The Grand Place continued to serve as a market until 19 November 1959 , and it is still called the ( " Grand Market " ) in Dutch . Neighbouring streets still reflect the area 's origins , named after the sellers of butter , cheese , herring , coal , and so on . In 1979 , the Grand Place was bombed . In 1990 , the square was pedestrianised and it is currently part of a large pedestrian zone in the centre of Brussels . The Grand Place was named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1998 . The place is now primarily an important tourist attraction . A number of guild houses have been converted into shops , terraced restaurants and brasseries . Notable institutions include Godiva Chocolatier and the '' Maison Dandoy '' speculoos confectionery . One of the houses owned by the brewers ' guild is home to a brewers ' museum
bombed
1979 Brussels bombing
Grand Place