You can’t miss it. Streets bathed in a sea of light, a majestic Christmas tree winking at the tower of City Hall, that colourful mix of scents and colours at the Christmas market… it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Need inspiration for Christmas gifts, cultural trips or culinary treats? Be enchanted by the magic of end-of-year celebrations with these December tips from visit.brussels !
Winter in Brussels
True to tradition, our capital city packs a charm offensive this winter. An array of Christmas markets, top artisanal addresses, attractions for young and old and a top-notch cultural offer make Brussels the perfect Christmas destination!
Save the date: Bright Festival is here again from 15 to 18 February 2024
Make a note of the eighth edition of the Bright Festival in your diary. From 15 to 18 February, Brussels will already be the place to be for lovers of magical lighting in a unique city setting. Besides immersive and poetic art installations in different neighbourhoods, you can also count on a side programme with museum nocturnes and night tours.
Wine bars for foodies
Do you like a good glass of wine paired with good food? No problem! A lot of wine bars pay equal attention to food and drink. Some bars even set the gastronomic bar very high. Here’s a selection.
Discover one of these new restaurants
Nyyó
If you go out to a restaurant these days, you have to be able to share. This is also the case with Nyyó, a new Vietnamese restaurant in Ixelles rue Bailiff. Definitely don’t expect the Vietnamese classics here that you can already get in so many places in Brussels. No, Nyyó takes Vietnamese cuisine to another level. How about a Vietnamese ceviche? Or a delicious Pâté kho with bread from Renard Bakery? Don’t forget to finish with a Cà Phê Liègeois. Of course, this beautiful, smart and soberly decorated place comes with the necessary cocktails, natural wines, ciders and artisan beers. Brussels has added a cool, contemporary and bold address.
Chapeau blanc
We were already starting to worry. Because the doors of the Anderlecht institute Chapeau blanc (started in 1890) remained but closed. That period has now happily come to an end. A group of Anderlecht friends joined forces and a more than successful crowdfunding did the rest. The cowboy hat of old became a paper hat with the bilingual subtitle frites & friends. The perfect password for an up-and-coming Belgian lunch or dinner with on the menu stoemp, américain, stew, vol-au-vent, you name it. The interior was refreshed but thankfully not too much was changed about the long bar, wooden panelling and iconic chesterfield sofas. Authentic, child-friendly and open on Sundays
Confessions
If you have something on your record, you better go to Confessions. That’s a new cocktail bar in the Castle District. A bar that totally suits its surroundings: chic, classic and very nicely decorated. The interior blows you all the way to New York. Imagine an intimate speakeasy with some religious props and you have the picture. Besides excellent creative cocktails, sophisticated dishes to share are also on the menu. And if you suddenly suffer from a bad conscience during your visit, you can take a seat in the confessional.
Au repos de la montagne
Good thing, though, that a new generation of Brussels residents is honouring our institutions. Au repos de la montagne in Uccle’s Saint-Job is up next. A trio with excellent credentials in the Brussels hospitality industry tackled the former pigeon milking pub. They did so with great respect for the village, rural past of the place. Jump in here around apéro time and linger for a good toast aux champignons or balls in tomato sauce. The menu is very limited. Everything you find on it is therefore super fresh, homemade and seasonal. On Saturdays, you can visit all day and the kitchen is open non-stop.
Maguie
Wine bars continue to spring up like mushrooms. But we certainly don’t want to keep this newcomer in Saint-Gilles from you. Maguie is a gem with brilliant blue ceramic tiles on the outside and primal simplicity on the inside. Take a seat on one of the stools. Ideal for enjoying the handsome selection of natural (or was it live or wild?) wines from the bottle or barrel there alone or in company. This is possible every evening except Sundays.
A full list of restaurants, hotels & venues in Brussels can be found in the .
