Brussels
For amazing vintage finds, try eccentric, elegant Gabriele. There’s a gorgeous jumble of cocktail dresses, hats, Chinese shawls and accessories; only…
Must-see shopping in Belgium
Brussels
This stylish bookshop located down an alley has a small but classy English-language section. Check the website for forthcoming literary events, many of…
Place du Jeu-de-Balle Flea Market
Brussels
The quintessential Marolles experience is haggling at this chaotic flea market, established in 1919. Weekends see it at its liveliest, but for the best…
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Liège
This Belgian family business makes fabulous chocolates from cocoa that they grow, roast and grind themselves on antique equipment (apparently newer…
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Namur
Spread across two floors, this giant cabinet of curiosities is a fun place to browse, with its array of old globes, antique maps, 1950s film posters,…
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Bruges
Bruges has 50 chocolate shops, but just five where chocolates are handmade on the premises. Of those, the Chocolate Line is the brightest and best. Wildly…
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Brussels
Fabulous food stalls cluster around an elongated, leafy square at this market. It's a true foodie heaven, featuring cheese, charcuterie, fresh fruit and…
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Brussels
Rare chocolate beans, experimental flavours (eg tea) and designer black-box packaging make Marcolini’s pralines Belgium’s hippest and most expensive.
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Bruges
Look for Thibaut Vandorselaer’s wonderful illustrated guides at this colourful comic shop. There’s also a comprehensive collection of comics and graphic…
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Ghent
This extremely popular flea market is a must for lovers of retro (especially the '70s). During the Gentse Feesten the market runs for 10 days straight and…
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Liège
On Sundays much of Liège's main riverside road is shut to make space for this vibrant, multicultural market, which encompasses cheap designer rip-offs,…
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Bruges
A fabulous sweets shop with eye-popping fuchsia decor. It sells umpteen varieties of fudge and candies, plus ice cream to go. Check out the candy sticks…
Brussels
A top address, Stijl is well stocked with Antwerp Six classic designer ware (Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten) but also features up-to-the-minute…
Brussels
Margiela is often tagged the unofficial seventh member of a group of designers known as the Antwerp Six (he graduated from Antwerp’s fashion academy in…
Brussels
Belge une fois is a concept store selling creations by the eponymous designers’ collective. It also sells artefacts, accessories and light fixtures by…
Brussels
A temple of affordable fashion, Kure sells cute jumpsuits by Can Pep Rey and Second Female, soft cardigans by Designers Remix and second-skin leather…
Brussels
Selling handmade Spanish textiles crafted from recycled cotton, Jinzu has rugs, cushions and poufs as well as rattan furniture, rocking chairs and cots…
Brussels
A Dansaert landmark, ICON stocks high-class prét-à-porter, with an avant-garde selection of Belgian designers, including Valentine Witmeur Lab, the…
Brussels
Chic comic-book shop named after a book by one of Belgium's best-known contemporary comic artists, François Schuiten. Comics with English translations…
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Brussels
Behind the motto 'You are Superb', YAS concept store boasts mainly French and Scandinavian brands under the impeccable curating eye of image consultant…
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Namur
A delightful shop with a small, handsomely curated collection of handcrafted objects made by artisans from around the globe. You'll find architecturally…
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Brussels
Said to be the biggest market in Europe, this sprawl of colourful stalls next to the railway lines has an international flavour, with North African and…
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Brussels
With its gold-wreath-encircled columns and ornate gilded ceiling, this is about the prettiest bookshop you could imagine. The literary connections are hot…
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Bruges
This gorgeous traditional grocery is now surrounded by mainstream boutiques but has been here since 1933. Decked out with red-and-white gingham flounces…
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Brussels
As its name states, this shop is a temple to beer, stocking upwards of 700 brews along with matching glasses and other booze-related merchandise. For more…
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Brussels
A traditional and welcoming grocery in the heart of town, specialising in artisanal cheeses, several of them organic. You'll also find cured meats and…
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Brussels
Both moulds and chocolates are made on-site. At 4pm on Saturday and Sunday there are praline-making demonstrations explaining chocolate’s development,…
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Bruges
This fabulously well-stocked travel bookshop is an extension of De Reyghere Boekhandel next door; it's been in the same family for generations. Past…
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Brussels
Poetic and feminine garments inspired by the past, with vintage-style shapes in dazzling colours: electric blue, coral and orange.
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Brussels
A great little multicultural bookshop, which fosters exchanges of ideas with talks, seminars, literary quizzes and wine evenings.
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Brussels
Bright and beautiful clothes for men and women, all Fairtrade and eco-friendly. Slow fashion at reasonable prices.
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Manufacture Belge de Dentelles
Brussels
Excellent stock of antique lace, and staff who love the stuff.
Bruges
There’s a cornucopia of 450 beers and rare gueuzes (lambic beer), as well as jenevers (gins) and liqueurs flavoured with elderflower, cranberries and…
Brussels
This former garage is now a concept store selling ceramic cacti holders, handmade Italian sunglasses and minimal Scandinavian furniture pieces. Its small…
Brussels
Forget Ali Baba’s cave; Rose is an embarrassment of homeware riches, from pineapple lamps and hand-embroidered Macon & Lesquoy pins to leather birthday…
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The Ardennes
Come here to buy tour tickets to the Chouffe brewery (Brasserie d'Achouffe) or simply to stock up on Chouffe merchandise and takeaways.
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Liège
A showcase for products made in Wallonia? Non mais oui! Local beers are included bien sûre but also honey-based cosmetics, chocolate moustaches, artisanal…
