Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

Opened in 1847, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert were among the first covered shopping arcades in Europe. Under the long glass roof, elegant shopfronts house chocolatiers, glove-makers, bookshops, a theatre and cafés.

Belgium takes chocolate seriously, and the praline was invented in Brussels in 1912. The arcade is the place to taste and buy it, along with biscuits, and waffle stands are close by. Jean Neuhaus, the chocolatier credited with the praline, had his family shop here, and the arcade opens off the streets beside the Grand-Place, so it fits naturally into a walk around the old centre.

Come in the late afternoon for a hot chocolate, or in December, when the arcade is decorated for Christmas. Chocolates travel well if kept cool, so buy them at the end of your stay.