Les Halles du manège

It was in 2016 when I found out about this permanent covered market as a gathering place for local producers.

Really like the character and atmosphere of this renovated neo-medieval style cavalry stables where we can find fresh organic fruits and vegetables also artisan products.

Rue des Droits de L'Homme 2

Wednesday – Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm

Late opening until 7 pm on Friday

Sunday, 10 am – 1 pm

www.leshallesdumanege.be

Spring Strawberry Season

Spring Flower Market

On early spring, during the weekend of Ducasse de Messines (marking the return of the spring), which offers nice selections of decoration for Easter.
Around Rue Bertaimont.

Flower Market, Grand Place

Another weekly flower market. Every Friday morning until noon the beautiful Grand Place transformed into a colorful square. Fresh flowers and seeds available. Sometimes I came here simply to enjoy the atmosphere.  

Marché aux Fleurs

Flower Market
Every Sunday, 8 am - 2 pm at Place Léopold (across the train station). 
A good reason to wake up early and get beautiful fresh flowers.

Sunday Market

When most shops are closed on Sunday, our favorite choice for shopping is the market around Place Nervienne, from 8 in the morning up until noon.
We can find the vast majority of vendors from the Friday market (ex: our fav. Vietnamese food), but this one is bigger, with parking spaces available at the square.

They sell wide variety from farm products, fresh vegetables and fruits, different kind of cheeses, cakes and pastries, clothing, jewelry, collectibles, antiques etc.
Even price is sometimes higher than in the supermarket, but it surely more fresh.
I like the fruits, they taste better than the one in supermarket.
They are very competitive and the more you buy their products, the cheaper you can get.

Me and Prince Charming usually excited to go for our Sunday meal, that is roast brunch from the market.

From meters away, the smell is always inviting.

There are 2-3 vendors with big trucks, but this one is our favorite because they use fire, instead of electric grill. Sometimes the line can be intimidating, but service is pretty fast. Just mention what and how much do you want, they will charge per item or gram.

The chicken wings and ribs are amongst our likes. And for the sides, they have baked baby potatoes and champignons.
The pork belly and sausages are too good and too dangerous in a same time for our diet.
We've tried the Paella, and it tasted good as well.
Finally.. it always become a very ambitious brunch and left us very full and content.

The most memorable day when there was thunderstorm and I was craving for roast chicken.
We decided to walk to the market.
The wind nearly flew me away and torned our umbrellas.
Went home soaking wet and when we turned on our tv, the news said that we have the massive Xynthia storm. 

Going to the market in a bad weather seems not a good idea.
It's quiet and less vendors.
But in winter, big vendors sold their products in a heated tent, so it's very comfortable.

Friday Market

My favorite day of the week with the market around Marché aux Poissons and Marché aux Herbes every Friday from 8 am until 2 pm.
They sell many things from fruits and vegetables, meats, clothing and apparels, make-up, books, pastries, candies etc.

Me and Prince Charming usually go for a (not so quick) lunch.
There are some vans selling different kind of foods. Hang-Long is one of our favorites. The man sells Vietnamese food. Somehow he reminds me of my Dad. So friendly and talkative. And can speak good English as well.

Whenever we're craving for spicy and tasty food, we come here and order the same thing. My favorite snack is the beignet poulet, something like chicken fritters served with sweet and sour sauce. The salad is one of the best food I've tasted here. It's simply cabbage in vinegar dressing and beef on top and sprinkled with peanuts. I usually ask for extra chilli sauce and it makes a great combo of sweet, sour and spicy. Prince Charming always has the baguette which basically stuffed with the salad.
Everything cost us around 10 EUR.
*Updated 2017: Mr. Hang-Long sold his food truck to Chez Phanny but we still can find similar menu for 3.80 EUR. 

Other favorite meal in this market is Boudin blanc, French/ Belgian type of white sausage made from pork and milk. Taste so yummy and delicate. 
We know we're approaching the market when the smell of the grilled sausages fills the air. During lunchtime, people wait in line patiently. But the two charming women in the van work quickly, so we don't need to wait too long. Students and bankers from across the street amongst the biggest fans. 
The portion is perfect for us. The texture of the bread is softer than a baguette. The grilled onions add a hint of sweetness on the savory sausage. And we can choose any sauces to go with it. We think barbecue or the spicy Samurai sauce perfectly fit to our taste. Price is not higher than 3 EUR.

Making this post has made me so hungry. Can't wait for next Friday!