Brussels House Peculiarities Brussels
Mar 18, 2025

Brussels House Peculiarities Brussels

Shoe cleaners

"I invite you to not only look at the pavement in Brussels, but also the buildings: there you will find these curious "shoe cleaners" that go way back..."

While walking in the streets of Brussels, we all tend to look at the pavement because it's very uneven and difficult to walk on, let alone if you are wearing high heels. But Brussels has lots to offer if we manage to raise our eyes. The houses, all over, have their own 1900 style: narrow and tall, red bricks on the façade and... "shoe cleaners" (decrottoir - dung remover).

If you have ever paid attention to the lower side of the houses, you surely haven't missed out on seeing some "holes", most of them with metal "chains". Have you ever asked yourself, "what's this?" Well... put yourself back to the beginning of the 1900s... roads were not paved, and there were no cars but horses taking people around. Belgium is a country where it rains quite often... it's easy to think that when walking around, your shoes would get very dirty, full of mud... would you enter your house with muddy shoes? Not really... so here is the invention... shoe cleaners right next to the front door!

In Brussels there are hundreds of different types... from now on, don't only look at the pavement, but also at the buildings!

(the one pictured is in Rue d'Irlande 52, Sint Gilles)

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Rue d'Irlande 52

free

Find your way with 292 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Brussels guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Brussels

Minigolf Josaphat

Fun for all

Fun family activity - check! Original date - check! Fun afternoon with friends - check! Mini golf shouldn't just be known as a camping trip activity!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Sarah

Filion

Apr 13, 2025

Elbow Lunch Counter

Ultimate Deli Experience

They have the tastiest Philly cheese steaks, Italian BLT, pastrami sandwich and filter coffee refills. Take the counter seats for the ultimate experience.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Filion

Apr 13, 2025

Raki

Fine wine bar

I was impressed by the Pommes Dauphine with de Herve cheese, but what stole my heart was the Hamachi, sliced perfectly, and it came with labneh & fig leaf.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Emilia

D'Ettorres

Apr 13, 2025

Sao Thai Cuisine

Thai culture to taste

When I come to Sao Thai with my friends, we order a couple of plates of the “Assiette Sao”, which includes an assortment of 6 different warm starters...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Emilia

D'Ettorres

Apr 13, 2025
Bombay BBQ Brussels

Bombay BBQ

Indian fusion plates to share

The main idea is to order different plates (meat, fish, veggies) and share them! And according to the best Indian tradition, the food gets quite spicy...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Emilia

D'Ettorres

Apr 13, 2025
Knees to Chin Brussels

Knees to Chin

Snack on rice paper rolls

"Knees to Chin" in Brussels can be both a healthy snack joint and a fully-fledged Vietnamese restaurant! I love the vibe and their famous spring rolls...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Filion

Apr 13, 2025
Flagey Building Brussels

Flagey Building

A leading culture house

The "Flagey Building", which used to house the National Radio Broadcasting Institute, has become one of Brussels' leading cultural institutions!

002-building
Art & culture
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Petra

Perazzini

Apr 12, 2025
Boitsfort Market Brussels

Boitsfort Market

Like a village market

"Boitsfort Market" in Brussels makes for a relaxed Sunday in a green area among locals. I regularly go there and I really enjoy the village feel!

017-plant-1
Relaxing
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Petra

Perazzini

Apr 12, 2025

Kamoun

Levantine cuisine to share

The watermelon with baked halloumi and honey will make you wonder how come you didn’t put these two together before. Be prepared to stay long...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Emilia

D'Ettorres

Apr 10, 2025
Le 203 Brussels

Le 203

Seasonal bistro cuisine

The counter just in front of the open kitchen where the team of Le 203 accurately plates up and serves each dish is definitely where the magic begins...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Emilia

D'Ettorres

Apr 10, 2025
Botanique Brussels

Botanique

Botanical garden & cultural complex

"Botanique" is the name of the Botanical Garden of Brussels which is now a cultural complex and a perfect example of the city's multicultural identity...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Charlotte

Mewis

Apr 9, 2025
See U Brussels

See U

Bringing people together

Located in the heart of Ixelles in Brussels," See U" and its 45,000 m2 site is all about bringing people together in a fun and unique way.

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Charlotte

Mewis

Apr 9, 2025

Heading to Brussels?

292 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

292 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Brussels

Get to know our other Spotters from Brussels

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
29
Filters