Musical Instruments Museum roof terrace

The roof terrace of the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) sits at the top of the former Old England department store building at Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, in the Mont des Arts area of central Brussels. The Art Nouveau iron-and-glass building by Paul Saintenoy is itself a landmark, and the upper level has a restaurant with an open terrace that looks out over the rooftops of the lower town, with Grand Place's tower, the Town Hall spire and the cathedral visible in the distance. Visitors can reach the terrace through the museum building, and the route passes the museum shop level, so it is worth checking opening times in advance, since the restaurant and terrace follow their own schedule and may close in poor weather or on certain days. The terrace is not a major attraction in its own right but offers one of the best central panoramas without a long climb. Visitors usually allow thirty to sixty minutes for a drink, a light meal or simply the view, and those who add the museum itself, with its collection of instruments from around the world and headphones that play their sounds, can spend two hours or more. Late afternoon is the most pleasant time, when the light turns warm on the roofs and the terrace is less crowded than at lunch. Summer evenings and sunny weekends can fill the seats, so arriving early helps. The location is a short walk from Gare Centrale, Place Royale and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, making it an easy addition to a walking route.