Artisan chocolate, Trappist beer, fine lace or Manneken Pis goodies: the top 9 souvenirs to bring back from Brussels can be summed up in three words: gourmet, authentic, iconic.
Gourmet souvenirs: chocolate, waffles & Belgian Beer not to be missed
It’s impossible to leave the capital without an assortment from the great Belgian houses; competition is fierce between Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus, Godiva, Leonidas and Côte d’Or, but each shines in a specific segment:
- 🍫 “Grand Cru” ganaches signed Pierre Marcolini for refined palates.
- 🍬 Historic Neuhaus pralines, inventor of the praline in 1912.
- 🎁 Godiva “Gold Collection” box, elegant and easy to carry.
- 💶 Leonidas ballotins, excellent value for large tables.
- 🦁 Côte d’Or bars, popular symbol sold in supermarkets.
For hop lovers, the “Delirium Tremens” box (double fermentation) remains a safe bet, as do the “Belgian Beer Route” selections available at Beer Mania or at Brusselslife.
| Specialty | Where to buy? | Average price | Transport tip ✈️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuhaus Ballotin 😋 | Galeries Royales | €19 | Insulated bag |
| Delirium Tremens Assortment 🍻 | Delirium Café | €15 | Checked luggage |
| Liège waffles 🧇 | Maison Dandoy | €8 for 4 | Rigid box |
Looking for secret spots? Petit Futé lists delicatessens crafting artisanal spreads, perfect for a “spreadable” souvenir.
Cultural & design items: from Tintin to Brussels creators
Beyond chocolate, Brussels offers a rich artistic heritage:
- 📚 Tintin albums published in facsimile by Moulinsart.
- 🏰 Bruges lace, sold at the Marché des Anciennes Halles Saint-Géry.
- 👝 Delvaux leather goods, a house founded in 1829 for premium budgets.
- 🎨 Art Nouveau posters inspired by Horta, printed on art paper.
To find these pieces, head to La Maison des Maîtres Chocolatiers (which also sells illustrated magnets) or to artisan shops in the Marolles such as “Belge une fois” (unusual addresses).
| Design item ✨ | Made in | Price | Why unique? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Nouveau poster 🌿 | Local printing | €12 | Limited edition 300 copies |
| Manneken Pis keychain 🚻 | Manneke Shop | €5 | Belgian pop icon |
| Delvaux clutch 💼 | Ixelles workshop | €450 | Full-grain Belgian leather |
Want to plan your shopping route? The article by Dis-moi tout breaks down fashion districts for 2025.
Brussels loves to shake up conventions; proof is at Le Comptoir Belge where you can find:
- 🦗 Chili-green flavored cricket chips.
- 🍺 “Belle-Vue” Raspberry pink beer, seasonal edition.
- 🛀 Organic hop cosmetics, made in Louvain-la-Neuve.
Other gems to spot:
- “Manneke” Rue de la Madeleine, city center.
- Vintage market at Jeu de Balle, ideal on Sundays.
- Concept store “Brussels Corner” (online collection since 2024).
| Hidden shop 🔍 | Key souvenir | Neighborhood | 2025 opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Comptoir Belge | Dried crickets | Saint-Gilles | Mon-Sat 10am-7pm |
| Belge une fois | Belgian T-shirt 😄 | Marolles | Wed-Sun 11am-6pm |
| Manneke | Manneken Pis magnet 🚻 | Center | Every day |
For other quirky ideas, the “Top 7 unusual gifts” ranking by Visit Brussels is regularly updated.
Summary table: the 9 essential souvenirs of Brussels
| ✔️ No. | Souvenir | Category | Budget | Where to buy | User ratings ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pierre Marcolini pralines 🍫 | Gourmet | €25 | Sablon | 4.9/5 |
| 2 | Delirium Tremens box 🍻 | Beer | €15 | Impasse de la Fidélité | 4.8/5 |
| 3 | Tintin album “The Blue Lotus” 📚 | Culture | €12 | Museum Hergé Shop | 4.7/5 |
| 4 | Bruges lace 🧵 | Craftsmanship | €30 | St-Géry | 4.6/5 |
| 5 | “Belge une fois” T-shirt 👕 | Fashion | €22 | Marolles | 4.5/5 |
| 6 | Miniature Manneken Pis 🚻 | Goodies | €6 | Grand-Place | 4.4/5 |
| 7 | BBQ crickets 🦗 | Unusual | €9 | Saint-Gilles | 4.3/5 |
| 8 | Art Nouveau poster 🎨 | Design | €12 | Mont des Arts | 4.2/5 |
| 9 | Maison Dandoy waffles 🧇 | Gourmet | €8 | Rue au Beurre | 4.8/5 |
Want to compare with other destinations? The site 123 Souvenir also offers guides for New York, Sète, Japan or even Île de Ré.
FAQ
Pierre Marcolini remains the high-end reference; its “Voyage” boxes combine crus from Cameroon and Madagascar for a guaranteed “wow” effect.
Can beer be carried in the airplane cabin?
No, bottles over 100 ml are prohibited; pack your bottles in the checked luggage, ideally in a padded carton.
Where to find a souvenir under €10?
Manneken Pis magnets, Côte d’Or bars or Delirium keychains are sold between €3 and €8 in shops in the center.
Which shop carries several chocolate brands?
La Maison des Maîtres Chocolatiers near the Grand-Place presents Neuhaus, Godiva, and Leonidas collections under one roof.
Are there vegetarian or vegan souvenirs?
Yes, the lactose-free hazelnut-cocoa spreads from Comptoir Belge and the fruity Lambic beers are 100% vegan.
