I love living in Brussels, my home since 1994 – yep already 25 years . Brussels is hub for European institutions, NATO and many corporate HQ’s, making it definitely multicultural. Yet it is an European capital like none other. You can not only find every type of cuisine, every type of ingredient you are looking for but you can also live sustainably well.
If you are a regular reader than you already know I WILL TRAVEL FOR FOOD. I am a REAL food ENTHUSIAST so when I travel I do extensive research online and consult fellow foodie friends to find out what food places are a must. I like discovering new flavours, tastes, concepts and Chefs. And whenever possible I commit to organic, seasonal, local and sustainable .
Brussels is blessed with a great bicycle, bus, tram and metro network for a reasonable price. Also sharing vehicles is available in different forms, so I have no need for a car in Brussels. Yes, it requires some time and detailed planning but I really don’t miss having a car. The journey on the tram I see as me-time where I get to read and be on the insta. Or I walk home while brainstorming with myself and discovering new places. I never have to look for a parking spot nor worry about having wine with ( before and after ) dinner. When in need of some fresh air and a bit of a green walk, I can easily get to one of the 40 parks in the Brussels region and plot down for a pick-nick.
More and more I make significant efforts in reducing my part of harming the planet by making conscious choices about my food and where it comes from. A major pet-peeve of mine ( all my friends know, I am mental) I just can’t eat food out of season, just can’t. And lucky for me Brussels offers a variety of organic shops and farmer markets.
Are you looking to come and visit Brussels and you are a conscious foodie like me, here is my sustainable foodie guide to Brussels. ENJOY! (click on the places to get to their website)
Just a quick VOCAB reminder :
SUSTAINABLE – also called GREEN LIVING. Products/goods are made with eco-friendly resources such as sustainable grown crops or recycled materials. They provide environmental, social and economic benefits while protecting public health and environment over their whole life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials until the final disposal. Also while traveling this way of life can be adopted and Brussels is definitely doing it’s best to offer you that. Low impact living on the road can be a challenge with a little research you can make a difference.
THE ultimate LHH sustainable FOODIE ITINERARY
Saturday Morning : Head over to the GRAND PLACE area, the city historic center. Get a few selfies in and than stock up on sustainable goods and goodies at FÄRM on Place Saint Catherine. In 2013 the first shop opened and the sustainable friendly COÖP was created. You can shop at your and the planets delight and even become part of the change and invest in the coöp. I love their dry food selection; I love reading packages and learning more and more and more about the origins of my food and what’s in it! Also great selection of Belgian products: pick up some Belgian chocolate and this amazing ginger drink I am addicted too.
A 7 minutes walk from there, ( check out the gorgeous Grand Place ) pop into the Herboristerie Moderne to pick up some medicinal and essentials oils. The original herbal shop opened in 1905, this modern adaption helps fight all those modern woos.
Lunch : I got 2 options for you. Option one:If you are looking for a quick salad, sandwich, bowl of soup or quiche in a Belgian traditional bakery style, head over the Pain Quotidien ( Daily bread) I know there are now all over the world, but it is still Belgian, totally organic and sustainable and well totally yummy. Option two: Looking for a 3 course organic and seasonal “eat-what-we-cooked” type of lunch for € 22, check out Les Filles. They let you help yourself in the kitchen and happily adjust for the veggie exclusives. If you got time, they have a bunch of fabulous and convivial cooking classes you can sign up for as well.
Afternoon : Head over to the SABLON- NAMUR area and enjoy browsing in the antique and vintage shops and the market ( open Saturday & Sunday).
I love stopping by my favourite lady who sells silver old and new. Walking up towards Porte de Namur area, get some skin, hair and body care essentials from AESOP. This Melbourne, Australia based company recently opened a shop in rue de Namur and is worth a little stop. Natures best from plants, herbs, fruits and nuts are used in their products making them simply divine. I love their Immediate Moisture Facial Hydrosol and hair and shower products. Their charity foundation also fosters literacy, storytelling and diversity. ( if you love art, check out the museums along the way)
Tea time: I like to take a little break from the street bustle and enjoy a cup of comfort at COMPTOIR FLORIAN . The wide range of coffee and teas has been delighting us since 1897. They have a wide selection of organic tea as well as gorgeous accessories. It is such a serene place where cellphones must be silenced and phone calls have to be taken outside.
