A CHRISTMAS WEEKEND IN BRUSSELS

by YouShouldGoHere
April 2, 2016
in Drink Here, Eat Here, Go Here
0

[BRUSSELS] — Trying to do a Mileage Run at the end of the year to top off the tanks, I found a cheap flight to Brussels, perfectly timed between Christmas and New Years, back by the end of the year. Just a couple of days before flying on to Prague. These are the best things I found over a Christmas weekend in Brussels.

It was Christmas in 2015. The sad massive terrorist attacks in Paris had just occurred the month before and I wanted to show my support but not letting those acts change our world. Plus, my hunch was right that the airfares and upgrades would be cheap with a lot of cancellations. I left on Christmas Day, went to Brussels, a day trip to Antwerp, then shot over to Prague for a couple of days.

After all these years going to Europe, I’d never been to either country, so I was excited. And I was ready to eat. And drink some nice beer. Not much of a story here, mostly just a slide show. And because it was late December, it was dark almost the whole time!

(Note, because it was the Christmas holidays, a lot of things were closed. These are the best things I found open.)

Marvel at the Beauty of Grand Place

Brussels Grand Place at dawn — *The crown jewel of Brussels is its incredible Grand Place, one of the prettiest town squares in Europe. My flight got in at the crack of dawn, so I had the whole place to myself.*

Christmas in the Grand Place

Brussels Grand Place christmas tree — At Christmas, Brussels blows it all out, with one of the coolest light displays I’ve ever seen. A million colored LEDs choreographed to a delightful classical contract. People come, stop in awe and stare with their mouths open.

Click on the video and expand it, with your sound on. It is spectacular.

light show christmas Grand Place Brussels — *You can see what an amazing light show this is. The same building above, looks completely different in every other color above.*

Hang Out in Buzzy Sablon

There are lots of shops, cafes and things to do. And good beer to drink.

Sablon church — *Take a walk up the hill to Sablon, a cool area with cafes, bars and shops.*

Have a fresh Leffe in the Cafe Leffe. That’s kinda like driving a Park Avenue down Park Avenue.

Walk Through Les Galeries Royales

Get a Fine Carbonnade at Nuetnigenough

Nuetnigenough — pronounced close to “not enough”. There’s a reason this little place is crowded and people wait an hour out in the cold. The best meal I had in Belgium. Hot tub-worthy Carbonnade, killer beer list and super friendly owners.

Not sure about you, but eating out alone whilst traveling solo in Europe can suck. Especially at small popular places, where understandably, nobody wants to waste a Table for One, when it could be two. The sweet and helpful woman who owns it did the most gracious thing. Despite only 20 seats and crowds on wait, when my turn came up she sat me at a four-top by the window — best seat in the house — even though four people came in right behind me and had to wait.

I protested that I’d wait for a smaller table or crawl up in the corner, or take an end table by the door. “Oh nonono, it is cold there, people never shut the door enough. Thees is better.” I insisted. “Okay, maybe if I find someone sympathique, I sit them here. Which saison would you prefer?”

Eventually along came a delightful, beer-loving Dutch couple, she sat them and we shared stories and had the best evening.

There is a Santa Claus. Her name is Cecile.

Nuetnigenough menu — *This was, by far, my favorite restaurant, food and experience in Brussels. You have to go here. Go early, beat the crowds. Nuetnigenough*

Moeder Lambic Brussels — *If you like beer, you gotta go to the legendary Moeder Lambic. Best beer tasting and respect for beer in a country that respects beer. This is on every beer geek’s list.*

Warm Up at Café Capitale

Café Capitale Brussels — *Coffee in Brussels is like everywhere, blowing up. Café Capitale was my favorite little chain, loved their decor and friendly people.*

Brussels street scene Christmas market — *Of course, you can’t miss a Christmas Market.*

You Should Stay Here in Brussels

Hotel Amigo Brussels — *Hotel Amigo was an absolutely perfect boutique hotel. Fantastic location, great rooms and a cool bar.*

You can check out a post I made for Hotel Amigo here. Here’s the Hotel Amigo website. It’s a Rocco Forte hotel, so you know it’ll be fantastic. It looks like they’ve recently updated it, too.

— Last visited Christmas 2015 —