Travel insider: Andrew Glover, Brussels

Brussels in Belgium. Photo / 123RF

What do you love most about Brussels?

I moved there for love, so Brussels is the most beautiful city in the world to me. I love that Brussels is a thriving city with lots going on and yet you can easily cycle from one side to the other. It's very green with beautiful parkland all around the city. As the capital of Europe and the seat of the EU it has a real mix of cultures with an intimate village feel. I also love that it is just a hop, skip and a jump to France, England, Holland, Germany and much more.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring because of how beautiful it is to see nature reawaken, or early autumn because of the colourful leaves and the end-of-summer warmth.

Where should visitors base themselves?

I can highly recommend the Chatelain quarter. There is a great market on Wednesdays and really good dining.

What is the first thing a visitor should do?

See the Grand Place. It is stunning and the history of its construction is fascinating.

Where can you get the best Belgian chocolate and beer?

Frederic Blondeel for chocolate (frederic-blondeel.be); The Moeder Lambic in Saint-Gilles for beer. It's a local institution full of beer aficionados. (moederlambic.com)

Andrew Glover plays Beadle in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Where's good for nightlife?

There is a very famous nightclub in Marolles called Fuse. There is the Parvis de Saint-Gilles for a more relaxed drink with friends. Saint Boniface in Ixelles is great for eating out.

What are the must-see museums or galleries?

The Musee de Beaux Arts has great Flemish renaissance paintings including some Hieronymus Bosch. The newly opened MIMA and WIELS are worth a look if you like modern art.

Where can you get a great coffee?

Parlor Coffee on Chaussee de Charleroi.

What's a traditional Belgian dish and where's the best place in Brussels to get it?

Les Boeuf Carbonades, which is a Flemish beer and beef stew. Comme Chez Soi is a good place to try it.

What are the locals like?

Like Kiwis with foreign accents; Very friendly and open with a self-deprecatory and absurdist sense of humour.

Based in Brussels, Andrew Glover is in New Zealand to star as the Beadle in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at The Civic, September 17-24, ticketmaster.com