Lace is a typical Belgian specialty  available in two varieties,either as exquisitely handmade pieces,or the machine-made lace type; the former being the most pricey. Produced in bulk, the latter type of lace is also very popular. As lace has become  the most sought after souvenir, the producers put all their efforts to meet this burgeoning demand. Of course the highest-quality lace are handmade, with Brussels, Bruges and Gent being the major centres of  production and sale. Maison Antoine or Manufacture Belge de Dentelle are highly recommended sellers for this type of merchandise.

Antiques are usually to be found in Brussels,yet it is highly unlikely that you might be able to snatch  a bargain here. Antique dealers on Place du Grand Sablon, where most of the antiquity business is concentrated. Yet browsing through this market is an experience in itself and you might just find an affordable piece with a little luck and persistence.

Belgium's legendary diamonds come from Antwerp. The city’s Diamond Quarter offers a wide variety of possibilities  in  both the shape, style, and quality of the diamond of your choice...  One survey says that overall diamond traders, earn six times more on average than the diamond traders in Amsterdam. A major portion of the diamond trade is held by the city's Orthodox Jewish community, easily recognized by their traditional black clothing.

Belgian chocolates are arguably the world’s best chocolates ever produced. The local handmade pieces are filled with various cream flavors, and come in different shapes, sizes and decorations. Major chocolate producers include Wittamer, Nihoul, Leonidas and Neuhaus, and their goods are to be found in specialty stores dispersed all over the country, as well as in the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Some of the finest confections can be found at Chocolatier Mary in Brussels.

Other typically Belgian treats are beers such as gueuze, kriek, and faro. Other traditional products include geneva (gin), boasting some 270 brands manufactured by 70 distilleries, and in terms of souvenirs, the famous replicas of Manneken-Pis, which are to be found all over the place.

Shoppingmainly happens in Brussels, with its shops being concentrated along promenades and arcades. The pedestrian-only rue Neuve has a vast variety of boutiques, big department stores such as Inno and H&M, plus modern malls. Boulevard Anspach is the local fashion area, and abounds in boutiques, chocolate stores, and consumer electronics stores. The glass-roofed Galeries Royales St-Hubert hosts boutiques, restaurants, bookstores, a movie theater, and often offers up the spectacle of  throng of street musicians. The city’s trendiest outlets are to be found on rue Antoine-Dansaert, while rue des Eperonniers is home to a multitude of tiny shops selling toys, old books and clothes. Avenue Louise is the site of well-known international labels, such as Cartier, Burberry's and Valentino.