Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés, on the corner of Rue de l'Escalier, Natural Corner, is the trendy meeting place for Bio product lovers, where one can easily find an extraordinary array of food products, refreshments, fruits, a nature friendly cosmetic line, and since recently, also purchase your favorite items and products by  weight.  Nearby, discover La Brasserie de Bruxelles, the latest hot-spot where one can find all of Brussels gathered on just one delicious table, composed of various local gastronomy products. Nearby, at number 43, Le Coup de Coeur is somewhere between a boutique hotel and a charming bed and breakfast. The building dates back to the 19th century, and is a wonderfully relaxing address steps away from both the Grand Place and the sablon's infamous antique addresses. Its lounge and three superb suits elegantly decorated to the last detail will please the fussiest traveller. Afterwards, take a break at Palais des Thés, where it is impossible not to find your favorite tea!

Opposite, the Jacques Brel Foundation, brings to life the music and career of this talented Brussels’ artist.
On Rue de l'Hôpital, walking up towards the Sablon#, pop into the small traditional knife boutique founded in 1821, Au Grand Rasoir, with an enormous selection of knives and other high quality gadgets for cutting and slicing. A little further up, you must stop off at Emery & Cie, an original interior design shop where Agnes Emery's creations are displayed in a grandiose setting. Further up, look into Collectors Gallery. Betty de Stefano will happily share her passion for Scandinavian 60's jewellery, George Jensen vintage... and antique perfume bottles. Next door, Knott Shop is a boutique that will have you delving not only into the Belgian designer Jean Paul Knott's collections, but his well selected range of fashion by international designers of note. Slightly further up, YellowKorner offers you marvellous photography reproductions of artists, but in a limited edition. Just opposite, the publisher Taschen will make you dream with its incredible range or art and travel books.

At the bottom of the Place du Grand-Sablon is a pedestrian street : Rue de Rollebeek. It is lined up with charming little boutiques, including a few antique shops, the famous biscuit maker Dandoy, as well as Charlotte aux Pommes, known for stocking the best fashion designers in women clothes and accessories: Jean-Paul Gaultier, Prada, Jill Sander. It is often said that Belgian chocolate is the best in the world...

On the place du Sablon, you are spoiled for choice. The traditional chocolate maker Neuhaus is constantly developing new recipes while maintaining its quality and a 150 year old tradition. Media favourite Pierre Marcolini presents his creations in a spectacular concept store. And Wittamer, is not only a chocolate maker but first also and foremost one of the best pastry and ice-cream makers of the capital. The Wittamer family has been operating since 1910, has built an international reputation, and been appointed Royal Court supplier.

On Place du Sablon, the antiques district, do not miss the famous Sablon antiques market on weekends. This area is an ideal place to stroll. Located in a superb town house, the Galerie Pierre Bergé et Associés is a renowned auction room, as well as an exhibition place, dedicated to contemporary design.  A few steps away, Le Vieux Saint Martin, is the restaurant to be seen in, an is appreciated for its Belgian specialities : the “américain-frites” is rumoured to be one of the best in the capital. On the same side of the street, the restaurant Lola is also a sure bet. In-between the two is Flamant’s new flagship decoration store, which brings together all of its collections, in a country home setting.  If you are looking for a gourmet dinner or a business meal, think of the l’ Ecailler du Palais Royal. On weekends, do not miss the famous Marché du Sablon, where antiquarian’s red and green striped stalls attract a large number of locals, as well as Parisians. Ideally located, overlooking the Sablon antiques market, the NH Hotel du Grand Sablon is perfect for business trips or those "antiques and chocolates shopping" week-ends. Next door, Royal Boch, the oldest Belgian manufacturer of traditional earthenware, presents its timeless collections as well as limited editions, including creations of Belgian artist Piet Stockmans. Opposite the majestic Notre Dame du Sablon gothic church, Le Pain Quotidien a bakery with shared tables for eating, invites you to have a taste of its natural products and food. 

On Place du Petit Sablon. To celebrate its 125 years in the making, Côte d’Or invites you to come and take a bite of its world-wide chocolate collection. For a moment of peace, take a stroll in the gardens and admire the statuettes which all represent the various corporations of Brussels.

On Rue de la Régence, at number 25, lies a superb building dating from 1870 for Le Fourneau, an original food concept inspired by Joël Rebuchon. Chef Evan Triantopoulos will get your taste buds flowing.

Go back towards the courthouse (Palais de Justice), whose presence dominates the city of Brussels. Just behind it, on Rue de Wynants 21, do take stop at Larmes du Tigre, the most pleasant and appetizing Thai restaurant ! 

On Place Poelaert, discover its superb panoramic sight overlooking the city as well as an extraordinary restoration: the old Jacqmotte coffee house buildings. Take the panoramic lift which will take you to Rue Haute. At number 146, Easy Tempo is a fashionable Italian restaurant . Their truffles ravioli are a delight.

Return to Rue de la Régence, towards the Place Royale,  take time to visit the Musée d’Art Ancien and the Musée d’Art Moderne’s exceptional collections.  Slightly hungry ? Discover The Museum Café. For a sophisticated Belgian meal, opt for the MuseumBrasserie. Its menu was overseen by Peter Goossens, the Chef at the Hof van Cleve, which boasts three stars in the Michelin guide. Next door, be one of the first to discover the newly opened Musée Magritte, an entirely renovated museum that now solely exhibits a vast collection of works by the most famous Belgian surrealist, René Magritte.

Place Royale has impressive views over Mont des Arts. Around the corner, the BIP Tourism Office and library Filigranes bookstore offers a wide range of books regarding tourism, art and architecture, in order to help you discover the hidden treasures of the city. Beside it, the superb building Old England, an Art Nouveau masterpiece, which today houses the Museum of Instruments. When the weather is fair, stop at MIM, a restaurant with sublime views over to the Grand’Place and located on the top floor.  A few steps away, the Palais des Beaux Arts/ Bozar designed by famous architect Horta, offers remarkable shows and exhibitions. A paradise for the art and design lover : the Bozar Shop. Open 7/7, it offers more than 10.000 art books, CDs and DVDs, a vast selection of art magazines, and original gifts and gadgets.Opposite, the atelier-boutique of Belgian chocolate "maitre" (master) Laurent Gerbaud tempts you to try his daring creations renown for gracefully mixing sweet and salty flavours together, and also his personal selection of chocolate from around the world. Tickle your taste buds and participate in one of his demonstrations of traditional chocolate making. Nearby, visit the new Palais des Congrès, a hotspot since its recent renovations, and don't miss the frescoes by Delvaux and Magritte. Near the gardens, the transparent cube shaped entry building by Belgian artist Arne Quinze, Square, is lit up each night in spectacular fashion. With its wonderful panoramic view over the Albertine gardens, le bar-restaurant Kwint is a showstopper. Its quality products: Kaspia caviar, truffles exclusively from Maison de la Truffe de Paris, a highly qualified chef and imposing sculpture by Arne Quinze will seduce the best of us.

For a moment of relaxation, walk through the Parc de Bruxelles, opposite the Palais Royal. Next door, visit the Dynasty Museum.

Rue Royale, after the Rue de la Loi and its ministries, you will be won over by the shop of the most famous Belgian florist, Daniel Ost. Slightly further away, is the fine chocolate maker Mary, a tradition that dates back to 1919. And just a couple of steps nearby, the splendid Astoria Hotel, currently undergoing renovations, is considered to be an architectural delight and will reopen its doors in 2010. Further on, discover the Botanique the Botanical Gardens and its magnificent greenhouses, which have all been transformed into an exhibition and animation space. Next to it is the Hôtel Bloom, with its bright and modern decor, and whose 350 rooms all portray the floral theme in frescoes done by young artists.