must visit restaurants brussels

Kirstie Will Travel

Making Everywhere You Go An Adventure

Brussels · February 21, 2022

The Best Places To Eat in Brussels (Brussels Foodie Guide)

In a place as food crazy as Brussels, it can be hard to decide where and what to eat! This city has everything, from traditional food in bistros to delicious world food, cute cafés, cheap street food and a popular brunch culture… and that’s not even everything. Luckily, with tried and tested spots in this guide to the best places to eat in Brussels, deciding where to dine just got a lot easier.

Before you start, you should check out my Essential Brussels Travel Guide . It’s the perfect place to start planning a trip to Brussels and takes you through everything you need to know before you go.

Interior of Tigermilk restaurant in Brussels

Last updated: 16/10/2023 | This post may contain affiliate links meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Read more in my disclaimer .

The Best Restaurants in Brussels

Brussels loves innovation, and Baogo’s Asian fusion menu does exactly that. You’ll find burgers in soft bao buns, with classic cheeseburgers and other exciting fillings like katsu prawn burgers or pulled pork.

The burgers are served up with fries (the sweet potato fries are the best!) and you’ll find some other sides on the menu as well.

Location | Website (with menu) | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes | Price $$

Bao burger from Baogo, a restaurant in Brussels

La Piola Pizza

La Piola is widely famed as the best pizza in Brussels. Offering up traditional wood-fired pizzas in a lively square in the Saint-Josse Neighbourhood, La Piola Pizza has a wonderfully laid-back vibe and a homely feel.

The menu is fresh, varied, and well-priced for such good quality dishes. I’m boring when it comes to pizza so I’ve only tried the Margherita, but I can’t deny that it was delicious!

Location | Website | Menu | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes | Price $$

When a restaurant only has one thing on the menu, you know it’s going to be good! Ballekes is dedicated to the Belgian meatball, one of the best traditional foods from Belgium , and boy do they do it well.

Choose from beef and pork, chicken, or vegan meatballs and top with an amazing homemade sauce of your choice. Then take your pick from the best Belgian sides to accompany it, and you have a traditional Belgian meal at a great price!

Belgian meatballs and fries from Ballekes, a Brussels restaurants

Umamido Ramen

Umamido Ramen has four restaurants in Brussels alone – a true Brussels institution! Top Tip – there are more locations across Belgium, so keep Umamido in mind if you’re visiting Antwerp , Ghent , or Leuven .

Here, they pride themselves in ‘Honest Ramen’ and work hard to serve up nothing but simply delicious Japanese food. With ramen, donburi, and a few sides, Uamamido is a treat for the tastebuds and perfect for a light and easy lunch in Brussels.

Locations | Website | Menu | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes | Price $$-$$$

Ramen bowl from Umamido Ramen in Brussels

Fin de Siècle

Exploring different cuisines is great, but it’s always important to try out the traditional food – especially in a country as foodie mad as Belgium. The best way to do that is in a restaurant locals love, and Fin de Siècle fits the bill.

You’ll find a whole host of hearty, Belgian meals here, like Carbonnade and Stoemp, and some lovely Belgian beers.

Fun Fact: Rue des Chartreux seems to be the sweet spot for Belgian restaurants in Brussels, as you’ll find the equally popular and delicious 9 et Voisins on this street, as well as Greenwich Modern right next door to Fin de Siècle!

Location | Website (with menu) | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes (no traditional Belgian dishes) | Price $$$

Nona Pizza + Pasta

There’s fierce competition for the best Italian food at Brussels’ restaurants, but both Nona Pizza and Nona Pasta deserve a place with the greats. The team at Nona have a simple mission – to make traditional Italian food with local Belgian ingredients. It’s the perfect fusion of two foodie giants and whether you try the wood-fired pizza or the rich homemade pasta, you’ll enjoy some spectacular flavours.

There are now four Nona outlets in Brussels – three pizzerias in Sainte Catherine, Merode, and Flagey, and a pasta restaurant next to the Sainte Catherine location.

Website (with locations) | Menus | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes | Price $-$$

Ragu pasta from Nona Pasta, an Italian restaurant in Brussels

Takumi Ramen

Joining the thriving Japanese cuisine scene in Brussels, Takumi Ramen offer up authentic ramen, donburi, gyoza and more. If you find yourself wondering where to eat in Brussels, Takumi is always an easy find with four locations across the city.

One of my favourite things about Takumi Ramen is that the menu varies across the different locations. Mainly, in some restaurants you’ll find chicken broth ramen, and in others Tonkotsu broth ramen, but you’ll also find different ramen ingredients and dishes as well. This means you can visit Takumi many times and have a different experience.

Website (with locations and menus) | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes | Price $$

Gyoza plate from Takumi ramen, one of many Japanese restaurants in Brussels

Hailing themselves as the first dedicated smash burger restaurant in Brussels, Rambo now has two locations across the city – one for takeaway orders and one with a seated restaurant area. And with a simple menu of three burgers (of course with fries on the side!), they’ve really committed themselves to perfecting the art of the smash burger.

Choose from the classic, the special, or the meat-free burger, and find yourself transported to the US, the true birthplace of the smash burger. Then, the traditional Belgian fries will bring you right back to the streets of Brussels.

Location (Washington) | Location (St-Boniface – takeaway only) | Website (with menu) | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Veggie yes, Vegan no (note that Belgian fries are not always vegetarian) | Price $$

Food markets are becoming increasingly popular in European cities (the Time Out Market in Lisbon always springs to mind!) and Wolf is Brussels’ answer to this concept.

The super fun space features street food versions of some of the best restaurants in Brussels like My Tannour and La Piola Pizza, as well as exclusive outlets including 10 Grams and Dim’s. You’ll also find a bar and a microbrewery, a chocolatier, and a zero-waste market.

Wolf is the perfect place to come for delicious food paired with an exciting experience. The best thing is that there is so much food to choose from, so if you can’t decide what to eat for dinner, just take a lap of the market and your senses will make up your mind for you.

Location | Website (with outlets and menu) | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes | Price $-$$

Walkin’ Thai

For easy, fresh Thai food near the popular spot Flagey, try Walkin’ Thai. They have a simple menu of Pad Thai, other noodle and rice dishes and Thai curries, plus a great selection of starters and soups.

Of course, I recommend their speciality – Pad Thai. It is fresh and delicious, and the portions are generous for the price.

Location | Website (with menu) | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Veggie yes, vegan not advertised | Price $-$$

two pad thai bowls from Walkin Thai in Brussels, Belgium

If you’re a big foodie, you might like one of these Belgian food and chocolate tours below!

The Best Brunch in Brussels

For Sunday brunch in Brussels with a Mexican vibe, head to Tigermilk in Bailli. Their brunch deal gets you a Mexican main, with dishes like the breakfast quesadilla and huevos rancheros (of course, avocado toast is also available) as well as a sweet dish, hot drink, and cold drink.

The aesthetic of Tigermilk is so beautiful, and the food is just as nice. And if you’re more in the market for Brussels restaurants, they have a regular menu with Mexican meals and fun cocktails!

Location | Website | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Veggie yes; Vegan no | Price $$

A table of brunch dishes from Tigermilk in Brussels, Belgium

Although also a bar and evening restaurant with creative cocktails and a laidback food menu, for me the brunch at La Luck is the main draw! Served at weekends until mid-afternoon, this is definitely some of the best food in Brussels. I tried the truffle croque monsieur as well as the peach and goat’s cheese toast and both were exceptional.

If you get the chance, make sure you also visit in the evening. You can find a small Canadian-inspired menu of poutine, burgers and hotdogs, as well as some charcuterie. And if you’re looking for a unique way to spend your evening in Brussels, you can enjoy a few drinks while playing a variety of board games at La Luck!

The chicest brunch spot in the city and one of the best places to eat in Brussels’ city centre, Frank. serves up deliciously fresh food and coffee. The sweet pancakes are a personal favourite of mine, but the poached egg dishes come highly recommended as well.

As well as a great coffee menu, you’ll find teas and a variety of cold drinks – I recommend the fresh apple juice or seasonal lemonade. And on your way out, why not pick up one of their delicious cakes to enjoy later?!

Location | Website | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes | Price $$$

Woodpecker is a Brussels favourite, and you’ll often see the locals flock here for brunch on the weekends. With a mix of indoor spaces, and kiosks around some of Brussels’ best parks (link), Woodpecker has really made its mark as one of the best places to eat in Brussels.

Although the menus vary a little across the locations, you’ll generally find a traditional brunch menu at the indoor cafés, with a selection for lunch as well, and easy street food like hot dogs, burgers and toasties at the kiosks. They specialise in waffles, pancakes, and eggs benedict dishes, and usually have some enticing seasonal specials.

Website (with locations and menus) | Veggie/Vegan friendly? Yes (at least at all cafés) | Price $$

Pancakes topped with bacon, syrup and spring onions from Woodpecker in Brussels, Belgium

Other Places To Eat in Brussels

Coco donuts.

Most of the sweet treats in Brussels are centred around waffles but don’t miss out on the most adorable doughnut spot in the city. I’m not sure if a doughnut shop can be called instagrammable but if anywhere could, it’s Coco Donuts.

Of course, it’s the food that matters most, and luckily the doughnuts taste as good as they look. They offer a great range of exciting flavours, like smores, peanut butter and jelly, and wild berries. On the weekends you can expect a little queue, but trust me, it’s worth it!

Location (Sablon) | Location (Janson) | Website | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes | Price $

Fine Bakery

Nestled in the streets of Sablon, this unassuming bakery is definitely more than just fine . Here, you’ll find some of the best pastries in Brussels, as well as homemade bread and other specialities (such as the very popular cruffin, the love child of a croissant and a muffin).

Fine Bakery is the perfect place for your morning pastry fix and is well situated for a relaxing stroll around the centre with your goodies.

Location | Instagram | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Veggie yes; vegan unclear | Price $

Café du Sablon

If there was a competition for the restaurant or café in Brussels with the best view, Café du Sablon would take the cake. Looking out directly to the gorgeous and gothic Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon , Café du Sablon is bright and airy, and a truly lovely place to come for lunch or coffee. With fast a free wifi, it’s also a great place to come and get some work done.

The menu at Café du Sablon is very brunch-centred, with smoothie bowls, topped toasts, pancakes, cakes, and more. I recommend the Croque Monsieur!

Location | Facebook | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes | Price $$

Croque monsieur and salad from Cafe du Sablon in Brussels

Cafe de la Presse

Café de la Presse is a spacious café in the Louise neighbourhood of Brussels, with a menu to make any foodie drool! With soups, sandwiches, and toasts, as well as brunch plates and smoothie bowls, there is lots to be enjoyed here. Of course, you can also enjoy a coffee!

On a sunny day, it’s a great idea to grab some food to go and picnic at the nearby Bois de la Cambre . You can enjoy a delicious lunch in beautiful surroundings.

Location | Website (with menu) | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Veggie yes; vegan no | Price $$

Have a Roll

I wouldn’t have thought Brussels was missing a speciality cinnamon roll bar, but Have a Roll really is something remarkable. Head to Bailli and try the wide range of rolls – you could go with the classic cinnamon or try one of the more creative offerings. There are even seasonal specials to be enjoyed.

Top Tip: Have a roll began in Antwerp – why not take a day trip or spend a weekend in Antwerp to visit the original store!

Location | Website | Menu | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes (all rolls are vegan!) | Price $

Discover the best things to do in Brussels below!

The Best Street Food in Brussels

I could list countless places to eat in Brussels (as I’ve already done in this guide!), from fancy restaurants and global cuisine to cute brunch cafés and authentic pizzerias, but the truth is, my favourite places to eat in Brussels are simple, cheap street food outlets.

One of the best things about this city is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to experience authentic Belgian cuisine, as some of the most iconic traditional dishes are fries and waffles, found in carts and stalls around Brussels.

Maison Antoine

Maison Antoine is the best place to go if you want to enjoy fries with a beer and a lively atmosphere on the side. This popular fries stall is found in the centre of the bustling Place Jourdan, and you can enjoy your fries at most of the surrounding bars as long as you buy a beer or two!

Location | Website | Menu | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? A few veggie options; fries are not veggie-friendly | Price $

Café Georgette

For the best fries in the centre of Brussels, try Café Georgette. This spot is actually a restaurant, but the friterie attached to the side is by far the most popular attraction. Jutting out of the corner of a red brick building, on the cobbles of a bustling street in the heart of the city, it doesn’t get more quintessentially Brussels than this.

My top recommendation at Café Georgette is to order the truffle (tartufata) sauce with your fries!

Location | Website | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? No – fries are not veggie friendly | Price $

Australian is the best place for simple and delicious Belgian waffles in Brussels. What’s more, there are multiple outlets in the city, so whenever you get hungry, you’ll most likely find an Australian just around the corner.

You can get all sorts of toppings on your Australian waffles, including their famous ice cream, but my favourite thing to get is a plain, hot waffle. For more waffle recommendations, check out my guide to the best Belgian waffles in Brussels .

Website (with locations) | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes (note: waffles aren’t vegan, try Veganwaf’ ) | Price $

A cornet of fries with sauce from Maison Antoine in Brussels

Frites Atelier

Although the fries stalls around Brussels are not lacking by any means, it’s nice to try something a little more gourmet. Frites Atelier specialises in loaded fries. The flemish beef stew fries are a must-try, and their limited edition specials are usually a stand-out as well!

These fries do come with a slightly higher price tag (around €6 for regular fries with sauce and €7-11 for loaded fries). Personally, I wouldn’t get plain fries with sauce here, you’ll find much better value at other spots. However, the loaded fries are pretty unique and filling, and I think they make a great treat for lunch.

Location | Website | Menu | Veggie/Vegan Friendly? Yes (but double-check when visiting as Belgian fries aren’t always veggie) | Price $$

Belgian fries topped with carbonnade from Frites Atelier in Brussels

Are you hungry yet? I know I am! I’m sure with this bumper list of the best restaurants in Brussels (as well as many other Brussels foodie spots) under your belt, you just can’t wait to get out in Brussels and start tasting all the delicious food this city has to offer.

Looking for more Belgium guides? Read these next:

9 Amazing Belgian Foods to try in Brussels
10 Fun and Unique Things to do in Doussels
How to Take a Magical Day Trip to Bruges, Belgium

If you’re a foodie, you’ll love this list of cheap eats in Barcelona!

Sharing is caring!

You’ll Also Love

14 Best Restaurants In Brussels 2023

Who doesn’t like food? Especially lip smacking finger licking delicious dishes that can transport to another world! From cozy ones to fine dining and casual restaurants, let these amazing Brussels restaurants guide prove that the food scene in this city is lit! Choose your pick and dig in!

Restaurant Le Rabassier – Guilty Pleasures
Comme Chez Soi – A Food Haven
Pasta Divina – Tastiest Pastas
Bon Bon – Ignite Romance
Le Bistro – Exquisite Food
Le Chou de Bruxelles – Cozy Sitting
Bia Mara – Fine Dining
Fin de Siecle – Budget Eatery
La Truffe Noire – Amazing Hospitality
Fanny Thai – Tasty Affair
Monk – Drink And Dine
Le Plattesteen – Artistic Restaurant
Osteria A l’Ombra – Budget Eatery
Ricotta & Parmesan – Delicious Pasta

1. Restaurant Le Rabassier – Guilty Pleasures

Image Source Undoubtedly the top contender for best restaurants in Brussels Belgium, the wonderful setting, impeccable service and fantastic food set it miles ahead of competition. The six course tasting menu is a gastronomic trip one mustn’t miss out on- from savoury to sweet, and absolutely divine. The artistically presented exotic preparations are outstanding, and indicate why this restaurant boasts of two Michelin stars. Since there are very few tables in its intimate setting, an advance booking is a must.

Address: Rue de Rollebeek 23, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Average cost/person: fixed menu from 65 Euro; special Black Truffle tasting menu from 135 Euro Cuisine: Belgian, European, French Opening Hours: 12PM-1:30PM; 7PM-8:45PM, Sunday closed

Suggested Read: 10 Places For Shopping In Brussels That Will Give You A Shopper’s High

Europe Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle

Magnificent Switzerland Holiday 6D/5N Package @ Rs 69,999

Plan your trip today!

Magnificent Europe Tour 7D/6N Package @ Rs 70,975

Get quotes from multiple travel experts.

France & Switzerland Tour Package 8D/7N @ Rs 90,000

Compare & customize quotes before booking.

Scintillating Spain & Portugal Tour 11D/10N @ Rs 101,150

Have Questions? Talk to our travel experts today.

6 Country Europe Tour Package 12D/11N @ Rs 118,650

Best prices guaranteed. EMI option available.

See more at TRAVELTRIANGLE.COM

2. Comme Chez Soi – A Food Haven

Image Source

Food is a work of art at this wonderful restaurant, with so much attention to detail in the preparation of every dish which offers a melange of flavors. Amongst all Brussels restaurants, the Comme Chez Soi stands out for its exceptional food, art nouveau design, cozy ambiance, and unmatched service. Every morsel transports you to foodie heaven; a tour of the kitchen post the meal is quite interesting.

Address: Place Rouppe 23, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Average cost/person: Lunch at 60Euro, the 5-dish fixed menu at 140 Euro Cuisine: French, Belgian, European Opening Hours: 12:-1:30PM, 7PM-9PM; Tuesday-Wednesday: Opens only for dinner; Sunday-Monday: Closed

Suggested Read: 11 Churches In Brussels That Will Make Your Experience Worth Remembering

3. Pasta Divina – Tastiest Pastas

the best Italian restaurants in Brussels

The small, cozy family-run setup is one of the best-hidden gem and cool restaurants in Brussels serving fresh homemade fare. The friendly owner takes great care of the guests, while his wife prepares fresh pasta for the dishes every day. This is your go-to place for the best pasta in town, along with amazing heart shaped salmon ravioli, tiramisu, and other Italian specialties. The place fills up fast so a reservation is recommended. This one’s considered to be one of the best Italian restaurants in Brussels .

Address: Rue de la Montagne 16, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Average cost/person: 20-25 Euros Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean, European Opening Hours: 12PM-2:30PM, 6PM-10PM (Monday to Saturday); Sunday Closed

Suggested Read: Belgium Nightlife: 5 Ways To Enliven The Dark Hours!

4. Bon Bon – Ignite Romance

the perfect ambience for a romantic meal.

Tucked in a tranquil neighborhood, this 2 Michelin starred restaurant in Brussels is in a lovely villa with the perfect ambiance for a romantic meal. The attentive & friendly staff along with the creatively crafted and beautifully presented food will make you want to visit it again and again. Enjoying a 5-course culinary journey with the chef at the kitchen bar is a unique experience.

Address: Avenue de Tervueren 453, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Belgium Average cost/person: 2-course menu at lunch time: 75 Euros; 5-course meal: 185 Euros Cuisine: French, Belgian, European, Vegan Options Opening Hours: 12:30PM-1:30PM, 7:30PM-9PM (Tuesday to Friday); Sat-Sun-Mon: Closed

Suggested Read: Brussels Nightlife: A Guide To The Best Pubs and Markets In The City

5. Le Bistro – Exquisite Food

This neighborhood bistro in a fantastic location is a great choice for restaurants in Brussels with that warm and homely feel and amazing food. The staff is very friendly and make valuable suggestions, the portion sizes are pretty good and the prices reasonable. The mussels, beef steak, shrimp in garlic sauce and vegan pasta are all great. Sitting outside on a warm sunny day is a nice experience; complimentary mint tea is a nice touch.

Address: Boulevard de Waterloo 138, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Average cost/person: Euro 15-20 Cuisine: French, Belgian, Bar, Seafood Opening Hours: 10AM-11PM All days of the week

Suggested Read: These 10 Best Craft-Beer Bars In Brussels Will Leave You Wanting For More

6. Le Chou de Bruxelles – Cozy Sitting

This quirky restaurant is an ode to Belgian gastronomic delights and authentic drinks like Belgian Ales. The cosy hidden gem of a place is amongst the best restaurants in Belgium to try the most popular dish, moules-frites(mussels and fries), in its 30 culinary avatars. A small garden in the backyard is a lovely spot for an al fresco meal. Their service is quick and the food outstanding. If you’re looking for best Belgian restaurants in Brussels , then do stop by at this one.

Address: Rue de Florence 26, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium Average cost/person: 3-course menu from 32 Euros Cuisine: Belgian, Seafood Opening Hours: 12PM-2PM, 6:30-9:45 (Tuesday to Saturday); Sun-Mon Closed

Suggested Read: The Manneken Pis In Brussels: A Guide To This Unique Adventure Spot

7. Bia Mara – Fine Dining

If you’re craving for sumptuous seafood in the city, this is one of the good restaurants in Brussels for a hearty meal at a great price. Their wonderful food, philosophy (of using sustainable fish) and impeccable service will win your heart. This is primarily a fish and chips place near the Grand Palace with an amazing variety of the dish and delicious array of sauces to go with it. They also serve chicken and have a good selection of beers.

Address: Rue du Marché aux Poulets 41, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Average cost/person: 15-20 Euros Cuisine: Seafood, Fast food, British, European Opening Hours: 12PM-2:30PM, 5PM-10:30PM (Monday to Thursday); 12PM-10:30PM (Fri-Sun)

Suggested Read: 13 Best Places To Visit In Brussels That Highlight The Charm Of The City

8. Fin de Siecle – Budget Eatery

nice rustic ambience and authentic Belgian food

Located in the heart of the city, this gem of a place is one of the best restaurants in Brussels for enjoying a hearty Belgian meal without burning a hole in your pocket. Nice rustic ambiance and authentic Belgian food with good portion sizes make this place a huge hit. They also have a wonderful selection of beers to go with the must-try dishes: spear ribs, pork knuckles, and rabbit. The vegan moussaka and tomato salad are good too.

Address: Rue des Chartreux 9, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Average cost/person: Cuisine: Belgian, European, Vegetarian Friendly Opening Hours: 12PM-12AM all days of the week

Suggested Read: 10 Lakes In Brussels You Must Witness To Make Your Trip Memorable

9. La Truffe Noire – Amazing Hospitality

gives the warm hospitality and delighted dishes

You will be amazed to try the range of flavors, combinations, and possibilities of using truffles in food at this Michelin star restaurant in Brussels. The owner Luigi is so passionate about his venture and it reflects in the warm hospitality and personal attention to every detail. From the unique truffled tobacco leaves to whole baked truffles and beef carpaccio with truffles, every dish is a delight for the palate.

Address: Boulevard de la Cambre 12, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Average cost/person: Euro 90 Cuisine: French, European, Italian Opening Hours: 12PM-2:15PM, 7PM-9:45PM (Tues-Fri); 7PM-9:45PM (Sat & Mon); Sunday Closed

Suggested Read: Belgium Food: The 10 Mouth-Watering Delicacies You Must Try!

10. Fanny Thai – Tasty Affair

Fanny Thai offers reasonably priced food

If you’re looking for an authentic Thai restaurant in Brussels, then this family-run place at an excellent location is a must visit. Fanny Thai offers reasonably priced food with good portion sizes and a great selection of dishes. The mixed steamed starters, Penang Kai Chicken and various curries are exceptionally good. Since it is popular among both locals and tourists, be prepared to wait for a seat.

Address: Rue Jules Van Praet 36, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Average cost/person: Approximately 20 Euros Cuisine: Thai, Asian, Vietnamese Opening Hours: 12PM-3PM, 6-11:30PM (Mon-Fri); 12PM-11:30PM (Sat-Sun)

Suggested Read: These 12 Hostels In Brussels Will Add Comfort To Your Experience

11. Monk – Drink And Dine

The Monk is an amazing place to hang out. The ambiance is perfect to have a beer or two with friends. The cuisine is Belgian and European, with a lot of options to choose from. The place is a haven for the pasta lovers. The aura is welcoming and the atmosphere is laid back. Spend a lively evening here, when at Brussels.

Address: Rue Sainte-Catherine 42, Brussels 1000, Belgium Cuisine: Belgian, European Opening hours: 11AM-1AM

Suggested Read: 10 Best Romantic Places In Brussels For Adding More Spark To Your Holiday

12. Le Plattesteen – Artistic Restaurant

If you are looking to try the best Belgian cuisine in Brussels, Le Plattesteen is your best bet when it comes to Brussels Restaurants! Le Plattesteen is defined by its interiors depicting typical Bruxellois, more than enough portions of dish, simple food, and local produce. What Le Plattesteen lacks in the experience of fine dining, it makes in terms of offering delicious, fulfilling, and exquisite dishes. Some of the dishes to try at this one of the many good restaurants in Brussels are Flemish Potato Puree, Meatballs, and Belgian Beer!

Address: 31 Rue de l’Ecuyer, Bruxelles, Bruxelles, 1000, Average Cost/Person: 75 Euros Cuisine: French, Belgian, European Opening Hours: 11 AM to 11 PM

Suggested Read: 10 Best Things To Do In Brussels To Embark On A Historical Journey

13. Osteria A l’Ombra – Budget Eatery

You can find Italian restaurants everywhere, but there is nothing as special as Osteria A l’Ombra, touted as one of the best Brussels restaurants. It is one of the best restaurants that serves lip smacking Italian dishes. The restaurant is located in an old butcher shop, and the interior of the restaurant is quite rustic and artistic. The charming place offers a long table for shared dining. The best dishes here are freshly made pasta, wines, and tortellini with black truffle. This is one of the top restaurants in Brussels.

Address: 2 Rue des Harengs, Brussels, Belgium Average Cost/Person: 80-120 Euros Cuisine: Italian Opening Hours: 11 AM to 11 PM

Suggested Read: 32 Places To Visit In Belgium That Make The Country Irresistible

14. Ricotta & Parmesan – Delicious Pasta

If you are looking for the best Italian cuisine in Brussels, then look no further than Ricotta & Parmesan. This amazing restaurant in Brussels is an excellent choice as it specializes in antipasti, and lasagna. The restaurant offers an ambience that is made up of brick walls, low ceiling, and fairy lights giving this a cozy setting. This is the perfect place for a romantic dinner in Brussels.

Address: 31 Rue de l’Ecuyer, Bruxelles, Bruxelles, 1000, Average Cost/Person: 80-140 Euros Cuisine: Italian, European, Mediterranean Opening Hours: 6 PM – 11 PM

Further Read: 15 Hotels In Brussels That Suit Every Type Of Traveler

If you’re planning a holiday in Brussels or are in the city already, you need to check out the food scene and experience all the kinds of cuisines that it has on offer. And yes, there are a number of Indian restaurants in Brussels too where you can feast some traditional Indian dishes.

Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurants In Brussels

Which are the best restaurants in Brussels?

Comme Chez Soi, Bon Bon, Le Chou de Bruxelles, etc., are some of the best restaurants in Brussels.

Which are the best restaurants in Brussels for couples?

Fin de Siecle, La Truffe Noire, Restaurant le Rabassier, etc. are some of the best restaurants in Brussels for couples.

Which are the best Indian restaurants in Brussels?

Namaste Indian, L’Everest, New Annapurna, Bombay Inn, etc. are some of the best Indian restaurants in Brussels.

Which are the Michelin Star restaurants in Brussels?

The Michelin Star restaurants in Brussels are Comptoir des Galeries, and La Marée.

Which are the restaurants near Brussels airport?

Leffe Bar and Panos are some of the great Brussels Airport restaurants.

What food is Brussels famous for?

There are many dishes that make Brussels popular and one of the most favorite destinations amongst tourists. Various amazing restaurants in Brussels serve these dishes that are prepared keeping quality in mind. Some of them have been mentioned below: 1. Grey Shrimp Croquettes 2. Waffles 3. Meatballs 4. Rabbit with prunes 5. Fries

What is Brussels known for?

The Belgian city, Brussels is popularly considered to be a hub for roadways, railways, and airways and is therefore even known by the name “Crossroads of Europe”. The city is also admired for its food culture. You’ll even find some of the best heritage sites.

Do they speak English in Brussels?

Only 2.5% of the population here speak in English. More than 60% of the crowd speaks in French language, 19% speaks in Dutch, while 21% speak in Arabic.

Looking To Book An International Holiday?

Trip to Sri Lanka at Rs 13,500/-

Plan Your Vacation Today!

Trip to Singapore at Rs 20,499/-

Get Quotes From Local Experts

Mauritius Holiday Starting at Rs 65,000/-

Talk to Our Experts Today

Maldives Honeymoon Trip at Rs 39,800/-

Pay with easy EMI Option

Europe Trip at Rs 89,999/-

All Inclusive Deals

Vacation in Dubai at Rs 27,499/-

Hong Kong Holiday at Rs 24,999/-

Money Safe Guarantee

Thailand Holiday at Rs 7,999/-

Flights Excluded

Places to visit in India

30 Best Places To Visit In Bangalore In...
64 Best Places To Visit In Kerala For...
39 Best Places To Visit In October In...
101 Places To Visit In India Before You...
20 Places To Visit In Sakleshpur In 2024...
35 Exotic Places To Visit In December In...
32 Best Places To Visit In January In...
20 Best Places To Visit In Meghalaya For...
12 Places To Visit In Punjab To Witness...
Unravel Places To Visit In Uttarakhand For A...
26 Best Places To Visit In Jammu For...
29 Places To Visit In Monsoon In India...
Best Places To Visit In August In India...
36 Beautiful Places To Visit In Kashmir One...
55 Fascinating Places To Visit In Hyderabad In...
35 Ultimate Places To Visit In July In...
72 Places To Visit In Rajasthan In 2024
42 Best Places To Visit In Pondicherry In...
33 Spectacular Places To Visit In Mumbai On...
43 Places To Visit In West Bengal In...
41 Best Places To Visit In June In...
35 Best Places To Visit In Mysore In...
35 Places To Visit In Coorg For A...
54 Best Places To Visit In India In...
8 Places To Visit In Jibhi For A...
64 Best Tourist Places To Visit In Goa...
25 Best Places To Visit In Visakhapatnam In...
16 Places To Visit In Lucknow That Showcase...
60 Best Places To Visit In Kolkata That...

International Places To Visit

35 Best Places To Visit In Japan That...
40 Best Places To Visit In Canada In...
28 Places To Visit In October In World...
28 Stunning Places To Visit In South Korea...
25 Places To Visit In Manila In 2024...
19 Best Places To Visit In Morocco In...
34 Best Places To Visit In Austria In...
82 Best Places To Visit In Turkey That...
10 Breathtaking Places To Visit In The World...
22 Best Places To Visit In Netherlands: The...
24 Fabulous Places To Visit In Ireland: The...
19 Best Places To Visit In London In...
Discover 24 Places To Visit In Switzerland In...
17 Mystical Places To Visit In Egypt In...
15 Places To Visit In United Kingdom That’ll...
33 Best Places To Visit In Amsterdam On...
19 Best Places To Visit In Kuala Lumpur...
42 Best Places To Visit In Bangkok In...
11 Popular Places To Visit In Doha For...
26 Places To Visit In Germany In 2024...
32 Places To Visit In Belgium That Make...
15 Places To Visit In USA That Reflect...
37 Best Places To Visit In Dubai At...
15 Top Places To Visit In Asia To...
20 Must-See Places To Visit In Milan In...
Top 27 Places To Visit In Greece In...
31 Places To Visit In Abu Dhabi In...
25 Places To Visit In August In The...
15 Best Places To Visit In Chicago That...
14 Places To Visit In Berlin You Must...

Things To Do

40 Things To Do In Pondicherry In 2024...
12 Best Things To Do In Matheran In...
23 Intoxicating Things To Do In Turkey In...
Top 14 Interesting Things To Do In Kanyakumari...
38 Things To Do In Gokarna To Escape...
12 Best Things To Do In Varanasi For...
21 Remarkable Things To Do In Krabi In...
16 Things To Do On Honeymoon In 2024
23 Things To Do In Chennai To Explore...
20 Things To Do In Ahmedabad For An...
30 Best Things To Do In Wayanad For...
37 Amazing Things To Do In Kerala For...
Top 39 Things To Do In Jaipur
19 Things To Do In Mussoorie For A...
33 Best Things To Do In Kolkata In...
Top 25 Things To Do In Kodaikanal For...
32 Things To Do In Ooty That Will...
15 Things To Do In Srinagar That Will...
20 Things To Do In Darjeeling
27 Kickass Things To Do In Malaysia
25 Best Things To Do In Phuket That...
18 Awesome Things To Do In Kasol On...
27 Exciting Things To Do In Chikmagalur
9 Things To Do In Mathura For An...
23 Things To Do In Lonavala For A...
10 Best Things To Do In Lakshadweep For...
30 Joyful Things To Do In Bhutan
38 Exhilarating Things To Do In Udaipur In...
18 Best Things To Do In Chandigarh
29 Amazing Things To Do In Shimla
30 Things To Do In Dehradun In 2024
7 Incredible Things To Do In Vrindavan For...

Trending Blogs

20 Mysterious Places In India To Visit In 2024 More Bizarre Than The Bermuda Triangle

10 Scariest Roads In India That Are A Driver’s Nightmare

101 Places To Visit In India Before You Turn 30 in 2024

35 Exotic Places To Visit In December In India 2024 To Enjoy A Surreal Vacation

64 Top Honeymoon Destinations In India In 2024

95 Best Honeymoon Destinations In The World In 2023 For A Romantic Escape!

Best Places To Visit In India By Month

Best places to visit outside india by month.

TravelTriangle
Restaurants »
Tour Packages
Honeymoon Packages
Family Packages
Budget Tour Packages
Luxury Tour Packages
Adventure Tour Packages
Group Tour Packages
Kerala Tour Packages
Goa Tour Packages
Andaman Tour Packages
Sikkim Tour Packages
Himachal Tour Packages
Uttarakhand Tour Packages
Rajasthan Tour Packages
Tour Packages From Delhi
Tour Packages From Mumbai
Tour Packages From Bangalore
Tour Packages From Chennai
Tour Packages From Kolkata
Tour Packages From Hyderabad
Tour Packages From Ahmedabad
Kerala Tourism
Goa Tourism
Sikkim Tourism
Andaman Tourism
Himachal Tourism
Uttarakhand Tourism
Rajasthan Tourism
Hotels in Kerala
Hotels in Goa
Hotels in Sikkim
Hotels in Andaman
Hotels in Himachal
Hotels in Uttarakhand
Hotels in Rajasthan

The 10 gastronomic restaurants that you absolutely must try in Brussels

14th June 2023

Updated July 26, 2024 by pierre

Gastronomy invites itself to your table for an Unforgettable Culinary Experience

Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is renowned for its vibrant and diverse culinary scene . From elegant establishments to warm atmospheres, the city is full of gourmet restaurants offering unique culinary experiences. Here is a selection of the best restaurants in Brussels, where you can savor exquisite dishes and immerse yourself in the art of gastronomy .

You will discover below, a culinary journey that begins with a visit to a unusual Brussels restaurant . A breathtaking view awaits you there (I.e. . With its elegant ambience and its innovative menu 👨‍🍳 , this restaurant offers creative cuisine highlighting local products. From artistically presented dishes to bold flavors, this restaurant A promises you an extraordinary taste experience.

For a sophisticated dining experience, then head to another restaurant. With its star in the Michelin Guide , this restaurant offers refined cuisine inspired by Belgian and international culinary traditions. Talented chefs combine modern techniques with high quality ingredients to create dishes that will awaken your senses.

If you are looking for a romantic atmosphere , other restaurants below will be the perfect place. Nestled in a charming setting, this restaurant offers exquisite gourmet cuisine in a intimate atmosphere . Couples will appreciate the “discovery” menu. The wines are fine and the service attentive. For an unforgettable romantic evening.

To complete your stay in Brussels, do not miss to discover other romantic aspects of the city. Explore our articles on the best places to a romantic walk in the picturesque parks of Brussels and the uniquely charming cafes that invite relaxation and romance.

Whether you are a gourmet, a lover in search of romance or a curious person eager to discover the best of Brussels, these gourmet restaurants promise you an unforgettable culinary experience. Don't miss the opportunity to savor the delights of the Brussels food scene on your next visit to Brussels.

🔥 Item Content:

Our 10 favorite gourmet restaurants in Brussels

1. villa in the sky: a gourmet in the stars 🌃.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villa in the sky by Alexandre Dionisio (@villainthesky)

Located at the top of a tower, the Villa in the Sky offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Brussels. The starred chef prepares refined and creative dishes, highlighting local and seasonal products. The culinary experience is enhanced by attentive service and an elegant ambiance.

📍 Address: Avenue Louise 480, 1050 Ixelles.

🌐 Official website

2. DA MIMMO, 🍝 authentic Italian

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Da Mimmo (@da.mimmo)

Immerse yourself in the warm atmosphere of Italy at Da Mimmo, a restaurant renowned for its authentic Italian cuisine. The dishes are prepared with passion and tradition, offering Mediterranean flavors that will awaken your taste buds. Don't miss their fresh homemade pasta and their delicious wood-fired pizzas.

📍 Address: Rue Sainte-Anne 8, 1000 Brussels.

3. HUMUS HORTENSE,💚 a breathtaking Vegan Gourmet restaurant

View this post on Instagram A post shared by humus x hortense * plantbased finedining since 2008 * Brussels (@humushortense)

The term “vegan” seems like a weak word to describe the culinary experience herbal proposed by Humus x Hortense. Here, the tasting menu evolves to the rhythm of the 24 micro-seasons of the year, thus creating a constantly changing taste experience. 🌿🍽️

Nicolas Decloedt , on the strength of his apprenticeship with renowned establishments such as Mugaritz et Good Good , has forged his own style of cooking, based on botanical research and the use of wild-picked ingredients. His passion for photography is reflected in his dishes, which seem to be the result of a work of art, challenging our senses with every bite. 📸👨‍🍳

Caroline Baerten , his partner and sommelier, is just as creative. A former art historian, she brought her artistic touch to the design of the restaurant, from the design to the ceramic tableware. Additionally, she founded the Soilmates movement, an initiative to promote botanical gastronomy. 🍷🎨

In collaboration with the food scientist Maxime Willems and botanist-farmer Dries Delanote, the restaurant is committed to a zero-waste approach, emphasizing fermentation and transforming surplus ingredients into creative cocktails. 🌱🍹

The intimate and warm atmosphere makes this restaurant an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

They received a few mentions:

Michelin Star 2023 ⭐️&🍀
Sustainability Award Gault & Millau 2022
Best Vegan Restaurant of the World 2019
Best Vegetable Chef Gault&Millau 2018

📍 Address: Vergnies 2, 1050 Ixelles.

4. SANSABLON

View this post on Instagram A post shared by San Sablon (@sansablon)

📍Address: Vossenstraat 26, 1000 Brussels.

5. BARGE BRUSSELS: a unique culinary experience aboard the Barge Brussels

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Barge Brussels (@bargebrussels)

Embark on a unique culinary experience aboard the Barge Brussels, an almost floating restaurant along the Brussels Canal. You will be enchanted by the picturesque setting and cozy atmosphere of the boat and its interior walls in red bricks. The dishes are prepared with fresh and local products, bidder a fusion of Belgian and international flavors.

Wondering where this restaurant got its name? It's simple! The name of the restaurant, Barge , comes from the first names of the owners, Bar bara and G regoir e . Additionally, this name pays homage to the past maritime district (Quai des Péniches) and the chef's kitchen. A bit crazy as the dictionary definition for the word 'Barge' suggests... Fear not, every aspect of the restaurant has been carefully considered. The fixed menu offers original and natural dishes that are exceptionally tasty.

Lunch 🍴: €65, Friday lunchtime only, a condensed overview of the evening menu
dinner 🍽️€95; from Tuesday to Saturday evening, unique discovery menu
🍷 Food / wine pairing : from 35 €

📍 Address: Quai des Péniches, 1000 Brussels.

🌐 Official site

6. LA CANNE EN VILLE, 🏛️ a gastronomic restaurant located on Avenue Louise

View this post on Instagram A post shared by La Canne en Ville ⭐️ (@la_canne_en_ville)

As a teenager, this was the big dilemma for our budding chef ( Kevin Lejeune ): which future to choose? And guess what won the heart of the young prodigy? The kitchen, of course! 🍳 As soon as he set foot in a professional kitchen, Kevin Lejeune knew it was his path, his all-consuming passion. 💥

Armed with determination, he embarked on an apprenticeship, where he learned his skills in the kitchens of the most prestigious restaurants in Belgium. There, he amassed experience and maturity with each stroke of the knife and each prepared plate. 🍽️ And at 30, the time had come. Accompanied by his wife Virginie, Kevin opened the doors of his own restaurant, a little gem in the old butcher's shop in Ixelles. 🥩

First Michelin star and a host of other well-deserved awards for this gourmet restaurant. 🌟🏆 Shortly after, the Lejeunes had big ambitions for 2022. They decided to get a makeover, to change the decor, and move La Canne en Ville to a more spacious and resolutely contemporary space . Their new address? Right at the foot of the sumptuous Steigenberger Wiltcher's hotel, on Avenue Louise , the ultimate place of sophistication in Brussels. 🏙️🍾

Today, Canne en Ville is a intimate restaurant located in a renovated mansion. With traditional and refined French cuisine , you will be seduced by the elegance of the dishes and the careful presentation. The attentive service and friendly atmosphere add a special touch to this dining experience. In the photo below, the 6 or 7 course menu, with a vegetarian option. Also available with sommelier agreement or alcohol-free agreement.

As for price , lunch midi you have the BUSINESS LUNCH OR VEGETARIAN at €68 , evening 6 Services at 164€

Chef: @lejeune_kevin
🍽 Gourmet Restaurant
📔 15/20 Best Young Chef 2021 @gaultmillaubelgium
📕 ⭐️ @michelinguide

📍Address: The restaurant is located at the foot of Steigenberger Wiltcher's, Avenue Louise 77, 1000 Brussels.

🌐 Official site

7. HARVEST BRUSSELS, 🍗 Local Gastronomic Gastronomy

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harvest_bruxelles (@harvestbruxelles)

Harvest Brussels is an organic and vegetarian restaurant with an emphasis on local and sustainable products. Creative and colorful dishes showcase seasonal ingredients, providing a healthy and eco-friendly dining experience.

🍽️ In the evening: 4-Course Menu: €58 Choice from 3 menus
🥪 At midday, gourmet lunch 26€ for 2 dishes, or 20€ for a single dish
🧀 Selection of Belgian cheeses – 14€

📍 Address: Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains 24, 1000 Brussels.

8. MALOMA COMPTOIR: Where the Magic of Local Products combines with the Art of Malolactic Fermentation

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Restaurant Maloma (@maloma.comptoir)

Maloma is much more than just a restaurant, it is a sensory journey where the carefully selected local products turn into delicious creations , with a very special touch. The whole forming a gastronomic experience not to be missed.

In this sanctuary of gastronomy, leader places emphasis on the quality of ingredients, from local producers. Each dish is a burst of creativity, both surprising and deliciously familiar. Flavors evolve and transform through the magic of fermentation, providing a one-of-a-kind taste experience.

Whether you are a lover of inventive cuisine or a curious foodie, Màloma promises you an unforgettable culinary experience. So, reserve your table and let yourself be carried away by this taste adventure in a setting that is as elegant as it is warm. 🍽️

Le menu is a surprise , to discover when you arrive. This discovery menu at €90 which changes every 4 weeks depending on seasonal products. Be careful, once you taste their beautiful pieces of meat, you will be well aware that cheap meat is not normal 🤣. Food and wine pairing: 40€

⏰Please note, Màloma opens its doors to you from Wednesday to Saturday only from 19:00 p.m. – 21:30 p.m.

📍Address: nestled in Schaerbeek, near the magnificent Josaphat park.: Rue Josse Impens 3, 1030 Schaerbeek

9. ENTROPY RESTAURANT: Where Culinary Art Meets Conscience

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Entropy (@entropyrestaurant)

Nestled in very center of Brussels, the chef's restaurant Elliott Van de Velde is much more than a tasting place, it is a gastronomic experience that combines awareness and creativity . The intuitive cuisine offered there embodies the concept of entropy, where energy is born from apparent disorder to create the order of tomorrow .

Here, no limits to creativity, and a clear vision of the future: a more circular and equitable food system. Every bite is a statement of intent, a commitment to a better future.

But that's not all. Every euro spent in this exceptional place contributes to a larger project: the non-profit organization Hearth Project, which fights valiantly against food waste and insecurity. To eat here is to savor with a generous heart, as every profit supports this noble cause.

So, whether you are a lover of conscious flavors or simply looking for a unique gastronomic experience, this restaurant in the heart of Brussels is much more than a gourmet address. It is an act of kindness towards our planet and our society.

🌱“Discovery of the year” & “Sustainable Award” @gaultmillaubelgium
🌱Intuitive & plant-based cooking
🌱Social cause @hearthproject

📍 Address: Rue du Marché aux Porcs 17, 1000 Brussels.

10. La Buvette, A Hidden Gastronomic Treasure of Cuisine in Brussels

View this post on Instagram A post shared by La Buvette Brussels (@labuvettebruxelles)

In the heart of Brussels lies the well-hidden culinary treasure that is La Buvette. This restaurant, orchestrated under the watchful eye of chef Elliott Van de Velde, embodies the essence of conscious gastronomy and intuitive cooking. It’s a place where entropy is in the spotlight, demonstrating how energy can emerge from apparent chaos to shape tomorrow’s order.

La Buvette is a testimony to limitless creativity, with the aim of building a more circular and equitable food system. Each plate is a work of art, a declaration of commitment to a brighter culinary future.

However, La Buvette goes beyond a simple gastronomic experience. Every euro spent here contributes to a larger cause: the Hearth ASBL project. This organization is dedicated to fighting food waste and supporting people in need. Dining at La Buvette is about savoring with a generous heart, as every indulgence supports this noble mission.

So, whether you're a connoisseur of conscious flavors or simply looking for an exceptional gastronomic adventure, La Buvette is much more than just a restaurant; it’s a tribute to thoughtful dining, where every bite makes a difference. 🌿

La Buvette is the ideal place for an exceptional gastronomic experience in Saint-Gilles.

📍 Address: Chau. d'Alsemberg 108, 1060 Saint-Gilles

These restaurants in Brussels promise you an exceptional culinary experience, where the art of gastronomy meets innovation. Whether you are looking for traditional flavors or daring combinations, these establishments will leave you with unforgettable taste memories. Plan your visit to one of these restaurants and experience the best of Brussels' culinary scene.

In conclusion, Brussels is full of gastronomic treasures that make this city a paradise for lovers of good food and good wine . Whether you are looking for creative cuisine, a Michelin-starred experience or a romantic atmosphere, the best gourmet restaurants in Brussels will not fail to satisfy you. talented chefs, local ingredients and innovative menus make every meal a true culinary symphony. Don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in this vibrant food scene on your next visit to Brussels. With so many mouth-watering options to explore, you're sure to have an unforgettable dining experience in Belgium's capital.

Don't forget to check out our other articles related to Brussels, notably on:

tourist attractions,
the cultural activities , events et exhibitions
the best places to eat in Brussels.

Whether you are passionate about gastronomy or looking for other enriching experiences, Brussels has everything to seduce you. Get ready to satisfy your taste buds and experience all that this fascinating city has to offer.

Note: The order of the restaurants was chosen randomly and does not represent a specific ranking.

Barely a foot in the Belgian capital, Pierre launched “InsideBrussels.be” more than 10 years ago, the idea is simple: “What to do? Where to go to eat or have a drink? “. Entrepreneur at heart, this is not his first project! Far from there. EatLocal.io; KingCard.be, Bricabrac.be … Like wine, with time the project improves! Pierre does not hesitate to share his favorites and his best addresses of Brussels restaurants that he could recommend to you with his eyes closed.

It's happening in Brussels:

Our 3 favorite cafés and restaurants in the Ixelles cemetery

July 15, 2024

Coffee Shop
gourmet break

BUDDY BUDDY: A gourmet haven for coffee and nut butter (and oat!) lovers

July 7, 2024

Uncategorised

Bozar Rooftop: A haven of culture and relaxation in the heart of Brussels ☀️

July 3, 2024

Le Parroquet: A Brussels classic not to be missed! We tested

27th June 2024

We tested: Chez Félix, a winebar in Schaerbeek

14th June 2024

We tested YOKA TOMO, an Izakaya in Schaerbeek

31th May 2024

Must-see restaurants in Brussels

Using locally sourced and organic ingredients, award-winning chef Damien Bouchéry puts his own twist on French cooking with veal tartare and grilled…

ÖTAP chef Paul-Antoine Bertin serves small seasonal plates with natural wines and expertly presented cocktails. Expect anything from Iberico ham rolls to…

The jars of preserves, beautiful cakes and fruit tarts at this classic and charming bistro entice plenty of Brussels residents, as do well-priced meals…

Kitchen 151

Standing at a culinary crossroads, Kitchen 151 offers a whole world of flavours from the Middle East. Drag thick, fluffy pitas through velvety hummus, or…

A vegan canteen-cum-concept store, TICH sells organic groceries and vegetarian-friendly cookbooks alongside its açai bowls, cold-pressed juices and…

MOK serves some of the capital’s best coffee and offers a wide range of vegan-inspired recipes prepared by Josefien Smets – think crispy tofu and pickled…

Laurent Gerbaud

A bright and welcoming cafe with big picture windows that’s perfect for lunch, coffee or hot chocolate if you’re between museums. Don’t leave without…

Comme Chez Soi

The name evokes cooking just like ‘at home’, but unless you have a personal chef crafting North Sea lobster salad with black truffles and potatoes, sole…

Claire Fontaine

Just off Place du Grand Sablon, this is a tiny but atmospheric tile-floored épicerie, fragrant with spices and home-cooked dishes – there’s a small…

Mer du Nord

Well-reputed fishmonger’s window catering to a wide cross-section of Brussels folk plus assorted visitors – place your order and when it’s ready your name…

This long-established Franco-Belgian restaurant is popular with a discerning EU crowd. The decor is rather dark and conservative, but the classic and…

Saint-Boniface

An enchanting old-world restaurant near the eponymous church featuring gingham tablecloths, walls jammed with framed pictures, and authentic dishes from…

Hortense & Humus

With a Sistine Chapel–style ceiling and gold trimmed furniture, H&H is a real treat that serves haute vegetarian cuisine such as salt-crust baked swede…

With a striped monochrome awning, marbled counter and Neapolitan slow-rising-dough pizzas, Nona is a slice of bella vita in Brussels. Barring Italian…

As Brussels’ most sustainable restaurant, Bel Mundo makes scrumptious, affordable dishes using seasonal vegetables from its organic backyard garden and…

Comptoir Rodin

A small bronze replica of Rodin’s The Thinker welcomes visitors to this hidden canteen, which was once a military hospital. Refurbished with sleek…

La Fabrique

This superbly restored orangery in Parc d’Egmont has huge windows that allow the sunlight to glaze the tables. During the week, it sells healthy lunches…

Named after the hedonistic film by Gia Coppola, Palo Alto pairs authentic Mediterranean food with an extensive gin list, much of which is displayed in…

Knees to Chin

Behind the turquoise-tiled facade of Knees to Chin is an emporium of delicious Vietnamese rice-paper rolls. The menu is seasonal, so expect anything from…

Grand Central

Spread out across two floors, this huge bar-restaurant packs in the crowds with its buffet lunches and dinners. Expect slow-roasted aubergines, tomatoes…

With bamboo tables and Corbusier-blue walls, Maru serves the city’s best gyoza (dumplings) alongside a host of Korean delicacies, including sizzling…

Don’t let the Scandinavian interior fool you: Moni serves some of the best Pugliese cuisine in the city. Sharing plates include antipasti with deli cuts…

La Petite Production

Kiss your diet goodbye at La Petite Production, which serves up decadent brunches of triple pancakes served with maple syrup, colourful bowls of fresh…

MiTo's Milanese pizzamakerstop their slow-rising dough with choice organic and regional produce. The result? Ten light heavenly pizzas to gush over on the…

Makisu lets you pimp your sushi how you want it. Choose your outer style (nori seaweed, rice or a soy sheet), customise your filling from a whole host of…

Offering sophisticated French cuisine with an Asian twist (think chicken terrine with a touch of lemongrass, ginger or coconut), this renovated Brussels…

In an airy white space on this street to watch, Henri concocts tangy fusion dishes such as tuna with ginger, soy and lime, artichokes with scampi, lime…

Enticing cookies, doughnuts and cream pastry puffs are the draw at this patisserie – the tough part is picking a flavour. Choices range from vanilla-yuzu…

Established in 1829, Brussels’ best-known biscuiterie has five local branches, this one with an attached tearoom. The chocolate for Dandoy’s choc-dipped…

A fabulous little bakery housed in a gabled building whose cute frontage is painted with a colourful map. There's posh patisserie fodder, as well as…

You’d be hard pressed to find a more unlikely setting for Brussels’ finest seafood than this '80s-styled place. But at the Michelin-starred Sea Grill,…

From classic braised pork bao to Peking duck pancakes, Old Boy serves up some of Brussels’ best Asian street food, paired with a flawless list of natural…

SAN in Brussels

The decor is minimal with bright pops of colour. The focus here is very much on the food, created by a French-influenced Korean chef. Everything is served…

Maison Antoine

Brussels can be divided into two kinds of people: not French- and Dutch-speaking, or locals and expats, but rather those who swear by this chip shop, and…

Les Brigittines

Offering grown-up eating in a muted belle époque dining room, Les Brigittines dishes up traditional French and Belgian food. Its classic (and very meaty)…

Le Perroquet

Perfect for a drink, but also good for a simple bite (think salads and variations on croque-monsieurs), this art nouveau cafe with its stained glass,…

L'Ultime Atome

This cavernous brasserie has curious train-wheel decor enlivening the pale wooden panelling of an otherwise classic cafe. A youthful crowd keeps things…

Cremerie De Linkebeek

Brussels’ best fromagerie was established in 1902 and retains its original glazed tiles. It still stocks a beguiling array of cheeses, which you can also…

L’Horloge du Sud

A Matongé institution, the exterior here is distinguished by a large clock – hence the name. It has a Senegalese owner and serves all types of African…

An all-day brasserie from restaurant designer Frederic Nicolay – the man behind Grand Central, BarBeton and Kumiko – Flamingo gets busy at lunchtime as…

The Best Restaurants in Brussels

Expect to find much more than pommes frites, moules, and brussels sprouts at the restaurants and bistros of brussels. belgian cuisine picks up traditions from the tables of its neighbors, france and germany, as well as reflecting the cuisines of its international population and the bounty of local farms, ocean, and gardens..

Copy Link copied

Destination Guides

The 6 Best Restaurants in Brussels

By Chris Boyle

Having recently swept up multiple awards and high praise from critics, Brussels has become one of the great unsung culinary capitals of northern Europe.

Its geography has a lot to do with this. Brussels benefits from close ties to the coast and agricultural traditions, but despite having made gastronomic leaps forward in recent years, most restaurants in the city still celebrate Belgium’s excellent national dish: moules et frites (mussels and chips).

COMME CHEZ SOI

Cuisine: Belgium Gastronomy

Style / Ambiance: For generations Comme Chez Soi has been Brussels’s top gastronomic institution, a reputation that is now cemented in the form of two Michelin stars and membership of Les Grandes Tables du Monde.

But the exciting three course and à la carte menus alone have not won Comme Chez Soi such acclaim; equally impressive are the variety of exciting dining locations. The private rooms are ideal for intimate meals and banquets with their charming wood paneling and low-beamed ceilings. Less intimate and far less quiet is ‘the kitchen table’, quite literally a table in the kitchen where diners can admire the chefs at work as if they were on a theater stage. The main dining room is fashioned in the exotic art nouveau style of Victor Horta and is architecturally the most admirable of the three. Despite the awards and architecture, it is history that has assured Comme Chez Soi’s reputation. Since Georges Cuvelier gave the restaurant its name, which literally translates as ‘like home’, it has been passed down through the family and today it is run by Lionel Rigolet, a chef passionate about Belgium gastronomy.

Grand Opening: First Steigenberger Grandhotel in Brussels

Rocco forte collection offers european city escapes packages, hotel amigo offers rené magritte package.

Cuisine: Gastronomic

Style / Ambiance: With a passion for fresh produce, Chef Chistophe Hardiquest changes Bon-Bon’s menu daily according to what is available at the local market.

The resulting dishes have been highly-praised and earned the restaurant a star in Michelin’s 2011 Belgium Guide. The dining room in this art nouveau house is small, seating only 40, but separating the kitchen from the dining room is a bar opening into the kitchen at which diners can sit and admire Hardiquest in his element alongside Chef Pâtissier, Nicolas Moreira.

Content from our partners

Plasencia Cigars: A Commitment to Heritage and Values

Hermes by Via Natura: The Epitome of Galapagos Cruising

The Best Climbing Spots in Spain

Julian, Maître d’

+32 2 346 6615

[email protected]

453 Avenue de Tervueren, 1150

www.bon-bon.be

SEA GRILL YVES MATTAGNE

Cuisine: Gastronomic seafood

Style / Ambiance: Where better to forge a career and reputation out of seafood gastronomy than in a country that celebrates shellfish like no other? This year Yves Mattagne has been given two stars in the Michelin Guide and an award from Les Grandes Tables du Monde.

From his intimate and recently refurbished restaurant in the Radisson Hotel, Mattagne offers a changing and fresh seafood menu, but one fixture on the menu remains Mattagne’s dish extraordinaire: Homard à la Presse. This translates, with less delicacy, into ‘lobster press’, a contraption that is essential to this dish and used in only four other restaurants in the world. For lovers of lobster this is a must, not only for the exquisite taste but all the theatrics that go with it. When ordering ‘Homard à la Presse’ the lobster is brought to your table where it is pressed in the elegant silver device, the juices collected are then mixed into a fresh mousse that accompanies the meat. The result of this theatrical flair is an extraordinary dish with flavors you are unlikely to experience anywhere else.

Fabrice d’Hulster, Restaurant Manager

+32 2 212 0800

[email protected]

47 Rue Fosse aux Loups, 1000

www.seagrill.be

LA TRUFFE NOIRE

Cuisine: Truffles

Style / Ambiance: La Truffe Noire is a restaurant dedicated to one ingredient – the truffle. After a relentless search to fuse black and white truffles with the finest ingredients in the most inventive menus, La Truffe Noire has finally been awarded a Michelin star for its work.

A range of tasting menus will open your eyes to the astonishing taste of black and white truffles. Try, for example, carpaccio of bleue des près (a rare variety of Belgian beef) with shaved black truffles, or carpaccio of wild salmon à la façon de Liugi with parmesan cheese and summer truffles. The truffle theme continues in the desert menu with delights such as black chocolate truffle in a spun sugar nest with fresh raspberry sauce. Private events at La Truffe Noire are as extravagant as the truffles themselves: a private dining room can accommodate up to 20 guests or the whole restaurant can be reserved for 50. Three types of inclusive menu – Silver, Gold and Platinum – ensure that any event is as memorable and impressive as this magical ingredient.

Manuel Lachenal, Maître d’

+32 2 640 4422

[email protected]

12 Boulevard de la Cambre, 1000

www.truffenoire.com

Style / Ambiance: After opening its doors in May 2010, Alexandre had already been awarded a Michelin star by the time the guide was published in November of the same year.

To have achieved such a prestigious award after only five months bodes well for Alexandre’s future; indeed the restaurant is already well established on Brussels’s culinary map. Chef, founder and the man behind the restaurant’s name, Alexandre Dionisio, cooks according to the greatest principle of gastronomy: fresh and seasonal produce. The menus are built around the availability of fresh produce and are therefore subject to change on a daily basis.

Vincent, Maitre d’

+32 2 502 4055

[email protected]

164 Rue du Midi, 1000

www.alexandre-restaurant.be

TOUCAN-SUR-MER

Cuisine: Seafood

Style / Ambiance: In a nation that celebrates shellfish, oysters do not have the associated extravagance that they do elsewhere.

Instead, dining on oysters is often the norm – many of Brussels’s restaurants have oysters in addition to other shellfish. However, Toucan-sur-Mer is one restaurant that does not take oysters lightly; on their menu you can find more oysters than most know exist, such as Belon No 5 Cadoret, Colchester Naze, Normande Helie and Fine de Claire Barrau. These are preceded with a delightful variety of entrées, also emphasizing shellfish and accompanied by the restaurant’s carefully selected caviar and vodka. Toucan-sur-Mer is not to be missed by seafood lovers.

Jean-Michel Hamon, Restaurant Owner

+32 2 340 0740

www.toucanbrasserie.com

17-19 Avenue Louis Lepoutre, 1050

Latest in Luxury

The explorer.

Thank you for subscribing to Elite Traveler.

Food Guides

The 19 best traditional Belgian restaurants in Brussels 2024

October 29, 2023

Please note that this page contains affiliate links. While we only recommend products that we believe in, we may benefit financially from any purchases you make.

1. fin de siecle.

Rue des Chartreux 9, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

La Fin de Siècle is a must-visit spot for both tourists and locals in Brussels. This restaurant, located in the city center near Bourse, is famous for its delectable and original Belgian-inspired dishes at affordable prices. They have a limited menu displayed on a chalkboard, don’t accept card payments, and don’t take reservations, so be prepared to wait for a table – but it’s worth it!

This eatery is a local favorite for authentic Belgian cuisine, even though it doesn’t serve all the traditional Belgian classics. Instead, they use typical Belgian ingredients and cooking techniques, like beer-infused sauces and stewed meats.

The restaurant is known for its long lines, especially after 7:30 pm, but the wait tends to move quickly. Inside, you’ll find a luxurious interior reminiscent of the Grande Epoque era, but the dining arrangement is more canteen-like and can get a bit loud. However, the friendly service and excellent food more than make up for the lack of fine dining ambiance.

2. L’ana Theme

Rue de la Fourche 14, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

L’Ana Thème is a top-notch Franco-Belgian restaurant in central Brussels, located in the historic Ilôt Sacré near the Grand Place . Chef Ana Firmino’s focus is on quality and freshness of ingredients. It’s a cozy spot for a relaxed dining experience, catering to locals, business folks, and tourists seeking affordable, sustainable cuisine. Ana, originally from Brazil, has a passion for French cooking and honed her skills in top culinary schools.

Their monthly menu changes based on seasonal availability, featuring four starters, four main courses, and three desserts. Homemade shrimp croquettes and succulent beef cheek cooked in Belgian beer are menu staples.

3. Comme Chez Soi

Pl. Rouppe 23, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Comme Chez Soi is a prestigious Brussels restaurant with 2 Michelin stars, known for its exceptional fine dining experience. “Comme Chez Soi” translates to “just like home,” and under the guidance of Lionel Rigolet, the culinary journey here is unforgettable. The menu combines classic and contemporary recipes, executed flawlessly with top-quality ingredients and modern culinary techniques.

The restaurant offers an enchanting atmosphere, whether you choose to dine in the kitchen or the Art Nouveau dining room. Booking a table well in advance is highly recommended due to its popularity.

The menu boasts a range of delectable offerings, such as duck liver with gin, Nobashi shrimps, and marinated crawfish, all meticulously prepared and beautifully presented.

4. Au Stekerlapatte

Rue des Prêtres 4, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Au Stekerlapatte is a hidden gem in Brussels ‘ historic Marolles neighborhood, offering a taste of traditional Belgian cuisine. Established in the 1970s, it’s known for its fantastic atmosphere, Belgian beers, and mouthwatering dishes.

The restaurant’s interior is simple yet classy, with wooden furniture, a piano, antique elements, and large mirrored walls. Don’t miss the beautiful stained-glass window on the ceiling.

The menu features classic Belgian dishes , including carbonnade flamande, Bloempanch, meatballs with tomato sauce, and mouthwatering honey-marinated oven-baked spareribs. Desserts are typically Belgian, with options like speculoos mousse and speculoos ice cream, featuring the famous spiced shortcrust biscuit.

Depending on the season, the menu includes special dishes with seasonal products like asparagus, mussels, game, and sauerkraut. While there aren’t many vegetarian options on the menu, they can adjust dishes to meet dietary preferences.

5. Le Chou de Bruxelles

Rue de Florence 26, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium

Le Chou de Bruxelles is a go-to spot in Brussels if you’re craving mussels . They serve mussels prepared in 30 different ways, making it one of the best places to enjoy this Belgian specialty. The cozy restaurant is adorned with Belgian memorabilia and also offers authentic drinks like Belgian Ales.

The restaurant provides quick and impeccable service, and they have a charming small garden for outdoor dining. If you plan to visit on a weekend, it’s a good idea to reserve a table to ensure you get a spot.

6. Au Vieux Spijtingen Duivel

Chau. d’Alsemberg 621, 1180 Uccle, Belgium

Au Vieux Spijtingen Duivel is a cozy gem located in Uccle along the Chaussée d’Alsemberg. It feels like a rustic Belgian countryside family restaurant, with families gathering for a warm meal and laughter after a long day’s work. It’s known as an “estaminet,” a term signifying a place to eat, drink, and share joy with family, rooted in Walloon French culture.

The restaurant offers an extensive selection of Belgian specialty beers, including the delightful Maredsous Dubbel on tap. The menu is quintessentially Bruxellois, featuring dishes like ballekes sauce tomate (meatballs in tomato sauce) and carbonnades Flamandes (beef and onion stew made with beer). They also have a daily catch of North Sea mussels. All main dishes are generously accompanied by unlimited servings of pomme-frites (French fries).

Save some space for their special glace au spéculoos, a speculoos-flavored ice cream, if you can.

7. 9 et Voisins

Rue Van Artevelde 1, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

If La Fin de Siècle’s crowds are a bit overwhelming, consider giving its lesser-known but equally delightful sister restaurant, 9 et Voisins, a try.

9 et Voisins is discreetly located just across the street from La Fin de Siècle. It used to have an unmarked exterior with two doors, but now there’s a small sign to confirm it’s a restaurant. Inside, you’ll discover a quirky Art Nouveau setting with stained-glass doors and a spiral staircase leading to a one-table balcony, where you can enjoy a Belgian beer while waiting for a table. On the ground floor, tables are arranged canteen-style, giving a cozy, homey vibe reminiscent of a Belgian family meal.

The menu, displayed on a chalkboard, offers a delightful selection of Belgian-inspired dishes similar to its parent restaurant, La Fin de Siècle. You can expect generous portions of meat stewed in beer sauces, served with endless potatoes and salad, all at affordable prices (ranging from €15 to €30), a true taste of Belgium.

8. La Porteuse d’Eau

Av. Jean Volders 48, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Belgium

If you’re a fan of Art Nouveau, make sure to visit La Porteuse d’Eau in Saint-Gilles. It’s tucked away in a block of Art Nouveau houses designed by the Belgian architect Ernest Blerot. After exploring Brussels’ architectural gems, a meal at this brasserie-restaurant is the perfect way to end your tour.

La Porteuse d’Eau’s interior is as well-preserved as its exterior. It features an elegant spiral staircase leading to an upstairs dining room with stained-glass windows and a roof. The downstairs salon and bar are also Art Nouveau-styled, complete with winding wrought iron, a stained-glass bar, and flower lamp chandeliers.

Once you’ve taken in the intricate architecture, find a table and immerse yourself in the friendly Brusseleir atmosphere. You’ll feel right at home among local regulars and jovial waiters who can guide you through the extensive list of Belgian beers and classic Brussels dishes. The food is reasonably priced, ranging from €15 to €20, and the portions are generous.

9. Les Brigittines

Pl. de la Chapelle 5, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Les Brigittines is an iconic Brussels restaurant, set within a beautifully preserved Art Nouveau building that was once a post office in the Marolles neighborhood. Chef Dirk Myny, a true Brussels native, creates an exceptional dining experience with a focus on terroir cuisine. The menu features traditional yet contemporary Belgian dishes, using top-quality ingredients sourced from specific regions. The North Sea provides the gray shrimps, and Limousin supplies the veal.

This establishment prides itself on being an early adopter of the Slow Food movement, displaying its ingredients and suppliers on the menu. Signature dishes include pork belly with tuna tartare, cow’s udder soup, tripes Caen’s style, and the iconic vol-au-vent with rooster combs. For an extraordinary experience, try the 7-course tasting menu, customized by Chef Dirk to your preferences and the day’s fresh offerings.

The restaurant offers champagne and wine pairings or Gueuze Cantillon, and, if you’re feeling adventurous, inquire about Chef Dirk’s secret cave – a hidden delight.

10. Le Vismet

Pl. Sainte-Catherine 23, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Le Vismet is a classic Brussels restaurant located near Place Sainte-Catherine, and its name hints at its specialty – seafood. They offer fresh, no-frills delicacies from the sea, such as fried sole, poached skate, and an excellent filet americain à la minute for meat lovers. You can finish your meal with a typical dame blanche (vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce).

The restaurant’s interior has a canteen-like feel with wooden floors, exposed light bulbs on the ceiling, and wooden walls. The extensive seafood platter, including oysters, whelk, crab claws, grey shrimps, and shrimp, is a must-try.

11. Les Potes en Toque

Drève du Château 71, 1083 Ganshoren, Belgium

Located in a Ganshoren residential neighborhood, Les Potes en Toque is a charming 17th-century farmhouse turned restaurant. It features an open kitchen, a spacious terrace, and an all-Belgian menu. The restaurant is known for its convivial and peaceful atmosphere, offering generous servings of classic brasserie dishes like filet americain and choucroute. Additionally, they serve seasonal specialties, such as asparagus, chum (a type of fish), and game. The setting combines rural chic with a distinct Belgian charm, making it an inviting place to savor flawlessly prepared and hearty brasserie favorites.

Rue du Berger 24, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium

Fripon is a Belgian-Brussels bistro located in the legendary art deco hotel Le Berger in Ixelles. The restaurant offers a fresh take on local dishes, including innovative options like a vegan version of beetroot-based steak américain. They also have a snack menu available from 6 pm onwards, perfect for enjoying with an aperitif.

13. ‘t Potverdoemmeke

Av. Général Eisenhower 10, 1030 Schaerbeek, Belgium

Amidst the crowded dining scene in Brussels, ‘t Potverdoemmeke stands out as a cozy and unpretentious establishment, delivering traditional Belgian food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Their menu includes dishes like the scampi casserole, which has been a capital city staple since 1973. Whether you choose cheese and shrimp starters or hearty main courses like the Brussels burger , you can expect a true taste of Brussels in this charming family-run restaurant.

Rue des Cultes 36, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

GUS is a cozy brasserie in Brussels where Pierre Baeyens and Jonathan Delhière introduce the concept of “brassonomy,” which combines beer and gastronomy. They skillfully incorporate the diverse flavors of artisan beer and hops into their Franco-Belgian lineup, both in the glass and in their creative dishes. For example, you can enjoy a foamy beer mousseline alongside a soft-poached egg and mushrooms, or savor steak that’s been smoked in hops. The chefs bring a unique twist to their recipes, elevating traditional bistro cuisine with a focus on brewing culture and its products.

15. Nuetnigenough

Rue du Lombard 25, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Nuetnigenough is the neighborhood restaurant you’d wish to have at the end of your street, offering a genuinely warm and welcoming brasserie-style ambiance that encourages casual dining with elbows on the table and bread dunked into sauces. What sets it apart is perhaps the best bottled beer menu you’ll find in any restaurant, complemented by a concise draft beer selection that would challenge even dedicated beer bars.

Starters like duck pate, olives, and Brussels black pudding are perfect for sharing, served with baguette slices to soak up the flavors. For the main course, the Belgian classic of beef braised in Rochefort beer with frites is a standout. This dish features tender, well-seasoned meat in a flavorful gravy, served alongside crispy, salty frites—a combination that even a Yorkshireman would appreciate as gourmet chips and gravy.

16. Chez Jacques

Quai aux Briques 44, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Chez Jacques, a 60-year-old family-owned brasserie, is a hidden gem among the touristy fish market spots at Vismarkt/Marché aux Poissons. Located right in front of Sainte-Catherine metro in the heart of Brussels, it offers classic Belgian dishes in a traditional Brussels wooden interior. It’s a reliable choice for honest and delicious food that pleases both locals and tourists.

Their salmon gravlax is a favorite, known for its well-balanced flavors without being overly sweet. Langoustine ravioli, a recent discovery, has become a signature dish, stuffed with langoustines and served with a langoustine bisque.

17. Le Marmiton

Galerie de la Reine 38, Rue des Bouchers 43, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Le Marmiton is a typical Belgian brasserie where regulars and passing tourists mingle to savor traditional Belgian cuisine. For over three decades, Toni Beja and her children, Anthony, Sandra, and Alexandre, have been dedicated to showcasing Belgian seafood and specialties.

Their menu features Belgian classics such as grey shrimp croquettes, moules marinières, sole meunière, American steak with fries, waterzooï, beer-battered rabbit, carbonnades flamandes, and more. Desserts include iconic Belgian treats like Brussels waffles, speculoos dessert, and Dame Blanche.

18. Aux Armes de Bruxelles

Rue des Bouchers 13, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Aux Armes de Bruxelles, an iconic restaurant in the heart of historic Brussels, offers a nostalgic journey through time with its traditional brasserie ambiance and staff dressed in period costumes. Established in 1921, it’s a culinary institution known for serving classic Belgian dishes. The extensive menu includes favorites like “tomato crevette” (tomatoes with brown shrimp), Flemish stew, moules frites (mussels and fries), and a wide selection of Belgian beers. The restaurant is divided into two sections: the elegant left side with white tablecloths and chandeliers and the more casual right side resembling a classic brasserie with wooden booths. It’s a perfect place for first-time visitors to Belgium seeking an authentic dining experience, and it’s conveniently located near the Grand Place.

19. Ploegmans

Rue Haute 148, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Ploegmans, located in the Marolles district of Brussels, offers an authentic and working-class Belgian dining experience. The restaurant has a rich history, dating back to 1929 when it first opened as a tavern. Over the years, it has become a beloved institution known for its traditional Brussels cuisine. The menu features classic Belgian dishes like cheese croquettes, steak and chips, vol-au-vent, and more. One of their specialties is veal kidneys in mustard sauce, which is prepared with great care.

The interior of Ploegmans retains its original wooden walls, tables, and chairs, creating a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere. It’s a perfect place to warm up with hearty soul food, especially during the cold season. The restaurant can get busy, so reservations are recommended.

Map of Authentic Belgian restaurants in Brussels

Authentic belgian restaurants in brussels faqs, what food is famous in brussels.

Brussels is renowned for its diverse and delicious food offerings. Iconic dishes include moules-frites (mussels and fries), Belgian waffles, high-quality chocolates , and a wide variety of Belgian beers. You can also savor hearty Flemish stew, steak and fries, and unique specialties like Brussels sprouts and chicons au gratin (Belgian endive wrapped in ham). Whether you’re a fan of seafood, sweets, or savory dishes, Brussels has something to satisfy every palate.

How expensive are restaurants in Brussels?

Restaurant prices in Brussels vary depending on the type of dining establishment. Budget eateries offer meals for around €5 to €15, while mid-range restaurants typically cost between €20 and €40 per person for a three-course meal. Fine dining and upscale restaurants can be more expensive, often exceeding €50 to €100 or more per person. Belgian beer cafes and traditional brasseries fall in the moderate price range, with meals typically ranging from €15 to €40 per person. Keep in mind that prices may fluctuate based on the neighborhood and cuisine type, and checking the menu in advance can help you plan according to your budget.

What is Belgium’s national dish?

Belgium doesn’t have a single national dish, but some of its most iconic and beloved dishes include moules-frites (mussels with French fries), carbonnade flamande (Flemish beef stew), waterzooi (a creamy chicken or fish stew), and vol-au-vent (a creamy chicken and mushroom dish typically served in a puff pastry shell). Additionally, Belgian waffles and chocolates are internationally famous and considered national treasures, though they are more associated with dessert than main dishes. The country is also renowned for its wide variety of beer and cheese.

What is the most delicious food in Belgium?

Belgium boasts a delectable array of culinary delights. From iconic dishes like Moules-Frites and Flemish Beef Stew to sweet treats such as Belgian chocolate and waffles, the country’s cuisine is a feast for the senses. Don’t forget to explore the world of Belgian beer, known for its diversity and quality. Cheese lovers can indulge in local varieties like Chimay and Herve, while speculoos cookies offer a spiced, sweet indulgence. And when it comes to fries, Belgian frites are a must-try, often served with various sauces. Belgium’s food scene caters to a wide range of tastes, making it a food lover’s paradise.

About the Author

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected]

Share this story

The 19 best waffles in Brussels 2024

The 11 best places for fries in Brussels 2024

The best burgers in Brussels 2024

The 11 best chocolate in Brussels 2024(chocolate shops and chocolatiers)

Where to eat: the 50 best restaurants in Brussels

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Attractions

1 Comme Chez Soi

3 Maison Antoine

4 ballekes (grand place), 5 fin de siècle.

Travel magazine

Top 10 Must-eats in Brussels and where to eat them

food & drink

February 13, 2020

Top 10 Must-eats in Brussels and where to eat them

Edited by Holly Jenson

With over 170 languages spoken, Brussels really is a diverse place. All the different neighbourhoods mean that as well as Belgiums national dishes, the city is full of international cuisines. Arabic, Jamaican, South American, Asian... the list goes on! I have lived here for 11 years and love trying the new restaurants. My picky eating habits have made sure that you will have the best local experience of what to eat in Brussels, Belgium.

Vegetarian Food at Meme Cafe

Mémé Café is one of my favourite restaurants in Belgium, the food in here is just amazing. This is a very small spot just a couple of minutes away from the Grand Place which is famous for its vegetarian dishes. I like it in here as there is a very local feel to it and the chef cooks in front of you; you get to know the staff really quickly! With so much variety on the menu, vegetarian food is never boring in here. This cosy restaurant is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some Belgian dishes after a busy day of sight-seeing in the centre.

Stoemp at C'est Bon C'est Belge

C'est Bon C'est Belge serves some of the most popular food in Belgium. One thing you absolutely need to try here is Stoemp. Originally made by poorer people from what was left in their cupboards, Stoemp is usually potatoes mashed with leeks and carrots served with a sausage on top. I cannot tell you how delicious this meal is, its one of Belgium's traditional dishes and a must-try while you're in Brussels . C'est Bon C'est Belge is popular with both locals and visitors for its friendly atmosphere and authentic cuisine and is a great place to get a real taste of food from Belgium.

Moules Frites at Mer du Nord

Our Atlantic coastline in the north of the country means that seafood has become one of the national foods of Belgium. For the best fish in town, head to Mer du Nord in the popular neighbourhood of Sainte-Catherine. One delicacy you have to try here is Moules Frites. Mussels cooked in a white wine sauce, garlic and herbs served with golden Belgian Frites, it's no surprise that this dish is one of the most popular foods in Belgium. I love Mer du Nord as its a really casual place where you can enjoy a huge variety of seafood tapas. You stand at your table here and enjoy an ice cold bottle of champagne with friends; its one of the best things to experience in Brussels .

Vegetarian Buffet at Dolma

Dolma is an excellent veggie buffet offering alternative things to eat in Belgium. I bring my non-veggie friends here all the time and they love it. With a huge selection of locally grown organic food, this is a great place to try some of the best ingredients our city has. The chefs here use really creative flavours and tastes to give each guest a memorable dining experience. Near quartier Flagey in the south of the city, visiting Dolma will show you the real Brussels and where locals like to eat in the suburbs. With its cosy tables and wooden beams, Dolma feels like you're having a home-cooked meal with friends.

Authentic Italian Pasta at Nuovo Rosso

I know that when you're thinking of what to eat in Brussels, Italian food isn't what springs to mind, but Nuovo Rosso is one of my favourite restaurants and I recommend it to everyone. Hidden in trendy Saint-Gilles, this place is famous for its fresh Italian pasta dishes. The restaurant is small and authentic; with candle-lit tables and a really cosy feel to it. As it is so popular you will need to book in advance before coming here, but it is so worth the effort! Nuovo Rosso is nicely located for a relaxed meal after exploring our famous breweries.

Fresh Ingredients from Marché de Tanneurs

Without a doubt, the Marché de Tanneurs has some of the best food in Belgium. This is my local market and where I buy all of my fresh produce every week. They only sell organic and locally produced food which means that everything you buy supports the Brussels community too. They have vegetables, cheese, bread, rice and so much more here, its perfect for home-cooked meals. They even have an organic bakery that sells unique breads made with lots of different kinds of flour. I recommend coming here on a weekday morning as weekends here are crazy; if you leave it until too late in the day then there can be a queue of over 150 people! Take a trip to this market for an experience of local Brussels.

Vietnamise food at Yaki

Yaki is one of my favourite restaurants in the city. I have been lucky enough to spend some time in south-east Asia and I can honestly say the food here tastes exactly the same. They serve authentic Thai and Vietnamese food to perfection and have become so popular that there are three restaurants in Brussels alone! One of these is off of the Grand Place and is the perfect place for a heart-warming meal after a day sightseeing in the centre. Asian food isn't necessarily top of everyones list when they think of what to eat in Belgium, but Yaki is a true representation of Brussels amazing multi-cultural community.

Meatballs at Ballekes

Ballekes is the best place in Brussels to try some Belgian street food. Specialising in the local delicacy of meatballs, this place is famed for its accompanying sauces; cherry beer flavour, truffle, cream and mushroom... there are so many varieties to try. There is always a sauce of the month that us locals love to go in and try, it's a real treasure of our city. All the meatballs are served with traditional Frites or Brussels sprouts and are made with only organic ingredients. This means that you can indulge and eat healthily at the same time! You can wash everything down with one of the local craft beers and relax with your friends; the atmosphere in here is always warm and inviting.

Frites at Beer Mania

Beer Mania is the best of both worlds. They serve over 400 types of beer, making it one of the best places to try Belgian beer , and as if that wasn't enough they happily serve them with the best frites in town (in my humble opinion). Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with traditional Gueuze and local craft beers, there is a small restaurant that serves the best frites in Belgium. Made with all organic ingredients, the frites in here are always crispy and amazing. Beer Mania is one of my favorite places to come with friends as it is always very chilled out and welcoming. Naser, the in-house beer expert, is really passionate about his craft and knows what he's talking about; he can recommend the perfect pint for you. This is another great place for a truly local experience of Brussels.

Belgian Waffles at Contrebande

Contrebande is a well-loved bar famous for its savoury Belgian waffles. This cosy brewery is found in the south of the city and serves a variety of craft beers, traditional geuze as well as light bites. My favourite thing from here is the tartine; toasted bread with pate, marinade and salad, its just delicious! The bar has some vintage decor, lots of exposed brick and wood on display which gives it a really warm feel. They also serve charcuterie, Buddha bowls and cheesecake that you can tuck into. If you want to try our other national delicacy, lots of the desserts are made with creamy Belgian chocolate . Go for the waffles, it would be rude not to!

Hello, curious traveler! Embark on a unique experience with Hello, curious traveler! Embark on a unique experience with City Unscripted Brussels. Our personalized, private tours, led by local hosts, make you feel like you’re exploring the city with a knowledgeable friend. We’ll take you to well-known sights and reveal Brussels’s hidden gems, unveiling stories typically missed by traditional tours. So unscript your journey, and see Brussels through the eyes of our local hosts!

Top private experiences in Brussels

Must see Brussels with a local

Belgian breweries and beer experience

Ultimate Brussels food experience

We’ll pair you with the perfect host

There is no better way to see a city than with a friend who lives there. This is why we carefully match guests with their perfect host based on interested, personality and type of experience so they can discover a city beyond the tourist trail.

Find your perfect host and experience using our nifty little tool

Top Chocolate Shops in Brussels

Top 10 Places to Drink Beer in Brussels

5 Must Try Belgian Dishes To Eat In Brussels

The Ultimate Guide To Beer In Brussels

Explore our cities in belgium.

Popular destinations

San Francisco

Mexico City

Brussels foodie guide: where locals eat and drink

Brisket platters with smoked-butter potatoes, smashable chocolate desserts and cocktails made with mandarin soda are on the menu in the Belgian capital

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on pinterest
Share on whatsapp
Email to a friend

Looking for restaurants in Brussels? Want to know where to eat in Belgium's capital? Local food writer Emma Beddington shares her insider tips for the best restaurants in Brussels, along with where to find the best traditional Belgian food, cheese and frites.

olive's must-visits for foodies in Brussels

La fruitière – for cheese.

At lunchtime, the tasting room at new cheese shop La Fruitière offers mixed platters, fondues and inspired sandwiches (think warm smoked ham and raw milk tomme du jura or fresh Belgian goat’s cheese on sourdough baguettes) with well-priced wines by the glass. facebook.com/lafruitierebrussels

Chouconut – for afternoon tea

Peaceful Chouconut serves rare leaf teas and jewel-bright miniature choux buns . Try delicate lemon and yuzu, pear and blackcurrant, or go all out with the indulgent chocolate , caramel and peanut Snickers version. Its chocolate and Guérande salt shortbread or mango and passion fruit caramels make perfect gifts. chouconut.com

Humphrey – for sharing plates

Noma alumnus Yannick Van Aeken dishes up exciting sharing plates at Humphrey , his cool canteen in indie record label PIAS’s headquarters. Choose from revved-up comfort food ( wings with blue cheese ) or Scandi (seaweed asparagus salad), and save space for the chocolate dome you smash to reveal homemade truffles . humphreyrestaurant.com

Cipiace – for cocktails

Rickety, joyful trattoria Cipiace is an unexpected place to find some of the best and most surprising cocktails in the city: try a few with its excellent artisanal charcuterie and cheese antipasto platter. The Preferito, with grappa, chestnut honey, bitters and homemade mandarin soda, is highly recommended. cipiace.be

More like this

The cantillon brewery – for beer and brewery tours.

The Cantillon Brewery hasn’t changed its method for making its seductively sour, naturally fermented gueule beers since it opened in 1900: take a tour around the atmospheric copper vats and ancient wooden barrels, then taste the wares: the cherry kriek is deliciously fruity. cantillon.be

Holy Smoke – for smoked meats

The giant smoker imported from Dallas in the entrance sets the scene: Holy Smoke is all about meat, smoked slow and low. Don’t miss the meltingly tender brisket platter, served with smoked-butter potatoes and some imaginative salads. The bourbon bar and cocktails are worth a trip in their own right. facebook.com/HolysmokeBrussels

Crab Club – hidden gem

Deliberately under the radar, with no phone or website, sparse but stylish Crab Club is well worth searching out. The menu changes daily according to Thai-French chef Yoth Ondara’s mood, but expect the likes of beautiful garlicky razor clams, delicate sesame-crusted scallops and roast whole wild fish. 7 Chaussée de Waterloo, 00 32 472 55 46 95

Where to stay in Brussels

Double rooms at Jam Hotel , a converted former art school, cost from €89.

Chyl is a sustainable shop and veggie café that also has guest rooms. Doubles cost from £65, room only ( chyl.be ).

More great places to eat and drink in Brussels

Vegan fine dining in brussels: humus & hortense.

Brussels’s cool cocktail speakeasy, Hortense (see below), hooked up with chef Nicolas Decloedt to open Humus & Hortense. This grand-café-style space serves a plant-based twist on traditional Belgian fine dining. Its six-course tasting menu might include cucumber and elderflower escabeche, aubergine with fermented cream, smoky roast radicchio and shiitake, and butternut panna cotta. The signature crackers, made from ancient varieties of wheat, and served with pumpkin hummus and purple salsify, are worth the trip alone.

humusrestaurant.be

Brunch in Brussels: Pistolet Original

Crusty pistolet rolls are Belgium’s answer to Proust’s madeleine, and Pistolet Original gives them the gourmet treatment, with rolls by celebrity baker Yves Guns filled with top-notch local produce. Order the unmisssable Américain steak tartare with cress.

Buffet dining in Brussels: Les Filles

In a sunny flower-filled room, Line Couvreur’s fantastic home cooking at Les Filles is a hug in culinary form. A selection of starters is delivered to the long refectory tables, then you help yourself to the generous, simple mains such as beef tagliata with a slow-baked comté gratin, and indulgent puddings.

Food market in Brussels: Place Flagey

The picturesque weekend market at Place Flagey is a must-visit, with new trucks and stalls appearing each week. Try a plump, ‘kouign’ pancake from Breton crêpe specialist Ty Penty served with its own salted caramel sauce and sparkling dry cider. (Place Flagey, 00 32 2 478 872 963)

Wine bar in Brussels: Comptoir des Galeries

The stylish, welcoming new bar from Michelin starred Julien Burlat, Comptoir des Galeries specialises in artisanal charcuterie, natural wines and indulgent bar snacks, from luxe lobster croquettes to homemade black pudding. Perch on a stool and order a handmade brioche bun stuffed with soy-glazed pork belly for a quick, delicious lunch.

Chocolate shop in Brussels: Frédéric Blondeel

Brussels without chocolate is unthinkable, but bypass the big names and drop into the bustling workshop and tasting room of artisan chocolatier Frédéric Blondeel for a box of his subtly flavoured ganaches. The aromatic lemongrass and chili criollo hot chocolateis the ideal winter warmer, too.

Bistro in Brussels: La Buvette

Working out of a beautiful tiled Art Deco former butcher’s shop, La Buvette showcases Nicolas Scheidt’s considerable talent in transforming often-neglected, inexpensive ingredients into something sublime and surprising. Expect a succession of small, beautiful dishes, such as perch with creamed potato and morel sauce, Japanese-influenced slow cooked pork broth, or crab, kohlrabi and shellfish sauce.

Words by Emma Beddington

Photographs by Getty, Juan Wyns, Heikki Verdurme, Ian Dagnall/Alamy, Yoann Stoeckel

Comments, questions and tips

Choose the type of message you'd like to post.

Subscription Offer

Enjoy 5 issues of olive magazine for just £5

Want the latest recipe, kitchen and restaurant inspiration?

By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy . You can unsubscribe at any time.

Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe for kale, ricotta and leek lasagne

Vegetarian recipe ideas

Get plenty of meat-free inspiration with our easy, versatile recipes

A dark brown Date and pecan loaf cake with chocolate bitters on a small board with a white background

Easy baking ideas

Try our comforting classics and showstopping twists, from chocolate fudge cake to custard tarts and quick brownies

5 issues for just £5

Get every issue delivered to your door

The 5 coolest places to eat in Brussels

1) crab club.

Philippe Emanuelli has created a stylish fish restaurant with an industrial interior of brick walls, rough wood tables and school classroom chairs. Locals come here to taste chef Yoth Ondara’s sublime blend of Asian and European styles, such as octopus with roast pork belly and fresh figs.

Chaussée de Waterloo 7

http://www.crabclub.be

Richard and Mathilde have created a warm, welcoming place that feels like their private home. Richard does the cooking in an open kitchen, where he creates contemporary French-Belgian dishes with hints of his travels in Vietnam and Australia.

Chaussée de Waterloo 203, Saint-Gilles

http://www.le203.com

More hidden Brussels?

Discover the guide: The 500 Hidden Secrets of Brussels takes you to hundreds of lesser-known places and unique spots in the city. Available as book or ebook.

This friendly little restaurant feels like you are eating in an Italian family kitchen. It’s quite a crush inside on a busy evening, but the mood is upbeat as staff squeeze between the tables and try not to trip over small children. The menu is fairly basic, with four starters and four pasta dishes, but everything that comes out of the kitchen is fresh and interesting, while the wines are organic. It all adds up to a perfect Italian experience.

restaurant interior and wall stacked with wine bottles at Certo Brussels

Rue Longue Vie 48

http://www.certo.me

4) La Buvette

One of the most exciting spots to eat in town, La Buvette occupies a former butcher’s shop furnished with the original polished wood, tiled walls and steel meat hooks. The young French chef Nicolas Scheidt offers two set meals involving some sublime dishes including his signature chocolate tart.

Chaussée d’Alsemberg 108, Saint-Gilles

http://www.la-buvette.be

This bustling restaurant has carved out a reputation as a modern Brussels bistro. It has a cool white interior decorated with an eccentric collection of hanging lamps. The menu looks like a newspaper, listing unexpected dishes like Provençal soupe au pistou along with some surprising wines.

Rue de Flandre 95-97

http://www.leselecto.com

Join the community

The 500 Hidden Secrets of...

Belgium for Foodies
Ghent updated
Lisbon updated
Nostalgic London
Los Angeles
Miami updated
San Francisco
The South of France for Art Lovers
Valencia new

International Luxury Lifestyle Magazine

10 of the Best Places To Eat in Brussels

Best places to eat and drink in Brussels

Are you looking for the best places to eat in Brussels? From five-star restaurants to cherished local favorites, Brussels offers something for every food lover.

Whether you’re seeking quintessential Belgian cuisine or a modern culinary experience, this city is overflowing with options that will tantalize your taste buds. But where do you even begin when it comes to finding delicious eats in such an expansive city? Don’t worry – we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the top spots to visit on your gastronomic journey through Brussels. Read on and discover some of the greatest places in town for a true culinary adventure!

Best Places to Eat in Brussels

Brussels is one of the most famous gastronomic destinations in the world, known for its specialties such as moules, frites and chocolate. Yet it also has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin stars in the world and many innovative new dining spots.

Here are some of the top restaurants in Brussels that you’re sure to love.

One of the rising stars of the Brussels dining scene is SAN. The particularity of San’s two restaurants, on Rue de Flandres and newly opened Rue Joseph Stevens, is that all the food is served in bowls.

It’s part of their philosophy of simplicity, although the food is anything but basic. Executive Chef San Degeimbre is of Korean-Belgian origin and has two Michelin stars at his restaurant, L’Air du Temps in Liernu, Belgium.

His former sous-chef, Toshiro Fujii, is at the helm of SAN. Feast on a Jackson Pollock inspired medley of Spring vegetables, whilst you watch him and the other chefs at work behind the counter.

Rue de Flandre 19, 1000 Bruxelles

This restaurant is popular with locals and is located in the Flemish speaking area of Brussels on Rue de Flandre. Rest assured though that all languages are spoken at Gramm .

In fact head chef Erwan Kenzo Nakata is half Japanese and half Breton. He’s entirely self-taught and specialises in unique fusion dishes. Their 5 course evening menu is a delight – try it with their selection of organic wines for the best effect.

Rue de Flandre 86, 1000 Bruxelles

3. Comptoir des Galeries

Comptoir des Galeries has a great central location next to the famous Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. With a clean, contemporary decor, it’s a good choice if you need a break from sightseeing.

There’s a restaurant and a more casual bistro, Le Petit Comptoir. Both will impress with their simple but delicious dishes including the homemade croquettes and their dessert waffles.

Galerie du Roi 6, 1000 Bruxelles

Comptoir des Galeries - a great Brussels restaurant

4. Au Vieux Saint Martin

This Brussels institution is always full of locals and is one of the best places to eat and drink in Brussels. Located on the Place du Grand Sablon, it serves up Belgian specialties like carbonnade flamande, a tasty beef and onion stew cooked in beer.

The farmhouse chicken vol-au-vent is equally flavourful and there’s an extensive wine list.

Place du Grand Sablon 38, 1000 Bruxelles

5. Chalet Robinson

For the setting alone, Chalet Robinson is hard to beat. This picture-perfect restaurant is situated on its own island in the Bois de la Cambre. Reaching it by boat is all part of the fun.

The menu is surprisingly reasonable, given the gorgeous location and the interior is a contemporary contrast to the traditional exterior. Their specialty, the meatball temptations , are not to be missed – especially the meatballs with caramelized chicory, served with the obligatory fries.

Sentier de l’Embarcadère 1, 1000 Bruxelles

6. Bocconi at Hotel Amigo

Ristorante Bocconi, located within the Hotel Amigo is a great place to come for Italian cuisine, featuring the best Belgian ingredients. A favourite with politicians and celebrities, it has a very relaxed atmosphere.

Try the panzanella and mozzarella di bufala salad, or the vitello tonnato. When it’s warm, you can dine on their alfresco terrace.

Rue de l’Amigo 1, 1000 Bruxelles

7. La Villa Emily

Housed in a historic building, Emily Ristorante oozes charm and class. From the chandeliers to the table settings, everything spells refinement.

Yet this luxurious Brussels restaurant is not at all stuffy. You can eat downstairs at the bar if you want to see head chef Mathieu Jacri and his team at work. They specialize in French cuisine with Italian influences, using the freshest seasonal produce.

Rue de l’Abbaye 4, 1000 Bruxelles

Villa Emily, one of the most luxurious Brussels restaurants

8. Brussels Beer Project

This collaborative venture is revolutionizing the beer scene in Brussels with its innovative ideas. The Brussels Beer Project was established in 2013 and now supplies beer to over 150 bars and restaurants in Brussels as well as 20 countries.

They are supported by 2,000 crowdfunders who participated in their#BeerForLife campaign, with each person paying €160 and receiving 12 beers every year for the rest of their life – what a great initiative!

Their Dansaert brewery also has a funky café where you can come and taste their regularly changing beers. They have quirky names such as Red my Lips and Baby Lone.

Rue Antoine Dansaert 188, 1000 Bruxelles

9. Laurent Gerbaud

Laurent Gerbaud is a master chocolatier who runs chocolate making workshops from his shop on rue Ravenstein. He uses what is known as couverture chocolate, the best professional quality, and the results are clear to see.

In the workshop, you’re taught how to make chocolates using moulds that you then decorate with a mixture of dried fruit and nut – and you get to take them home with you.

Rue Ravenstein 2D, 1000 Bruxelles

10. Maison Dandoy

It would be rude to come to Brussels and not try a waffle, wouldn’t it? Maison Dandoy is famous for its Speculoos ginger biscuits and its waffles and has several locations close to the Grand Place.

Established in 1829, they use 100% natural ingredients. Try the chocolate waffle with a warming hot chocolate drink – the diet starts tomorrow.

Rue Charles Buls 14, 1000 Bruxelles Rue de Rollebeek 50, 1000 Bruxelles

Final Thoughts: Best Places to Eat in Brussels Belgium

All in all, these are our top picks for the best places to eat in Brussels. This city has something for everyone when it comes to food, and we hope this guide helped you find what you were looking for. If not, be sure to check out our other Belgium articles for more inspiration on where to eat (and drink) while you’re in town.

Have you ever been to Belgium? What best places to eat in Brussels would you add to this list?

How to Spend a Luxurious Weekend in Brussels
The Best Restaurants in Naples Florida
The Best Restaurants in Sarasota Florida
The Most Luxurious Restaurants Worldwide

Like these Brussels restaurants? Pin for later or share with friends .

Best Places to Eat in Brussels | Belgium | Best Brussels Restaurants | Luxury Columnist | Luxury Blog

Looking for more travel hacks and tips? From hidden gems to unique experiences, we’ve got you covered. Join us on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest and Twitter .

In association with Visit Brussels

Sharing is caring!

Luxury Columnist is one of the top luxury online magazines

Suze and Paul Renner

Suze and Paul are the founders of LuxuryColumnist, one of the leading luxury online magazines worldwide.

39 thoughts on “10 of the Best Places To Eat in Brussels”

Such strange timing Suze, I was talking about maybe visiting Brussels just yesterday. Definitely bookmarking this for in case I go, Chalet robinson looks breathtaking!

Elle www.theellenextdoor.com xx

It was a rainy day when we went to Chalet Robinson but it was still a fantastic experience – you’ll love Brussels

I love the look of Chalet Robinson! Gram is right up my street too!

I think you’d love SAN as well, Angie

Amazing post, I would love to visit Brussels. The food sounds delicious 🙂

www.cococami.blogspot.co.uk

They really take pride in their food and drink and the results show!

Thank you for your recommendation of SAN. We loved it. Such vibrant food! We spent a few hours on Sunday walking through Bois de la Cambre but didn’t manage to eat at the Chalet, such a beautiful park though!x

I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it, Vicky – did you go to the new one or the one on rue de Flandres? Bois de la Cambre is lovely, I’ll definitely return when the weather gets better!

great recommendations and I love your pcitrues I never went to Brussels but I would love to one day 🙂

http://allornothing-blog.blogspot.co.uk/

It’s well worth a visit, Marie and I’ll be sharing more tips over the coming days. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week

If I was in Brussels it would be waffles and chocolate all the way. Everything else can wait. Obv the dried fruit means you’re getting your five plus a day XD

Yes I filled up on dried fruit so it was all very healthy ;-). Totally justified the waffles and chocolate

I’m yet to visit Brussels, but I think you just convinced me!

The food is lovely and there are so many interesting sights, Phoebe

you went to so many restaurant over there, how long was your visit? they all look delicious anyhow!

The Fashion Matters- Travel & Fashion blog | Instagram: TheFashionMatters

We crammed a lot in, we were there for 3 nights

Bookmarked for my next Brussels trip! Thanks for the post! xo

I’m pleased you found it useful, Anouk

Brussels sounds like my kind of place 🙂

It’s a foodie paradise, Miriam!

Thanks for recommending these. I would want to visit Brussels someday and I’ll make sure to visit some or all of these. 🙂

My pleasure, Lux, I’m glad that you found it useful – have a lovely day

There’s lots more that I’ll be sharing about Brussels, Honey so stay tuned

Sooo many yummy things to eat in Brussels!

-Ashley Le Stylo Rouge

You’re right, Ashley, we were spoilt for choice!

Love reading this.!

Alice Cerea babywhatsup.com

I went to Laurent Gerbaud for a delicious hot chocolate, which I heard was one of the best in the city but I’d have loved to have tried the chocolate making there. But my oh my, Chalet Robinson looks so romantic. Having tried authentic waffles in Bruges and Brussels, I now realised how much better and fresher they are out there than anything I’ve found here in London so far!

The hot chocolate looked very tempting too! Chalet Robinson was a lovely haven of calm

I think ian would be a massive fan of the Brussels beer project and I think I’m taken with La Villa Emily especially that grand chandelier!

It’s great that there are casual as well as sophisticated places in Brussels and you’d definitely like Villa Emily

Although I’ve spent many weekends in Bruges before now, Brussels is new territory for me and so I’ll be sure to refer to this list should I ever find myself there! Maison Dandoy would (of course) be at the top of my list due to the waffles 😉

Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x

The waffles were such a treat and I’m sure you’d enjoy all the sights too

I do love frites and waffles but I was impressed with how much more Brussels has to offer in terms of gastronomy

Haven’t visited Brussels yet. When i do i’ll try to heck all those places they sound so lovely. Especially the chocolate and waffle ones :P. Thanks you for sharing ) xo Sauniya | Find Your Bliss ♡

Antwerp is another great location in Belgium worth checking out for gourmet dining. It’s amazing how many Michelin-starred eateries they’ve packed into such a small country! Nice list

Oh wow they all look stunning but I think I’d opt for the one with the fairytale setting – looks beautiful!

These all sound fabulous! I only visited Brussels very briefly and we were feed so much on the plane and in our hotel, that I had no room to try anything else. I need to go back to discover more and all these places sound very tempting. Perhaps I should stay a week. At least!

Reading this hungry one word a very bad idea. Look forward though to testing these out in real life Lucy x

What a great array of fabulous eateries! I’ve never been in Brussels but I keep promising every year that I will go. We have some very good friends there who keep inviting us, but there never seems to be the right time. When I go to Brussels I’ll make sure to try one or two of these places.

Comments are closed.

Destinations
Travel Guides
For The Home
Privacy Policy

Belgium , Food

Brussels food guide – 17 things to eat in brussels, belgium.

Belgium isn’t always talked about in terms of great places in the world to visit for its cuisine. However, Belgian food is hugely underrated. Belgium and Brussels food, in particular, is more than chocolate, mussels, and frites. Here’s a look at 17 things to eat in Brussels spanning a wide range of Belgian cuisine.

*This post contains compensated links. Find more info in my DISCLAIMER . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What To Eat In Brussels

One of the most important things to know about Brussels is there’s food everywhere. Brussels is known to the world for its murals, statues, and monuments, as well as the famous Belgium chocolate everyone knows and loves.

Because of the country’s close proximity to France, famed for its culinary culture, sometimes Belgium gets forgotten about, or at least when it comes to the food, when in fact, there is a lot to be said for Belgian food in Brussels.

In recent years, the culinary scene in Brussels has been making more of a statement, and we are seeing more and more remarkable places to eat pop up.

There is even now a large selection of Michelin-star restaurants in Brussels, such as Bon Bon, Bozar, and Le Chalet de la Foret.

If you’re visiting Belgium with the intention of trying all the food you can, this guide will be a great thing to keep on hand during your trip.

Another good way to ensure you’re trying all the locally recommended foods is to take part in one of the food tours in Brussels. They have loads on offer for various prices.

Let’s take a look at the 17 must-try foods in Brussels, Belgium.

Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels

Moules Frites at Aux Armes de Bruxelles in Brussels

You can eat mussels no matter where you are in the world, but there is something special about the Moules Frites you get when eating in Brussels, Belgium.

A piping hot bowl of fresh mussels on the side of a generous portion of chunky fries is a food in Brussels that you must seek, not that you’ll have to look far.

In most restaurants in Brussels, Belgium, you’ll find that they serve the Moules Frites like a mariniere sauce. This is a sauce made with white wine, cream, and fresh parsley. For Amber and me, there’s no other way to eat them.

If you’re wondering where to try Moules Frites or any other form of seafood in Brussels, I recommend heading to Aux Armes de Bruxelles . This is one of the most restaurants in Brussels, Belgium. It dates back to the 1920s and is such a treat.

Frites – Belgium Fries

Large portion of frites with mayonnaise at Fritland in Brussels

No matter who you are or where you’re from, you’ve eaten fries at some point in your life, right? One thing that people seem to argue about is where fries begin.

Is France, or was the humble fish and chips from Britain, where it all began? Well, no matter where fries started, one sure thing is that they’ve become a staple side dish to most meals.

The fries in Brussels, Belgium stand out slightly from anywhere in the world, mainly because they come with a tremendous selection of sauce accompaniments.

Some food stalls offer up to 30 different sauces for one portion of fries. Our favorite place for frites in Brussels was the perfectly named Fritland . They were perfectly cooked and came with a ton of choices for sauce.

Pro Tip : If you love frites in Brussels, make sure to treat yourself to steak frites. And don’t forget to enjoy the steak frites with a proper pint of Belgian beer.

Mitraillette

Amber and I both attended Rutgers University for undergrad. At Rutgers, we had the “Fat Cat” sandwich. A delicious sandwich featuring two cheeseburgers, fries, lettuce, and tomato.

After graduating, I thought we’d never get to enjoy a Fat Cat-type sandwich again. That is until we got to Brussels and ate a “mitraillette”.

The mitraillette is a sandwich that you’ll see in many cafes and restaurants in Brussels. It’s a popular grab-and-go food, as it’s easy to eat on the move and cheap to buy.

Mitrailletes were originally only served with sausage. It has been adapted, and now the sandwich is filled with two beef burgers placed side-by-side. It is also loaded with fries, much like my beloved “Fat Cat”.

In true Belgian style, you get to choose from a wide range of sauces such as bearnaise, mayonnaise, or ketchup. Some places also offer a choice of salad items like cabbage and carrot.

All of these tasty ingredients are stuffed inside a fresh, crunchy baguette. To try the best mitraillete in Brussels, head over to our favorite place, Fritland .

Stoemp – Mashed Potato

Mashed potatoes, or Stoemp, are a big deal when it comes to food in Brussels. It differs slightly from the mashed potatoes you might make at home to go with your sausage and gravy.

Stoemp is usually mashed potatoes mixed with another ingredient, such as carrots, leeks, peas, onions, or cabbage.

More often than not, the stoemp is also flavored with dry or fresh herbs like thyme and bay leaves. You can have stoemp on the side of any main course. but for typical Belgium foods, you’re likely to get it on the side of braadworst, boudin, or bacon, and occasionally with fried eggs.

Belgium Waffles and Brussels Waffles

Brussels waffles at Maison Dandoy - Galeries

You might be surprised to hear that there are, in fact, two different kinds of waffles in Brussels. No matter where you visit in Belgium, one thing you’ll be keen to try first is the waffles.

Is there a more famous Belgian food? This was certainly the case with us and Amber insisting we eat waffles as soon as we arrive.

Most cafes in Brussels will have both kinds of waffles on the menu, so you can take your pick of the two or try both if it’s your first time.

The waffles in Brussels are made using a yeast-leavened batter. This makes them much lighter and fluffier in texture.

They are usually rectangular in shape and have deeper crevices which means they can be filled with even more sugary goodness.

Other waffles in Belgium are made using a much thicker batter, which means they are dense in consistency. They are also not a specific, perfect shape; they’re instead much more rustic looking.

This kind of waffle has sugar mixed into the batter, so once cooked, it creates a beautifully caramelized crust on the outer parts. Make sure you add some ice cream and a big helping of whipped cream on top.

We ate our Brussels waffles at Maison Dandoy – Galeries . A cute cafe serving waffles, coffee, and other desserts with locations around the city.

Belgian Beer

Ok, I’m well aware that Belgian beer isn’t food. But how could we write about Brussels or Belgian food without talking a little about Belgian beer?

After all, Belgian beer might be more famous than Belgian chocolates, mussels and frites, and Belgian waffles combined. And to be fair, Belgian beer is so complex with a long history it deserves its own post. Stay tuned.

For the record, I’m not the biggest fan of most Belgian beers. With the exception of lambics. Sorry, they simply don’t suit my palate.

During our week in Brussels, we visited a ton of bars as well as a couple of breweries. Regardless of how I feel about Belgian beers, here are a few places worth checking out: Cantillon Brewery , Moeder Lambic Fontainas , and Delirium .

Balletjes – Belgian meatballs

Balletjes are bite-size meatballs made using a combination of ground beef and pork so that the beef can add a depth of flavor, while the pork provides the fatty element needed to hold the balls together.

The tiny meatballs are usually cooked in a tasty soup, often vegetable, but it can be anything, and off the top of my head, I can’t think of a single soup that wouldn’t benefit from the addition of juicy meatballs.

This is a traditional Belgian food that is often enjoyed at family-meal times.

If you ask any locals, they will likely be able to reminisce about sitting around their grandparents’ dinner table while their Grandma cooked a pan of soep met balletjes.

We tried the balletjes at Le Falstaff , a historic restaurant just around the corner from the Grand Palace.

Vol-au-vent

Have you ever been to a family buffet and party and filled your plate with different flavored vol-au-vents? Okay, maybe back in the 80s, but have you ever wondered where they come from? Well, the answer is Brussels.

If you’re not sure what a vol-au-vent is, it’s a small, hollow, flaky pastry that is filled with various things. They can be either sweet or savory, and some flavors include creamed mushrooms, shredded meat, shrimp, or jam.

Carbonnade Flamande – Flemish Beef Stew

Carbonade Flamande is a Belgium/Flemish beef and ale stew. The stew is cooked in a rich, velvety gravy, which is what makes it such a popular comfort food in homes in and around Brussels, as well as in other parts of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.

Carbonade is a French name for a thick stew or slow-cooked beef and beer with herbs and onions. It is thought that this dish originated in the East of France in a district called French Flanders.

What gives this dish its intense, unique flavor, aside from the beer and beef, is the caramelized onions. The most popular way to serve this stew is with spiced or gingerbread, mustard, and fresh herbs.

Belgium Endive – Chicons Au Gratin

Endive is a type of lettuce, quite a bit thicker than salad lettuce. It has a crunchy, juicy core and is excellent for cooking due to its bitter flavor and tightly packed leaves.

This is a typical Belgium food that is usually found braised, baked, or grilled in many restaurants, and it’s served as a healthy accompaniment to any meat or potato-based Belgium foods.

Though somewhat bitter in taste in its raw state, it develops a sweet, almost nutty flavor when cooked.

Amber decided to make this a lunch one afternoon at Le Falstaff .

Gray Shrimp

During shrimp season in Belgium, Grijze Garnalen is a traditional Belgian food that is considered something of a refined dish in many high-end restaurants in Brussels.

Gray shrimp dishes can also be enjoyed at many cafes and Belgian street food markets across the country.

As well as being enjoyed as a fancy appetizer, they also make an excellent accompaniment to a good Belgian beer. There are many shrimp-based dishes to look out for during shrimp season, such as shrimp croquettes and tomate-crevettes.

I have to admit I was looking forward to trying gray shrimp. Unfortunately, they weren’t really to my liking but definitely worth tasting.

Rabbit – Lapin a la Kriek

After living in Catalonia for three years, Amber and I can’t get enough rabbit. Catalan food features a ton of rabbit. It’s light, it’s flavorful and so versatile. Learning that rabbit features in Belgian cooking, we were very excited to taste Lapin a la Kriek.

Lapin a la Kriek is another rich, gravy-based dish, made with rabbit meat.

The sauce, like Carbonade Flamande, is made with beer but with the extra addition of cherries to compliment the gamey flavors of the rabbit. It was everything we were hoping for and more. Definitely make sure you try this dish.

Frog legs in butter and garlic at Aux Armes de Bruxelles in Brussels.

France probably springs to mind when you see the words frogs legs. However, the consumption of frog legs is also prevalent in Belgium.

And that’s music to our ears. Much like rabbit, Amber and I can’t get enough frog legs. Ever since our first trip to SE Asia, we’ve been hooked on them.

Frog legs are a traditional delicacy in Brussels. If you’re ordering them in a restaurant, they will usually be served in a simple dressing made with cream, butter, garlic, chervil, parsley, and plenty of salt and pepper.

We highly recommend the frog legs at Aux Armes de Bruxelles . Order them alongside some mussels and frites as we did.

White Asparagus

You may only have ever enjoyed asparagus of the standard green kind. However, in Brussels, you will find that many of the asparagus dishes use the white variety.

The color comes from the way the asparagus is grown. The white color comes from a lack of light during the growing process.

Another difference, aside from the color, is the thickness and the fact it is much more fibrous. White asparagus is commonly served as a side dish in Belgian restaurants with a hollandaise sauce or a simple olive oil dressing.

Pro Tip: White asparagus is harvested between April and June so plan your trip accordingly.

Belgian Chocolate

You would be right in thinking that you can’t escape Belgian chocolate while visiting Brussels. After all, it’s probably what they’re most famous for and next to Swiss.

Belgian chocolates are considered to be one of the best chocolates in the world. And as somebody who doesn’t eat a lot of chocolate, they are outstanding.

Like their beer making, Belgian chocolatiers put a lot of dedication and passion into their chocolate making.

If you’re wondering where to find the best chocolate shops and get the most out of your experience, we recommend opting for one of the Belgian chocolate tours .

If you are short on time and don’t want to do a tour, don’t worry. There are TONS of chocolate shops around Brussels. NEUHAUS Brussels Galerie De La Reine is a good place for chocolate and has super knowledgeable staff.

Cuberdons sold on the street in Brussels

While we’re on the subject of Belgian sweet treats, let’s talk about cuberdons. A popular delicacy in Brussels as well as throughout much of Belgian. Cuberdons are a local food not to be missed.

These cone-shaped delights are made using gum Arabic candy and are filled with a sticky raspberry-flavored substance.

They are purple-colored and shaped like a cone or nose, hence the nickname “ neuzeke, ” which translates to “little nose .”

Pate en Croute

Pate en Croute is not as simple as pate on toast. Which is what you’re probably getting from its title. Instead, it’s actually closer to a meat pie.

Recipes vary, but it’s typically ground pork shoulder and veal. Some restaurants have adapted the recipe to include meats such as chicken, rabbit, and diced pancetta.

The heavily marinated meat is then wrapped in a flakey pastry. The pie is usually served at room temperature with a fresh green salad, and it’s recommended to enjoy an ice-cold glass of white wine to complement it.

During our trip to Brussels, we ate at a couple of Michelin Star restaurants including Bozar . Bozar is one of the many One Michelin Star restaurants in Brussels. It’s also famous for its Pate en Croute.

Mushroom Toast

Mushroom toast is a popular appetizer in Brussels, as it is in many Western and European countries.

The concept is simple and comprises mushrooms with either creamed cheese sauce or cooked in garlic butter and oil, with a handful of fresh herbs and plenty of black pepper.

The type of mushrooms used can depend on the seasons, but wild mushrooms or diced portobello mushrooms are commonly used in Brussels.

FAQs – Things To Eat In Brussels

It should be what food isn’t Brussels famous for. Easily the three most famous foods to eat in Brussels are chocolate, mussels, and frites (French fries). For more adventurous eaters, Brussels is also famous for rabbit and frog legs.

You are not going to find an American-style breakfast with eggs and bacon in Brussels. Or at least that’s not what the Belgians eat for breakfast. Most Belgians eat a breakfast consisting of bread or croissant, jams, ham, and cheese. Coffee, tea, and juice are the most common breakfast drinks.

Not all waffles are created the same. Compared to “regular” or American-style waffles, Belgian waffles are thicker and sweeter. Additionally, Belgian waffles are usually enjoyed as a snack with whipped cream. Whereas American waffles are eaten for breakfast and served with maple syrup.

Eric Hoffman

Eric Hoffman is the co-founder of Food And Drink Destinations. Eric is a lifelong traveler who is passionate about helping people learn how to travel for food. He lives with his wife, Amber, in Limerick, Ireland, after spending 3 years living in Spain. Over the last 20 years, they've traveled to over 70 countries together, always in search of great food travel experiences. Eric also loves cooking at home, always looking to perfect his Italian recipes.

Top 10 Things To Do In Brussels

Grand place (grote markt).

The Grand Place is the heart of Brussels and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Surrounded by guild houses and the magnificent Town Hall, this UNESCO World Heritage site is especially picturesque at night when illuminated.

Manneken Pis

This iconic statue of a little boy urinating into a fountain is a quirky symbol of Brussels' irreverent sense of humour. It's a must-see; you might catch the statue dressed in various costumes throughout the year.

Originally built for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, the Atomium is an architectural marvel representing an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. You can explore its spheres and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top.

Royal Palace of Brussels

The official palace of the Belgian monarch, the Royal Palace, offers beautiful neoclassical architecture. While it's not the king's residence, you can visit during the summer when the palace is open to the public.

Sainte-Catherine and the Fish Market

This area of Brussels is known for its streets and excellent seafood restaurants. The fish market here is a great place to experience local culinary delights and the lively atmosphere of the neighbourhood.

Magritte Museum

Dedicated to the works of surrealist artist René Magritte, this museum houses the largest collection of his art. It's a fantastic place to dive into the world of surrealism and explore Magritte's thought-provoking pieces.

European Parliament

Brussels is the center of European politics, and visiting the European Parliament offers insight into how the EU functions. The Parlamentarium is an interactive visitor centre that provides a comprehensive overview of EU institutions and their impact.

Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

These elegant, covered shopping arcades are perfect for a leisurely stroll. With high-end boutiques, chocolate shops, and cafés, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is a stylish spot to shop or enjoy a coffee.

Cinquantenaire Park

This grand park, built to celebrate Belgium's 50th anniversary, features impressive arches and a large green space perfect for a relaxing walk. The park also houses the Royal Museums of Art and History and the AutoWorld Museum.

Delirium Café

For a taste of Brussels' nightlife, head to Delirium Café. With a vast beer menu boasting thousands of different varieties, it's a haven for beer enthusiasts and a great place to experience local brewing traditions.

10 Historical Places In Karnataka

15 typical Belgian food and where to eat them in Brussels

August 17, 2023 | Posted in: Belgium

Belgium's culinary landscape, rich and unexplored, is gradually gaining acclaim as a haven for gastronomic delights. Typical Belgian cuisine isn't that known abroad and beyond the classic “snacks”, such as Belgian chocolate, beer, and waffles, most people couldn’t name a traditional Belgian dish, let alone know where to eat it.

So I've paired up with Alison from Cheeseweb to put together a list of things to eat in Belgium. While Belgium is a young country, you could say these are all traditional Belgian dishes. That being said, not all these foods are wildly popular foods in Belgium. Some of them we'll gladly order at any cafe, others we associate with our grandparents and the joys of a sturdy, home-cooked meal.

Because a list of Belgian foods is no good if you don't know where you can get them, we've also tried to recommend a few places where at least one of these dishes is really good. We focus on Brussels food places as, well, lots of people travel to Brussels, but have occasionally also broadened our scope a bit.

3. Meatballs

4. flemish stew, 5. grey shrimp croquettes, 7. eel in the green, 8. rabbit with prunes, 9. sausage and mash, 10. steak tartare and martino sandwich, 11. ham and belgian endive in the oven, 12. vol-au-vent, 13. speculaas, 14. jenever, what are the regional specialties in belgium, what is the most famous belgian food, what are the best belgian dish recipes to cook yourself, what are the best restaurants to eat in brussels as a visitor, what are the best food tours in brussels, what are the most unique facts about brussels, what is the best time to visit brussels and belgium.

Dont have time to read through them all? Here's a short list of foods to try in video:

Listed below are is the best Belgian food.

Mussels . Moules-frites, the epitome of classic Belgian cuisine, pairs succulently steamed mussels with aromatic white wine, shallots, and parsley, alongside golden, crispy fries.
Fries. Belgian fries, a point of national pride, are uniquely double-fried to perfection for a soft inside and crispy exterior, with the best found at genuine “friteries” or “frietkots”.
Meatballs. Belgian meatballs, varying by region, are either beef-pork mixtures served in tomato sauce in Flanders or boulets Liégeois with beef stock and fruit syrup in the south, but invariably paired with crispy Belgian fries.
Flemish Stew. Carbonnade à la flamande or Stoofvlees, a beef stew slow-cooked in Belgian beer and thickened with mustard-slathered bread, often paired with fries or mashed potatoes, offering rich comfort especially on cold days.
Grey Shrimp Croquettes. Belgium's North Sea grey shrimps are not only a popular delicacy but also a cultural heritage, traditionally harvested by horseback fishermen, with Oostduinkerke being the last village to uphold this tradition
Waffles . Belgian waffles, rivals to the famed chocolates, present themselves in two main types, each a delightful testament to Belgium’s sweet culinary craftsmanship: the rectangular Brussels waffle, often adorned with various toppings, and the sweeter, denser Liège waffle with crystallized sugar, popularly sold throughout Brussels.

Moules-frites , in French, Mosselen-Friet , in Flemish, or mussels with fries, is a classic Belgian food you can find at just about any café or brasserie in Brussels. It's one of the foods to eat in Belgium. The most common way mussels are served in Belgium is steamed in white wine, in big black mussel pots. In addition to wine, moules marinières also contain shallots, parsley, and butter. Other cooking methods include cream, beer, or even mustard sauce.

Mussels, on their own, can be served as an appetizer, especially shared among friends, or you can enjoy them with fries as a main course.

Like most things, not all mussels are created equal. You may be tempted by the picturesque Rue des Bouchers in Brussels and the heaped platters of seafood there, but steer clear (unless you like being overcharged for bad service and substandard food).

You can eat Museels at Zinneke , which is located at Place de la Patrie 26, 1030 Schaerbeek, Brussels.

Classic moules marinières are a seafood favourite in Brussels.

Belgium's national pride shines through in their fries, known as frites in French and frieten in Flemish, a culinary masterpiece in every bite. You'll never hear a Belgian call them “french fries”, not even when speaking in English. There’s a lot of controversy around who invented fried potatoes, but I promise you – Belgians perfected them. Once you eat fries in Belgium, they’ll never taste as good anywhere else.

Belgian fries hide a delightful secret in their preparation, a two-fold process that ensures each fry's unparalleled taste. First, the potato itself must be a soft variety, but, most importantly, the freshly cut potatoes must be fried twice: First at a lower temperature to cook the inside to a soft, fluffy consistency; and second, quickly at a higher temperature to cook the outside to crispy perfection.

While you can get Belgian fries at virtually any restaurant, they are invariably best from a genuine friterie (French) or frietkot/frituur (Flemish). These fry shops can be anything from a small building to a fry truck and the best ones are hotly contested and voted on annually. While most do serve other foods (all of them deep-fried), the emphasis is always on cooking fries to crispy, golden perfection.

Some friteries or fries shacks still serve their fries in traditional paper cones, while others have turned to the more convenient but less eco-friendly plastic containers. Either way, any good frituur will offer a mind-boggling array of sauces to choose from and, yes, most are mayonnaise based.

Belgian frites in traditional paper cones from Maison Antoine in Brussels.

But, trust me on this one, there really is a sauce for everyone – other than ketchup. A foray into Belgium's sauce variety, like the garlicky aioli or the beloved andalouse, promises a flavorful journey with each dip. I’m a spicy kind of gal, so my go-to is samurai sauce, a kicked-up version of andalouse. If you’re brave, you can experiment with anything from peanut to curry sauces, so act Belgian and expand your sauce horizons.

Belgian meatballs, a harmonious blend of beef and pork, reign as a cherished favorite across the nation, bringing warmth to every table. In Flanders, balletjes or “balls” are often served smothered in tomato sauce, or, sometimes, Frikadellen-style; fried in butter with Belgian cherry sauce.

South of Brussels, boulets Liégeois are the rage. These meatballs are served with a rich sauce of beef stock, spices, and sirop de Liege , a fruit syrup a bit like molasses, made from apples and pears.

Whichever style you prefer, you can guarantee they will come with crispy Belgian fries.

A giant meatball and stoemp from Balls & Glory.

You can try belgian meatballs in Brussels at Le Bistro . I guarantee these will be the best meatballs you’ve ever eaten. Using locally sourced, mostly organic ingredients. Le Bistro serves up giant meatballs filled with a variety of sauces. The balls are mainly pork, but there are beef, lamb, chicken, and even veggie versions available. Your ball comes served on stoemp (a potato and veggie mash) or with a salad. Try the blue cheese or truffle varieties, or stick to the ‘retro-balls’, the way grandma made ‘em.

If Alison Cornford-Matheson from Cheeseweb had to pick one favourite Belgian dish, it would be Carbonnade à la flamande (French) or Stoofvlees (Flemish). This Flemish stew literally translates to “stew meat” and that’s a pretty accurate description.

This typical Belgian food is made from beef slowly simmered in Belgian beer until it melts in your mouth. The sauce is thickened with a few slabs of bread slathered in mustard, a bit of onion, and some seasoning. Some chefs add other ingredients like mushrooms or garlic, but the traditional recipe focuses on Belgian beer and beef.

Flemish stew, transcending its humble ingredients, weaves a rich tapestry of flavors, deeply comforting to the soul. In the right hands, it can be both rich and slightly tart from the beer. It’s the perfect comfort food on a wet winter day, especially as it is invariably served with French fries or mashed potatoes. It warms you from the inside out. Flemish stew recipe to make it yourself.-->

Hearty Flemish stew warms you from the inside.

You can eat the best Flemish Stew at Café Novo, just a short walk from Grand Place. This café does a great, traditional Flemish stew. The stew is always served with fries. Café Novo is located at Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés 37, Brussels

North Sea grey shrimps, tiny yet flavorful, hold a special place in the heart of Belgium’s seafood tradition. If you dine at one of the many seafood restaurants in the Sainte-Catherine neighborhood in Brussels, chances are you’ll be presented with a small bowl of these crunchy crustaceans to snack on.

Not only are grey shrimps sweet and delicate, they are part of Belgium’s cultural heritage. Traditionally, these shrimps were harvested along the coast, from France to the Netherlands, by fishermen on horseback.

The only place this tradition is still practiced is the village of Oostduinkerke, on the Belgian coast, and it was recently inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. If you have the opportunity to see this spectacle you definitely should.

Hot and crispy shrimp croquettes from Les Petits Oignons, in Brussels.

Alison's favorite way to eat grey shrimps is in a shrimp croquette, ( garnaalkroket in Flemish). While there are plenty of bland, frozen, and refried versions served around Brussels, croquettes made from scratch are a revelation. The outside should be a thin, delicately crispy crust. When you break through, the creamy shrimp mixture should be molten and oozing. They make a perfect starter or snack.

There are two places in Brussels that serve the most tasty Grey Shrimp Croquettes. The first one is Noordzee / Mer du Nord , which is located at Rue Sainte Catherine 45, Brussels. For a truly local experience, order your croquettes (and a glass of white wine) from this fish counter on Place Sainte Catherine. It’s a local favourite, especially in the summer. These are my favourite croquettes in Brussels. The second one is Les Petits Oignons , which is located at Rue de la Régence 25, Brussels. If you prefer to try your croquette sitting down, this restaurant is a close runner-up for the best shrimp croquettes in Brussels.

Grey shrimps are part of Belgium’s cultural heritage – They’re tasty too!

Are you ready for something sweet? I thought so! When you think “Belgium” and “sweet”, Belgian waffles are one of two things (chocolate!) that immediately come to mind. As with “French fries”, there is some confusion about the term “Belgian waffles”. In fact, there is no one Belgian waffle, but rather two types of waffles, both originating in Belgium.

Brussels waffles, known locally as gaufre de Bruxelles, boast a rectangular and flaky texture, each bite a whisper of sweetness. It isn’t as sweet as its rival but is often topped with whipped cream, chocolate, ice-cream or various fruit toppings.

The denser Liège waffle has rounded edges and crystallized sugar baked into it, making it slightly sticky and sweeter than the Brussels waffle. This is the kind that's sold from hole-in-the-wall places everywhere in the center of Brussels.

My favourite Liege waffle from the Dandoy Tearoom in Brussels.

Whatever you do, avoid buying the over-priced waffles at the shops around Grand Place that are covered in way too many toppings. (In fact, waffle purists say you shouldn’t top your waffles with anything). You can get both types of waffles from trucks (usually painted yellow) parked around most tourist hot-spots in the city.

There is also a surprisingly good chain, called Belgaufrecuy , found in most metro stations around the city center, adding a tasty smell to the many less pleasant smells of the Belgian underground.

If you want to fancy things up a bit, my favorite Belgian, or rather Liege, waffle comes from the Dandoy Tearoom , steps from the Grand Place. Dandoy is a traditional Belgian cookie maker, with shops around Brussels. From the street level, the Dandoy shop on Rue Charles Buls looks much like the others. But step inside and you will see a couple of differences.

Firstly, there is normally someone making fresh waffles behind the counter, to sell as takeaway treats. Secondly, you’ll notice a set of stairs, heading up to the Tearoom. There, you can sit and enjoy a waffle at your leisure, while admiring the collection of antique speculoos molds decorating the walls.

Eel in the green is exactly what it sounds like: eel prepared in a highly green sauce which is colored that way because of the many green herbs that go into it, such as parsley, watercress, and basil. The herbs are added last minute to have them retain their color and the dish is commonly served with, of course, fries.

It's more of a flemish dish than a Belgian food. Fishermen used to catch the eel in the river Schelde, close to Antwerp, and then prepare them with whatever herbs they found along the shore. Now often served in the more classy bistro, it has a very humble origin.

You can eat Eel in the green in Brussel at Bij den Boer , which is located at Quai aux Briques 60, Brussels. Also, the restaurant Victoria – Chez Victorine in Hoeilaart (Marcel Félicéstraat 17) is known for this dish.

Rabbit with prunes used to be a “humble people dish” but in recent years it's been picked up by chefs around the country and presented in more refined ways. The classic version of this Belgian dish combines rabbit with prunes to add sweetness and some croquettes on the side.

Try it at La Roue d'Or , which is situated at Rue des Chapeliers 26, Brussels. It is a local brasserie close to Grand Place.

Granted, it's nothing special, but sausage and mashed potatoes is a classic Belgian combination that's now mainly served by grandparents or restaurants known for serving Belgian cuisine. It's a hearty farmer's dish and the kind of sausage used ranges from black to white and blood sausage. Often, the mashed potatoes will be mixed with a vegetable, like carrots, to create stoemp , the typical Belgian kind of filling mashed potatoes.

Try sausage and mash at Fin de Siècle , at Rue des Chartreux 9, Brussels. Fin de Siècle serves its sausage and mash the traditional way.

Not everyone's a fan of steak tartare. This typical Belgian food consists of raw beef mixed with onions, mayonnaise, Tabasco, egg yolk, capers, salt and a bunch of other things. Restaurants that take pride in their steak tartare will prepare it right at your table, showing you all the ingredients that go into it. As often in Belgium, this dish is mostly served with fries. Want to make your own steak tartare? Check out our steak tartare recipe . -->

Not quite the same, but it needs to be mentioned, is the Martino sandwich. You could say it's the less pricey and on-the-go version of the steak tartare and beloved by many Belgians. I know several women who craved a Martino while they were pregnant as they couldn't have it then, and several people who place it almost as highly as fries as the dish to have after a trip abroad.

So what is it? It's a baguette with a spread of “Américain”, a form of steak tartare but as a sandwich spread, with spices, pickles, onions, and ketchup. Every itself-respecting sandwich bar will have it on its menu.

Eat the best steak tartare at Bistro Mathilda in the Belgian coastal city of Oosten. Bistro Mathilda is known for its steak tartare, prepared at your table. This place is always packed and when you sample its refined cuisine, you'll know why.

Belgian endive is a typical Flemish vegetable and I remember my grandmother making ham and Belgian endive in the oven quite regularly when I was small. She would take slices of beautiful ham and wrap them around a whole knob of Belgian endive. The wraps would go into an oven dish, covered with a béchamel-and-cheese sauce. With mashed potatoes on the side, this dish is a classic of Belgian cuisine.

Belgian endive is one vegetable I've never been a fan of, so my grandmother would always leave a couple of rolls fo ham empty for me :-)

Vol-au-vent consists of a round puff pastry of which the “lid” is cut off so that the pastry can be filled with a mixture of chicken and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. It's usually served with fries, croquettes or mashed potatoes. Originally, the name “vol-au-vent” refers to the pastry and you can also find it in France as a snack or appetizer. Vol-au-vent as a massive main dish, though, is a typical Belgian food.

There are two amazing places to eat Vol-au-vent. The first one is ‘t Cuyperke . It is located in Zaventem (Stationsstraat 19), just outside of Brussels, and serves a mean vol-au-vent. The second one is Les Petits Oignons , at Rue de la Régence 25 in Brussels.

chicken vol-au-vent recipe .-->

While sometimes translated as “Gingerbread”, speculoos is a unique kind of biscuit. It goes back to the Belgian and Dutch tradition of celebrating Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) on December 5/6 (Netherlands/Belgium) but has become commercialized and can now be found in stores throughout the year.

Often, when you order a coffee in a Belgian cafe, it'll come with a little speculoos on the side. Try dipping it in and see how it tastes. It's not bad!

Jenever or “Dutch gin” comes in all kinds of flavors and is served in a small shot-like glass. It's origins date back to the 14th century when the Arabs invented distillation and brought it to Europe and Belgium wouldn't be founded for still a few centuries.

Now, the drink is typical both for Belgium and the Netherlands and especially in Belgium it's mostly a Christmas drink. At Belgian Christmas markets --> Belgian Christmas markets, you'll see stands only selling jenever and like some people visit Christmas markets for the Glühwein, Belgians will go to have jenever.

We even have a National Jenever Museum!

15. Asparagus Flemish-style

When it's asparagus season, from April to June, the country goes asparagus crazy. You'll find them in appetizers, main courses and even as ice cream for dessert. While there are many ways to prepare asparagus, Flemish-style is the classic way to have them. Boiled, then baked in a butter sauce and covered with hard-boiled pieces of egg, they make for a rich vegetable dish to combine with meat and croquettes. Or, why not, fries.

Travelers can enjoy Asparagus Flemish-style at Le Zinneke . It is a good place to go if you want to sample typical Belgian cuisine. They're known for their white asparagus Flemish-style, but make sure to go when it's the season. Le Zinneke is located in Vaderlandsplein 26, Schaerbeek.

Aside from the Belgian dishes listed, there are also a ton of regional specialties. Some you'll also find outside their region of origin, others hardly. It would be a bit crazy to list all regional foods in Belgium, so I just want to name a few.

Gentse Waterzooi originated in – indeed – the city of Ghent and consists of a stew with carrots, onions, celeriac, leeks, potatoes and a bunch of herbs in a watery soup based on egg yolk, cream and vegetable broth. Originally, the stew was made with fish but nowadays the use of chicken is more common. waterzooi recipe .-->

I already mentioned syrup from Liège when talking about the meatballs, but this regional specialty also goes really well on a sandwich combined with bacon or cheese. Honestly, try it!

A final regional specialty I want to mention, are the mattentaarten , a round kind of cake made with different kinds of milk, almonds and puff dough.

Aside from waffles, the most famous Belgian food are beer and chocolate. I haven't listed them separately in this post because they both form a more general category of Belgian foods, rather than one thing. If you'd like to have some proper Belgian chocolate, head toward the Sablon area in Brussels. There you'll find famous names like Pierre Marcolini. A lesser-known favorite of mine is Frederic Blondeel.

While lots of the bigger beers can be had all over Belgium, in origin, Belgian beers are still very much connected to their region of origin.

Belgium has a strong culinary identity, influenced by its connections to various European countries and rooted in historic recipes that have persisted for centuries. The best Belgian recipes to explore include “Steak tartare”, a delectable mix of finely chopped raw beef combined with shallots, pickles, and capers; “Waterzooi”, a comforting stew originating from medieval Ghent, often made with chicken; “Dame Blanche”, a vanilla ice cream dessert topped with a rich chocolate sauce; “Chicken vol au vent”, a puff pastry shell filled with chicken and other ingredients; the famed “Flemish stew” made with Belgian beer; “Salade liegeoise”, a potato salad with bacon and egg; a seasonal treat of boiled “Asparagus” topped with egg salad; and “Belgian endive in the oven”, a homey dish combining roasted endive with cheese and ham. For those eager to delve into Belgian cuisine, these dishes are both delightful and accessible, showcasing the nation's rich gastronomic heritage.

Listed below are the best restaurants in Brussels:

Restaurant Le Rabassier: Restaurant Le Rabassier in Brussels is a famous dining establishment specializing in exquisite French cuisine. It is ideal for special occasions, with a menu featuring classic French dishes like foie gras and escargots. It is known for truffle-based delicacies, where guests can savor truffle risotto and truffle-topped steaks.
Comme Chez Soi: Comme Chez Soi is an acclaimed restaurant with a rich history dating back to 1926. It offers a blend of traditional and innovative dishes using high-quality ingredients. It has a changing menu that incorporates seasonal products, guests can expect a memorable dining experience. The restaurant is closed on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and from December 24 to January 09.
Fin de Siecle: Fin de Siècle Restaurant in Brussels is a popular dining spot known for its authentic Belgian cuisine, just 1 kilometer from the Grand Place. The menu showcases classic dishes like moules frites, carbonnade flamande and waterzooi. Guests can also enjoy a variety of Belgian beers.
Fanny Thai: Restaurant Fanny Thai in Brussels specializes in authentic Thai cuisine. The menu offers a variety of flavorful dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and aromatic spices. Guests can enjoy classic favorites like Pad Thai, Green Curry and Tom Yum Soup and vegetarian and vegan options.
Le Plattesteen: Le Plattesteen in Brussels specializes in Belgian cuisine, offering a menu filled with traditional and flavorful dishes. Guests can enjoy Belgian classics like Moules Frites, Carbonade Flamande and Waterzooi. The restaurant caters to different dietary preferences with vegetarian and seafood options.

Visitors should definitely read our guide of 15 Best restaurants in Brussels: Where to eat in Brussels before visiting Belgium's capital

If you want to get some more background information while you enjoy Belgian food around Brussels, consider going on one of the following food tours. All of these get great reviews.

Listed below are the best food tours in Brussels.

Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour and Workshop. During this 4-hour tour, you'll stop at the best chocolate boutiques in Brussels to sample pralines, truffles and more while learning about the history of Belgian chocolate. Afterward, you'll get to make your own chocolates during a workshop with a chocolatier. The choice to take your creation home or eat it the same day is all yours. The tour costs €69 per person and you can book it here .
Express Tour with Belgian Lunch, Chocolate, & Beer. On this 3.5-hour walking tour, you get to try typical Belgian dishes such as “waterzooi” and stew but also typical treats such as waffles. The tour also includes a chocolate and beer tasting. The tour costs €89 per person and you can book it here .
Brussels Chocolate Tasting Tour. This 2-hour tour takes you to some of the best chocolate shops in Brussels while your guide tells you all about the history of this brown gold in Belgium. As an extra, the tour takes place around the beautiful Grand Place and Saint Catherine areas. The tour cost only €65 per person and you can book it here .
Brussels Private Food Tour with 10 tastings. During this 3-hour private tour, a local guide will tell you all about the culinary scene in Brussels while you try some street food, hop into deliciously smelling shops, wander through the market and have a break at an old-fashioned cafe – plus so much more. The tour costs €152 per person and you can book it here .

Listed below are the most interesting facts about Brussels .

Yellow Iris Symbol : Brussels' emblem is the yellow iris, seen on the Brussels-Capital Region's blue flag.
Diverse Museums : Brussels boasts over 80 unique museums, from sewage to underwear history.
Chocolate Hub : Its airport leads globally in chocolate sales, dispatching 800 tonnes annually.
Food Haven : The city contains 138 restaurants per square mile, with one even being a tram-restaurant.
Rainy Climate : With 132 rainy days a year, it has an average temperature of 10.3°C.
Manneken Pis : A beloved urinating boy statue captures Brussels' humor, now safeguarded in a city museum.
Grand Palaces : The Royal Palace of Brussels rivals Buckingham Palace in size.
Cosmopolitan City : 27% of Brussels' residents are foreign, and three languages are officially spoken.
Fries Origin : The globally known french fries have their roots in Belgium's late 1600s.
UNESCO Grand Place : The Grote Markt stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and cultural hotspot.
High Population Density : The City of Brussels packs 14,200 residents per square mile.
Grand Justice Palace : Once the world's largest structure, it remains a European marvel.
Brussels Sprouts : These green veggies trace their lineage back to 16th-century Brussels.
Beer Galore : Brussels is home to over 800 beer varieties.
Historic Shopping Arcades : The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Europe's oldest shopping arcades, debuted in 1847.
The Atomium : This iconic structure mimics an immensely magnified iron crystal cell.
Ancient Settlement : Established in 979 AD, the region saw settlements as early as 580 AD.
Global Diplomatic Hub : Housing entities like the EU and NATO, Brussels teems with journalists and diplomats.
Dinosaur Museum : Europe's largest dinosaur display resides in the Brussels Museum of Natural Sciences.

What are the most fun things to do in Belgium?

Listed below are the best things to do in Brussels.

Taste a Waffle: Belgium is renowned for its waffles. Notably, there's no single “Belgian waffle”. Instead, there are regional varieties like Liège and Brussels waffles.
Explore a Castle: Belgium has the highest density of castles per square kilometer. A prominent one is the Gravensteen in Ghent.
Experience the Beer Culture: Belgium boasts between 800 to 1,000 different beers. The nation's beer scene is so esteemed it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Halve Maan in Bruges is a notable brewery.
Visit a Beguinage: Unique to Belgium and the Netherlands, Belgium's beguinages are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Grand Beguinage in Leuven stands out for its serenity.
Commemorate the World Wars: Belgium's history is marked by both World Wars. Tourists often visit sites like Flanders Fields and Breendonk Fortress to remember these events.
Visit a Christmas market.

Additionally, history enthusiasts can climb the Lion's Mound in Waterloo, marking Napoleon's defeat. Comic book fans will appreciate characters like Tintin and the Smurfs, with dedicated museums like the Comics Art Museum in Brussels. And while in Brussels, a stroll over the Grand Place, which is one of the best things to do in Brussels due to it's historic significance.

As with all destinations, the best time to travel to Belgium depends a bit on what you're looking for. Belgian weather can never be trusted, but the nicest time of the year is usually from June until September. I'd recommend to visit anywhere between the second half of May and the end of September if you're looking for nice weather. Any other time is good, if you want to visit the cities in Belgium and don't mind a bit of cold or rain. Visiting Belgium in July can be quite wonderful. It's the time for outdoor dining, sunny cycle rides, picnics in parks, and more.

This post came about as a collaboration with Alison Cornford-Matheson, a Canadian travel writer and photographer and the founder of Cheeseweb.eu . She's also a fun person to have food with and the author of The Foodie Guide to Brussels: Local Tips for Restaurants, Shops, Hotels, and Activities , available in digital and paperback formats.

PIN FOR LATER

The editorial team at Wonderful Wanderings brings together travel experts with backgrounds in travel writing, web development and digital marketing. The team, through their collaborative effort, provides readers with relevant travel experiences and up-to-date digital content. The vast expertise within the team ensures an informative blend of travel stories and useful online travel guides and trip experiences, built on a foundation of both industry recognition and hands-on global adventures. Learn more about Wonderful Wanderings

Travelsito says

Looks delicious!

Alison says

Thanks for giving me the chance to share a small taste of my passion for Belgian cuisine Sofie!

Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

Kate and Mike says

Nice list! Love the frites at Antoines. We have always loved the Belgian stew and the moules at L’Entree des Artistes in the Sablon. Cafe Dandoy for gaufres is an excellent recommendation.

There is one more dish, however, that merits mention: Waterzooie (a chicken and vegetable stew in a thin béchamel sauce). The definitive version is at Aux Armes de Bruxelles in the Grand Place. Pairs best with a lovely glass of white wine.

That’s a good addition! But I’m sure I’m gonna do a follow-up post of this. There is so much more goodness to share:)

Definitely, Waterzooi is a great one and It was hard for me to narrow down the list. (I have a lot more classic dishes in the book.) I had an excellent Waterzooi at Les Filles, but as it is table d’hote-style, with no set menu, they don’t always have it.

LES PETITS OIGNONS Definitely the best SHRIMP CROQUETTES that I have ever eaten.

Hahahaha :D Wonderful!

Francoise says

The “friterie de la barrière” is even qualitative than “friterie Antoine” and even more because it is not a product chain for tourist and with a waiting queue really shorter.

I loved everything about this post! I went to Belgium last year and absolutely fell in love! I remember every time we would eat out, they would bring a huge bowl of fries to the table. I never knew it was such a huge thing there! They were sooo good!

Hahaha I’m soooo happy you loved the food over here! Eating is a big deal for us and so are our fries :D

A sister of my friend ex husbands invite us for Brussels. I love it mussels and sure I like culinary. Your picture make me want to try all…

I’m happy to read that Kicko! Mussels are so goooood, especially with fries :D

As a Belgian myself this was a challenging title, yet after long and carefull consideration I concur that these are indeed 6 dishes that form an excellent starting point to discover the 6000 other excellent Belgian dishes.

I’m glad you agree, Koen :) And I think Alison specifically didn’t call it “The 6 MOST popular…” :D

Maribeth Alexander says

The foods look wonderful! I saw several I would love to try! Thanks for sharing.

Hey Maribeth, thanks for commenting! I’m happy that you think so :-)

Mike Hinshaw says

Found this just in time. We fly in early Sunday morning. Not sure how many we can try. Only staying one week darn it. All my wife could get off. Time to retire I told her! Thanks for the suggestions young lady.Tell your Dad hello! Mike

Hahaha that’s good advice :) I will. Have a good time!

Sofie, We had frites at Maison Antoine and we couldn’tfinish the large order. I got the “curry” sauce and will get that every time. I lovedit.

You need to try the Mussels at “Au Veaux Bruxelles”. They were fantastic, if you haven’t been. Sorry we didn’t get a chance to get together. Maybe in December. Mike Hinshaw

So funny you got the curry and loved it so much :-) I do think you should get mayonnaise or sauce Andalouse the next time, though :

Recommendation noted!

Gunther says

Classic list! One small thing: “bladder dough” doesn’t exist in the English language, it’s “puff pastry”. A bladder is the organ which (in humans) holds your urine.

Hah, thanks! I know what a bladder is but it still sounded good :D Correcting that now :)

From BE, this one made me LOL. It’s like a funny literal translation of something :-) In Dutch/Flemish it’s called ‘Bladerdeeg’ -> ‘Bladder dough’. Love the article by the way, got me hungry ;-)

Haha thanks :) I clearly shouldn’t edit my own translations :)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join 58,000+ other Wonderful Wanderers!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Eat & drink

IMAGES

10 Great Restaurants in Brussels
Best restaurants in Brussels
Restaurants in Grote Markt, Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium, Benelux
Best Traditional Restaurants in Brussels
Belga Queen, Brussels, Belgium
The Ten Finest Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Brussels

COMMENTS

The Best Places To Eat in Brussels (Brussels Foodie Guide)
Woodpecker. Woodpecker is a Brussels favourite, and you'll often see the locals flock here for brunch on the weekends. With a mix of indoor spaces, and kiosks around some of Brussels' best parks (link), Woodpecker has really made its mark as one of the best places to eat in Brussels. Although the menus vary a little across the locations ...
15 Best restaurants in Brussels: Where to eat in Brussels?
Restaurants in Brussels specialize in moules-frites and offer different variations of sauces and seasonings to enhance the flavors. Lastly, Brussels is known for its beer culture. The city has an impressive selection of craft beers, ranging from traditional Belgian ales to innovative brews. ... One must visit the 17 Best Bars in Brussels and ...
The best restaurants in Brussels: foodie guide 2024
Bozar Restaurant. SAN Sablon. Gramm Restaurant. LE 203. The 19 best waffles in Brussels 2024. The 11 best places for fries in Brussels 2024. The best burgers in Brussels 2024. The 11 best chocolate in Brussels 2024 (chocolate shops and chocolatiers) With a mix of traditional Belgian dishes and international cuisines, the city offers a ...
THE 10 BEST Restaurants in Brussels
Friendly service and great pasta. 10. Les Trappistes. 270 reviews Closed Now. French, Belgian $$ - $$$ Menu. 1.6 mi. Saint-Jans-Molenbeek. In one word : the greatest pubfood in Brussels.Great meat freshly prepared at... Great for late lunch with two hungry children in tow.
14 Best Restaurants In Brussels 2023
If you're looking for best Belgian restaurants in Brussels, then do stop by at this one. Address: Rue de Florence 26, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium. Average cost/person: 3-course menu from 32 Euros. Cuisine: Belgian, Seafood. Opening Hours: 12PM-2PM, 6:30-9:45 (Tuesday to Saturday); Sun-Mon Closed.
The 10 unmissable gastronomic restaurants in Brussels
LA CANNE EN VILLE, a gastronomic restaurant located on Avenue Louise. 7. HARVEST BRUSSELS, Local Gastronomic Gastronomy. 8. MALOMA COMPTOIR: Where the Magic of Local Products combines with the Art of Malolactic Fermentation. 9. ENTROPY RESTAURANT: Where Culinary Art Meets Conscience. 10.
Best restaurants Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region
Flamingo. Brussels. An all-day brasserie from restaurant designer Frederic Nicolay - the man behind Grand Central, BarBeton and Kumiko - Flamingo gets busy at lunchtime as…. 1. 2. 3. Discover the best restaurants in Brussels including Bouchery, ÖTAP, and Arcadi.
THE 10 BEST Restaurants & Places to Eat in Brussels 2024
Reserve a table for the best dining in Brussels, Belgium on Tripadvisor: See 367,499 reviews of 4,910 Brussels restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more.
The Best Restaurants in Brussels
Picasa. Kokob. Rue des Grands Carmes 10, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium. Brussels has a number of African influences due to the influx of African immigrants from former Belgian colonies. A great example is the number of African restaurants in town. We ate at KoKob (pictured), an upscale, trendy Ethiopian restaurant.
The best restaurants in Brussels
Antony Mason, Destination expert 20 February 2024 • 2:00pm. La Marée is one of the best restaurants in Brussels, and has established a solid reputation for fish cookery Credit: BLAIRON THOMAS ...
Gastronomic restaurants in Brussels
It's no coincidence that a Brussels restaurant was the first establishment outside France to be awarded three Michelin, back stars in 1972. Something new has been brewing on the Brussels restaurant scene for the last few years. ... It is said that you simply must taste it at least once in your life. Torosyan is an absolute master of this ...
The 6 Best Restaurants in Brussels
Toucan-sur-Mer is not to be missed by seafood lovers. Jean-Michel Hamon, Restaurant Owner. +32 2 340 0740. www.toucanbrasserie.com. 17-19 Avenue Louis Lepoutre, 1050. www.toucanbrasserie.com. Topics in this article : Alex Woo , Destination Guides Location Brussels , Destination Guides Restaurants.
The 19 best traditional Belgian restaurants in Brussels 2024
The 11 best chocolate in Brussels 2024 (chocolate shops and chocolatiers) 1. Fin de Siecle. Rue des Chartreux 9, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium. La Fin de Siècle is a must-visit spot for both tourists and locals in Brussels. This restaurant, located in the city center near Bourse, is famous for its delectable and original Belgian-inspired dishes at ...
Where to eat: the 50 best restaurants in Brussels
The belgian restaurant 'T Kelderke is well-known for its classic Belgian cuisine, located in the Grand Place in Brussels. The basement-like cellar offers a unique atmosphere and delicious mussels à la Provençale are a must-try. In addition, the restaurant is right in the heart of Brussels, making it the perfect place to enjoy a balmy evening.
Top 10 Must-eats in Brussels
Meatballs at Ballekes. Ballekes is the best place in Brussels to try some Belgian street food. Specialising in the local delicacy of meatballs, this place is famed for its accompanying sauces; cherry beer flavour, truffle, cream and mushroom... there are so many varieties to try. There is always a sauce of the month that us locals love to go in ...
Where to eat
The Brusselicous label, created by visit.brussels, gathers together the Brussels restaurants that offer quality Belgian cuisine. Brusselicious Brussels' culinary specialities. Brussels waffles, stoemp, waterzooi… the capital of Europe's culinary specialities are a must when you visit the Brussels-Capital Region. Brussels' culinary ...
Best Places To Eat in Brussels and Brussels Restaurants
Deliberately under the radar, with no phone or website, sparse but stylish Crab Club is well worth searching out. The menu changes daily according to Thai-French chef Yoth Ondara's mood, but expect the likes of beautiful garlicky razor clams, delicate sesame-crusted scallops and roast whole wild fish. 7 Chaussée de Waterloo, 00 32 472 55 46 95.
The 5 coolest places to eat in Brussels
5) Selecto. This bustling restaurant has carved out a reputation as a modern Brussels bistro. It has a cool white interior decorated with an eccentric collection of hanging lamps. The menu looks like a newspaper, listing unexpected dishes like Provençal soupe au pistou along with some surprising wines. Rue de Flandre 95-97.
10 of the Best Places To Eat in Brussels
Galerie du Roi 6, 1000 Bruxelles. Where to eat in Brussels. 4. Au Vieux Saint Martin. This Brussels institution is always full of locals and is one of the best places to eat and drink in Brussels. Located on the Place du Grand Sablon, it serves up Belgian specialties like carbonnade flamande, a tasty beef and onion stew cooked in beer.
Brussels Food Guide
Let's take a look at the 17 must-try foods in Brussels, Belgium. Moules Frites - Belgian Mussels. ... The mitraillette is a sandwich that you'll see in many cafes and restaurants in Brussels. It's a popular grab-and-go food, as it's easy to eat on the move and cheap to buy.
Beers in Brussels: must-see bars and restaurants
Brussels' culinary specialities. Brussels waffles, stoemp, waterzooi… the capital of Europe's culinary specialities are a must when you visit the Brussels-Capital Region. Brussels' culinary specialities Brussels' breweries. Over the last ten years, Brussels has seen a renewed interest in artisanal production and craft beers.
10 Best Brussels Restaurants
La Truffe Noire. La Truffe Noire is best known for its amazing hospitality, securing it a spot in the top ten best restaurants in Brussels, Belgium. This Michelin Star establishment has an incredible amount of meal choices with truffles served in a variety of different ways. While truffles are an acquired taste to some, they are a delicacy and ...
Top 10 Things To Do In Brussels
Originally built for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, the Atomium is an architectural marvel representing an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. You can explore its spheres and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top.
15 typical Belgian food and where to eat them in Brussels
Often, the mashed potatoes will be mixed with a vegetable, like carrots, to create stoemp, the typical Belgian kind of filling mashed potatoes. Try sausage and mash at Fin de Siècle, at Rue des Chartreux 9, Brussels. Fin de Siècle serves its sausage and mash the traditional way. 10.

The Best Places To Eat in Brussels (Brussels Foodie Guide)

The Best Restaurants in Brussels

La Piola Pizza

Umamido Ramen

Fin de Siècle

Nona Pizza + Pasta

Takumi Ramen

Walkin’ Thai

The Best Brunch in Brussels

Other Places To Eat in Brussels

Fine Bakery

Café du Sablon

Cafe de la Presse

Have a Roll

The Best Street Food in Brussels

Maison Antoine

Café Georgette

Frites Atelier

You’ll Also Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

14 Best Restaurants In Brussels 2023

1. Restaurant Le Rabassier – Guilty Pleasures

2. Comme Chez Soi – A Food Haven

3. Pasta Divina – Tastiest Pastas

4. Bon Bon – Ignite Romance

5. Le Bistro – Exquisite Food

6. Le Chou de Bruxelles – Cozy Sitting

7. Bia Mara – Fine Dining

8. Fin de Siecle – Budget Eatery

9. La Truffe Noire – Amazing Hospitality

10. Fanny Thai – Tasty Affair

11. Monk – Drink And Dine

12. Le Plattesteen – Artistic Restaurant

13. Osteria A l’Ombra – Budget Eatery

14. Ricotta & Parmesan – Delicious Pasta

Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurants In Brussels

Places to visit in India

International Places To Visit

Things To Do

Recent Posts

Trending Blogs

Best Places To Visit In India By Month

The 10 gastronomic restaurants that you absolutely must try in Brussels

Gastronomy invites itself to your table for an Unforgettable Culinary Experience

Our 10 favorite gourmet restaurants in Brussels

2. DA MIMMO, 🍝 authentic Italian

3. HUMUS HORTENSE,💚 a breathtaking Vegan Gourmet restaurant

4. SANSABLON

5. BARGE BRUSSELS: a unique culinary experience aboard the Barge Brussels

6. LA CANNE EN VILLE, 🏛️ a gastronomic restaurant located on Avenue Louise

7. HARVEST BRUSSELS, 🍗 Local Gastronomic Gastronomy

8. MALOMA COMPTOIR: Where the Magic of Local Products combines with the Art of Malolactic Fermentation

9. ENTROPY RESTAURANT: Where Culinary Art Meets Conscience

10. La Buvette, A Hidden Gastronomic Treasure of Cuisine in Brussels

It's happening in Brussels:

Our 3 favorite cafés and restaurants in the Ixelles cemetery

BUDDY BUDDY: A gourmet haven for coffee and nut butter (and oat!) lovers

Bozar Rooftop: A haven of culture and relaxation in the heart of Brussels ☀️

Le Parroquet: A Brussels classic not to be missed! We tested

We tested: Chez Félix, a winebar in Schaerbeek

We tested YOKA TOMO, an Izakaya in Schaerbeek

Must-see restaurants in Brussels

The Best Restaurants in Brussels

The 6 Best Restaurants in Brussels

COMME CHEZ SOI

Grand Opening: First Steigenberger Grandhotel in Brussels

Content from our partners

Plasencia Cigars: A Commitment to Heritage and Values

Hermes by Via Natura: The Epitome of Galapagos Cruising

The Best Climbing Spots in Spain

SEA GRILL YVES MATTAGNE

LA TRUFFE NOIRE

TOUCAN-SUR-MER

Latest in Luxury

The 19 best traditional Belgian restaurants in Brussels 2024

Table of Contents

2. L’ana Theme

3. Comme Chez Soi

4. Au Stekerlapatte

5. Le Chou de Bruxelles