dezmondo Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Heading to Brussels with the girlfriend next weekend......turned out to be the worst weekend I could have picked as a result of missing the potential Morton title party and then the boxing later on!! Anyway, never been so any tips welcome. I've booked a walking tour as I always tend to do with any major city but beyond that and sampling some good chocolate and beer I have no plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flora MaDonald Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Get the train to Bruges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottincarlisle Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 I have to say when we played there last time it was one of the worst places I've visited. Pick pockets & muggers everywhere. Beware on the underground. There's a bit to do up near the Atomium. As above Bruges is nicer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goozay Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Get the train to Bruges. Pretty much this. After you've had lunch or dinner in The Grand Place in Brussels I'd get out the city. Bruges is a great shout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecraigfanclub Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 I would head to St Catherine area.There is a goof bar called the Monk and then one further down the same road called Roskamp (?) When we were there for the last game they had a fantastic Johny Cash tribute band on. Across the road from the Roskamp is a grey Belgian restaurant called Pret Salle. Not particularly tourist friendly but the food is excellent. I would book. Lots of good bars around that area then you have the other Belgian beer bars. I would also walk up to the old town and try Place Sablon. Great cafes, Armani and a truly awesome chocolate shop. If its good weather and you want to get out I would by pass Bruges and go to Ostend. Fantastic beach and seafood restaurants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Endell Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Pretty much this. After you've had lunch or dinner in The Grand Place in Brussels I'd get out the city. Bruges is a great shout. ^^^ Another vote for Bruges - cracking place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnyTJS Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Antwerp for me - head to a bar called De Vagant. Wouldn't spend more than a day & night in Brussels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Gills Mcginty Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Open top bus tour is a decent way to see the city and get around. I enjoyed the Atomium thingy, I also enjoyed the transport museum in the big Arc de Triomphe type thingy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringo Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 A friend of mine lived there for 2-3 years around 2001 game I used to pop over regularly on my own or with others for long weekends. Always enjoyed it and this was out favoured place for food. Very laid back and serve food very, very late. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g188644-d1852850-Reviews-Fin_de_Siecle-Brussels.html Seems to still be popular and well rated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coggs Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 I've been working out there sporadically the last few months and actually stayed for a long weekend last week to see the place a bit. You won't get much love for Brussels on here as most TA how went seemed to hate it, but I've really begun to enjoy the place. As JCFC has said, the St Catherine area is worth heading to. We stayed in a hotel there called the Atlas. The Monk bar is very good as is the bar just a few doors along called Bar Des Amis. There is a place just around the corner from there called Fin De Siecle which my colleagues recommended for food and it did not disappoint. Well worth trying that. In terms of sights, the Cathedral is worth a wander around (decent old bar close to it called Mort Sebite). Also if you have the time, take the metro to Heysel and visit the Atomium. Was something a bit different and pretty cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coggs Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Just realised that Fringo was talking about Fin De Siecle too, so two votes for there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringo Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Just realised that Fringo was talking about Fin De Siecle too, so two votes for there. I remember 2-3 good bars round the corner which may the ones you're talking about too. St Catherine rings a bell as an area but not sure. I think we got off at one of two poss nearby tram stations - maybe La Bourse ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottincarlisle Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 St Catherine rings a bell as an area but not sure. I'm sure one of the Ibis's is in St Catherine area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thistle do nicely Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Brussels isnt the best, and I spent 3 hours trying to leave the airport a week ago cos of strikes so check before you go. They were talking about the trains being on strike this week too. Brugge is great for a short break, and from what Ive seen of ghent, that looks ok too, the best option may be to pick somewhere and train to it in an hour or two. Or as mentioned have food in the grand place cos its nice then sit in a pub working your way through the beer menu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dezmondo Posted April 26, 2015 Author Share Posted April 26, 2015 Thanks for the replies, some decent info there. We're planning on taking the train to one of the other towns/cities on one of the days if Brussels isn't up to much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Rubble Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 (edited) I've been working out there sporadically the last few months and actually stayed for a long weekend last week to see the place a bit. You won't get much love for Brussels on here as most TA how went seemed to hate it, but I've really begun to enjoy the place. As JCFC has said, the St Catherine area is worth heading to. We stayed in a hotel there called the Atlas. The Monk bar is very good as is the bar just a few doors along called Bar Des Amis. There is a place just around the corner from there called Fin De Siecle which my colleagues recommended for food and it did not disappoint. Well worth trying that. In terms of sights, the Cathedral is worth a wander around (decent old bar close to it called Mort Sebite). Also if you have the time, take the metro to Heysel and visit the Atomium. Was something a bit different and pretty cool. Lived in Brussels from 94-08 and I would concur with the above. My advice is get the tourist trap that is the Grand Place over and done with in 5 minutes by walking through it and head out to explore other streets and bars further afield. The Sablon is a must as JCFC said. I would add in Parc Cinquantenaire (the museum is worth a visit), the bars at Merode and Place Jourdan (Chez Bernard and L'Autobus being particular favourites at the latter). The tram museum in Woluwe is worth a visit if that kind of thing interests you, and Woluwe park opposite it too. There's a huge choice of restaurants, so it depends what your tastes are first and foremost. There's a whole street of Vietnamese/Asian restaurants at the Bourse (the street next to O'Reilly's). I would recommend Than Binh, followed by a few beers at Mappa Mundo at the foot of the street. Finally for a day trip I'll recommend Leuven (20 minutes on the train). It's a University town - the bars and restaurants are superb. Ostend and Antwerp as suggested by other posters are also good shouts. Whatever you choose to do enjoy it and stay away from the tourist traps. Edited April 27, 2015 by Barney Rubble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BremnerLorimerGray Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Antwerp for me - head to a bar called De Vagant. Wouldn't spend more than a day & night in Brussels. Antwerp gets my vote as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hampden Diehard Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Well, after the lad's been there, but I would recommend a Cuban restaurant near Grand Place....can't remember the name, but there can't be that many. An oasis of good food and value in a sea of tourist shite. Also, pure touristy, but I went to the Le Ceurceuil pub which is done up like an undertakers and just off the Grand Place. First time I went, they had mandarin flavoured alcohol served in wee glasses that were shaped like skulls and the tables were glass topped coffins. There was funereal music and a guy who was a ringer for Maigret was behind the bar. Next time I went, he was gone. so were the glasses and the music was typical pumping pish. Maybe I caught them on a bad night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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