Must-see shopping in Brussels

  • Gabriele

    Brussels

    For amazing vintage finds, try eccentric, elegant Gabriele. There’s a gorgeous jumble of cocktail dresses, hats, Chinese shawls and accessories; only…

  • Passa Porta

    Passa Porta

    Brussels

    This stylish bookshop located down an alley has a small but classy English-language section. Check the website for forthcoming literary events, many of…

  • Place du Jeu-de-Balle Flea Market

    Brussels

    The quintessential Marolles experience is haggling at this chaotic flea market, established in 1919. Weekends see it at its liveliest, but for the best…

  • Place du Châtelain Market

    Brussels

    Fabulous food stalls cluster around an elongated, leafy square at this market. It's a true foodie heaven, featuring cheese, charcuterie, fresh fruit and…

  • Pierre Marcolini

    Brussels

    Rare chocolate beans, experimental flavours (eg tea) and designer black-box packaging make Marcolini’s pralines Belgium’s hippest and most expensive.

  • Stijl interior

    Stijl

    Brussels

    A top address, Stijl is well stocked with Antwerp Six classic designer ware (Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten) but also features up-to-the-minute…

  • Martin Margiela

    Martin Margiela

    Brussels

    Margiela is often tagged the unofficial seventh member of a group of designers known as the Antwerp Six (he graduated from Antwerp’s fashion academy in…

  • Belge une fois

    Brussels

    Belge une fois is a concept store selling creations by the eponymous designers’ collective. It also sells artefacts, accessories and light fixtures by…

  • Kure

    Brussels

    A temple of affordable fashion, Kure sells cute jumpsuits by Can Pep Rey and Second Female, soft cardigans by Designers Remix and second-skin leather…

  • Jinzu

    Brussels

    Selling handmade Spanish textiles crafted from recycled cotton, Jinzu has rugs, cushions and poufs as well as rattan furniture, rocking chairs and cots…

  • Icon sofa

    ICON

    Brussels

    A Dansaert landmark, ICON stocks high-class prét-à-porter, with an avant-garde selection of Belgian designers, including Valentine Witmeur Lab, the…

  • Brüsel

    Brüsel

    Brussels

    Chic comic-book shop named after a book by one of Belgium's best-known contemporary comic artists, François Schuiten. Comics with English translations…

  • Sterling Books window display

    Sterling Books

    Brussels

    English-language bookshop with comfy sofas and a kids’ play area.

  • YAS

    Brussels

    Behind the motto 'You are Superb', YAS concept store boasts mainly French and Scandinavian brands under the impeccable curating eye of image consultant…

  • Gare du Midi Market

    Brussels

    Said to be the biggest market in Europe, this sprawl of colourful stalls next to the railway lines has an international flavour, with North African and…

  • Tropismes

    Brussels

    With its gold-wreath-encircled columns and ornate gilded ceiling, this is about the prettiest bookshop you could imagine. The literary connections are hot…

  • De Biertempel

    Brussels

    As its name states, this shop is a temple to beer, stocking upwards of 700 brews along with matching glasses and other booze-related merchandise. For more…

  • Catherine

    Brussels

    A traditional and welcoming grocery in the heart of town, specialising in artisanal cheeses, several of them organic. You'll also find cured meats and…

  • Planète Chocolat

    Brussels

    Both moulds and chocolates are made on-site. At 4pm on Saturday and Sunday there are praline-making demonstrations explaining chocolate’s development,…

  • Just In Case

    Brussels

    Poetic and feminine garments inspired by the past, with vintage-style shapes in dazzling colours: electric blue, coral and orange.

  • Librebook

    Brussels

    A great little multicultural bookshop, which fosters exchanges of ideas with talks, seminars, literary quizzes and wine evenings.

  • Wonderloop

    Brussels

    Bright and beautiful clothes for men and women, all Fairtrade and eco-friendly. Slow fashion at reasonable prices.

  • Mary

    Brussels

    Supplies artisan pralines to Belgium’s royals plus the occasional US president.

  • Lulu

    Brussels

    This former garage is now a concept store selling ceramic cacti holders, handmade Italian sunglasses and minimal Scandinavian furniture pieces. Its small…

  • Rose

    Brussels

    Forget Ali Baba’s cave; Rose is an embarrassment of homeware riches, from pineapple lamps and hand-embroidered Macon & Lesquoy pins to leather birthday…

  • Multi-BD

    Multi-BD

    Brussels

    A wide choice of comic publications, including manga, plus figurines and posters.

  • Crush Wine

    Brussels

    A wondrous cellar stocking over 190 Australian wines (the most comprehensive selection in Europe). Look out for rare drops from Tasmania and deliberate…

  • Hoet

    Brussels

    This designer-eyewear specialist has an extraordinary line in silver filigree eyeshades. Look up to admire the shop's Parisian-style gables, and glance…

  • Foxhole Vintage Marolles

    Brussels

    Vintage and used clothing are given a hip twist within a lovely sloping alley in the heart of the Marolles. Stylishly arranged by colour, the selection…

  • Sablon Antiques Market

    Brussels

    Over 100 vendors fill this stately square on weekends, selling crockery, crystal, jewellery, furniture, 18th-century Breton Faïence (pottery) and other…

  • Oxfam

    Brussels

    Located in a high-fashion district, this store is full of bright, beautiful and hip bargains. It usually has a good range of colourful scarves at bargain…

  • Neuhaus

    Brussels

    Belgium’s original – established in 1857. This stunning flagship shop has stained-glass windows and sumptuous displays. It is the home of the praline, a…

  • Neuhaus

    Brussels

    This chocolatier originated in the Galeries Royales, and everything is still made near Brussels; it invented the praline back in 1912. It sells chocolate,…

  • Pêle-Mêle

    Brussels

    Secondhand bookshop with a huge and changing range of stock, a fair bit of it in English. Have a browse and a coffee at the upstairs cafe.

  • Passage du Nord

    Brussels

    Passage du Nord’s array of quality boutiques makes this vaulted glass arcade a good spot to escape the rain.

  • Boutique Tintin

    Brussels

    No prizes for guessing the star of this comic shop, which stocks albums galore and cute merchandise.

  • Beermania

    Brussels

    Complete with a tasting café, international delivery service and online sales.

  • Place Jourdan Market

    Brussels

    Place Jourdan hosts a small Sunday-morning market selling food and clothes.