The Best of Brussels: Where to Eat, Drink, and Explore

Start early to catch the morning light filtering through the towering, roofless ruins of this 12th-century Cistercian abbey. It is a peaceful, sprawling site where nature has slowly reclaimed the grand Gothic arches. Grab a quick espresso at the visitor centre before setting off down the valley.

Skip the tourist traps along the river and head straight to this stylish, understated bistro run by chef Charles Jeandrain. The cooking here is sharp, seasonal, and delightfully unpretentious, served in a sleek, light-filled dining room that feels miles away from the city bustle.

Tonight’s centerpiece is the sweeping, nostalgic world of Joe Hisaishi’s Studio Ghibli scores, performed live inside Victor Horta’s Art Deco masterpiece. The acoustics in the Henry Le Boeuf Hall are famously warm, making every swell of the orchestra feel incredibly intimate. Sit back and let the childhood nostalgia wash over you.

Navigate the sweeping hairpin turns of the Route Merveilleuse up to the ancient Citadel of Namur. Park at the summit and grab a table on the terrace of the Château de Namur for a local craft beer, soaking in the panoramic views of the Meuse and Sambre rivers winding below before heading back to Brussels.

The drive into the Condroz region rewards you with rolling hills and quiet, winding lanes. Pull into Crupet, a tiny village built from local grey limestone, famous for its remarkable 13th-century moated medieval donjon. It is the perfect spot to stretch your legs and wander past the babbling streams.

End the night in Brussels' most legendary Art Deco sanctuary, where the spirit of Miles Davis still lingers in the curved booths. Ring the buzzer to enter, order a classic Negroni, and secure a spot on the balcony if you can. It is the ultimate venue to decompress and dissect the concert's best arrangements.

Step into this former apothecary turned cocktail den, where taxidermy and vintage pharmacy bottles set a wonderfully surreal scene. The drinks here are molecular masterpieces, but served without any of the usual mixology pretension. Grab a seat by the velvet drapes and order a smoky mezcal concoction to kick off the evening.

This sleek spot beautifully bridges the gap between East Asian flavors and Brussels' sharp cocktail culture. It is the perfect, unpretentious place to share exceptional dim sum and rich beef pho before the show. The service is brisk enough to keep you on schedule without ever feeling rushed.