The international urban lifestyle magazine ‘TimeOut’ has declared the Vlaamsesteenweg in Downtown Brussels the world’s 11th coolest street. The magazine writes that it is “a street that captures the spirit of Brussels: creative, joyful and a little rough around the edges”.
‘TimeOut’ says that Brussels’ Vlaamsesteenweg is the World’s 11th coolest street
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The London-based magazine ‘TimeOut’ compiled a Top 31 of what it considers to be the world’s coolest streets. The criteria used by ‘TimeOut’ when deciding which streets are the coolest are “drink, fun, culture and community”.
The magazine went looking for both “backstreets and lively boulevards” that are enjoyed by locals. The magazine's Brussels writer is lyrical about the Vlaamsesteenweg. “It’s got all the charm – cobbled streets, crooked façades and centuries-old houses – but without the clichés”.
Furthermore, it is just a short walk away from the city’s tourist traps such as the central market square (Grote Markt) and Manneken Pis. The diversity of what is available on the Vlaamsesteenweg won praise from 'TimeOut’s' Brussels writer “Indie boutiques, a photomaton built into a wall, cafés, splashes of street art and some of the city’s most popular eateries.”
“You’ve got a street that captures the spirit of Brussels: creative, joyful and a little rough around the edges."
Bonsai trees
‘TimeOut’ is particularly impressed by the range of shops and cultural activities of offer in the narrow, cobbled street. “it bursts with eclecticism: you can buy a bonsai tree with tiny apples, visit a falconry museum, browse vintage pop culture at Stuff, pop into the baroque La Bellone cultural centre, fix your bike, or watch artists work behind shopfront windows”.
The Nighshop wine bar, the fresh mussels at Pré Salé and the popular Au Laboureur bar with its reasonably-priced lager beer at 2.50 a glass all came in for praise in ‘TimeOut’s’ article.