Many had told me that Brussels should be at the top of my list. Fries, beer, chocolate, waffles... what more could a gal want?! The city is very walkable (which is good, because you will be consuming more carbs than you ever have) and has so much history. Kick the weekend off with a walking tour to get your bearings and you can't forget the chocolate tour. Get a taste of local life in the vibrant Saint Catherine neighborhood and indulge in a sparkling cocktail at the century-old La Pharmacie Anglaise. You also have to check out the Café Delirium! With 2,000 beers on tap, it's a can't-miss spot for beer lovers.
FRIDAY
Celebrate your arrival with a waffle from Maison Dandoy! I learned that there are two different types of waffles in the world (this fascinated me, as I grew up eating Eggos every day for breakfast): Brussels and Liege. The Brussels style is less sweet than the Liege, so I opted for the Brussels style and topped it with whipped cream and whipped cream. Can you say food coma?
Next, it's time to walk off the calories with a free walking tour of the city. I've gone on several different walking tours at this point and I can't recommend this one enough! A bit on the long side, it was entertaining and interesting, which is all you can really ask for in a free walking tour.
Take a break at L'Archiduc, an art deco bar since the 1930s, in the Saint Catherine neighborhood. If you're lucky, there might be some live jazz! The gimlet was delicious.
Hungry? The best spot for delicious Belgian food is right around the corner. Fin de Siecle is not on the radar of most tourists, so you will get more of an authentic feel. Carbonnades à la bière is the go-to dish and you won't be disappointed.
Still have some energy left? Stop by the Café Delirium and order one of the 2,000 beers they have on tap! Be prepared for an overwhelming number of bachelor parties.
SATURDAY
Mokafé has a delicious breakfast menu! Located in the Royal Gallery, it's a great opportunity to see the beautiful space before it gets busy in midday.
If you are at all interested in the history of music, check out the Museum of Musical Instruments. The multi-level muesum gives an overview of instruments from different cultures and eras. The African instruments are quite something! TIP: Sign up for a slot ahead of time, as they fill up quick.
Right around the corner is La Pharmacie Anglaise, a really cool cocktail bar. The quirky decor in an old pharmacy makes for a fun environment to enjoy a champagne cocktail.
In need of a snack? Grab some frites aka fries from Cafe Georgette, the best in the city.
If you're a beer fan, a tour of the Cantillon Brewery is a can't-miss in Brussels. TIP: Book a guided tour on Saturday afternoon! If that doesn't work with your schedule, self-guided tours are also possible.
Brussels is known for moules-frites (mussels and frites), so you have to indulge at Chez Leon, which has been serving up the delicacy since 1893! For something a little fancier, check out De Gulden Boot.
There are a few fun bars in the area, and I ended up at Au Bon Vieux Temps. The hidden hole-in-the-wall has an authentic Belgian beer vibe and is right off a major tourist street.
SUNDAY
For a lazier start to your Sunday, Peck 47 is a yummy spot for brunch.
The Royal Library of Belgium is an incredible building that was not on the walking tour but should definitely be on your list. There is a beautiful viewing deck at their cafe that can't be missed!
You can't leave without trying some delicious Belgian chcolate! Although you can book a guided tour, I found a self-guided chocolate tour that worked perfectly. My top two were Neuhaus and Mary, which is women-owned and is a favorite of the king of Brussels!
ADDITIONAL RELEVANT TIPS
Avenue Louise is where Belgians do their high-end shopping. It's not really in the city center so I didn't make it over there, but should definitely be a stop if you want to shop.
Galerie Bortier has a used bookstore set up in the hallway. Despite having a limited selection of English books, it was still fun to peruse.
There are some areas of Brussels that you shouldn't stay in, so be sure to do research on your hotel. I liked the location of Hôtel Méribel.
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