Brussels Shopping Tips by Bigjones

La Maison d'Egypte - Egyptian House: For bellydancers ...

All you need for bellydancing : belts, costumes, accessories, pearls, jewelry, etc.

If you can't find what you want there, may be you'll find it at Bella in Gent, they have a bigger choice.

Address: Rue de Bogards 18, 1000 Bruxelles

Directions: Not far from Manneken-Pis.

Phone: 0032/2/514.13.18

Theme: Women's Clothes

Dance World: Shoes, clothes and accessories for dancers

There you can find dance clothes, accessories and a few pairs of shoes. For more shoes, I recommend Boonants in Gent, they have a great choice.

Open from Mon to Sat : 10 am - 6 pm

Address: 47a rue Gretry

Directions: Near Bourse

Phone: 02/223.04.44

Theme: Hobbies

Website: http://www.danceworld.be

Marche du Midi - Abattoirs: Exotic market

Marché du Midi

This large market is held every Sunday morning (until 1 p.m) around the railwaystation (Midi/Zuid). You can find all sorts of exotic fruits, vegetables, dried or fresh fish, Moroccan bread, big baskets full of olives of all kinds, spices, plants but also clothes, shoes, DVD's, CD's, etc. You can very often find there what you couldn't find anywhere else in the city. And for a cheaper price. I like going there to buy some fresh food but also to enjoy the atmosphere. It's kind of hectic when the stallholders yell the prices to the people passing by. When I'm there, I don't feel I'm in Belgium, but in a real "souk" somewhere in a North-African country ;-) Very entertaining.

Abattoirs

The next subway stop after the Midi Station (Clemenceau, actually the last stop).
This is the same market but it's held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning until 1p.m. This market is better if you want to buy fish and/or meat because it's right in the slaughterhouses. It's also more convenient when it's raining (which is often the case here) because you have a roof on your head.

What to buy: Whatever ! You can find everything you need.

Address: Boulevard du Midi / Zuidlaan

Directions: Gare du Midi / Zuidstation

Theme: Other

Le Palais des Thés: For tea lovers

The best place to buy loose tea. It's very different from traditional tea shops. You can smell all of them or taste one or two sorts every day. An etiquette indicates where they come from and their composition. You can also find teapots, cups, tea boxes, books, candles etc.

Address: 44-45, Place de la Vieille Halle aux blés

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.palaisdesthes.com

Rue de Brabant/Brabantstraat: Like in Turkey

This is the street where you can find turkish specialities in Brussels : food, belly dancer belts, music, furniture and in particular, textiles for a very good price. A little bit of Turkey in the heart of Brussels.

Address: rue de Brabant/Brabantstraat

Directions: Near North Station

Theme: Other