I have always felt that one of the best ways to understand a city is to start with its food. Brussels is particularly well suited to this kind of exploration. The city is famous for Belgian chocolate, waffles, mussels with fries, and beer, but there are also traditional restaurants and cozy cafés hidden among its streets.
When visiting Brussels for the first time, I usually start my day at Brussels Central Station. After having a coffee in the morning, I slowly make my way toward the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. Before setting out, I check the weather and choose my outfit accordingly, because the old town has quite a few cobblestone streets and it is easy to walk more than 10,000 steps in a day. i-Run offers a wide range of sneakers suitable for city walks, and I usually look for something lightweight with good support. For me, travel shoes do not need to be particularly flashy. What matters most is that my feet still feel comfortable in the afternoon. Preparing the right shoes also makes it easier for me to combine food stops with sightseeing.
Starting the Morning at the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is one of my favorite places to begin a day in Brussels. Its historic architecture, elegant glass roof, boutiques, cafés, and chocolate shops immediately create the atmosphere of a classic European city.
When I arrive here in the morning, I usually do not have a heavy breakfast. Instead, I find a café for a cup of coffee and perhaps a small piece of chocolate or pastry. There are several famous chocolate brands around the gallery, including Pierre Marcolini and Neuhaus. If I have enough time, I like to compare several flavors rather than buying a large box immediately.
After leaving the gallery, I continue walking toward the Grand Place. The distance is not very long, but there are plenty of historic buildings and shop windows to look at along the way. Wearing comfortable shoes means I can slow down and enjoy the surroundings without constantly thinking about when I can sit down and rest. i-Run is useful for this type of trip because exploring a city on foot often involves much more walking than expected.
A Waffle Stop at the Grand Place
When I reach the Grand Place, I usually walk around the square before looking for something to eat. Brussels City Hall, the Maison du Roi, and the historic guild buildings create one of the most impressive architectural settings in the city. The first time I visited, I did not simply take a few photos and leave. I spent some time looking at the sculptures, reliefs, and golden decorations on the buildings.
After taking in the architecture, I usually treat myself to a Belgian waffle. Both Brussels waffles and Liège waffles are worth trying. A Brussels waffle is generally lighter, with a crisp exterior and a soft interior, while a Liège waffle is denser and contains caramelized pearl sugar.
For a first tasting, I actually prefer a simple version without too much whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or fruit. This makes it easier to appreciate the flavor and texture of the waffle itself. After finishing it, I continue toward Manneken Pis. The streets around this area can be busy with visitors, but I still enjoy wandering through the smaller streets nearby. At this point, having a lightweight pair of shoes makes the route much easier, so I continue wearing the city sneakers I selected from i-Run.
Lunch After Visiting Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis is one of Brussels’ most recognizable symbols. The statue itself is much smaller than I imagined before seeing it in person, but the cultural story behind it is fascinating, and the surrounding streets are always lively.
After visiting the statue, I usually start looking for lunch rather than adding more attractions to the morning. For me, one of the biggest mistakes on a food trip is rushing from one place to another. After several hours of walking, sitting down for a proper meal makes the rest of the day much more enjoyable.
For traditional Brussels cuisine, I may choose Chez Léon, a well-known restaurant in the city center that is particularly associated with mussels. I like ordering Moules-frites, or mussels served with fries. There are different ways to prepare the mussels, while Belgian fries are crisp on the outside and soft inside, making them a natural pairing with seafood.
After walking all morning, I prefer to take my time with lunch rather than eating quickly. Lunch is also a chance to reset my schedule. After the meal, I take a short break before continuing with the afternoon route. If I still have several hours of walking ahead, I try to keep my luggage light and check whether my shoes are still comfortable. i-Run has different types of sneakers, and when choosing a pair, I pay particular attention to styles designed for extended city walking.
An Afternoon at the Magritte Museum
After lunch, I usually slow down and spend the afternoon exploring art instead of continuing to walk nonstop. If I were to choose just one museum, I would recommend the Magritte Museum.
René Magritte is one of Belgium’s most famous artists, and his works are strongly associated with surrealism. During my first visit, I noticed that many of his paintings seemed simple at first glance, but after spending more time looking at them, I discovered details and ideas that were much more thought-provoking.
I do not like rushing through every gallery simply to say that I have seen everything. I prefer to choose the works that interest me and spend more time with them. This makes the museum visit feel less like checking something off a list, especially after a morning of walking.
After leaving the Magritte Museum, I usually find a nearby café for another short break. By this point, I have already spent half a day walking, so sitting down with a coffee helps me recharge. I have become increasingly aware of the importance of comfortable equipment when traveling, and i-Run is one of the platforms I pay attention to when preparing for European city trips. For me, the right pair of shoes can make an entire day’s itinerary feel much more flexible.
An Evening in the Sablon District
As the afternoon approaches evening, I like to slowly walk from the Royal Quarter toward the Sablon district. The atmosphere here is noticeably calmer than around the Grand Place. There are chocolate shops, cafés, antique stores, and restaurants along the streets, making it a pleasant area for an afternoon walk.
Along the way, I often stop to see the Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon. If I have enough time, I go inside for a short visit before continuing through the surrounding streets.
Once I reach the Sablon, I usually find a café, order a coffee, and try another piece of Belgian chocolate. This area is ideal for comparing different chocolate shops and their styles. If I want to buy chocolates as souvenirs, I rarely purchase everything from the first store I enter. I prefer to look around first and then choose the flavors I like most.
By this point in the day, I can really feel how demanding a city trip can be. From Brussels Central Station to the Grand Place, Manneken Pis, lunch, the museum, and the Sablon district, the walking distance quickly adds up. I therefore prefer to prepare a pair of sneakers from i-Run that is suitable for longer walks. With comfortable footwear, I can focus more on the architecture, cafés, and street scenes instead of thinking about tired feet.
Ending the Day with Beer-Braised Beef
In the evening, I usually look for a restaurant in the old town or around the Sablon. If I want to continue exploring Belgian cuisine, I often choose Carbonnade Flamande, a traditional beer-braised beef dish.
The flavor is rich and comforting, and the beef becomes very tender after slow cooking. It is commonly served with fries, making it an ideal dinner after a full day of walking. Sitting down to enjoy a warm meal after exploring the city all day is, for me, an important part of the travel experience itself.
When the weather is good, I prefer restaurants with outdoor seating. I enjoy eating slowly while watching people pass by on the street. If I want to try Belgian beer, I usually choose just one variety rather than ordering several at once, especially if I am unfamiliar with the different styles.
After dinner, if I still have enough energy, I like walking back toward the Grand Place. The square feels completely different at night. Once the lights come on, Brussels City Hall and the surrounding historic buildings look even more impressive.
After walking all day, this is also when I notice the difference a good pair of shoes can make. If my feet still feel comfortable, I often take one more walk around the square. i-Run has therefore become one of the platforms I pay attention to when preparing for European city trips. I prefer to choose my shoes according to the expected walking distance before the trip rather than discovering halfway through the journey that they are unsuitable for long walks.
Before returning to Brussels Central Station, I sometimes buy a small portion of Belgian fries if I still have room for one final snack. From morning coffee and chocolate to waffles at the Grand Place, mussels and fries at Chez Léon, afternoon chocolate and coffee, and finally beer-braised beef for dinner, this route gives me a satisfying way to experience Brussels through food.
