Brussels’ top 10 bookshops

Passa Porta Bookshop is the best multilingual bookshop in the capital. Housed in Passa Porta — the international house of literature in Brussels — it offers, under its beautiful well of light, a quality selection of novels, poems, essays and books for children.

Nestled in the Royal Saint-Hubert galleries, Tropismes should be visited first and foremost for its beauty. It is housed in a historical setting, with gigantic mirrors and a magnificent mezzanine. For lovers of fine books, this sumptuous bookshop focuses on human sciences, great classics and fine arts. It also offers a rich selection for youths and comics for youngsters.

Librebook brings together a unique selection of contemporary fiction from over thirty European countries, in twenty languages. In this bookshop you can set off on a cultural discovery tour of Europe, based on a multilingual selection of essays, graphic novels, novels and travel guides. Their offer also includes cookery and lifestyle books.

Le Wolf is a favourite with parents. This temple of children's literature is entirely designed with youngsters in mind. In its original and luminous setting, children choose their future favourite stories. Don't forget to visit Freddy the sleeping wolf upstairs. Le Wolf also organises courses, workshops and storytelling readings. It's an unmissable address for all book lovers.

A haven for bookworms, this covered passage, which was completely restored in 2024, has taken a delightful gastronomic turn. In addition to the Genicot bookshop, with its mix of old and new books, Pierre Coumans boasts a large selection of rare books. The Café littéraire Kawa Club, with its ultra-cosy English bookshop feel, is another bookish highlight. As for food, there's a cheese shop, a delicatessen, a Lebanese delicatessen and a pork butcher to tempt your taste buds. In short, Galerie Bortier is the perfect place to satisfy your literary appetite and treat yourself to a delicious bite to eat!

BOZAR has entrusted its bookshop to Walther König, Europe's leading art bookshop and an important art book publisher. As such it has amassed an international and specialised range of publications dedicated to art, architecture, photography and design. BOZAR Bookshop fits perfectly with the Art Deco architecture that Victor Horta designed for this Palace of Fine Arts.

On the charming place Brugmann you will find Candide, which has been a reference for many decades. A fine selection of travel and cookery books, a delightful children's corner and an eclectic selection of novels. And for the epicureans among you, why not devour your chosen book on the heated terrace of the Voltaire café located just next door?

The pretty Peinture Fraîche bookshop is nestled away in the heart of the Flagey neighbourhood. Peinture Fraîche doesn't offer literature, but a fine selection of art, architecture, illustration, photo and design books.

Librairie Flagey has become a well-loved fixture on the square that shares its name. You feel right at home the moment you step inside. Here, you’ll find a delightful mix of comics, manga, novels, children’s books, and games, all carefully selected by a passionate team. Among the shelves, you’ll come across personal recommendations, hidden gems, and plenty of titles you won’t find just anywhere. There’s always something going on: creative workshops, book signings, or simply a friendly chat. Whether you're on a mission or just browsing, you're bound to leave with a smile and a book under your arm!

In April 2025, the iconic Brussels bookshop Filigranes swapped its home on avenue des Arts for a new location in the elegant Mayfair department store on boulevard de Waterloo. They offer over 150,000 books spread across a 1,200m², four-storey space. All the old favourites – from literature and comics to toys – remain, while the international languages section now has even greater emphasis. Filigranes also continues to invest in a rich literary programme, with author talks, book signings and debates. And, last but not least, you can even enjoy a bite to eat or a drink in this inspiring setting.