A beautiful day in Brussels
On this last weekend of March 2025, the warmer weather has finally returned. A promotion on Ouigo trains to Brussels offers us the opportunity for a short getaway to the Belgian capital.
On the agenda: sightseeing, lots of walking, and discovering local specialties! Vaika was amazed, and so were we.
Summary
A dog friendly
destionation?
Logistics
The parks in Brussels
Our visits
Accommodations
and meals
Brussels:
a “Dog Friendly” destination?
Our first approach to the city wasn't exactly dog-friendly: arriving at Brussels midday station on Friday evening around 10:30 p.m., we decided to walk to our hotel. The station is about twenty minutes from the Grand Place, so it seemed reasonable to walk.
Unfortunately, the neighborhood we were passing through was not the most welcoming: we were accosted several times by groups of men (there were only men in the street): "Hey you, with the anorexic dog", "Your dog: he has a bulldog's face". Furthermore, as we were hungry, we wanted to have dinner before the restaurants closed but the chosen restaurant gave us a very unpleasant welcome (asked to leave by the owner). We will detail this incident in the "Accommodation and meals" section.
Aside from that first evening and that "special" neighborhood, we were pleased to see that there were plenty of places in Brussels to enjoy ourselves with a dog. For example, we were always able to enter the city's parks with Vaika, unlike in Paris, where most squares prohibit dogs. Furthermore, the metro, buses, and trams are dog-friendly: another plus for the Belgian capital!
Please note: there is a lot of broken glass in Brussels city center, especially in the small cobblestone streets. You have to be careful with your dogs' paws so they don't hurt you. I'm thinking in particular of the alley where the female version of Manneken Pis (Jeanneke Pis) is located: we had to carry Vaika to the statue because the alley was littered with broken glass.
Our weekend itinerary
We took advantage of a promotion on Ouigo trains with a round trip from Paris to Brussels for 20 euros! At this low price, you should know that the journey is much longer than the Eurostar: 3 hours 20 minutes instead of 1 hour 25 minutes. We received a very warm welcome on the train, and the Belgian ticket inspectors were particularly friendly. We found the carriages comfortable. There were also many dogs on board: 3 in our single carriage. We were lucky to have space for 4 people on both the outward and return journeys. On the train, we walked a lot and also used public transportation, especially the metro. It's worth getting the day pass, which allows unlimited travel. In March 2025, it cost 8.50 euros per person. Dogs travel free.
We used this card specifically to visit the Atomium, which is located in the north of the city, about 45 minutes away by public transport. The network is well-connected and easy to navigate. We had nothing but positive interactions with Vaika regarding public transport. Given our poor experience on the day of our arrival, we also took the metro back to the station on our last day. It was very quick: 11 minutes from the city center.
Brussels' Parks
There are many parks in Brussels. There are also woods and a green belt around the city. Here is a very useful link listing green spaces accessible to dogs (with or without a leash): Gardens Brussels . With a little research, you quickly understand that green spaces are very welcoming for dogs and their owners: there are many dog parks and areas where dogs can even be off-leash.
Simone de Beauvoir Park
Simone de Beauvoir Park is located near Brussels city center, the Grand Place, and Manneken Pis. It features a playground, an off-leash dog area, and a drinking fountain. Early in the morning, we were looking for a park where Vaika could play and meet some of Brussels' dogs before a long day of sightseeing. We weren't disappointed!
Brussels Park
Brussels Park is the oldest park in the city and was the first to be open to the public. It is located between the Palace of the Nation and the Royal Palace. It is a very pleasant park with wide paths, symmetrical alignments, statues, a bandstand, and numerous flowers (daffodils in March).
Dogs are allowed on a leash.
We didn't have enough time to explore more green spaces. We would have liked to have visited Centennial Park, Haie Woods, or even walked part of the green promenade. We'll have to do that for our next visit to the Belgian capital!
Our visits in Brussels
A weekend isn't enough to see all the wonders of the Belgian capital! Here are some of the ones we were able to admire:
Manneken Pis, Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis
Manneken Pis, which means "little man who pees" in Brussels , is the Belgian capital's most famous landmark. It's a fountain in the form of a small bronze statue about fifty centimeters tall. It's located just a stone's throw from the Grand Place, at the intersection of Rue de l'Étuve and Rue du Chêne.
Its female version is located in the impasse of Fidelity.
As for the canine version, it's located at the corner of Rue des Chartreux and Rue du Vieux-Marché Grains. We were lucky enough to meet a resident of the street who explained its history to us. It seems that Brussels originally had more canals than Amsterdam. This presence of canals and the unsanitary conditions led to a resurgence of rats in the city. The residents then adopted dogs to chase them away. When they got rid of the plague, the Brussels residents ended up getting rid of their dogs by drowning them in the canal. This was a true tragedy. It was in tribute to this massacre that the statue was erected in 1999.
Advice :
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Get up early to admire the Manneken Pis without the crowds of tourists!
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The three statues are easily accessible on foot (about ten minutes between each statue)
The Grand Place and the Royal Galleries
World-renowned for its ornamental richness, the Grand Place is bordered by the Guild Halls, the Town Hall, and the King's House. Victor Hugo considered it one of the most beautiful squares in the world. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. It is interesting to note the asymmetry of the Town Hall: the tower is not exactly in the middle of the building, and the left and right sections are not identical. An old legend known to Brussels residents has it that the architect who designed the building committed suicide by throwing himself from the top of the tower after realizing this architectural "error." In reality, the two sections were not built together!
Note that every even-numbered year, on the weekend of August 15, the Grand Place is covered in a giant carpet of flowers. It must be a magnificent sight!
Almost empty in the morning when we first visited, the square gradually filled up during the day: when we returned at the end of the afternoon, it was packed with tourists!
The Royal Galleries, meanwhile, are home to numerous shops and entertainment venues. There are jewelry stores, luxury boutiques, pastry shops and biscuit shops, including many Belgian chocolatiers... as well as theaters and a bookstore. As with the Grand Place, we strongly recommend visiting early in the morning. As the day progresses, it becomes more difficult to navigate!
The Atomium
The Atomium is a monument built for the 1958 World's Fair and represents the conventional iron crystal cell magnified 165 billion times. It has become, along with the Manneken Pis and the Grand Place, a symbol of the Belgian capital.
It's possible to go inside: exhibitions are held there, and we read that the view is magnificent. Dogs are not allowed inside. We just walked around; it's a pleasant walk. It's worth noting that there's a large park nearby.
Mini Europe
Located a few steps from the Atomium, the "Mini Europe" park represents reproductions of the most famous monuments from around 80 cities in the European Union (+ the UK: you now have to cross a border since Brexit).
The models are magnificent, and there are many fun activities for children (and adults): trains, mills, airport, eruption, fire. Also, a special mention for the landscaping of the bushes, hedges, and flowers: the gardeners do a good job. The park is quite large, covering 24,000 m2.
Note that at the end of the route, you can eat in a canteen with low prices.
Strolling through the streets of Brussels
We took more than 25,000 steps on Saturday! It's very pleasant to get lost in the streets of the city center: many small alleys are charming and the buildings are pleasant to look at. It should be noted that there is quite a bit of Street Art on the walls: not surprising when you know that Brussels has the highest density of comic book artists in the world!
Our accommodation and meals
At the Laboureur Steakhouse : Our worst experience
When we arrived in Brussels on Friday evening at 10:30 p.m., we were hungry and we looked for a well-rated address on Google on the way between Brussels Midi station and the Marriott. We spotted the restaurant "Au Laboureur Steak House", rated 4.8. We arrived at the entrance and were surprised to see a security guard: we asked if it was possible to have dinner, and he came in to ask the waiter if it was possible for us to eat with our dog. The waiter told us, without a smile and in a very cold manner, that it would not be possible to go inside with the dog. We then asked if it was possible to sit outside: there was no one on the terrace because it was cold, but we were hungry... the waiter indicated that he would ask "the owner". The owner arrived and confirmed that it was possible to eat outside. He starts to set the cutlery but tells us that he is afraid of dogs and that Vaika should be placed further away: not next to the table. What to do? Everything becomes complicated and finally, the owner tells us that it is better that we do not dine there. So we leave, quite shocked by the experience... What follows is a crossing of the "neighborhood of hell" with invectives of all kinds "anorexic dog", "dog with a bulldog's head" and so on... A very strange atmosphere in this neighborhood with only men on terraces. I would even go so far as to say that the neighborhood does not make you want to linger: not a woman in sight. We therefore do not recommend this neighborhood if you have a dog or if you are a single woman.
After this special experience, we continued our way to the hotel. The neighborhood had become more "friendly" with more women and a more diverse population. We sat down at Fritzguard, a few steps from the Marriott. The burgers were good, with fresh ground beef and excellent fries. The portion was enormous: we couldn't finish it. Vaika, meanwhile, was able to enjoy her homemade meal, which she brought in a box from Paris.
For breakfast, we decided to treat ourselves to a Belgian specialty: waffles! We chose Maison Dandoy, a place renowned for its light and delicious waffles. Founded in 1829, Maison Dandoy is the oldest biscuit shop in Brussels. We chose the classic Brussels waffle with homemade chocolate. Delicious: we recommend it. There's also the option of choosing the Liège waffle.
In the morning, we were able to get a table on the terrace without any problem. When we came back in the afternoon, we noticed a long queue... Tip : go early.
For lunch, we want to continue our culinary discoveries: head to the Ommegang brasserie, which was ranked second in the Brussels croquette competition. The brasserie is located in a very nice (but very touristy) little square.
Shrimp croquettes are a must-try during your visit to Brussels. Crispy yet soft, this Belgian classic is served with lemon and fried parsley.
So we order the famous croquettes as a starter: 25 euros all the same for two croquettes. We wait almost 30 minutes for them to be served. 45 minutes after the starter, the dishes still haven't arrived...we ask what's going on. 10 minutes later, still nothing. In total, we waited more than an hour and a half: so we decide to cancel our order for dishes...The waiter is embarrassed and apologizes but no action is taken. We get away with about forty euros for two croquettes, half a bottle of water and a small beer...that's very expensive and we're hungry! We feel a bit like suckers and we don't recommend it after our experience (let's hope it was an exception and that there was perhaps a problem in the kitchen that day).
Disappointed by this failed culinary experience, we resort to a sandwich shop at 5, rue De La Madeleine. It's possible to create your own sandwich with fresh ingredients. The baguette isn't great (industrial), but the ingredients are tasty. We opt for the brie, walnut, and sundried tomato sandwich (€6.50 per sandwich).
When you think of Belgium, you naturally think of Belgian chocolates! There's no shortage of places to go, and renowned chocolatiers have established themselves on the streets. It's hard not to be tempted. We chose the Neuhaus brand. It's interesting to know that they originally sold pharmaceutical confectionery (cough sweets). To improve the taste of the medicines sold in his pharmacy, the pharmacist decided to coat them in a layer of chocolate. In 1912, his grandson developed this idea further, creating the first Belgian praline. Neuhaus was a licensed supplier to the Belgian Court.
The hotel was perfect: the room was spacious with two single beds and a sofa big enough for Vaika. The bathroom, newly renovated, was beautiful with quality products.
The reception staff was very friendly and attentive to Vaika, especially the valet and daytime receptionists. In addition to the impeccable room and service, we highly recommend the hotel for its central location, close to the metro and major tourist attractions.
Note that we were able to benefit from a late checkout at 2 p.m., which allowed us to come and rest a little between noon and two. In addition, the room had a mini fridge, which allowed us to put Vaika's meal in it.
