When to Visit - Arts and Events

Brussels hosts a number of annual events including the Queen Elizabeth Music Competition, which draws classical musicians from all over the world, an annual Jazz Festival and the traditional July Ommegang Medieval Pageant, in which the population of Brussels takes pride and delight. A commemoration of a festival held in 1549 for Emperor Charles V, it is held in the Grand Place and is a colourful expression of riches and glamour in which 2000 players dress as Rennaissance nobles, guildsmen and peasants. Riders on caparisoned horses, stilt walkers, flag throwers and fire eaters are also part of this spectacular show.

Carnival in Brussels comes in the form of the Zinneke Parade, held in May, and is a flamboyant demonstration of the city's cultural diversity.

Markets are big news in the city, with the flea market at Place du Jeu de Balles, the antiques market, held on Saturday and Sunday in Sablon Square, together with numerous food markets throughout the city.

Brussels Dining

Belgian cuisine tends to feature a good deal of seafood. The Belgian kitchen is acknowledged as one of Europe's best, combining the finesse of French cooking with the best of Flemish. With the highest concentration of restaurants in the world, the Petite Rue des Bouchers, in the medieval centre, is famous for the fact that every house in the street is a restaurant.

Although international cuisine is easily available throughout the city, it is definitely worth savouring some of the well-known local specialities such as Flemish carbonade (beef stewed in beer), Brussels chicory (rolled ham in a Béchamel sauce) and Choesels au Madère (sweetbreads with Madeira sauce and mushrooms). Brussels-style mussels are usually eaten with the famous Brussels frites (found on snack stands at every street corner) and washed down with one of the 400 types of Belgian beer. Brussels is also the world capital for pralines and chocolates, waffles and sugar cakes; a delight for the sweet-toothed.

Brussels Tipping Advice

Generally, a tip will already be included in restaurant bills. Restroom attendants charge between EUR 0.25 and EUR 0.50. Brussels porters, waiters and taxi drivers do not require a tip unless you receive particularly outstanding service.