Brussels: the City of Chocolate and Beer

Discovering cities is not just about visiting their monuments and taking pictures next to them. Traveling is savoring. A simple bite of chocolate, or a good beer, has the power to change our mood. And we could say that in Brussels, chocolate and beer are even more popular than the Manneken Pis itself.

We’ll start off around the breweries and leave the chocolate for dessert. The beers of the Brussels region tend to be of spontaneous fermentation, but Belgium boasts beers of all types and flavors. The streets of the EU capital harbor hundreds of taverns where beer takes center stage. For instance, 250 beers Belgium with its impressive variety of beers and located on Rue au Beurre. Or Toone Brewery, found on the Impasse of Sainte Pétronille, which besides beer, offers a puppet show. Moeder Lambic, on Place Fontainas serves home brewed beer. Time seems to have come to a standstill at Le Cirio, a café on Rue de la Bourse. Its over-the-top décor will surprise you. Or Le Cercueil, a gothic bar next to the popular Grand Place, where beer is served in skull-shaped glasses. A very peculiar place.

And it’s time for dessert. When it comes to chocolate shops, just like breweries, you’ll find there is one just around every corner. Besides exporting chocolate around the world, Belgians are used to eating sweets at the end meals. In fact, estimates place the yearly chocolate consumption of Belgians at over 8 kg per person. Amazing. Sweet things never made anyone bitter, and well, when it comes to the Belgians there’s no doubt about it: they love sweets and their favorite treat is chocolate, in any of its shapes and textures.

The chicest chocolate shop in town is Pierre Marcolini, on Place Sablon. But there are also more affordable options, like Godiva’s outlet in the vicinity of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Another finger licking example is Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier, in the old town, with artisanal top-quality products created by master chocolatiers. At their shop, on Rue Ravenstein, you’ll be able to see and buy chocolates, pralines, and creams. Artisanal chocolate workshops are also offered at Zaabär, where some very peculiar chocolates are made: chocolate-dipped fruits, spiced truffles, chocolates with Sri Lankan lemon liqueur, with Guérande sea salt, or with Bahia pink pepper. Words cannot express; you have to try them. Another shop offering workshops is Concept Chocolate, where they’ll teach you how to make customized chocolates made with 100% pure cocoa butter. However, the most authentic and best known chocolate boutique in Brussels is Galler Grand Place, founded in 1976. And besides chocolates, pralines, truffles, marrons glacés, and cookies, they sell delicious hot chocolate and tea.

 

Twitter: @DianaRPretel