Buzzing with creativity, Brussels is an electric and eclectic mix of couture and culture, where cutting-edge cool meets Gothic grandeur. With a list of local designers that reads like a Who's Who of kooky, intelligent, leftfield fashion, from Martin Margiela and Ann Demeulemeester to Raf Simons, Veronique Branquinho and Xavier Delcour, it's no surprise that Brussels has become the thinking fashionista's favourite city.

Now Brussels's style cognoscenti have come up with a guide to the city's most fashionable district. Eight of the capital's most influential women, working in art, fashion and design, have collaborated on Downtown Brussels, their personal guide to the chicest restaurants, bars, shops, culture and walks around style haven rue Antoine Dansaert. Cooler than Paris, hipper than London, and with none of the attitude of either, Brussels has quietly crept on to the style scene. Get there while it's oh-so-now.

DRINK

Housed in the achingly hip new contemporary arts centre Flagey, place Sainte-Croix, Café Belga is the newest bar in Brussels. The city's artocracy drink here after catching an exhibition or before evening concerts and films. In late March the "I Mode You - European Fashion Awards" for up-and-coming designers - will be held in Studio 4 Flagey so dig out your Dries Van Noten frock now.

SHOP

Hit the shops on rue Antoine Dansaert and brush up on Belgium's high fashion. Try Stijl at number 74 for a mix of top local and international labels, and Christa Reniers at number 29 for architectural but wearable jewellery. Number 102 is home to Y-dress?, selling quirky T-shirts and sexy Lycra dresses. Check out www.modobruxellae.be for the latest fashion and design news.

EAT

After a hard day of retail therapy, unwind at Kasbah (00 32 2 502 4026), the couscous house at number 20, where dinner for two is about £40, or Bonsoir Clara (502 0990), at 22-26, a chi-chi restaurant and bar where dinner for two is about £60.

HANG OUT

Brussels's latest glamorous hangout, Khnopff, 1 rue Saint Bernard (www.khnopff.be) is on several levels and includes a bar, DJ lounge and restaurant. The style is warm, bright and contemporary; the food is "world brasserie cuisine" and is already drawing in crowds from across the city. Dinner is about £80 for two.

BE SEEN

See and be seen at Belga Queen, 32 rue Fossé-aux-Loups (217 2187), a sleek and stylish restaurant housed in the city's old bank. The atmospheric and sophisticated main seating hall serves up exquisite fresh seafood and Belgian classics with a twist, at about £80 for two. There's also a slick marble and silver oyster bar and a comfortable-but-refined bar; meanwhile the new members' Cigar Bar has just opened in the bank's basement. Before you leave, don't miss the risqué clear glass lavatories - the doors steam up when you lock them.

PARTY

Party into the night on place St Géry, the hub of Brussels's after-hours life. Try one of the punchy cocktails at Zebra, or choose from the endless list of beers at Le Roi des Belges. Head round the corner to l'Archiduc, 6 rue Antoine Dansaert, and end your evening listening to jazz in elegant Art Nouveau surroundings.

SLEEP

Sleep in luxury at the palatial Hotel Amigo, 1-3 rue de l'Amigo (www.roccofortehotels.com), which was once the city's jail - the original floor remains but the rest has had a five-star makeover. Weekend rates from £127 a double, including continental breakfast. Downtown Brussels: £5.90, available from shops in rue Antoine Dansaert and from the Brussels Tourist Office, Hotel de Ville, Grand' Place.

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