At every Hoxton around the world, we give our guests a neighbourhood Survival Guide, which points them in the direction of all the best things to do, see and taste in the area. Now, we’re adding a new section for sustainability, to show our guests around the hottest, greenest places on our patch. That ranges from boutique and vintage shopping to museums and repair shops to the neighbourhood’s most loved green, organic or eco-friendly restaurants and bars. We call it The Good Guide – and you’ll find a sneak peak version below – happy exploring.
Curious?
Avenue du Port 86c/3002, 1000 Bruxelles
The city of Brussels has set up this free, interactive exhibition to help younger generations understand the future of cities in the context of the climate crisis, and our impact on the environment. Aimed at kids aged 10-14 but open to anyone.
La ville de Bruxelles a mis en place cette expo pour conscientiser les jeunes génétations au futur des grandes villes en terme de climate disruptions. Interactif et instructif.
Bazaar Trottoir offers ‘alternative” neighbourhood walking or cycling tours. The Ecobazaar option takes you around the coolest sustainable points of interest in the area; you could be sipping circular beer, visiting an urban farm or checking out an eco start-up.
Bazaar Trottoir propose des tours, par quartier, pour faire découvrir les projets, les adresses et les entreprises durables les plus cools du coin.
Rue Dieudonné Lefèvre, 4,1020 Bruxelles
A sustainable urban village, Be-Here is a collection of indie businesses. Shop, eat, have a drink, get your bike fixed, do a yoga class, work on your gardening skills; there are constant workshops and events on the go.
Véritable village urbain, Be Here accueille des entreprises actives dans l’économie circulaire, l’alimentation durable, l’économie sociale et le bien être. Tout le monde sous le même toit !
Feeling spenny?
14 Rue des Riches Claires, 1000 Bruxelles
Is this the coolest vintage shop in Brussels city centre? If retro 80s and 90s streetwear and sportswear from labels such as North Face, Tommy Hilfiger and DKNY is your style vibe, it may well be.
Rue Ravenstein 44, 1000 Bruxelles
At the Bidules eyewear store, they root around and recover vintage frames to give them a second life, restoring and fitting them with care and attention. Their selection is sharp and original – we love it.
Chez Bidules on récupère des montures de lunettes vintage de qualité pour leur offrir une seconde vie. Leur sélection est pointue et originale, on adore.
Place du Jeu de Balle, 1000 Bruxelles
The most famous flea market in Brussels, on seven days a week. There’s no knowing the wonders you’ll stumble across here; trinkets, furniture, clothing – the list goes on. Soak up the atmosphere on a Sunday morning before retiring to one of the numerous nearby cafés to review your haul.
C’est le marché aux puces quotidien le plus célèbre de Bruxelles. On y trouve de tout, des babioles, des merveilles et une super ambiance le dimanche matin.
Hungry?
Rue des Hirondelles 3, 1000 Bruxelles
A record store, a restaurant or a coffee bar? Super Fourchette is all three. There’s a tight menu favouring small producers, zero-waste ambition and the option to take dishes away in reusable containers. Meanwhile, there are regular gigs on and you’ll find the local music scene well represented.
Resto disquaire qui propose une cuisine réconfortante, favorisant le circuit court et les petits producteurs. Tout est fait maison et tout peut s’emporter dans des bocaux réutilisables.
18 Place Colignon, 1030 Bruxelles
Upcycled decor, local suppliers, reusable containers, zero-waste workshops and recycling waste are all part of the green ethos at Boentje Café. For instance, used coffee grounds go into face scrubs or mushroom-growing. The menu changes regularly so keep an eye on the mouthwatering social channels.
Déco récup, produits locaux, déchets revalorisés (on utilise le marc de café pour les gommages si si), economie circulaire et atelier pour faire aussi bien qu’au Boentje café. On oublie pas son thermos si on veut un café à emporter.
Rue Américaine 95, 1050 Ixelles
Chez Nous is like home, except that the food is probably better (don’t tell your mum). Produce is local and seasonal, while interiors are recycled and upcycled (the chairs were rescued from the street and the tables are recycled bottle tops).
Chez Louise, c’est comme à la maison sauf qu’on y mange mieux. Les tables sont en bouchons de plastique recyclés et tout ce qu’il y a dans nos assiettes viens de tout près.
Thirsty?
Quai aux Briques 84, 1000 Bruxelles
Sample from a huge array of natural wines and good beers in this colourful, super-cool spot.
Vins naturels et bières spéciales dans un décor génial, avec une progra musicale tout aussi géniale.
Avenue des Arts 7, 1210 Bruxelles
Indulge in a coffee while pumping up the tires of your bike or upgrading your cycling accessories – practical, eco-friendly and delicious. There are also home-made cakes and cookies to snack on, or soups and sandwiches for something more substantial.
Prendre un petit café en faisant regonfler les pneus de son vélo, pratique et éco-friendly. On peut aussi participer à des workshops et manger un bout.
OK Coffee wants to teach us how to appreciate coffee: good coffee, ethical coffee, coffee with origins easily traced. There are several strands to their caffeinated manifesto, but start with a specialty coffee tour, where you’ll discover innovative businesses, get tips on tasting and learn about ethical production and consumption.
Ok Coffee veut vous réapprendre à consommer le café. Le bon café, le vrai café, le café dont on connait l’origine. Pour cela Thomas organise (entre autre) des Coffee tour dans les quartiers de Bruxelles.
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