Restaurants in Brussels
Dining is serious business in Belgium where both the French and
Flemish consider themselves qualified food critiques. Besides
enjoying the national dish, beer, which in Belgium is thick enough
to qualify as a full meal, eating out in Brussels leaves both food
snobs licking their lips and the hungry patting their bellies.
Known for large portions which don't skimp on quality, even cheap
dining is held to a high standard. This all bodes well for hungry
travellers on a budget although it would be a shame to miss some of
the most well regarded, if expensive, of Brussels' restaurants.
For quick eats, embrace street side cafés where Belgium
waffles (not only in the morning), chocolate, French fries and beer
all make great snacks. The fine dining usually revolves around
French cuisine but not to be missed is the Flemish stew
waterzooï, which translated to 'watery mess' is better than it
sounds, and mussels with chips.
Brussels restaurants are generously sprinkled about the city's
districts but several fine dining clusters are close to de
Broukére or many options surrounding the Grand Place. A
service charge is included in the bill but great service is often
rewarded.
| Bonsoir Clara |
$$$$$ | International |
Located in the fashion district of Brussels, this trendy
restaurant offers diners a selection of both traditional and
international cuisine. The menu features a variety of Belgian,
Italian and Asian dishes including cold pea soup, fish lasagne,
roast lamb and cod carpaccio. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and
dinner, and for dinner on weekends. Reservations recommended.
Address: 22 Rue Antoine Dansaert
Telephone: (02) 502 0990
| La Maison du Cygne |
$$$$$ | Local |
Once frequented by the likes of Karl Marx and the Belgian
Socialist Party, this 17th century house now offers diners a
traditional ambience, enhanced by richly coloured décor and
polished walnut walls. The menu features mainly Belgian and French
cuisine including lobster salad with apples and a curry sauce, beef
fillet with a three pepper sauce, and lemon-scented codfish. Open
Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner, and for dinner on Saturday.
Reservations recommended.
Address: 2 Rue Charles Buls
Telephone: (02) 511 8244
| Les Trois Couleurs |
$$$$$ | French |
Dining at Les Trois Couleurs is gorgeous throughout the year -
in winter guests can enjoy the spacious, neat dining room and in
summer the terrace garden is perfect. This elegant and romantic
restaurant's menu offers French cuisine such as a prawn and caviare
salad, or poached brill. Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch and
dinner, Saturday for dinner and Sunday for lunch. Reservations
essential.
Address: 453 Avenue de Tervuren, Woluwé-Saint-Pierre
Telephone: (02) 770 3321
| Aux Armes De Bruxelles |
$$$$$ | Local |
Founded in 1921, this is a true Brussels legend that serves the
freshest of mussels and finest of French fries. Approach the
moules et frite Bruxelles-style by eating the
first mussel with your fingers and then use the shell to eat the
rest. The entire menu is excellent, especially the beef stewed in
beer and the delicious
waterzooï. The front room's
vintage Art Nouveau interior is delightful. Open for lunch and
dinner daily, reservations recommended.
Address: 13 Rue des Bouchers
Telephone: (0)2 511 5598
| Comme Chez Soi |
$$$$$ | French |
This gourmet pilgrimage site never fails to impress, with
exceptional quality, refined flavours and an ambient Art Nouveau
design. The restaurant boasts both a warmly welcoming atmosphere
and truly memorable dishes, such as red mullet fillet with karides
or beef fillet with black truffles. For dessert, try the chocolate
cake with almonds and hazelnuts. Advanced booking is essential.
Closed on Sunday and Monday, and on Wednesday for lunch.
Address: 23 Place Rouppe
Telephone: (0)2 512 2921
| La Truffe Noire |
$$$$$ | French |
For those with a passion for truffles, pay a visit to this
shrine created by Italian chef Luigi Ciciriello. It is a friendly
establishment renowned for serving superb truffle-focused dishes in
its warm and relaxed environment. Don't miss the carpaccio truffles
with olive oil and parmesan for starters and the roast duck with
Canary Island bananas for mains. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch
and dinner, only open Monday and Sunday for reservations of 30 or
more guests.
Address: 12 Boulevard de la Cambre
Telephone: (0)2 640 4422
| La Quincaillerie |
$$$$$ | Gastropubs |
Housed in a former hardware store, La Quincaillerie has all the
raw materials for a fabulous dining experience. The staff are
friendly if slightly frenetic; the interior's Horta-inspired
industrial qualities are striking; and the food is quite simply
fantastic, especially the impeccably fresh seafood. Open for dinner
all week, and lunch Monday to Friday. Bookings essential well in
advance.
Address: 45 Rue du Page
Telephone: (0)2 533 9833
| Les Brassins |
$$$$$ | Local |
Belgian brasseries are scattered throughout Brussels so it's
hard to tell which are truly outstanding and worth seeking out -
we've heard consistently good reports about this local secret,
tucked away at the end of a back street in Ixelles. Enjoy tasting
some of the 50 local brews while tucking into hearty dishes like
rabbit cooked in cherry beer, or the meatloaf with mustard sauce.
Open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations recommended.
Address: 36 Rue Keyenveld
Telephone: (0)2 512 6999
Don't be put off by the picture menu and touristy look, this is
the real deal! For celebrated mussel dishes, as well as local fare
such as rabbit stewed in
kriek (cherry) beer or
stoemp (bubble and squeak), the original Chez Leon (near
the Grand Place - watch out for imitations!) is the perfect place
to dine. Open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations
recommended.
Address: 18 Rue des Bouchers
Telephone: (0)2 511 1415
