Two Fabulous Nights in Brussels

Get to Brussels by train—Eurostar from Paris or London makes it easy—or fly into Brussels Airport and head into the city by car. Stay at The Dominican, a design-forward boutique hotel that’s part of Design Hotels (and Marriott). It’s housed in a former Dominican abbey and feels stylish and serene with a dramatic, moody color palette. The location puts you steps from the Grand Place and the gay district around Rue du Marché au Charbon.

Once you’re settled in, take a short stroll through the historic center to get your bearings. For dinner and drinks, head to La Pharmacie Anglaise, a cocktail bar and small plates restaurant set inside a former apothecary. Think velvet banquettes, taxidermy, and drinks that arrive under clouds of rosemary smoke.

Wrap the night with a nightcap back at The Dominican’s bar, which has live jazz some evenings and a solid cocktail list. Order something classic and let yourself settle in.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel—don’t miss the eggs Benedict, served with crispy edges and buttery hollandaise. Then, head to Castle of Laeken, the official royal residence just outside the city center. The grounds and nearby greenhouses are worth a visit when open to the public.

Back in town, stop by Musée Magritte, a must for surrealism fans and a beautifully curated peek into one of Belgium’s most iconic artists. For lunch, grab a hearty plate of moules-frites or carbonnade flamande (a Belgian beef stew) at Nüetnigenough, paired with one of the local beers on tap.

Spend the afternoon wandering the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, a glamorous arcade lined with chocolatiers, boutiques, and cafés. Pop into Maison Dandoy for speculoos cookies to take home.

Dinner tonight is at Comme Chez Soi, a Michelin-starred spot that blends French technique with Belgian ingredients. It’s a splurge, but the Art Nouveau interiors and impeccable service are worth it.

After dinner, head toward Rue du Marché au Charbon, the heart of gay nightlife in Brussels. Stop at La Baroque, a cozy, vibrant bar with a lovely mixed crowd of mostly locals. The negronis are solid and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming—especially when the street comes alive during warmer nights.

Sleep in, then savor one more breakfast at The Dominican before packing up. If you’re heading back to London or Paris, the Eurostar is a scenic and stress-free way to roll out. Or just stay a little longer. Brussels has a way of pulling you in.