Guidebook for Saint-Gilles
Food Scene
With an average of 40.000 visitors every Sunday, the South market is definitely a hotspot in the neighbourhood. About 400 stallholders sell everything from fruits and vegetables, bread, fish, plants, clothes and if you don't feel like cooking, don't worry because several food trucks are well present every Sunday.
Europalaan
Boulevard de l'EuropeWith an average of 40.000 visitors every Sunday, the South market is definitely a hotspot in the neighbourhood. About 400 stallholders sell everything from fruits and vegetables, bread, fish, plants, clothes and if you don't feel like cooking, don't worry because several food trucks are well present every Sunday.
This restaurant BREATHES Belgium! Every plate on the menu is related to beer and the place has an original decor where you can admire an endless collection of coffee, meat and cheese mills, chocolate boxes with portraits of the royal family.
48 locals recommend
Restobières
9 Rue des RenardsThis restaurant BREATHES Belgium! Every plate on the menu is related to beer and the place has an original decor where you can admire an endless collection of coffee, meat and cheese mills, chocolate boxes with portraits of the royal family.
Nice place, great burgers, cosy hipster/retro decor & entertaining cartoon/wall painting. Different from all the other burger places out there is that Houtsiplou is not about the hype but about the flavour. Lovely to sit outside in summer as well.
74 locals recommend
Houtsiplou
9 Pl. RouppeNice place, great burgers, cosy hipster/retro decor & entertaining cartoon/wall painting. Different from all the other burger places out there is that Houtsiplou is not about the hype but about the flavour. Lovely to sit outside in summer as well.
Buy some delicious croissants at the bakery De Weerdt across the street and have a nice cup of coffee in this authentic Belgian café with good company. The owner of the place is a communist, so no Coca-Cola on the list here ;-)
84 locals recommend
Brasserie Verschueren
11 Parv. de Saint-GillesBuy some delicious croissants at the bakery De Weerdt across the street and have a nice cup of coffee in this authentic Belgian café with good company. The owner of the place is a communist, so no Coca-Cola on the list here ;-)
Very small and intimate place to discover some lovely food from Madagascar. Not the cheapest place to eat but every dish is just SO full of beautiful flavours :-) It's runned by a couple, where the husband is in the kitchen and the lovely, really lovely lady who gives you such a calm and warm welcome :-)
Madagasikara
10 Rue de FlandreVery small and intimate place to discover some lovely food from Madagascar. Not the cheapest place to eat but every dish is just SO full of beautiful flavours :-) It's runned by a couple, where the husband is in the kitchen and the lovely, really lovely lady who gives you such a calm and warm welcome :-)
Vegan lunch place, very popular but not the cheapest place to eat. Only open on weekdays. Once a month there is also a brunch on Sunday.
8 locals recommend
Mammouth
10 Rue de RussieVegan lunch place, very popular but not the cheapest place to eat. Only open on weekdays. Once a month there is also a brunch on Sunday.
Best bakery in the neighbourhood. Go early enough (it opens at 4 am, ok maybe you shouldn't go that early ;-) ) if you want to catch some of their delicious croissants, pain au chocolat or grab a slice of their rice pudding pie mmmmm :-)
Bakery - Pastry De Weerdt
N5Best bakery in the neighbourhood. Go early enough (it opens at 4 am, ok maybe you shouldn't go that early ;-) ) if you want to catch some of their delicious croissants, pain au chocolat or grab a slice of their rice pudding pie mmmmm :-)
OR Espresso Bar is a micro roastery and one of the coffee bars in the city. The place may look small but don't worry, there is more space upstairs.
43 locals recommend
OR Coffee
9 Rue Auguste OrtsOR Espresso Bar is a micro roastery and one of the coffee bars in the city. The place may look small but don't worry, there is more space upstairs.
Yes, the queuing line can be long and there are often a lot of tourists here, but this place sells THE BEST fries in Brussels :-D
56 locals recommend
Fritland
49 Rue Henri MausYes, the queuing line can be long and there are often a lot of tourists here, but this place sells THE BEST fries in Brussels :-D
Relaxing atmosphere in a nice trendy decor. Long tables to share and home cooking style with fresh bio ingredients. They also serve a delicious brunch buffet for €20 in the weekend. There is no real menu, you get 2 starters, the main course and the dessert you can chose from the buffet. Yum!! A bit hidden, ring the doorbell to enter.
56 locals recommend
Les Filles
46 Rue du Vieux Marché aux GrainsRelaxing atmosphere in a nice trendy decor. Long tables to share and home cooking style with fresh bio ingredients. They also serve a delicious brunch buffet for €20 in the weekend. There is no real menu, you get 2 starters, the main course and the dessert you can chose from the buffet. Yum!! A bit hidden, ring the doorbell to enter.
Great pleace to eat Moroccan food! Interesting dark and intimate atmosphere. The food is really delicious and authentic (especially tajine and pastilla) and it's not too pricy, if you look at the huge portions you get.
19 locals recommend
La Kasbah
20 Rue Antoine DansaertGreat pleace to eat Moroccan food! Interesting dark and intimate atmosphere. The food is really delicious and authentic (especially tajine and pastilla) and it's not too pricy, if you look at the huge portions you get.
Delicious crepes mmmm :-) You can choose between sweet and savoury ones. Only lunch here.
La CREPERIE
35 Rue HauteDelicious crepes mmmm :-) You can choose between sweet and savoury ones. Only lunch here.
Drinks & Nightlife
Mappa Mundo
2 Rue du Pont de la CarpeBest mojitos in town and lovely to sit outside in summer!
Nice music and typical selection of Belgian beer to enjoy the brown Belgian bar feeling :-)
Sure, it has all the typical Belgian beers like Leffe, Maredsous,... but you should really choose for something local here :-) Try a Zinnebir if you prefer having a light beer, or ask for other recommondations they have from the "Brasserie de la Senne" brewery.
Something strongere maybe? Go for an Orval instead. It's one of the famous Trappist beers but it's difficult to find sometimes. Orval has a rather unique hoppy aroma and extra dry taste.
125 locals recommend
Monk
22 Rue Sainte-CatherineNice music and typical selection of Belgian beer to enjoy the brown Belgian bar feeling :-)
Sure, it has all the typical Belgian beers like Leffe, Maredsous,... but you should really choose for something local here :-) Try a Zinnebir if you prefer having a light beer, or ask for other recommondations they have from the "Brasserie de la Senne" brewery.
Something strongere maybe? Go for an Orval instead. It's one of the famous Trappist beers but it's difficult to find sometimes. Orval has a rather unique hoppy aroma and extra dry taste.
The Chili bar has the best cocktails in the neighbourhood! Try the chili cocktail with rhum, chili and cinnamon sirop, tomato juice and strawberry juice. Wow :-)
Borgval
BorgwalThe Chili bar has the best cocktails in the neighbourhood! Try the chili cocktail with rhum, chili and cinnamon sirop, tomato juice and strawberry juice. Wow :-)
Kolenmarkt
Rue du Marché au Charbon KolenmarktThis street is the gay neighbourhood :-)
Madame Moustache
7 Quai au Bois à BrûlerThis place has a great ambiance with really good music!
Bazaar is quite underground. It has a sort of dark atmosphere, with deep house music going on, but eventually people in there are really really cool and calm.
12 locals recommend
Bazaar
63 Rue des CapucinsBazaar is quite underground. It has a sort of dark atmosphere, with deep house music going on, but eventually people in there are really really cool and calm.
You
18 Rue DuquesnoyLe You tends to be for early 20 year old people. Very popular music.
Sightseeing
He is who he is, but every tourist will pass next to him. Our little guy is pissing for ages now. He has been given numerous costumes and decorations and his wardrobe now comprises some 800 items. Watch where you are going though, because there are selfie sticks everywhere :-)
485 locals recommend
Manneken Pis
He is who he is, but every tourist will pass next to him. Our little guy is pissing for ages now. He has been given numerous costumes and decorations and his wardrobe now comprises some 800 items. Watch where you are going though, because there are selfie sticks everywhere :-)
Take the elevator from down to up, turn your back towards the door and enjoy a magnificent view over Brussels.
21 locals recommend
Ascenseur des Marolles
Place PoelaertTake the elevator from down to up, turn your back towards the door and enjoy a magnificent view over Brussels.
Shopping
Flea market, antiques, collections,... in a very typical and friendly atmosphere in Brussels, 365 days a year! The flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle is open to all who want to find a bargain. You can find a bit of everything there. It's one of the last places were you can negotiate a bit.
15 locals recommend
Marolles Flea Market
Place du Jeu de BalleFlea market, antiques, collections,... in a very typical and friendly atmosphere in Brussels, 365 days a year! The flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle is open to all who want to find a bargain. You can find a bit of everything there. It's one of the last places were you can negotiate a bit.
Take a souvenir back home or prepare a little beer basket for one of your friends :-) This shop has a huge selection of Belgian beers!! The neighbourhood is typical for tourists but this shop is by far the only one who sells beer for a fair price.
De Biertempel
56 Rue du Marché Aux HerbesTake a souvenir back home or prepare a little beer basket for one of your friends :-) This shop has a huge selection of Belgian beers!! The neighbourhood is typical for tourists but this shop is by far the only one who sells beer for a fair price.
Essentials
Small supermarket where you can buy food if you want to cook at home. Be aware that this one is closed on Saturday.
Proxy Delhaize Fonsny
14 Avenue FonsnySmall supermarket where you can buy food if you want to cook at home. Be aware that this one is closed on Saturday.
Biggest supermarket in the neighbourhood where you can buy food if you want to cook at home. Open every day.
269 locals recommend
Carrefour market
55 Pl. JourdanBiggest supermarket in the neighbourhood where you can buy food if you want to cook at home. Open every day.
Getting Around
Biggest public transport hub in Brussels with national and international railway connections and metro lines 2 and 6 and premetro lines 3 and 4.
118 locals recommend
Bruxelles-Midi station
47B Avenue FonsnyBiggest public transport hub in Brussels with national and international railway connections and metro lines 2 and 6 and premetro lines 3 and 4.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful little hidden park and it's much less crowded than the central park.
77 locals recommend
Egmont Park
25 Bd de WaterlooBeautiful little hidden park and it's much less crowded than the central park.