What is the ideal gift to bring back from Brussels? What best sums up the magic of the Belgian capital? Forget mugs and snow globes: here are 8 original and extraordinary gifts to bring back from Brussels!
Top 7 original and extraordinary gifts to bring back from Brussels
© XPO Creatives
A delicious Brussels cheese from Saint-Octave
Belgium is a major producer of cheese. So if you are visiting Brussels, don't miss the Saint-Octave cheese dairy in Brussels. Its cheeses and charcuterie are traditional and environmentally friendly. Comté, gorgonzola and an authentic goat's cheese are some of their star attractions... Here's a tasty gift that will make people jealous!
“Bruxelles, ma belle” by Dick Annegarn on vinyl
He sang "Bruxelles, ma belle, je te reviens bientôt..." (Beautiful Brussels, I'll be back soon...). The mythical song by Dick Annegarn, Brussels, features on his "Sacré Géranium" vinyl. Contemporary singer Angèle did a beautiful cover of it that went all around the web. Treat your music loving friends or family to this record that you can buy at one of Brussels' record stores! You'll find them all over the city centre: Caroline Music, 72 Records, Arlequin, …
A tailor-made perfume from l'Antichambre
Looking for a personalised gift for a loved one? Take them to l'Antichambre. Here, the search for a perfume is an art. Whether you are a man or a woman, specialists will help you create THE fragrance that suits you best. Each bottle is a personal creation, the perfume matches your personality and gives you an olfactory signature of your own. Bring home a special gift for someone you care about!
A t-shirt with belgicisms
“Non, peut-être !”, “Dikkenek”, “Il drache”: do you know how to speak brusseleir? Nothing beats a t-shirt with one of these local words or turns of phrase to remind you of all these typical Belgian expressions. A friend’s birthday? A colleague with a sense of humour? We all know someone who would love on of these t-shirts! A 100% local, funny gift that doesn’t take itself too seriously, much like the people of Brussels.
A Brussels comic strip from Brüsel
A comic strip is THE Brussels gift par excellence. Visit Brüsel to find the best comic strips recommended by specialists. They have a wide choice of comics, manga & screen prints, all carefully selected by comic strip enthusiasts in Brussels. This book shop is suitable for both novices and connoisseurs and it's the ideal place to find an authentic Brussels gift.
A shiitake kit: grow your own Brussels mushrooms!
An original present, a shiitake kit will be perfect for your friend with a green thumb. With this small kit, in just one week, he will be able to grow delicious Brussels mushrooms.... Still little-known, the famous "shiitake" has a fragrant taste and remarkable nutritional qualities. Its secret? It's prepared with... beer! By buying this kit, you're supporting a new and sustainable Brussels initiative, le Champignon de Bruxelles.
The Tough Cookie: beer + speculoos, the perfect Brussels gift!
We already mentioned it in our article about the beers to enjoy at Christmas, but the Tough Cookie is a Christmas star! The ideal gourmet gift from Brussels, it combines beer and the legendary Belgian speculoos. The Tough Cookie is the result of a collaboration between the Brussels Beer Project brewery and the legendary speculoos brand Maison Dandoy. You can buy the pretty beer + biscuits pack in Maison Dandoy stores or at the brewery itself.
