Peinture Fraiche is my favourite independent art bookshop in Brussels. I could spend hours in this calm and stylish bookshop looking at beautiful books and get inspired! Peinture Fraiche is located in the Ixelles district, close to popular Place Chatelain and rue de Bailli.
What I especially like at Peinture Fraiche is their wide range of subjects which satisfies every taste and curiosity. All art forms are represented here; not only painting, sculpture and architecture but also photography, town planning, graphic design, ceramics, cinema, fashion. There is even a section dedicated to street art and Japonisme. You can also find a selection of international art magazines that are difficult to find elsewhere in Brussels.
The staff keeps itself updated and regularly invite artists to discuss issues they are concerned with. So, if you are looking for a very specific book on any of the mentioned subjects, you might be sure that they know what you are talking about.
I also appreciate the fact that all the year round Peinture Fraiche offers a generous stock of books at reduced prices, which is very interesting given that art books tend to be rather expensive. Most of the books are in French and English.
Peinture Fraiche’s shop windows are themselves worth a detour. They are usually decorated according to a theme, for example all books about gardening, or a colour, have the cover in the same colour, for example all-blue or all-rose books... the result is pure poesie!
Find your way with 292 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The Perché rooftop bar is on top of the JAM hotel, which is why not many people wander up here, but it's so worth it! It has a great view and comfy chairs.
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I haven't yet been able to identify all the villages/churches marked on the small stone wall but I'm sure I will at some point!
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With an extravagant vintage decore, the bar takes its name from Queen Fabiola, a Spanish noblewoman who was a very beloved Queen consort of the Belgians.
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With a cozy interior and a pleasant scent of toasted coffee beans, Caleo offers different options for brunch, from viennoiseries to delicious pancakes.
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The name Nenu comes from the Vietnamese concept of “an nhau”, a style of drinking and eating culture, sharing small and large plates with friends & family.
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If you come with a group, I suggest taking the “Moriawase” (Japanese for “assortment”), a larger plate that is easier to share and to try different things.
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Peaking at my neighbors' plates, I decided to try the bass with garlic oil, ginger, and furikake, and the tartare de boeuf with pepper mousse and pickles on the side.
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The stars of the menu are the homemade fluffy pancakes - an explosion of flavors, which come in different flavors, including a tiramisu and matcha version.
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As a meat lover, I absolutely enjoyed the dishes based on Iberic pork, including the spare ribs and the Jiang Rou Bao, which literally melted in my mouth.
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At Piola the specialty of the house is the “Siciliana o’ Cornicione” pizza, but it is only for the bravest: it comes with a ricotta cheese stuffed crust.
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Mexican dishes with popular central American influences. But be ready to share: the options are way too many (and delicious) to just get one dish.
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One bite and you will forget all about your next day’s meetings or other adult-life tasks. Crispy fries and fried chicken come as an extra...
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292 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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