Words + Shutter: Henrieta Haniskova

Grand Place, a medieval square in Brussels

Can you guess the place where history and the future blend together into one, junk food is an essential part of the cuisine, the comic strip is an art form and a sculpture of a peeing boy is a symbol of the city?

Brussels the capital of the European Union, home of lace and chocolate and the birthplace of Art Nouveau, where locals enjoy many a meal on a patio, and good laughs over pints of strong beer.

Stroll through the web of the old town to find the humorous symbol of the city: a pissing boy water-fountain more than a thousand years old, hence the name Manneken-Pis.

The aroma of whip-cream-laced waffles with fruit and chocolate will carry you on towards the shopping arcade Galeries Royales St-Hubert where a serving of hot chocolate comes in a glass of hot milk and a small bowl of chocolate chips for you to blend your own.

A bussling evening on a street lines with restaurants in Brussels.

Wander down narrow streets made even smaller through the patios of restaurants competing for clientele by displaying their catch of the day on the street and waiters chatting you up. Rue des Bouchers looks every bit like a tourist trap but even the locals like to come and enjoy great lunch deals. There is only one restaurant that has no need to compete: Chez Leon is well frequented by those who know the menu of mussels served in many different styles. The food is a combination of Flemish home cooking and French elegance with side of frites and mayonnaise. Here, wine is substituted with beer in sauces and to flavour the bouillabaisse and eel in green sauce.

A fresh food market stall with the catch of the day in Brussels.

A picturesque setting of one of the main dining establishments in Brussels.

Walk down to the most beautiful medieval square in Europe, Grand Place, surrounded by unique houses each wearing an original façade and a city hall from 1402. The best way to savor Grand Place is from the patio at one of the many bars, enjoying the view with a glass of one of the 1,000 different brews from Belgium. Start with Stella or Hoegaarden and make your way through to the darker brands, but remember that here 9 to 10% is the standard strength in beer.

 Look for Mary Chocolatier, the best chocolate shop in Brussels with the feel of an 18th-century jewellery shop, where handmade truffles crafted from fresh cream and chocolate in unique and traditional flavours seduce even those with less than a drop of a chocoholic in them to sample from their purchase before they step out onto the street again.
 
Mary Chocolatier: Rue Royale 73
Chez Leon: Rue des Bouchers 18