Abattoir Brussels
Weekend market
Davy from Brussels
"One Euro! One Euro! One Euro!"
I have a recurring dream. I'm at the Abattoir market. I've bought all I can carry and my wallet is empty. Then I see a bunch of voluptuous, sweet kakis, which I can now no longer afford. The vendor yells the above marketing catchphrase at me. I wake up crying.
The Abattoir (French for 'slaughterhouse') in Anderlecht dates back to 1888. The site is no less than lugubrious: over 200,000 animals are slaughtered here on a yearly basis. But don't let that kill the fun. The Abattoir weekend market is a most impressing event, similar to the South Market (check the Gare du Midi Market article). But here you can admire the grand markethall's magnificent industrial design.
The Abattoir market itself is huge. The FOODMET and BROCANTEMET add to the fun. An anthology: you can buy fish and meat (fresh), shampoo (2-in-1 saves time), socks (I prefer white sport ones), plants and flowers (I collect cacti), rabbits (take two or one will get depressed), children's toys (robots are cool), vegetables and fruit (I really like kakis a lot), birds in a cage (please don't!) or olives (taste first, then choose).
Prices are a lot cheaper than in supermarkets. You'll purchase less useless wrapping (Abattoir forbids plastic bags). Towards the end, you can make good deals because vendors want to get rid of their fruits and vegetables!
But make sure you always have emergency spare change, in case you come across a case of your favorite fruit.
Brussels Spotter Davy
About this spot
Our Brussels City Guide
Find your way with 295 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Brussels
To Meli
Greek Delicatessen in Schuman
My favorite is Spanakopita, a buttery & flaky phyllo pastry with a filling of cooked spinach and feta cheese. For dessert I recommend a slice of Bougatsa!
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
La Boule d'Oro
Brasserie as good as gold
"La Boule d'Oro" is my personal no. 1 brasserie in Brussels. This corner cafe resembles my primary school cafeteria & has excellent Belgian food & beer.
by
Davy
Verbeke
Cemetery of Brussels
In the city of the dead
The "Cemetery of Brussels" (opened in 1877) was designed as an English landscape garden - get lost among avenues and cobbestone streets here...
by
Davy
Verbeke
Le Monts des Arts
Magical sunset view
"Le Monts des Arts" is my favorite place in Brussels, as all my friends know already - especially the esplanade at the end of it. Just go at sunset...
by
Renata
Riva
España Calidade
Authentic Spanish meat
At España Calidade they hang around twenty types of dried ham on big hooks around the store, in between the huge paella pans and spicy peppers.
by
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
Théâtre l'Improviste
Creative evening ensured
They look at each other and then it starts right away, no time to think, they just do. What I love most is the conversations you have afterward...
by
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
Viva Lasagna
Mouthwatering lasagna
I especially love their chicken lasagna because it takes away a little bit from the heavy pasta dish but still fulfills all of your carb cravings...
by
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
Café Aa
Living room café
The Café Aa is a small place with amazing couches and a very charismatic owner who plays relaxing music and cooks one 'meal of the day'...
by
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
Hippodrome de Boitsfort
A historical racetrack
The "Hippodrome de Boitsfort" in Brussels is a historical horse track that's now a part of cultural heritage surrounded by beautiful nature.
by
Petra
Perazzini
Buddy Buddy
Vegan café and best nut butters
"Buddy Buddy" in Brussels is a cozy, minimalist café with great coffee - but what makes them special is their delicious home-made nut butters!
by
Petra
Perazzini
Heading to Brussels?
295 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Brussels?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 295 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Brussels
Our team loves Brussels
Get to know our other Spotters from Brussels
As featured on:
