Brussels Restaurants

  1. Arcadi

    Jars of preserves, beautiful cakes and fruit tarts behind the glass counter of this classic bistro entice plenty of locals, as do well-priced meals like layered eggplant and cheese, all served non-stop by courteous staff.

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  2. Au Stekerlapatte

    The grungy façade hides a cavernous bistro where the approach is casual, the menu extensive and the portions large. Meat, fish and fowl - cooked in traditional Belgian ways - are the staples. Well hidden but definitely known.

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  3. Bon-Bon

    Brussels' most talked-about chef, Michelin-starred Christophe Hardiquest, shuns menus in favour of dishes crafted from the day's freshest ingredients from the markets. It's a bit of a hike out to residential Uccle, but for foodies this is as good as it gets.

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  4. Bonsoir Clara

    One of the capital's enduring success stories. The twin salons boast bold colours, subtle lighting and lots of metal and geometry. It struck a chord with locals years ago and continues to serve generous portions of modern European food, particularly Mediterranean flavours. Reserve in advance for weekend dinners.

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  5. Brasserie de la Roue d'Or

    If you're hankering for hearty Belgian fare (rabbit, pigs' trotters and the like), follow the locals' lead and head to the 'Golden Wheel', where the décor is inspired by the city's surrealists.

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  7. Brasserie Ploegmans

    An endangered species. This bar is the local of old folk from the Marolles and has plenty of working-class kudos. It's one of only a couple of remaining family-owned pubs on this street and is generally full of smoke, a rich assortment of characters and Brussels dialect.

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  8. Chéri Chéri

    Carnival-like red, blue, green, yellow and orange striped walls, scrubbed floorboards and a stripped-concrete back room give this brand-new 'canteen' a casual-chic ambience. Smart bistro fare like risotto or gratin of endives is brought out on funky crockery and lopsided glass sugar bowls accompany your coffee, but service is pretty patchy. Still, it's early days.

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  9. Cospaia

    Cospaia's lush dining rooms done out entirely in glossy black or pure white are the work of Marcel Wolterinck, who designed singer Robbie Williams' London pad. Its menu (split equally between fish and meat) is sharp, stylish and very Brussels, right down to the desserts created by chocolatier Pierre Marcolini.

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  10. De la Vigne à l'Assiette

    Sommelier Eddy Dandrimont matches good French cuisine and wine at this little corner restaurant on a quiet backstreet uphill from Ave Louise.

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  11. Il Vecchio Mulino

    During Sunday lunch, this cosy restaurant feels like a communal dining room for the entire neighbourhood. But any time of the week it's a highly recommended option for authentic Italian pastas, meat and fish dishes, finished off with desserts such as chocolate tortes (platters are brought around to the tables for you to choose). Kids are welcomed with open arms.

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  13. In't Spinnekopke

    This long-time favourite with its odd name (In the Spider's Head) occupies a 17th-century whitewashed cottage on a newly revamped square. Dine outside in summer, or cosy up inside in winter and enjoy Brussels' specialities (in particular the cod or the assortment of meats cooked in beer-based sauces).

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  14. L'Ane Vert

    This welcoming local brasserie serves up hearty dishes such as coq au vin (chicken stew) in its cosy indoor setting, and outside when the weather is agreeable. There are also some decent vegetarian options on the menu, and fine wines too.

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  15. L'Atelier Européen

    Fronted by a hedged courtyard, this former wine warehouse has a pared-down menu of meat and fish dishes such as sautéed veal and grilled sea bass, with a couple (but only a couple) of offerings for vegetarians. Wine is given its due, with a well-chosen list and monthly specials.

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  16. L'Idiot du Village

    Booking ahead is essential to secure a table at this colourful, cosy place secluded on a little side street near the Place du Jeu-de-Balle flea market. Dishes are rich and aromatic (lots of herbs) and portions plentiful considering the cachet of this place.

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  17. La Maison du Cygne

    Try for a table overlooking the Grand Place in this refined 2nd-floor restaurant where you can dine on bank-breaking but beautifully prepared Belgian classics. Service is appropriately fussy and the wine list outstanding. Budget diners after a taste of Louis XIV grandeur should try the 1st-floor Ommengang bar, where lunch menus cost around €18 , including a half-bottle of water.

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  19. Le Variété

    Book ahead to take your seat in this Art Deco stunner in the Flagey building where you can watch the chefs preparing spit-roasted pork, chicken, beef and sea bass. Vegetarian options include wok-fried vegetables with mint and a heavenly goats cheese salad.

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  20. Notos

    Certainly Belgium's best Greek restaurant and arguably the best in Europe outside Greece. No plate-smashing or faded posters of sun-soaked isles at this subtle little place. Instead the refined ambience is backed up by superb nouvelle Greek cuisine. The limited menu remembers vegetarians.

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  21. Pré Salé

    Local diner on a shabby backstreet that's become an institution with the locals. Looks a bit like a butcher's shop when you first enter - all white tiles, bright lights and big plates of spare ribs - but it's very infectious, particularly on Friday nights when you'll need to book a few weeks in advance to partake in the soirée spectacle, a vaudeville-style dinner show.

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  22. René

    Deep in the heart of Anderlecht, overlooking a tree-lined square and the local gemeentehuis (town hall), is Brussels' most authentic family friterie -restaurant. It's the Dirk and Dorine Piolon show. Dad, Mum, offspring and in-laws, frying and refrying the frites, preparing a succulent filet américain and dishing up steaming cauldrons of mussels and other Belgian specialities to an appreciative local audience.

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  23. Rosticeria Fiorentina

    One of a handful of restaurants on this street catering squarely to Eurocrats. Hearty dishes served on paper tablecloths in family-style surroundings with Italian meals made by Mama.

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  25. Rouge Tomate

    In a series of striking settings, including a light, white space with splashes of red, and a decked courtyard garden, this hot address turns out fare from around the Med, such as a Moroccan vegetable tagine with tamarind and prunes, bull from the Camargue region of Provence, France, or rosemary-encrusted pigeon, with clementine sorbet for dessert.

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  26. Rue St Boniface

    Rue St Boniface is an intimate little street, lorded over by the local church, which is crammed with indoor/outdoor eateries of all persuasions.

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  27. Rugantino

    Little slice of Italy on one of the capital's busiest boulevards. Simple menu, great food and loud voices emanating from the kitchen.

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  28. Saint Boniface

    Try Saint Boniface. Turn off your phone to enter this old-world restaurant where checked tablecloths, oil lamps and authentic dishes from France's Périgord region (ie foie gras, duck and Puy lentils) are the norm.

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  29. Taverne du Passage

    Consistently keen service and faithful Belgian meals are the pivotal points of this Brussels institution. Located in the sublime Galeries St Hubert, it has been around since 1928 and stepping through the draped doorway is like zapping away a century. An all-male middle-aged crew strut their stuff in slightly crumpled penguin uniforms, serving ample portions of Belgian classics such as moules-frites (mussels and chips) and waterzooi (cream-based chicken or fish stew).

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