Image by Yamina El Atlassi

As many girls, I don’t go outside without my bag. Thanks to it I can have with me anything I need… one of those things being a book.

I can read many books a week and I often even read while walking in the streets. Sometimes when I finish my work, I can also realise that I’ve finished the last book I’ve had. My nightmare: being the whole evening without a chance to read….

Of course, I can go to Cook&Book (check the Cook&Book article), they’re open late (as it is also a restaurant), but come on, I’m tired, I’m in Ixelles on my way home, and sometimes I don’t want to run to the other part of the city.

Fortunately, I found out that the owner of the bookshop “Place Voltaire” is not counting the minutes before closing her shop. If you arrive around 18:30, there is a good chance you will be allowed to come in and to take the time to choose a book.

I like the fact that I can arrive after business hours and still find it open, and I also like the warm and nice atmosphere and the nice chat with the owner. It has the colour, the smell and the impression of being back in the time where people get to take the time for the good things.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Place Voltaire | Art & culture, Shopping | Books from € 4.00
rue de l’Aqueduc, 101 | Ixelles
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

There’s something you have to know about me: I like dresses and I hate to buy in those famous (and not really cheap) chains around the world…

This said, I want to keep my addresses secret in order to be sure that no other girl wears the same. A woman has to keep some mystery, isn’t it?

Anyway, today, and especially for you, I decided to break one of my numerous principles: “Never say where you find your nice clothes” (in the same list, you can find “never have a relationship at the office”, “never eat more than one chocolate a week”, “never have a girly discussions next to your boss”, but don’t count on me to let you know which ones I have already – or are on their way to be – broken).

When I have time AND money: I just love to go to this shop: Look 50.

The shop is a legendary second hand shop open since decades. Laura (the owner, and daughter of the first one) has a big stock of second hand vintage clothes for men and for women. She also started to sell some new clothes, that she chooses only in collection of young creators.

Having a small shop, you don’t find the same model in many exemplars. Then, if you find a nice one: don’t wait to buy it, you may never find it back!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Look 50 | Shopping
Rue de la Paix, 10 | Ixelles | +3225122418
Mon – Sat 10:30 – 18:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Sarah Van Parys

Les Petits Rien is an organization that collects second-hand items from all over Belgium, and then resells them in their stores. With the profits they make from these sales, they set up social projects, specifically aimed at helping homeless people and struggling families.

There are many Les Petits Rien/Spullenhulp second hand stores in Brussels, but none compares to the one on Rue Américaine, where you can get lost in the huge quantity of objects people have gotten rid of… Its located in a huge building, which is stuffed with books, furniture, clothes, paintings, televisions, and so many other items you wouldn’t even know what to do with…

If you enjoy flea markets, you’ll definitely like Les Petits Rien. You’ll get to rummage around to find hidden treasures, buy interesting presents, and leaf through the pages of old history books…There’s a whole universe to discover in there! Also, there are many bargains to be made as the stuff is usually quite cheap.

Next door, they’ve opened the Retro Paradise store which is the Petits Rien’s attempt at vintage garments. No doubt aimed at the more fashionable consumers, they sell a selection of the clothes collected by the organization.

The area around it is also really pleasant for a stroll as it has beautiful late 19th – early 20th century architecture, a vibrant cafe (check out the Framboisier Doré article) and a good restaurant scene (check out the Auberge espagnole article for example) .

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Les Petits Rien/Spullenhulp | Shopping
Rue Américaine 101 | Ixelles | +3225373026
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 17:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Seán Kerrigan

Not sure what to buy folks this Christmas? Never fear: think beer! Naturally enough, Belgium is full of fine spots to buy and enjoy excellent beer. Supermarkets are still the best value if you want to load up on classic pils and the main abbey beers, with even the smaller locales stocking over 30 brands. Then there are the ‘specialty beer shops’ of which Beermania is one.

There a few more downtown which most beer loving Brusseleirs recognize as over priced tourist haunts, which you might only pop into when stuck for a gift. Beermania can also appear a little on the dear side, but what sets it apart is the excellent choice and a cosy small bar at the back of the shop. They also host tasting events and jazz concerts, so they do go that extra distance in attracting customers.

Beermania stock all the classics and a lot of rare regional beers. It is one of the few spots that manages to regularly get its hands on the fabled (and rare) Westvleteren. At 12 euros for a 33cl bottle they make the most of it too…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Beermania | Shopping | Per Bottle from € 2.50
174-176 Chaussée de Wavre | Ixelles | +3225121788
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels