Thanks to its excellent food and diversity of cuisine, Brussels has
moved into the European culinary limelight. While not the cheapest of
cities to eat out in, its thousands of restaurants offer consistently
high quality fare and spectacular value for money. The excellence
exhibited by restaurants like Comme Chez Soi has trickled down to
mainstream dining, and as a result, there really is no excuse for eating
poorly. With the natives expecting this minimum level of quality, even
the trendiest of restaurants are obliged to have a cuisine which matches
the sleek decor. Apart from the excellence of the native Belgian fare,
the city is among Europe's best for sampling a wide range of different
cuisines - from the ubiquitous Italian places, through to Spanish,
Vietnamese, Japanese and Russian restaurants.
Restaurants aside, it's worth remembering many bars and cafés serve food.
Though this is often limited to pastas, soups and croques monsieurs ,
many have wider-ranging menus usually consisting of traditional Brussels
fare. There are also plenty of frites stands and pitta places around the
Grand-Place, notably on rue du Marché aux Fromages, known locally as "Greek
Street", and on rue des Bouchers.
Unfortunately, Brussels is lacking when it comes to specifically
catering for vegetarians , but many restaurants, particularly Middle
Eastern ones, serve a good selection of vegetarian dishes.
The Lower Town is great for good-quality cuisine that doesn't cost the
earth. The fashionable rue Antoine Dansaert is an excellent place to
start, with several stylish restaurants. The Lower Town also holds the
frenetic rue des Bouchers, a restaurant ghetto well worth checking out.
There's another cluster of good restaurants around the lovely place du
Grand Sablon in the Upper Town , although the food doesn't come cheap
and you may find yourself paying extra for the pretty scenery. Out of
the town centre, Ixelles is home to some of the capital's finest
restaurants, particularly at the place Stéphanie end of chaussée de
Charleroi, but also close by the attractive place du Châtelain. The EU
Quarter holds a few spots that rise above the average business lunch
gulpdown, while the commune of Ganshoren is home to two of the finest
restaurants in the city.
Generally speaking, most places are open from noon to 3pm and from 7pm
to 11pm. Sundays and Mondays tend to be the quietest days, and some
restaurants close down altogether in July and August. It's not usually
necessary to make a reservation midweek, but it's highly advisable on
Friday and Saturday nights.
Restaurant prices vary, depending on where you eat and when. Lunch menus
are considerably less expensive than evening menus, whereas the plat du
jour - the main course meal of the day - is often great value for money
and usually available all day.
Service charges are automatically included, and you need only leave a
tip if service is above average.
Belgian
specialties
|
anguilles
au vert |
eels
in green sauce |
|
faisan
à la brabançonne |
pheasant
in butter, white wine and chicory |
|
carbonnade
flamande |
beef
braised with beer, onions, carrots and sometimes prunes
|
|
crevettes
roses/grises |
red/grey
shrimps - used in salads |
|
croque
monsieur |
toasted
cheese and ham sandwich |
|
dame blanche
|
ice cream
with melted chocolate |
|
gaufres
au chocolat |
chocolate
waffles |
|
kip-kap
|
jellied
meat (often sold in bars) |
|
lammekezoet
|
fresh
herring croquettes |
|
lapin
à la kriek |
rabbit
in cherry beer |
|
poulet
à la Bruxelles |
chicken
stuffed with cheese and basted in beer |
|
poulet
à la framboise |
chicken
in raspberry beer |
|
salade
à l'ardennaise |
salad
with strips of Ardennes ham |
|
steak
américaine |
raw
minced steak |
|
stoemp
|
mashed
potatoes and mashed seasonal vegetables with
sausages and/or bacon |
|
waterzooi
|
stew with
eels, fish, or chicken, cooked in a broth enriched
with cream |
The Grand-Place and around
Aux Armes de Bruxelles Rue des Bouchers 13 (tel 02 511 55 50. Métro:
Bourse. Tues-Sun noon-11.15pm. Closed June 19-July 16. ¬20-32.) Right in
the middle of the restaurant district near the Grand-Place, this
polished spot divides into a formal restaurant popular with the pearls-and-blue-rinse
brigade, and a simple bistro with wooden benches, both of which serve
old-fashioned Belgian cuisine to a very high standard. Renowned for its
moules and Flemish carbonnades .
Brasserie de la Roue d'Or Rue de Chapeliers 26 (tel 02 514 25 54. Métro:
Bourse. Daily 12.30pm-12.30am. Closed July 15-Aug 15. ¬20-32.) This old
brasserie, handily located close to the Grand-Place, serves generous
portions of Belgian regional specialties, such as poulet à la Bruxelles
, and a mouthwatering selection of seafood. Also recommended are the
delicious lamb with mustard and the endive salad with salmon.
Chez Léon Rue des Bouchers 18-22 (tel 02 511 14 15. Métro: Bourse. Daily
noon-11pm. ¬20-32.) This touristy Brussels institution has been serving
Belgian specialties like moules au vin blanc and poulet à la framboise
for over a century. It's not the classiest of eateries, however, and has
a tendency to deliver ever blander versions of Belgian cuisines - gruff
service too.
L'Idiot du Village Rue Notre Seigneur 19 (tel 02 502 55 82. Tram #93,
#94. Mon-Fri noon-2pm & 7.15-11pm. Closed July 15-Aug 15. ¬20-32.)
Behind the candle-lit, modest entrance on a narrow side street in the
Marolles quarter lies a gastronomic wonderland. Intimate and dimly-lit,
the simple wooden tables and low levels of noise mean that the dining
experience is as discreet as it is delicious. The escargots au confit
with herb ravioli are a must.
't Kelderke Grand-Place 15 (tel 02 513 73 44. Métro: Gare Centrale.
Daily noon-2am. ¬20-32.) You can't get more Belgian than this well-known
restaurant, housed in a boisterous cellar on the Grand-Place. The
impressive range of cuisine includes moules, stoemp, carbonnade flamande
à la bière , and waterzooi . And while the waiters can be a little
stuffy, the house beer - the 't Kelderke - will smooth things over
nicely.
La Maison du Cygne Rue Ch Buls (tel 02 511 82 44. Métro: Gare Centrale.
Mon-Fri noon-2pm & 7-10pm, Sat 7-10.30pm. Over ¬44.) The gorgeous
location overlooking the Grand-Place is enough to make this restaurant a
real hit, but add to that some awesome French and Belgian cuisine and
you can see why it's regarded as one of the capital's top spots. The
warm langoustines and mango curry is highly recommended. Admittedly a
meal here costs the earth, so it's best reserved for a special treat.
Tapas Locas Rue du Marché au Charbon, 74 (tel 02 502 12 68. Métro:
Bourse or de Brouckère. Daily 7pm-1am. Under ¬20.) This light, informal
Spanish restaurant in a trendy area attracts a mainly youthful clientele,
and servesa wide range of excellent cheap tapas at ¬2 a portion.
Standard tapas such as tortilla, calamares or chorizo are listed in the
menu and there is a changing selection of more unusual dishes chalked up
on the blackboards. Spanish wine and sangria are both ¬1.80 a glass.
Taverne du Passage Galerie de la Reine 30 (tel 02 512 37 31. Métro: Gare
Centrale. Daily noon-midnight. Closed Wed & Thurs June & July. ¬20-32.)
Popular with Belgian families, this traditional Art Deco place is well
known for its excellent Sunday lunches (¬37), and for serving delicious
classic Belgian dishes such as anguilles au vert . There's also a number
of vegetarian options including a tasty cheese fondue for only ¬7. Their
Belgian beer menu is also worth perusing.
Vert de Gris Rue des Alexiens 63 (tel 02 514 21 68. Métro: Bourse. Tues-Fri
noon-2pm, 7-11pm, Sat & Sun 7pm-midnight. ¬20-32.) A varied crowd of
young and old, couples and families gathers to dine at this large
restaurant, which offers up fusion cuisine with heavy Belgian and French
accents. The interior is a little dark, but there's a pleasant outdoor
rear terrace, with views of the pretty Eglise de la Chapelle.
The Upper Town
L'Achepot Pl Ste Catherine 1 (tel 02 511 62 21. Métro: Ste Catherine or
de Brouckère. Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6-10.30pm. ¬20-32.) A welcoming, family-run
restaurant in the trendy Ste Catherine district. Vegetarians would
probably have a coronary if they saw the amount of hearty Belgian meat
dishes on the menu, but carnivores will find L'Achepot the ideal place
for consuming huge chunks of flesh, especially on cold winter evenings.
The menu is traditional Belgian and French and includes lapin à la kriek
as well as a variety of recipes involving tripe.
Ateliers de la Grande Île Rue de la Grande Île 33 (tel 02 512 81 90.
Métro: Bourse. Tues-Sun 8pm-1am. Closed Aug. ¬20-32.) Only a couple of
minutes' walk from place St Géry, located in a converted nineteenth-century
foundry, this winding, candlelit, Russian restaurant serves large and
hearty meat dishes, and a delicious array of flavoured vodkas. You also
get to eat, drink and be merry to the accompaniment of live gypsy violin
music. It's worth paying a visit simply for the joyous, if a tad
eccentric, atmosphere.
Bla Bla & Gallery Rue des Capucins (tel 02 503 59 18. Métro: Louise.
Daily 7pm-11pm. Brunch 10.30am-4pm Sat & Sun. ¬20-32.) Bla Bla is the
latest Brussels restaurant to take a stab at the suave interior/
nouvelle cuisine combo, with excellent results. Sit back in the leather
bench seats and tuck into delicious mozzarella, artichoke and pancetta
ravioli or duck carpaccio. While the brick walls and high ceilings keep
the noise levels high, the ambience is buzzing and friendly, and there's
live piano music during the week. Excellent service too.
Bonsoir Clara Rue Antoine Dansaert 22 (tel 02 502 09 90. Métro: Bourse.
Daily noon-2.30pm & 7-11.30pm, Sat & Sun 7-11.30pm. ¬20-32.) One of the
capital's trendiest restaurants on arguably the hippest street in
Brussels. Although part of a group which includes Zebra and Kasbah,
Bonsoir Clara has its own identity - moody, atmospheric lighting, 1970s
geometrically mirrored walls and zinc-topped tables. The wine list is
particularly well chosen, and the food excellent. Expect to find a menu
full of Mediterranean, French and Belgian classics and make sure you
reserve.
Comme Chez Soi Pl Rouppe 23 (tel 02 512 29 21. Métro: Anneessens. Tues-Sat
noon-1.30pm & 7-9.30pm. Closed July & Christmas to Jan 1. Over ¬44.)
Tucked away in the corner of place Rouppe, near Brussels-Midi train
station, Comme Chez Soi is a gastronomic legend. The restaurant's
successful blending of new and more traditional French cuisine has
cemented the loyalty of an extremely varied clientele, who come to have
their taste buds massaged by dishes such as spring chicken with crayfish
béarnaise sauce. The three fixed menus on offer are the most "cost-effective"
ways to dine, with the four-course lunch costing ¬50. Exquisite and
discreet service. Reservations are necessary weeks, if not months, in
advance.
Domaine de Lintillac Rue de Flandre 25 (tel 02 511 51 23. Métro: Compte
de Flandre. Tues-Sat noon-2pm & 7.30-10.30pm. Under ¬20.) Delicious
cuisine from the southwest of France at this warm, easy-going restaurant.
The prices are ridiculously cheap for what could just be some of the
best foie d'oie and foie gras in Brussels. Down to earth and full of
character, the relaxed ambience and clientele make it perfect for family
outings.
Ecailler du Palais Royal Rue Bodenbroeck (tel 02 521 87 51. Tram #94.
Mon-Sat noon-2.30pm & 7-10.30pm. Closed Easter & Aug. Over ¬44.)
Arguably the finest seafood restaurant in Brussels, with refined service
and classically elegant decor. A dressy older crowd rules the salles ,
and while prices are of the gulp-and-swallow variety, a mere mouthful is
sure to convince. Solo travellers are well catered for at the English
counter.
Le Gourmandin Rue Haute 152 (tel 02 512 98 92. Métro: Louise. Noon-2.30pm
& 7-10.30pm. Closed Sat noon, Sun & Mon night & July 15-31. ¬20-32.)
Situated in a tiny townhouse just below the Palais de Justice, this very
intimate restaurant, with only twenty places, serves up French cuisine
you won't forget in a hurry. Fine dishes such as succulent garlic-roasted
breast of Bresse chicken are delicately prepared in the open kitchen as
diners look on. Take a taxi and be sure to reserve.
Iberica Rue de Flandre 8 (tel 02 511 79 36. Métro: Ste Catherine. Mon &
Tues, Thurs-Sun 11.30am-3pm & 6.30-11pm. Closed Wed & Aug 5-24. Under
¬20.) A Spanish restaurant at the place Ste Catherine end of rue de
Flandre, favoured by expat Spanish. The decor verges on the tacky - red
velvet-like wallpaper and mock Tudor beams - but the paella is second to
none. It's fairly good value for money, with most tapas costing around
¬6.
Kasbah Rue Antoine Dansaert 20 (tel 02 502 40 26. Métro: Bourse. Daily
noon-2.30pm & 7pm-12.30am. ¬20-32.) Popular with a youthful, groovy
crowd, this Moroccan eatery is famous for its enormous portions of
couscous and other North African specialties. It's run by the same
people as Bonsoir Clara next door, and although equally hip, the lantern-lit
decor makes it seem slightly less fashion-conscious and far more
welcoming. Vibrant atmosphere and set menus from ¬18.
La Marée Rue de Flandre 99 (tel 02 511 00 40. Métro: Ste Catherine. Mon-Sat
noon-2.30pm & 6-10pm. Closed Sun & Tues night. ¬20-32.) There's another
La Marée on rue au Beurre, so don't get confused - this one is a pocket-sized
bistro specializing in fish and mussels in the Ste Catherine district.
Although the decor is pretty basic, it has a cosy feel, and the food is
creatively made and reasonably priced. The menu includes eight different
types of mussels dishes from ¬10, and Burgundy snails and steaks from
¬11.
Pasta Basta Rue de la Grande Île 34 (tel 0477/20 20 90. Métro: Bourse.
Daily 7pm-midnight. Under ¬20.) Situated in the heart of the St Géry
area, this pasta-lovers' delight is popular with a young crowd. It
serves up a constantly changing menu, as well as staples such as
cannelloni with spinach and ricotta. A DJ spins tunes every Friday and
Saturday night; the cosy interior barely manages to contain the jumping
crowd, zesty cuisine and slamming beats.
St Gilles
Aux Bons Enfants Pl du Grand Sablon 49 (tel 02 512 40 95. Tram #92, #93,
#94. Daily except Wed noon-2.30pm & 6.30-10.30pm. Closed mid-July to end
Aug. ¬20-32.) A well-established, cosy old Italian place, housed in a
seventeenth-century building on the attractive place du Grand Sablon.
Expect to find rustic-style decor, classical music and a menu of simple
but tasty Italian dishes - steaks, pasta, hearty soups, pizza - at
reasonable prices.
Au Chat Perché Rue de la Samaritaine 20 (tel 02 513 52 13. Tram #92,
#93, #94. Tues-Fri noon-2.30pm & 7-11pm, Sat 7-11pm. Closed mid-July to
mid-Aug. ¬20-32.) Just west of place du Grand Sablon, an excellent
French resto which serves up very tasty and copious salads, pastas and
quiches in pleasant, if a tad chintzy, surroundings. It's a good spot
for lunch, and ideal in the evenings for an intimate candlelit dinner.
Impressive vegetarian selection, and cheaper than some neighbouring
restaurants. Occasional live jazz.
La Grande Porte Rue Notre Seigneur 9 (tel 02 512 89 98. Métro:
Anneessens. Mon-Fri noon-3pm & 6pm-2am, Sat 6pm-2am. ¬20-32.) On the
northern edge of the Marolles near Notre Dame de la Chapelle, and some
distance from the métro, this is a long, narrow and cosy old café, whose
walls are plastered with ancient posters and photos. The food is good
and hearty - stoemp , mussels, carbonnade flamande - and you're quite
free to just go for a drink. Be warned, though, that it can get very
crowded, and the food can be very slow to arrive.
The Lunch Company Rue de Namur 16 (tel 02 502 09 76. Métro: Porte de
Namur. Mon-Sat noon-5pm. Under ¬20.) Tucked away on a small street just
off the blvd de Waterloo shopping area, The Lunch Co. serves up terrific
sandwiches and salads and also does typical English high teas, with
scones and delicate salmon and cucumber sandwiches. The decor is
minimalist and there's also a superb little garden.
Lola Pl du Grand Sablon 33 (tel 02 514 24 60. Tram #92, #93, #94. Daily
noon-3pm & 6.30-11.30pm. ¬20-32.) A very trendy restaurant, whose clean
lines and dark leather seats reflect the modern and classic French
cuisine on offer - including lobster cake with spinach. It's not cheap -
main courses are around ¬15 - but the food is delicious and the service
good. Reservations are a must.
Le Pain Quotidien Rue des Sablons 11 (tel 02 513 51 54. Métro: Louise.
Mon-Fri 7.30am-7pm, Sat & Sun 8am-7pm. Under ¬20.) One of an extremely
successful chain of bakery cafés serving simple but delicious home-baked
food such as croissants, quiches and pastries. Expect to find plain
wooden decor, ochre colours and a whole range of goodies on sale -
chocolate cookies, homemade jams and great coffee. Excellent food and a
relaxing atmosphere.
Premier Comptoir Noi Ch de Charleroi 39 (tel 02 537 44 47. Métro: Louise.
Mon-Fri noon-2pm, 7-10.30pm, Sat 7-10.30pm. Closed Sun. Under ¬20.) A
recently opened branch of the the excellent Thai restaurant in Linkebeek,
on the outskirts of Brussels. Don't be put off by the bright-yellow
facade: behind it is a simple and welcoming interior in which attentive
Thai waitresses swiftly serve diners with incredibly spicy raw scampis
and red pepper/bamboo chicken at very modest prices.
Au Stekerlapatte Rue des Prêtres 4 (tel 02 512 86 81. Métro: Hôtel des
Monnaies. Tues-Sun 7pm-1am. ¬20-32.) A famous old brasserie near the
Palais de Justice, frequented by a youngish crowd who come for the
typical Belgian cuisine - beef casseroles, grilled pork, poulet à la
Bruxelles - and friendly atmosphere. Main meals are in excess of ¬18,
but the food is delicious and the original early twentieth-century
bistro decor is an attractive bonus.
Ixelles and avenue Louise
L'Amadeus Rue Veydt 13 (tel 02 538 34 27. Métro: Louise. Tram #91, #92.
Tues-Sun 6.30pm-midnight, Sun also 10am-2.30pm. Closed Jan 1-8, July 21-Aug
15. ¬20-32.) A restaurant and wine bar in the attractive one-time studio
of Auguste Rodin, not far from place Stéphanie, just off chaussée de
Charleroi. Modern and classic Belgian cuisine are on offer, including
delicious guinea fowl with juniper berries and the house speciality
Burbot waterzooi . There's also an excellent wine list, which is rotated
once a month to highlight different regions, and an eat-all-you-want
brunch on Sunday (10am-2pm) for ¬18.
Chez Marie Rue Alphonse de Witte 40 (tel 02 644 30 31. Tram #81. Mon-Fri
noon-2pm & 7.30-10.30pm, Sat 7.30-10.30pm. ¬20-32.) This well-known and
long-established Ixelles haunt serves impressive, mostly French, cuisine
in lavish but not snobbish surroundings. There's also an extensive wine
list. You can get a lovely two-course lunch for a very reasonable
¬14.75. You'll need to reserve in advance.
Le Doux Wazoo Rue du Relais 21 (tel 02 649 58 52. Bus #95, #96. Tues-Fri
noon-2.30pm & 7-11pm, Sat & Mon 7-11pm. Closed July 15-Aug 15. Under
¬20.) Long-established bistro with a friendly atmosphere, just west of
the ULB University. The decor is 1930s style, with old posters and a
collection of small clocks. The classic French cuisine - roast duck and
foie gras , Burgundy ham - is both tasty and good value for money. Set
menus from ¬25.
EAT Rue de l'Aqueduc 103 (tel 02 537 22 90. Tram #93, #94. Daily noon-2.30pm,
also Wed 7pm-10.30pm. Under ¬20.) A straight-up, large and modern eatery
open only for lunch - except Wednesday when Chatelain hosts its weekly
market. You can pick and choose from a range of house dishes, most of
them of the salad and pasta variety. The servings are generous and fresh,
and the service is quick to flash a smile. Healthy dining in a smart
setting, and prices remain supremely modest.
Le Fils de Jules Rue du Page 37 (tel 02 534 00 57. Tram #81. Bus #54.
Mon-Thurs noon-2pm & 7-11pm, Fri & Sat 7-11pm. ¬20-32.) Basque chefs
serve up first-class cuisine from southwestern France at this small Art
Deco-inspired restaurant. The setting, in the swankiest part of Ixelles,
is a perfect backdrop to the delightful food. Reservations usually
necessary, particularly on weekends.
Gioconda' Store Convivio Rue de l'Aqueduc 76 (tel 02 539 32 99. Tram
#81. Bus #54. Mon-Sat noon-2.30pm & 6.30-10.30pm. Under ¬20.) This
bright, wedge-shaped wine and pasta shop doubles up as a restaurant and
is a great place for a spot of lunch or an evening meal. The prices are
fairly cheap, and the food - mainly Italian pasta dishes - is nice and
tasty. There's usually an upbeat, chatty atmosphere, and the
entertainment is provided by the amusingly manic Italian waiting staff.
Good for vegetarians.
Le Macaron Rue de Mail 1 (tel 02 537 89 43. Tram #81. Bus #54. Tues-Sun
6.30pm-1am. Under ¬20.) Charming French restaurant just off place du
Châtelain on the corner of rue de Mail. The convivial ambience, homely
surroundings and cheap fish, meat and pasta dishes - main meals under ¬9
- mean the place is often packed to bursting, even on weekdays. The
spaghetti bolognese is superlative.
Le Mess 1 Blvd Louis Schmidt (tel 02 734 03 36. Tram #90, #23. Daily
except Sat midday noon-2.30pm & 7-11pm. ¬20-32.) Traces of Le Mess 's
former incarnation as a military barracks live on in the efficient
service, spotlessly white tableclothes and Starck decor of dark wood and
mood lighting. Tasty sushi lunches, and rich flavoursome dishes such as
salmon with bacon. The large first-floor terrace is as prim and proper
as the main dining rooms, although a little noisy given its proximity to
the six-lane boulevard.
Notos Rue de Livourne 154 (tel 02 513 29 59. Tram #94. Bus #93. Tues-Sun
7-11pm. Closed Aug 15-31. ¬20-32.) Airy and well illuminated Greek
restaurant near the Chatelain area. If you've come looking for
traditional mezzes and sirtakis you'll be disappointed: Notos serves up
a far more refined and flavourful cuisine. Reservations are firmly
recommended.
Ô-Chinoise-Riz Rue de l'Aqueduc 94 (tel 02 534 91 08. Tram #81. Bus #54.
Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm & 6-11pm, Sat & Sun 6-11pm. Under ¬20.) This small
restaurant, just round the corner from place du Châtelain, is where the
Chinese come to eat Chinese food. The food is excellent and you get the
spectacle of frantic cooks boiling and sizzling your meal in the
open-plan kitchen, thereby ensuring you'll leave with smelly clothes.
It's also remarkably cheap by Brussels standards. Sample the crispy
chicken with vegetables and the won-ton soup.
Pablo's Rue de Namur 51 (tel 02 502 41 35. Métro: Porte de Namur. Bus
#71. Mon-Sun noon-3pm & 6pm-midnight. Closed Sun midday. ¬20-32.)
Tex-Mex joint just across the road from Métro Porte de Namur. Although
there's always a good atmosphere, the food - spare ribs, steaks, tacos,
and tasty burritos - is a tad pricey for what you get. A great place to
go with a bunch of loud and frolicking friends. On the plus side, the
desserts, especially the cheesecakes, are delicious, and there's a long
bar serving interesting and lethal cocktails. Reservations aren't
accepted, so go early to avoid a long wait.
Le Passiflore Rue du Bailli 97 (tel 02 538 42 10. Tram #81. Bus #54.
Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat & Sun 9am-7pm. Under ¬20.) Overlooking the Baroque
church of Ste Trinité, this trendy but relaxing café serves light
lunches, including homemade salmon and spinach quiche, crêpes, and a
variety of salads, all for under ¬8. It's usually packed on Sunday
mornings, when hordes of pasty-faced late-twenty-something revellers
attempt to cure their hangovers with one of the good-value continental
breakfasts. The croque monsieurs are the finest in the capital.
Pizza Marseille Ch de Waterloo 412 (tel 02 534 28 20. Bus W. Daily
noon-2.30pm & 7-10.30pm. Under ¬20.) A fascinating blend of 26 different
kinds of pastis and delicious pizzas from Marseille. Brightly coloured
tables create a childlike feel, but the thin-dough pizzas with toppings
that vary from pastis -flavoured prawns to saffron chicken and fresh
figs are very grown-up indeed. Don't leave without sampling the
Rolls-Royce of pastis : the Versinthe.
La Quincaillerie Rue du Page 45 (tel 02 538 25 53. Tram #81. Bus #54.
Mon-Fri noon-2pm & 7pm-midnight, Sat & Sun 7pm-midnight. ¬32-44.) The
chic, stylish and downright loaded make their way to this delightful
restaurant, occupying an old hardware shop, a couple of streets away
from Musée Horta. Well known for its mouthwatering Belgian and French
cuisine, specialties include fish and fowl, often cooked up in
imaginative ways. There's normally a reasonably priced plat du jour for
¬9, but the à la carte is very pricey.
Shanti Ave Adolphe Buyl 68 (tel 02 649 40 96. Tram #93, #94. Tues-Sat
noon-2pm & 6.30pm-10pm. Closed July 15-Aug 15. Under ¬20.) First-class
vegetarian restaurant - popular with meat-eaters too - set in a lovely
neo-Baroque oriental interior filled with plants. Dishes include fish
tandoori and tofu and crab combinations. A bio and natural products
store occupies the ground floor.
Touch and Go Rue St Boniface 12. (Métro: Porte de Namur. Mon-Sat
noon-2.30pm & 6.30pm-12.30am, Sun 6.30pm-12.30am. Under ¬20.) A cheap
and trendy pitta chain - ideal if you want to catch a tasty snack and
you're in a hurry. Although more upmarket than the average fast-food
joint, the turnover is almost as rapid and the food - exotic pitta
fillings and salads - is scrumptious. Other branches are at avenue Paul
Héger 20, and rue de Livourne 131.
Tutto Pepe Rue Faider 123 (tel 02 534 96 19. Tram #81. Mon-Fri
noon-2.30pm & 7-11pm, Sat 7-11pm. ¬20-32.) Located just off rue du
Bailli, this intimate eight-table Italian is romantic without being
clichéd. Tutto Pepe combines tasteful, rustic-style decor, a background
soundtrack of Italian opera, and a simple menu of tasty Italian staples
such as tagliatelle, spaghetti and bruschetta.
W-Double You Ave Louise 519 (tel 02 644 97 77. Tram #93, #94. Daily
except Sat midday & Sun noon-11.30pm. ¬20-32.) Brussels' cool crowd
flocks to this cosy, modern restaurant - all soft colours, plush
surroundings and smooth tunes. The food, including tasty pizzas and
pasta with chicken, is as palatable as the decor, though the service is
slightly haughty.
Yamato Rue Francart 11 (tel 02 502 28 93. Métro: Porte de Namur. Mon-Sat
noon-2pm & 7-10pm. Under ¬20.) A tiny, busy Japanese restaurant with
minimalist decor, just round the corner from place St Boniface. If you
like authentic Japanese food this noodle bar is the place to come - it's
fairly cheap (¬8 for a main) and full of character.
Yamayu Santatsu Ch d'Ixelles 141 (tel 02 513 53 12. Métro: Porte de
Namur. Daily except Sun midday & Mon noon-2pm & 7-10pm. ¬20-32.) This
well-established sushi and sashimi restaurant is one of the finest in
Brussels. With the interior organized around the sushi bar, the owner
shouts orders to underlings as he presses strips of fresh fish, his wife
works the minimalist room as best she can and the whole spectacle is
worthy of its own write-up. Usually packed, you should be snappy with
your orders and settle down with some cold sake for the considerable
wait. Highly recommended, and reservations are essential.
Eu Quarter and St Josse
Bodeguilla Rue Archimède 65-67 (tel 02 736 34 49. Métro: Schuman.
Mon-Sat 7-11pm. Under ¬20.) A simple Spanish tapas bar hidden away in
the basement of the expensive Le Jardin d'Espagne restaurant. The place
seems to be a second home to legions of Spanish expats, no doubt
attracted by the home cooking and cheap prices. Great place for a quick
snack before hitting the town.
Restaurant de la Bonne Humeur Ch de Louvain 244 (tel 02 230 71 69. Bus
#29. Mon, Thurs-Sun noon-2pm, 6.30-9.30pm. ¬20-32.) If you want
traditional moules and frites then forget the crass Chez Léon and come
to this authentic, well-known, family-run restaurant with a great
atmosphere.
Sahbaz Ch de Haecht 102 (tel 02 217 02 77. Tram #92, #93. Daily
11.30am-3pm & 6pm-midnight. Under ¬20.) This Turkish restaurant is the
best in the capital. The food is cheap and delicious, the staff friendly
and attentive, and there are usually cheerful crowds all week. Just
beyond the northern boundary of St Josse in Schaerbeek, an area reputed
for street crime, so it may be worth getting a taxi home.
Version Originale Ave des Celtes 11 (tel 02 732 64 69. Métro: Merode.
Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm & 6.30-11pm, Sat 6.30-11pm. ¬20-32.) Milking the
movie theme, with black-and-white photographs of film stars and other
cinema-related bits and bobs, the "Original Language" delivers when it
comes to the food: zesty French cuisine, such as duck with caramelized
pears, at slightly inflated prices. Perhaps its main draw, however, is
the characterful rooftop terrace, with its vaulted arches and kitsch
decoration.
Ganshoren restaurants
Two of the finest restaurants in the city can be found northwest of the
city centre in the commune of Ganshoren . If you're making the trip by
public transport, the nearest métro station is Métro: Simonis.
Claude Dupont Ave Vital Riethuisen 46 (Wed-Sun noon-2pm & 7-9.45pm,
closed July; tel 02 426 00 00). Excellent townhouse restaurant renowned
for its exquisite service, classic decor and superb gourmet French
cuisine - try the sole and scallops with champagne sauce. Reserve in
advance and take a taxi as it's a fair distance from the métro station.
Over ¬44.
Bruneau Ave Broustin 75 (noon-2pm & 7-10pm, closed Tues night, Aug & Feb
1-10; tel 02 427 69 78). A gastronome's delight with a well-deserved
reputation. Superb modern decor - all minimalist styling and smooth
lighting - and astounding French food from media darling Jean-Pierre
Bruneau. Lovely garden when the weather permits. Is it worth it? Yes,
and yes again& over ¬44.
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