Saint-Gilles is the Brooklyn of Brussels.
Saint-Gilles named the Brooklyn of Brussels
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Saint-Gilles the Brooklyn of Brussels.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Brussels's verdict went to Saint-Gilles ahead of Dansaert, Ixelles (Flagey/Châtelain) and Schaerbeek, which take the runner-up positions.
"Saint-Gilles is our pick for the Brooklyn of Brussels. Art Nouveau facades coming apart at the edges next to natural wine bars, market mornings that stretch quietly into the afternoon, and a general refusal to hurry. Locals are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Saint-Gilles's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Brussels verdict: brooklynof.com/brussels
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/brussels
Runner-up neighborhoods: Dansaert, Ixelles (Flagey/Châtelain), Schaerbeek
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.