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Opened in 2012 and occupying a restored 16th-century guildhouse in Brussels’ beautiful Grand-Place, the Hard Rock Café Brussels is one of the city’s busiest eating spots. Guests come for the brand’s classic fusion of American food and rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia presented in a glitzy, boutique-style setting.
The Hard Rock Café Brussels serves the chain’s signature fare surrounded by a mix of historical architecture and boho-style furnishings. Guests are greeted with a giant montage of vintage guitars, a polished bar, and three dining floors awash with memorabilia linked to stars such as Madonna and Elvis Presley. The all-American menu features burgers, ribs, and specialty cocktails, and combines them with music videos, a live stage, and a Hard Rock shop, creating a casual and exciting dining experience.
As with many Hard Rock Café branches, the restaurant is hugely popular and attracts long lines of diners at peak times. Planning ahead and booking a skip-the-line visit will save you precious time once you’re in Brussels. Priority-access seating enables you to breeze past any long lines for tables, and includes a 2- or 3-course meal.
Hard Rock Café Brussels is located on the southern corner of Brussels’ Grand-Place, where the square meets the Rue des Chapeliers. The square and its adjoining lanes are traffic-free, so the only way to reach the restaurant is on foot. The nearest train station is Brussels Central, just a 5-minute walk away. Numerous buses also stop near the square, including #33, #48, and #95.
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner from around noon to late at night Monday to Thursday and on Sundays; it’s open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Due to its popularity, table reservations are recommended at any time of year but particularly for dinner throughout summer and at weekends.
Between courses, be sure to peruse the restaurant’s rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia—there are exhibits on all three floors. Items not to miss include a revealing lace outfit worn on stage by Madonna, original drawings by John Lennon, handwritten lyrics by Guns N’Roses, and even an army cap worn by Elvis.