In Brussels, craftsmanship is passed down from generation to generation. Over the years, many local craft businesses have acquired undeniable expertise, which is often exported internationally. Whether they are official suppliers to the Court of Belgium or members of the very select Brussels Expertise Label, they have made excellence their trademark.
Did you know that many of Brussels' artisan houses are more than a hundred years old? Some even predate the creation of Belgium itself! They have managed to survive the passage of time, including various upheavals and geopolitical crises. Their secret? Continuously adapting to trends while remaining attached to the core values of their craft: passion, know-how and the transmission of knowledge. Today, these businesses have acquired a reputation that extends far beyond our borders, and have a loyal clientele. Some can even boast that they are official suppliers to the Belgian Court or holders of the Brussels Expertise Labels. How chic!
Brasserie Cantillon – Brussels Geuze Museum (since 1900)
Located in Anderlecht, Cantillon is Brussels' last Lambic brewery. A veritable, vibrant heritage site, this famous family business and its museum invite you to step back in time. Travel back to the 1900s as you admire the copper vats, granaries, traditional brewing processes and century-old barrels! Cantillon respects the brewing tradition of the rare and highly sought-after spontaneous fermentation of the wort, thanks to the work of the inescapable local bacteria, the charming Brettanomyces bruxellensis. It's an essential part of Brussels’ cultural landscape!
© Cantillon
Joris (since 1938)
For four generations now, Joris sweets have been delighting Brussels inhabitants with a sweet tooth. This family business has been part of Belgium's confectionery tradition since 1938! During the Second World War, and following shortages of raw materials, the company had to show ingenuity and specialised in gummies, little delights requiring just two ingredients: gelatine and sugar. It was a gamble that paid off! These gums, both hard and soft, are still produced today according to the traditional recipe in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, and are recognised throughout Europe for their unique and sustainable production process.
Mary (since 1919)
A female entrepreneur at the head of a veritable Belgian success story during the inter-war years - does it ring a bell? A visionary with a passion for chocolate, Mary Delluc opened her first shop on rue Royale in 1919. At the time, the shop combined a praline counter with a delicate Art Deco tea room frequented by the Brussels bourgeoisie. This refinement continues to this day in the various Mary boutiques, from the chocolate creations to the display cases and containers. It's all about harmony and sweetness.
© Marychocolaterie
Maison Dandoy (since 1829)
Have you ever smelled the sweet aroma of speculoos around the Grand-Place? It's probably the Dandoy biscuit factory, which has been perfuming the streets of Brussels since 1829. This institution has managed to continue its tradition down through the generations, and today offers a wide choice of delicious specialities: speculoos, marzipan, pain à la grecque (Greek-style bread) and gingerbread are just some of the delicacies on offer. Maison Dandoy has a real passion for beauty and exclusivity, and is constantly developing new collaborations with artists and other Belgian companies. The counter on rue au Beurre is its oldest (1858), and Baudelaire is said to have been a regular customer when he visited in 1860. Maison Dandoy also survived the rationing of the Second World War thanks to its sweet rusk, which required few raw materials.
Neuhaus (since 1912)
In 1912, in the heart of the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries, Jean Neuhaus invented the famous praline. This Swiss pharmacist of Italian origin made a drastic career change, becoming a chocolatier and specialising in filled sweets. In 1915, his wife, Louise Agostini, invented the ballotin, a container for protecting the chocolates. Today, Neuhaus creates chocolates using natural ingredients and sustainable cocoa beans. You'll melt for the sweet treats of this chocolatier, located in the Queen's Gallery and many other locations in Brussels.
© Neuhaus
Wittamer (since 1910)
When it comes to sweet treats that have stood the test of time, Wittamer is hard to beat. This century-old business specialises in pastries and delicate cakes. Although taken over in 2021 by a trio of entrepreneurs, the company remains true to the values and expertise of the three generations of Wittamers who held the reins in the past. Wittamer delights the taste buds from its famous Grand Sablon boutique. Macaroons, pralines, black forest gateau, Saint Honoré cake... it's impossible to resist the capital's most mouth-watering counter! Wittamer even brings its delicious delicacies to gourmets around the world, through its international franchises.
Au Grand Rasoir - Maison Jamart (since 1821)
With almost 1,500 products, Maison Jamart has been cultivating the art of cutlery for more than two centuries. The expertise transmitted down the generations is now recognised not only by professionals and private individuals, but also by the Court of Belgium! Entering the Maison Jamart boutique is like stepping back in time. You can't help but fall under the spell of the old shelves and display cabinets with their age-old patina. Kitchen knives, scissors, penknives, razors and countless other products are carefully selected from renowned French, German, English, Swiss and Japanese suppliers. A sharp selection of the very best!
Coutellerie du Roi (since 1750)
Tucked away in the discreet Passage du Nord, not far from rue Neuve is where you'll find Coutellerie du Roi. Founded in 1750 - well before the birth of Belgium - this old-fashioned cutlery shop offers a wide range of utensils, from nail nippers to pepper mills and, of course, a wide variety of knives. They also have some collector's items on display. Opinel, Laguiole, Leatherman, Victorinox and Peugeot, they're all there. Coutellerie du Roi offers unrivalled after-sales service and has its own sharpening workshop.
Maison Van Thienen (since 1880)
Maison Van Thienen has specialised in picture framing since 1880 when it was founded by François Van Thienen, a gilder. Several generations of succeeded one another at the head of the family business until 1986, when Charles Van Thienen, François' grandson, handed over the company to Vincent Vercheval, who now runs it expertly. Over 140 years, the company has had the privilege of working with great artists such as René Magritte, Paul Delvaux, James Ensor and Léon Spilliaert. They're craftsmen who are worth their weight in gold!
Miroiterie Leys & Fils (since 1870)
Five successive generations have forged the reputation of Miroiterie Leys since 1870. Over the last 150 years, the company has had many prestigious projects showcasing the nobility of glass. They have worked on the Royal Greenhouses in Laeken, Solvay Library, the Royal Palace, the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries and the Atomium, to name but a few. Over a century and a half of glassmaking expertise.
Savonneries bruxelloises (since 1926)
The traditional Savonneries Bruxelloises soap factory in Laeken will soon be one hundred years old. Since 1926, three generations of the Nanson family and various successors have been committed to producing top-quality solid soaps and cosmetics. Today, Les Savonneries has been taken over by two young entrepreneurs who respect the brand's historic values and ambitions while adapting to today's challenges. The fruit of local craftsmanship and ancestral know-how, almost three quarters of the production is exported to the four corners of the world. Curious to discover the production process? You can visit the factory, which deliciously incorporates perfumes from Grasse, by appointment.
© Savonneries Bruxelloises
Vervloet (since 1905)
The Maison Vervloet teams work on all manner of national and international projects from their Brussels workshop. For over a century, countless customers have called on the company's expertise, which specialises in art fittings and is one of the last in Europe. The craftsmen and designers have created and produced a collection of over 45,000 pieces of bronze and brass hardware, often made to measure, in a wide range of decorative styles, from Louis XIV to Art Deco and contemporary design.
Maison De Greef (since 1848)
Watchmaker François-Prosper De Greef set up shop on rue au Beurre, a stone's throw from the Grand-Place, in 1848. Today, the sixth generation of this family specialising in watchmaking and jewellery still operates from the same address. With their signature excellence, the successors of the family business navigate between elegance and exclusivity with Arnaud Wittmann, goldsmith and jewellery designer, at the helm. He infuses the company with his unique, offbeat style, satisfying an increasingly demanding clientele.
Leysen (since 1855)
The secret of Leysen jewellery's longevity? Designing meaningful jewellery that tells a story and stands the test of time. Six generations of jewellers have been at the head of this institution since 1855. Guided by values of attentiveness and excellence, they have forged the family's sterling reputation and expert craftsmanship. All the jewels are crafted in the Belgian jewellers' workshops by artisans who bring to life the sketches imagined by the family.
Wolfers (since 1812)
Wolfers has been bringing sparkle to the lives of its customers since 1812. It is one of the oldest jewellers and goldsmiths in Europe and was one of the leading figures in Art Nouveau in Brussels at the end of the 19th century. Elegance, beauty and audacity have guided the company through the ages and trends. In 1958, Wolfers' reputation spread beyond our borders thanks to the Expo Universelle, which was held in Brussels. Queen Mathilde of Belgium's wedding tiara is a Wolfers creation.
Delvaux (since 1829)
Brussels can boast of being home to the oldest luxury leather goods brand in the world: Delvaux. Founded in the capital in 1829 by Charles Delvaux, the company's creations are now exported to all four corners of the globe, capturing the hearts of global celebrities such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Rihanna! The expertise of its craftsmen, its timeless design and the quality of its creations even won over the Belgian Court in 1883. Their one piece that has stood the test of time? The Brillant, created for the 1958 Universal Exhibition and continually reinvented ever since.
Natan (since 1930)
Founded by Paul Natan, Natan fashion and ready-to-wear clothing brans has been around since 1930. It was only when the company was taken over by Edouard Vermeulen in the 1980s, however, that it really made a name for itself beyond our borders. The designer, who trained as an interior architect, quickly won over the nobility thanks to his love of volumes and materials, starting with the Belgian royal family, but also those of the Netherlands, Sweden and Luxembourg. For almost 40 years, Edouard Vermeulen has been creating classic pieces with strong identities.
NATAN © picture : Marc Tops, set design: Christophe Coppens, Super Sauce TV
