Shopping in Flanders
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Stadsfeestzaal
The 19th-century neoclassical architecture of this former city festival hall is jaw-dropping, particularly when viewed from the champagne-glass-shaped platform rising beneath its glass roof. It contains a shopping mall, but the building is the real star.
reviewed
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De Biertempel
Beer specialist shop where you can even pick up a well-priced bottle of Westvleteren.
reviewed
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International Magazine Store
The place for foreign and local newspapers and top-selling magazines.
reviewed
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Diamond District
Immediately southwest of Centraal Station is the Diamond District. The first things most people see of this quarter are the gold and diamond shops newly located inside Centraal Station. Here you'll find people from all over the world, including plenty of newly engaged Brits (prices here average 30% lower than in UK High Sts) browsing the bright lights and gleaming displays.
But outside, it's a vastly different world. Orthodox Jewish men clad in distinctive black coats and hats shuffle around the lacklustre quarter, traders with briefcases handcuffed to their wrists hurry into diamond exchanges and armed guards keep watch over the little huddle of streets where multimillio…
reviewed
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Tierenteyn-Verlent
Ghent's traditional mustard-maker, the 1790-established Tierenteyn-Verlent, has occupied this heritage-listed shop since 1860, and it retains its original interior of tall glass cabinets of apothecary and spice jars behind varnished timber counters. Mustard is still made using original techniques and only natural ingredients: vinegar, salt and ground mustard seeds. Each jar comes with its own little wooden spoon (plastic spoons can also be used, but not metal, as it separates the vinegar).
reviewed
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2be
Occupying a 15th-century Gothic mansion, this sleek emporium stocks a tantalising array of artisan chocolates, wines, jenevers, conserves, sweets, biscuits and other 100% Belgian goodies including a superb selection of beers, such as the local Brugse Zot, which you can try at the canalside café. Ask staff to fill you in on the escapades of the resident ghost of Perez de Malvenda, the former Spanish mayor whose house this mansion once was.
reviewed
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Temmerman
Run by the 8th generation of this family of confectioners, glass jars filled with sweets line up behind the counter of this old-fashioned sweet shop, which has been in its current location since 1904. All of its sweets are made by the family's factory, including typically Belgian neuzekes (hard, triangular cherry-red 'noses' filled with soft jelly) and mokke (aniseed biscuits).
reviewed
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De Vagant Slijterij
After settling on your favourite flavour of jenever in the bar of the same name, head across the street to this slijterij (liquor shop) stocking more than 200 varieties. Its line-up of bottles of all shapes, colours and sizes resemble an old-fashioned pharmacy, reflecting jenever's original medicinal purpose.
reviewed
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Het Modepaleis
Dries Van Noten is Belgium's commercial fashion leader. His colourful bohemian clothes are sold in more than 500 shops around the world, but buyers love his Antwerp flagship, Het Modepaleis. This headquarters and shop of Dries Van Noten is located in a distinct, 19th-century, domed building in the heart of St Andries.
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Verso
Fantastic location - an old bank building with a gorgeous stained-glass cupola - for this large boutique, which specialises in Italian designers, although there are also a few French names and one Belgian (Dirk Bikkembergs). Women's and men's collections, cosmetics and accessories, plus a hip café.
reviewed
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Sjapoo
Milliner Ria Dewilde's atelier is out the back of her boutique (north of Vrijdagmarkt), where she sells her one-off creations. Many are crafted along 1920s lines for everyday wear, as well as more elaborate hats for weddings and christenings. Ria also sells hand-picked Belgian- and French-design clothing.
reviewed
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Vrijdagmarkt
The city's oldest antique flea market has been operating on this square every Friday morning since the 16th century. Everything is sold by auction, with sales going down in fast guttural Flemish. Feel free to throw in an English bid if you see an irresistible antique - the dealers will readily accept it.
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Chocolatier Van Oost
A small establishment with an excellent reputation for handmade pralines. It's on a hectic shopping street, and is easily overlooked - allow the scent of warm chocolate to lead the way. Once inside, accustom yourself to the rich displays, then note the vats of molten chocolate being stirred out back.
reviewed
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'T Apostolientje
It's not finding lace that's the problem in Bruges - it's avoiding it. About 80 lace shops operate in the city, many tucked away in nooks and crannies or concentrated along Wollestraat and Breidelstraat. This shop is well away from all of these and stocks about 70% antique lace.
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Del Rey
A top-rate chocolate shop, located on the edge of the diamond district near Centraal Station. A mouth-watering assortment of pralines (filled chocolates), exquisite pastries and biscuits beckon from sumptuous displays. Sampling is done at the neighbouring degustation salon.
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Véronique Branquinho
Branquinho's classic tailoring for men and women has confirmed her reputation as one of the new generations of fashion academy graduates to pick up the baton and run with it. Black features heavily in her collections, with splashes of silver and gold.
reviewed
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Burie
Famous artisan chocolaterie. For years this little shop has been known for the intricate marzipan and chocolate sculptures displayed in the window. Those after diamond-shaped chocolates or Antwerpse handjes will find them here.
reviewed
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Huis A Boon
Staff at this 1884-established shop still slide forest-green leather boxes out from the oak shelves lining the walls, lifting the lid and unwrapping the tissue paper to show you the soft leather, kid and other delicate gloves nestled inside.
reviewed
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De Reyghere Reisboekhandel
Pouring over the huge range of travel guides in English, Dutch and French at this specialised travel bookshop is guaranteed to give you itchy feet. Its adjoining sister store has general nonfiction, novels, and English newspapers.
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Coccodrillo
No-frills shoe boutique that's an institution in Antwerp. Stocks big-name internationals as well as all the local designers, including Branquinho and Van Noten. A word of warning: Saturday afternoon's crowds make browsing hard.
reviewed
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Cargo
Artistic lighting designs at this showroom/workshop incorporate natural elements such as oversize cones and back-lit square wall-mountings made from diverse materials ranging from mussel shells to recycled industrial materials.
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Eva Bos
Fashion designer and teacher at Ghent's fashion academy, Eva Bos, sources and stocks 'the real treasures' from the '50s and '60s at her vintage boutique, as well as new designs including some by Eva's most talented students.
reviewed
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Walter
Antwerp Sixer Van Beirendonck now heads-up the fashion department at his alma mater around the corner, while displaying his outrageous menswear collections in this stark, gallery-like converted garage.
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