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For generations, Brussels has been the place to indulge a taste for some of the finer things in life: chocolate, beer, lace, and lead crystal. Brussels is also heaven for comic-book collectors, and there are lots of offbeat shops to tempt magpies. While the city may not be bursting with bargains, there are inexpensive items to be found in the markets. Value-added tax (TVA) inflates prices, but visitors from outside the EU can obtain refunds. Sales take place in January and July.
The Saturday market sees stalls filled with antiques, secondhand goods, food, flowers, and plants scatter the streets of Brusselsestraat, Parijsstraat, Pensstraat, Mathieu de Layensplein, and Mechelsestraat between 9 am and 6 pm.
An inspired local chocolaterie whose flavors range from out-there breakfast (yogurt, praline, and maple syrup) and robotski (a little robot-shape chocolate filled with ginger) chocolates to the rather heavenly gin and cardamom.
Also known as Jitsk, this chocolaterie on rue au Buerre, which is packed with chocolate shops, is home to arguably the best macarons—soft yet flavorsome—in the city, ranging in flavor from passion fruit to crème brûlée.
A chocolatier to the royal family. The original owner, Mary Delluc, founded her shop in 1919 on rue Royale, where you'll still find a branch today along with others dotting the city. The pralines are the specialty here, and worth the indulgent prices when wrapped in their trademark elegant presentation boxes—a work of art in themselves.
A window packed with artisanal marshmallow cakes and meringues tempts visitors into this boutique sweet and chocolate shop, which also conjures traditional Flemish biscuits and heavenly truffles. There are also a pair of branches on rue de Buerre, next to the Grand Place.
This excellent cheese shop specializes in raw milk, small-scale, and traditional cheeses from Belgium and France. The €12 platters are a great way to taste something new, such a raw blue cheese from Ghent's Het Hinkelspel or a creamy berbizou from Bergerie de Lisbelle in Rendeux. On most days you can see the queues stretching down Mechelsestraat.
Thursdays (1–6) on Brusselsestraat erupt in stalls brimming over with floral delights and bouquets.
One of the oldest shopping malls in Europe, this elegant neo-Renaissance gallery first opened in 1847, and its towering columns and iron-and-glass roof make it worth a visit any time.
Brussels used to be famous for its gloves, and the old tanneries on the rue des Tanneurs once produced the finest of leather. This glove maker has been operating in the city since 1890, and its shop in Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert has been run by three generations. A real institution.
This vast space dedicated to cutting-edge design in clothing, footwear, furniture, and accessories includes an art exhibition area in the basement. Its look is rarely the same and its provocative pieces cost a pretty penny.
Wild avant-garde fashions and timeless pieces—Dansaert's beloved store is appropriately named and rarely disappoints those willing to adopt a bold new look thanks to a choice of up-and-coming Belgian brands.
Jeu de Bulles is a cult gem, home to some rare first-edition comic books, toys, and original prints from Tintin, Blake and Mortimer, Lucky Luke, and other Belgian icons inspired by the early Spirou comics.
Boulevard de Waterloo's Kure is a firm fixture on the fashionista front, with a mix of French, Belgian, and Scandinavian designers all touting everyday wear with a dash of flair.
A wonderful café and chocolate shop perfect for resting your feet between museums. Sit down with a hot chocolate and a cake, or sample one of its confections. It's a bit unusual by Belgian chocolatier standards, as the quirky creations here are not only low sugar but have no alcohol or additives. Fillings include everything from curry masala and olive ganache to more conventional offerings, while chocolate-making workshops are run every Saturday (11:30–1; booking essential).
Stylish concept store and fashion boutique offering clothes, accessories, and a few small furniture pieces from selected designers.
Something of an old stager, this traditional umbrella shop and milliners has a wide choice of caps and hats. It has also been going for generations (since 1847) and was one of the original shops in the Galeries Royales St-Hubert.
Long established on the Châtelain scene, Mook's has a slick range of women's clothes and accessories. It also has a sister store, Chouke (rue du Bailli 25) that skews a bit younger and focuses on Parisian brands.
Marcolini's talents have long since outgrown his flagship chocolate shop in Sablon. He has stores stretching all the way to Japan these days, but his chocolate is still traceable back to a single origin. Other branches are found in Louise and Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert.
As well as selling delicious handmade chocolates, this store also does demonstrations in French and English (€7) and runs lessons (€100) for those who want to learn how to make their own treats.
Each weekend morning, a lively antiques market (Saturday 9–5, Sunday 9–3) takes over the upper end of the square. It isn't for bargain hunters, though. It's been running since the 1960s, and sellers drive a pretty hard bargain.
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