The Sablon and Marolles districts: antiques and tradition

These two central neighbourhoods offer you a chance to relax while you discover Brussels' authentic character.

The Sablon is one of the city's most upmarket areas. People flock there to visit the church and buy chocolates! The Marolles is a must if you're looking to get a feel for Brussels' soul, with its unique shops, cafes and legendary square. You'll even hear people speaking Brussels dialect there! Famous jazz musician Toots Thielemans was born in the area.

Coming from the upper part of the city, you can't miss the majestic Church of Our Lady of Sablon, one of three Gothic churches in the centre of Brussels, built in the 15th century. Close to the former court of Brussels (now Place Royale), and therefore to the seat of power in days gone by, it is also linked to the origins of the Ommegang, a deeply rooted Brussels tradition. Did you know that in the 19th and even the 20th century, the square was a major venue for the ancient ball game ‘balle pelote’?

Countless murals and graffiti give the neighbourhood colour. Here you’ll find the largest number of the region's 85 comic book murals, with Billy and Buddy, Spirou and Benoit Brisefer among the districts residents. Young Brussels street artists have also taken over the neighbourhood with pieces inspired by the world of the famous medieval master, Bruegel. To round off your urban experience, pop in to Crevette Records and uncover some incredible LPs and test yourself at the Ursulines skatepark.

You'll find the best second-hand shops in Brussels on rue Haute and rue Blaes, which are a veritable haven of antiques dealers and vintage shops. Upcycling is also very present in the district. At Cyclup, for example, the pieces are made using repurposed textile, and their creation is part of a socio-professional reinsertion. Still on Rue Haute, at Melting pot Kilo, you pay for your second-hand clothes by the kilo. In a similar vein, pop into Bernard Gavilan’s store. His isn’t nicknamed the king of vintage for nothing!

The Marolles district is one of the best places in the capital for traditional Belgian cuisine. A perfect example is Brasserie Ploegmans. Les Brigittines is the Marolles district's chic restaurant, with an Art Nouveau setting and a refined, creative menu offering local cuisine and a selection of gueuze-based specialities. Looking for an intimate atmosphere and antiques-filled decor? Café Costermans is the place for you, with its small menu that changes with the seasons and its charming inner courtyard. If vegetarian food is more your thing, then L'Eau Chaude is worth discovering. This canteen in a former grocery store is where locals once came to fetch hot water. Not far from there, you’ll find Pois Chiche, a food bar serving up the flavours of the Middle East. At Nonno Piadineria, you can enjoy a delicious piadina – a typical Italian flatbread made with flour, lard or olive oil and water. On place du Jeu de Balle, the heart of the neighbourhood, be sure to stop by Mazette. Everything is homemade – even the beer! For a quick bite, Fava’s vegetarian pita pockets are a must. The same goes for the ultra-fresh fish at Fish Tank. And don’t forget to order some delicious Belgian chips! Just looking for a coffee and something sweet? Then Lucifer Lives and Original Cheesecake are the places to be. Or else head for Kosto, where you can also enjoy some delicious little dishes. La bonne chère, is a real gem that spares no expense: gourmet cuisine with French-Moldovan influences, a unique menu, impeccable service and a warm atmosphere. Looking for somewhere to have a nightcap? Round off your evening at Le Petit Lion, a trendy yet authentic spot that reflects the spirit of the neighbourhood.

The Marolles’ famous flea market covers place du Jeu de Balle from dawn until 14:00 during the week and until 15:00 at weekends. Here you can hunt for all kinds of objects and let yourself get swept up in the atmosphere. What's more, the bistros and estaminets that line the square are open and from time to time, musicians play on the terraces. Take a seat at La Brocante, it’s one of the area’s most typical cafés.

For a youthful, laid-back atmosphere, head to Le Super on the Sablon or the Reservoir Bar, rue Haute. Or check out Kombi Bar, an unusual lounge bar that serves food until midnight. Want to end your evening with a live act or DJ set? Rush to Le Chaff on place du Jeu de Balle!  In the former Restobières, you can now grab a drink in Gimic, a bar and web radio that offers a stage to emerging musical talent.  Craving a delicious cocktail in an intimate setting? Settle into the cosy armchairs of Vertigo, a speakeasy on rue Rollebeek. Jalousy bar, meanwhile, offers cocktails in an American-style setting and even hosts the occasional secret party in its basement.  But the most legendary dance club in the neighbourhood remains Fuse. Since 1994, this iconic techno temple has attracted clubbers from far and wide.