Waffles, Beer, & Unexpected Adventures: My 4 Days in Brussels

Day One: Charming locals in a delightful city

Leaving Paris was bittersweet, but the excitement of the next stop on my adventure kept my spirits high. A short, scenic train ride later, I arrived in Brussels—just in time to explore before my Airbnb was ready. I dropped off my luggage at Radical Storage, a cozy spot tucked inside a local shop, for €13.50. As I wandered through the charming streets, I could already feel myself falling for this delightful city.

Like clockwork, hunger struck. I headed over to B!9 Mama, a trendy spot where I indulged in vegetarian meatballs with tomato sauce and a side of Belgian fries. Tip for travelers: in Belgium, always double-check that your fries are vegetarian, as they’re often fried in duck fat. While the meal itself was decent, it was my waiter who made the experience memorable. As I left, he warmly said, “Have a great day; mine is already better because you came!”

A cobblestone walkway in Brussels with a flower arch of pinks and greens

The patio of Big Mama Cafe, a white building with red letters for Big Mama. There are a few tables and chairs with red umbrellas and a cobblestone street in front.

I headed to my Airbnb in Schaerbeek, a charming neighborhood just outside the city center. The flat was cozy and felt like a slice of local life, as it’s typically the residence of a local man who moves out when guests book his place. It was a perfect base for my four-day stay.

A tiny winding staircase in the corner of white and yellow walls. A green leaf plant hands from the stairs with a grey self in the background.

A beautiful red and white brick building. IT looks to be about 5 floors with lots of windows on the front. There is a grey roof and greenery out front.

My flat was two stories and these tiny stairs led up to the bedroom loft. I was afraid of falling down them so I left my luggage in the living room!

Day Two: Waffles and Parliament

My first full day started with what can only be described as a heavenly Belgian waffle. I visited Belgian Waffles and ordered a waffle topped with Nutella, pistachios, and vanilla ice cream. It was easily the best waffle I’ve ever had!

A tan tray with a paper plate on top. The plate has a square waffle stacked with nutella, pistachios, and ice cream on top.

After breakfast, I headed over to the European House of Parliament to explore the history of Europe. Unfortunately, the app for the English tour wasn’t working, so I relied on Google Translate to interpret the plaques. Despite the language barrier, I loved diving into European history and learning so much about the continent’s past.

An old grey volkswagen car without a hood. The doors are open and a screen is where the windshield should be, showing what looks like a street in a city.

Kimberly in the backseat of the Volkswagen, she is turned around so you can see the steering wheel and front seat of the car.

The afternoon was spent soaking in the beauty of Brussels, and in the evening, I stopped by Bier Central for a beer flight. They have an entire encyclopedia of beers to choose from! I settled on Bourgogne des Flandres, De Koninck Bolleke, Gulden Draak, and Straffe Hendrik—all delicious.

A bar top with beer taps in the background. On the bar top is a flight of 4 beers on a wooden paddle and next to it is an orange book with a man and a woman holding beer steins. The book is the Beer Encyclopedia.

Later, I enjoyed dinner at an Italian café with a charming patio. The pasta was decent, but the rosé beer was a surprising and interesting discovery. Before heading back, I made sure to visit the breathtaking Grand Palace square and ended the day with a visit to St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral.

A red beer in a glass on a grey table next to the empty beer bottle.

A bright night sky behind the beautiful grand palace which is completely lite up.

Day Three: Friends and Belgian Breweries

Day three took me on a fun, nostalgic journey with a visit to the Friends Experience. As a huge fan of the show, it was a perfect way to start the day. Close to the convention center where the exhibit was held, I stumbled upon the Atomium, an iconic piece of architecture from the 1958 World’s Fair. While I didn’t go inside, it was fun to see such a unique structure up close.

Kimberly is peeking her head around the purple door with the gold picture frame in Monica's apartment.

The structure is composed of nine large, shiny metallic spheres connected by tubes, forming the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal. A cloudy sky with some sunlight breaking through creates a dramatic backdrop. The foreground includes a few cars and trees surrounding the site, adding to the grand scale of the monument.

For lunch, I found myself in the Sainte-Catherine area, home to a vibrant fish market. Although I don’t eat fish, the lively atmosphere was infectious, and I eventually sat down at Bavet, a local favorite. I enjoyed a cold local beer and the “Bavet Combo—Hot Tomato, Say Cheese!, and the best cheatballs.” My favorite was definitely the Say Cheese!

A table with a menu with red and white writing. A record sticks out from the menu. In the corner is a gold bucket with red and white napkins, next to it is a pink and purple water bottle and in front are sunglassed.

A table with a beer in a glass and a beer bottle next to it. In front is a white bowl with pasta, red sauce, "meatballs", spinach, and lots of parmesan cheese.

In the afternoon, I made my way to see the famous Manneken Pis, the quirky statue of a little boy peeing into a fountain. While admiring the statue, I noticed a busy pub with an inviting patio across the street. Unfortunately, there were no open tables at Manneken Pis Cafe, but a friendly traveler named Seth offered to share his table. Seth, a Californian on sabbatical, was in Europe before meeting friends in Germany. We quickly hit it off, and he invited me to join him for the rest of the afternoon.

The famous pis statue which shoes a naked little boy peeing into a fountain.

Seth and I made our way to Brasserie de l’Ermitage, a hidden gem that looks like a hole in the wall but offers some of the best beer flights and charcuterie in the city. Sitting on makeshift keg seats on the patio, we shared stories and laughs over an impressive selection of beers. After several weeks of solo travel, it was refreshing to have a companion for the day.

A dark wooden table, on the left is a wood board with paper wrapped around cheese and a knife. The middle is a wood board with four mini beers on it and on the right is a wood board with meat on it and a knife. A metal ashtray sits in front of it.

For dinner, we went to a fine-dining spot where Seth had a reservation. It turned out to be a fancy three-course meal with wine pairings—not something I had planned for in my budget. Fortunately, Seth generously offered to cover the cost, which was incredibly kind of him.

A creamy soup with a smooth texture, garnished with chopped herbs and a light sprinkle of seasoning. A glass of white wine is visible in the background, suggesting a refined dining experience.

A colorful, fresh salad with a variety of mixed greens, vegetables, and possibly fruits. The dish is topped with a light dusting of seasoning or cheese and thinly sliced carrots. A glass of wine is also seen behind the plate.

To end the night, we headed to the famous Delirium café, which holds the 2004 Guinness World Record for offering over 2004 beers on tap. We decided to split the café’s famous 10-beer flight, something that had been on my Belgian wish list. It was the perfect way to wrap up a fun-filled day with a newfound friend.

The image shows Kimberly smiling and seated at a rustic pub, presenting a long wooden tray with 10 beer samples ranging from light to dark. She wears a sleeveless striped top and spreads her arms excitedly. The cozy setting features wooden furniture and stone walls, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere

Day Four: Saying Goodbye to Brussels

On my final day in Brussels, I soaked in the last bits of the city’s charm. I walked through quaint neighborhoods, revisited favorite spots, and reflected on my time here. Brussels was the perfect mix of culture, history, and fun, and after four days, I left with a full heart and unforgettable memories.

Today’s Helpful Tips

Radical Storage

When I arrive before my AirBnb is ready or if I have to checkout before I am ready to leave a city, Radical Storage is my go to for keeping my items safe. Located around the world it is an excellent and cost effective option to storing your luggage at local establishments. Traveling to Europe soon? Check out my blog post on Best Apps for Navigating Europe.

Brews and Bites

Belgian Waffles – the best waffle I have ever had! Want to make your mouth water? Visit them at Rue du Marché aux Poulets 51, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Bier Central – Flip through their Beer Encyclopedia and customize a flight to your taste!

Bavet – Sit on the patio to take in the vibrant atmosphere from the square!

Manneken Pis Cafe – Located across from the famous statue.

Brasserie de l’Ermitage – A must stop for all brewery lovers, they have several locations across Brussels. I visited the taproom.

Delirium Café – with thousands of beers on tap there is something for everyone! I would find a friend and splurge for the 10 beer flight!

The Sights of Brussels

European House of Parliament – Download the app prior so you can listen in English!

Manneken Pis – You have to take a picture of this iconic statue. Located at: 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Grand Palace – While I did not go into the palace the square is beautiful and best at night when all lit up.