10 Best Places to Shop in Lower Town, Brussels

Also known as Jitsk, this chocolaterie on rue au Buerre, which is packed with chocolate shops, is home to arguably the best macarons—soft yet flavorsome—in the city, ranging in flavor from passion fruit to crème brûlée. 

A chocolatier to the royal family. The original owner, Mary Delluc, founded her shop in 1919 on rue Royale, where you'll still find a branch today along with others dotting the city. The pralines are the specialty here, and worth the indulgent prices when wrapped in their trademark elegant presentation boxes—a work of art in themselves.  

One of the oldest shopping malls in Europe, this elegant neo-Renaissance gallery first opened in 1847, and its towering columns and iron-and-glass roof make it worth a visit any time.

Brussels used to be famous for its gloves, and the old tanneries on the rue des Tanneurs once produced the finest of leather. This glove maker has been operating in the city since 1890, and its shop in Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert has been run by three generations. A real institution. 

This vast space dedicated to cutting-edge design in clothing, footwear, furniture, and accessories includes an art exhibition area in the basement. Its look is rarely the same and its provocative pieces cost a pretty penny.

Wild avant-garde fashions and timeless pieces—Dansaert's beloved store is appropriately named and rarely disappoints those willing to adopt a bold new look thanks to a choice of up-and-coming Belgian brands.

Jeu de Bulles is a cult gem, home to some rare first-edition comic books, toys, and original prints from Tintin, Blake and Mortimer, Lucky Luke, and other Belgian icons inspired by the early Spirou comics.

Something of an old stager, this traditional umbrella shop and milliners has a wide choice of caps and hats. It has also been going for generations (since 1847) and was one of the original shops in the Galeries Royales St-Hubert. 

As well as selling delicious handmade chocolates, this store also does demonstrations in French and English (€7) and runs lessons (€100) for those who want to learn how to make their own treats.

Often credited with kickstarting the boutique rush on rue Antoine Dansaert, Stijl has been knocking around since the 1980s yet still retains its couture chops, championing a wide range of Belgian avant-garde designers for women. It also has a men's branch on place du Nouveau Marche aux Grains.