Leuven Shopping

2 more images

It's always a delight to browse through a kitchen and cooking shop. There are always items that I need and there we were, spoiled for choice.

What to buy: I bought a 'Molenmes' (knife) by Robert Herder (Solingen, Germany). Made by hand, is always sharp because of how it is sharpened. It's not rust free but that makes the steel much harder. The little vegetable knife kost me just under 8 euro.

From the outside it looks like your average supermarket, and while Denon is actually a part of the AD Delhaize supermarkt group (there is at least one in every Belgian town) this particular shop has a longstanding reputation when it comes to wines and cheeses.

What to buy: Since it's a supermarket you can basically buy anything you need in terms of food / drink - including fresh produce or, better yet, a few bottles of those Belgian beers you've been craving for.

What to pay: Moderate prices. Delhaize is not the cheapest supermarket, but they carry mostly quality brands and have a wide selection.

A supermarket is what you need. This one is right on the edge of Leuven.
Opening hours:

Monday 09:00 - 20:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 20:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 20:00
Thursday 09:00 - 20:00
Friday 09:00 - 21:00
Saturday 09:00 - 20:00

What to buy: Everything you need for your daily requirements can be bought at Carrefour Hypermarché.

A lot of the products are more French oriented. Certain products that I like I can buy in Belgium instead of France, which is further away.

Whenever I am in Belgium I buy Devos Lemmens Mayonaise which is excellent, typically Belgian mayonaise. '

This time I also stocked up on Fleur de Sel, which is salt harvested by hand. Since I am having guests immediately upon my return, I bought a selection of cheeses, white wine, and some easy ready-made fresh pastry to make a frangipane tart and an onion tart for lunch.

1 more image

I liked the hats in the window of this shop. Obviously, Marleen Gielen is a hat designer. However, it's a pity I can't find more of her on the internet!

Opening hours:
Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 11-18 hrs

Serena is probably the only store in Leuven that reminds me a bit of the more typical "tourist" stores in places like Bruges and Brussels - but that's mainly due to the selection of items - I wouldn't describe the store as cheesy or overly epxensive.

What to buy: The emphasis is on lace products (lace fans, umbrellas, porcelain dolls, antique bobbins, lace equipment, fine linen and batist, blouses, old and new lace) but they do have anything from medieval-looking tapestries to figurines, dolls, and other little nic-nacs - some of which are really very nice.
Worth a look if you want to find a genuinly "Flemish" (decorative) gift for someone.

I don't know the exact opening hours, but business hours here are usually mon-sat 10:00-18:00, closed on sundays.

This bookstore chain originates from Holland and has been around for a century. They have discounted (from publisher's overstocks) and second hand books on offer - including antiques, even.

What to buy: There's a wide selection of books available, neatly sorted by subject over a total of 5 floors (including ground level and basement). I like the art and architecture sections, and I've also seen a few interesting (photo-) books (including English ones) on Belgium/Flanders. Well worth a look before buying books elsewhere.

What to pay: De Slegte says their discounts on unused books are between 20 and 80%... As in most discount stores, quality varies greatly - but there are some great bargains to be had.

3 more images

This is a great shop near the citycenter of Leuven. They have the most original and rare retro style items. Most of the products are retro inspired (sixties and seventies) so with cheery colours and a great design.

What to buy: The retro lounge posters are really great and give your room an instant retro effect. But also the lighting is very cool: arc lamps and retro print lamp shades. You'll think you are back in the seventies! :-)
Living Lounge has a wide range of funny retro printed coasters, mugs and glasses, all priced between 2.90 and 9.00 euros.
For the ladies there are a lot of very nice handbags with retro print, but also other accessories like wallets, hip belts, ... !!
Last but not least: the most awesome retro wallpaper with circles and other seventies prints. I want to decorate my whole house like this ;-) (You can see most of the prints on the website)

What to pay: The prices at Living Lounge are very cool. You'll find some great present for less than 10 euros, there is even a 'gifts below 10 euros' category on the webshop! But also furniture and lighting are not that expensive.

Boeken Voordeel is a store that sells inexpensive books, videos/DVD's, greeting cards, calendars, stationary and other paper goods.

What to buy: It's a good place to pick up some Leuven postcards if you'd need any.

What to pay: Inexpensive. Especially for the postcards you'll certainly pay more elsewhere.