[2023 GUIDE] The Best Places to Go Shopping in Brussels

Shopping in Brussels is the perfect place to find unique and interesting items for every budget.

Avenue Louise and Boulevard de Waterloo provide an array of beautiful boutiques for those with an eye for luxury. Those on a tighter budget can explore the city’s antique and flea markets to find unique, one-of-a-kind items.

Covered malls are also plentiful in Brussels, ranging from modern shopping centers to historic arcades. Additionally, the city boasts diverse neighborhoods with unique boutiques and innovative designers. With a variety of shopping options, there is something for everyone in Brussels.

The Best Places to Go Shopping in Brussels

1. Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries

The Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries are inscribed on UNESCO’s tentative list as part of Brussels’ cultural heritage. Designed and built in 1846-7 by Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer, the galleries comprise two main sections: the King’s Gallery and the Queen’s Gallery, as well as a smaller side gallery known as the Prince’s Gallery.

The architecture of the galleries is truly magnificent. Ornate storefronts flank a central space beneath an arched glazed roof that floods the arcade with light. It is a perfect place to come and shop or simply wander through and admire the grandeur of the galleries.

2. Sablon and Marolles Districts

The Sablon and Marolles districts in Brussels are renowned for their antique and vintage shops and gourmet chocolate makers. Every day from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm (3:00 pm on weekends), visitors can explore the Place du Jeu de Balle/Vossenplein flea market and haggle over prices for their finds. 

This is a unique experience that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Brussels! Additionally, this area is home to many young designer boutiques offering affordable items.

3. Avenue Louise

Avenue Louise is to Brussels what 5th Avenue is to New York or the Champs Elysées is to Paris – a high-end street known for its upscale boutiques. Here, you can find collections from popular brands such as Max Mara, Lacoste, Montblanc, and Michael Kors.

For those who don’t have the budget to join in on the shopping spree, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy. People watching, enjoying a cup of coffee in a local cafe, and dreaming of what it would be like to splurge without reservations are all great ways to spend time on Avenue Louise.

4. Antoine Dansaertstraat

I absolutely love it when I can find almost everything I need on one street. Rue Antoine Dansaert is that place; this chic boulevard buzzes with creativity from every boutique and colorful cafe. You’ll have a blast discovering comic characters painted on walls alongside the boulevard. It’s definitely a “what a girl needs” kind of street!

If you’re ever visiting Brussels, there are plenty of places to explore on Rue Antoine Dansaert. Joya Brussels Jewelry (Dansaert 175), La Fabrika interior design showroom (Dansaert 182), the Jan Mot Gallery (Danseart 190), the Au Fond Bistro (Danseart 78) that serves traditional cooking with a twist, the Annemie Verbeke knitwear boutique (Dansaert 64), or Carine Gilson’s lingerie stand-out boutique (Dansaert 87). Most of these buildings have avant-garde façades, and some stores even have an intimate atelier atmosphere.

5. Bailii-Châtelain

The Bailli-Châtelain neighborhood is the perfect place to go for a unique shopping experience. Instead of the more commercial avenues, this area offers small boutiques, restaurants, and cafes that are too good to miss. Some highlights include Hopono, Chouke, Lilù, Mook’s, AXL store, and Coucou Shop.

6. Grasshopper Toys

If you’re looking for gifts for the little ones in your life, the Grasshopper toy store in central Brussels is an ideal place to visit. It is a warren of high-end toys for all age levels and offers a variety of unique items. Upstairs, you’ll find a room devoted to children’s books, board games, wooden toys, puppets, and stuffed animals of all shapes and sizes. 

The owners travel around the world to find their 7000 products, so you can be sure to find something truly original here. The Grasshopper is open every day of the year except Christmas and New Year.

7. Passage du Nord

The Passage du Nord is a 19th-century covered arcade between Rue Neuve and Boulevard Adolphe Max in Brussels. It is one of the city’s oldest and most luxurious shopping arcades, with a glazed roof and Baroque statues that make it as remarkable for its architecture as it is for its retail appeal.

The Passage du Nord houses nineteen stores, offering luxury designer brands such as Burberry, Hugo Boss, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein and Versace. This prestigious address has something to offer those who have the means to shop here.

8. Rue Haute

If you’re looking for something a bit different, the Marolles neighborhood in Brussels is the perfect place to shop. The main shopping street is Rue Haute, and it’s full of vintage stores, antique shops, and home decor boutiques. There are plenty of restaurants and cafés along the way if you need to take a break. 

This colorful street has traditionally been home to Brussels’ working class and retains that blue-collar atmosphere. You can find little ethnic grocery shops next to exotic furniture stores, and if you take one of the side streets down to Rue Blaes, there are even more unique stores. Finally, make sure you don’t miss Place Jue de Balle, where there’s a giant flea market every morning.

9. Quartier Saint-Jacques

Quartier Saint Jacques is a vibrant and bustling district in Brussels. It is located between Sablon, Saint-Géry, and Dansaert and is home to a diverse range of stores. The neighborhood has a friendly atmosphere that extends to its independent retailers, offering an array of products from cheese to screen prints.

This area of Brussels boasts some unique shopping experiences. For example, one shop has been selling honey since 1897, and another 200-year-old cutlery store serves the Belgian Royal family, among other customers. Additionally, a talented milliner supplies hats for the film industry.

10. Maison Dandoy

If you are still searching for the perfect gift for that one person on your shopping list who doesn’t eat chocolate, Maison Dandoy cookie shops in Brussels offer a great alternative. Dandoy has been producing delicious cookies for almost two centuries using only natural ingredients and traditional recipes that go back as far as 180 years. 

Popular Belgian speculoos cookies, similar to gingerbread, as well as Pain a la Greque cookies, are among the favorites of locals and visitors alike. There is even an Earl Grey cookie with tea leaves! Not only do the cookies taste amazing, but they also come in beautiful packaging, which makes them an ideal gift. You can choose from newly designed Maison Dandoy boxes or opt for one of the many tin boxes available – perfect for traveling.

11. House of Wunders

The House of Wunders is a unique shop that offers a variety of home decor items from nature. From crystals and fossils to furniture made from recycled wood, you can find something to bring the beauty of the natural world into your home. 

For those looking for something more travel-friendly, they offer many suitcase-friendly gifts such as gemstone jewelry, trilobite fossils, selenite hearts, and collections of shark teeth. 

The bowls, plates, sink basins, and tables made from polished marble pulled from the Moroccan dessert filled with fossils are some of their most stunning pieces. These items are unique and beautiful – some even contain 550 million-year-old fossils!

12. Boulevard de Waterloo

Boulevard de Waterloo is an upscale shopping strip in Brussels, extending from Porte Louise to Porte de Namur. It is renowned for its retail quality and high prices. It is even more impressive than its neighboring street, Avenue Louise, boasting stores such as Ralph Lauren, Tiffany, Gucci, Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Giorgio Armani. One can enjoy window shopping along this tree-lined avenue without spending any money.

13. Champigros Mushroom Shop

If you’re looking for the best gourmet offerings from Europe’s forests and fields, Champigros is the place to go. Located near Place Saint Catherine in Brussels, the shop’s name is derived from a combination of French words meaning mushroom wholesaler. Mushroom fanatics will find a variety of truffles, morels, girolles, chanterelles, and more at this store. Even if you’re not a mushroom enthusiast, plenty of foodie delights still tempt you. From fresh produce to delicatessen treats, Champigros has something for everyone.

The shop is great all year round but is particularly amazing during autumn when most wild forest mushrooms are in peak season. So if you’re looking for the best European gourmet goods, head over to Champigros!

14. Rue Antoine Dansaert

Rue Antoine Dansaert is renowned for its bold and contemporary fashion. It is home to established brands and up-and-coming designers who are just starting to make their mark in the fashion world. 

A few of the stores you’ll find in this area include Essentiel Antwerp, Stijl, Filippa K, and Cotélac. Boutique Paul Marius has a great selection of handbags, while Hatshoe offers a variety of shoes to complete any look. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s still worth a visit to admire the creative atmosphere of this neighborhood.

15. Docks Bruxsel

Docks Bruxsel offers a unique shopping experience combining retail with leisure, food, culture, and entertainment. Located in the Schaerbeek neighborhood of Brussels, this canalside development is home to 80 or so boutiques, including well-known brands such as Superdry, Zara, Rituals, and Swarovski. In addition to the shops, there is an 8-screen cinema and a variety of restaurants. 

The services offered at Docks Bruxsel are designed to encourage visitors to stay longer than they would in a traditional high street; these include personal shoppers, free Wi-Fi, and smartphone charging points. Furthermore, plans are in place for the expansion of the complex with a Legoland Discovery Centre, which will appeal to families with children.

16. Leonidas

Leonidas is a renowned chocolatier in Brussels with a rich history spanning four generations. Since its inception in 1913, Leonidas has crafted artisanal chocolates from fresh and natural ingredients, such as 100% pure cocoa butter. The brand has become globally recognized for its signature royal blue and cream packaging and now boasts numerous branches across Belgium.

One of these branches is located on Rue de L’Etuve in Brussels, just up the street from Choco-Story. Here, visitors can learn about the process of making chocolate and watch a demonstration. This makes it an ideal destination for chocolate lovers to explore and enjoy delicious treats.

17. International Home of Cooking

The International Home of Cooking in Brussels is a must-visit for cooks and foodies alike. With two locations – one on the prestigious Avenue Louise and the other just steps from the Galeries Royale, near Grand Place – it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. Inside, you’ll find an array of kitchen gadgets, small appliances, baking supplies, and cookbooks (many in French or Dutch). 

Plus, there are plenty of treats for foodies too! Live demos of appliances and cooking techniques are often available so shoppers can pick up some handy tips while they shop. So whether you’re looking for high-quality chef’s knives or a cupcake workshop, the International Home of Cooking has something for everyone.

18. Antiekmarkt van de Zavel

The Antiekmarkt van de Zavel, or Marché des Antiquaires du Sablon, has been a popular destination for antique lovers in Brussels since the 1960s. Every weekend, a wide variety of dealers gather to showcase their vintage pieces.

The selection is vast and includes art, silverware, furniture, glassware, Chinese porcelain, and other ceramics. There is something to suit every taste and budget. Furthermore, the dealers are full of stories about the history of each piece and are more than happy to share them with anyone who shows an interest.

19. Place du Jeu de Balle Flea Market

The Place du Jeu de Balle, or Vlooienmarkt Vossenplein, is a daily flea market in the heart of Brussels’ Marolles neighborhood. It is one of the most important markets in the city for secondhand goods and attracts casual visitors and serious collectors.

The best bargains can be found early in the day, so it’s worth getting there early to browse the stalls. You’ll find vintage clothing, preloved furniture, old photos, and all sorts of other finds. After you’ve made your purchases, take some time to relax in one of the many nearby cafes and inspect your new treasures.