Eat, drink and make merry with the locals in one of the capital’s finest squares.
In many ways the Place du Grand Sablon could be described as Brussels’ hub of “the good life”. Set amongst the historic charm and beauty of the square's old buildings are some fantastic restaurants offering some of the best modern Belgian cuisine you’ll find anywhere. There are plenty of interesting little shops including some quirky antique dealers to have a look around and, at the weekends, the square is given a new lease of life as the city’s biggest antique and book market takes over. This is also a great place to come if you’ve heard about Belgian chocolate and want to see what all the fuss is about.
The square is a favourite for Brussels residents who enjoy eating out. The food is great here, there’s no denying that, but there’s also a buzz in the air and a sense of vitality that lend the eateries here a uniquely warm atmosphere. The menus are mostly contemporary but many draw on Belgian traditions. You’ll be able to taste wild game and a variety of local cheeses, most probably with bread that has been freshly baked on site. It goes without saying that there’ll be a good range of interesting beers for you to try out too. It’s also worth checking out the chocolatiers in the square. These represent the top end of the range and most of the confectionary has a serious price tag, but just looking at the window displays is an experience in itself.
The antique and book market takes place every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, and is a visual safari of interesting objects. The stalls are a nice complement to the antique shops that are open throughout the week, drawing antiques enthusiasts from all over. The prices are not particularly low, but you may get lucky.
The Place du Grand Sablon is in the centre of Brussels and best reached by metro. If you’re driving, you may find some parking on the streets around the square.
