access to exhibitions and events at the Palais des Beaux-Arts (commonly known as Bozar), while the L’Epicerie Restaurant does a legendary Sunday brunch.
Côté Jardin
Côté Jardin (rooms from €99) is a friendly B&B with spacious rooms and a leafy garden that guests are encouraged to enjoy.
Côté Jardin
Côté Jardin (rooms from €99) is a friendly B&B with spacious rooms and a leafy garden that guests are encouraged to enjoy.
Les Chambres de Franz
Les Chambres de Franz (rooms from €100) is a stylish guesthouse with three generously proportioned rooms; ‘Terrasse’ has a roof terrace and views over the neighbouring gardens.
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Shop
Ma Maison de Papier
Ma Maison de Papier is a fascinating treasure trove of sheet music, illustrated magazines and vintage posters, advertising everything from military propaganda to chocolate.
Stories
Newly opened Stories stocks limited-edition designs by five young French and Belgian creators: perfect for picking up a future fashion classic or an unusual accessory.
Pimpinelle
Pimpinelle sells exquisite kitchen- and cookware and also incorporates a tiny café and cooking school.
La Petite Souris Verte
The bright, cheerful La Petite Souris Verte sells organic children’s clothes, along with a small selection of carefully chosen toys and sit-on Wheelybugs.
Candide
Candide is everything you could hope for from a neighbourhood bookshop. Open every day until late, it stocks a comprehensive selection of international magazines and newspapers, along with interesting graphic books from smaller imprints.
Scènes de Ménage
Interiors boutique Scènes de Ménage has a tempting mix of renovated junk shop finds, travel souvenirs and home-grown design.
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Later
Roskam
A peaceful place for a quiet drink during the day, the dark, welcoming Roskam is packed every evening with a mixture of die-hard locals and hipsters. The weekend brings DJ sets and live music.
Le Countabalet
Half bar, half club, Le Countabalet is divided into two rooms. One hosts DJ sets, while the other is more of a cosy, crowded bar.
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