Restaurants in Brussels

Brussels’ international flavour means that it has a restaurant scene to suit every palette. Seafood is particularly dominant, as is the chance to indulge in some first rate African cooking, a consequence of Belgium’s colonial past. Of course, true French haute cuisine is easy to come by too. Just make sure you’ve got enough Euros in your back pocket once the bill arrives.

The Brussels restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over €80)
Moderate (€30 to €80)
Cheap (up to €30)

These Brussels restaurant prices are for an average three-course meal for one with half a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent. In Belgium, prices quoted on restaurant menus include VAT and service. Nevertheless, diners may round up their bill to leave a few extra Euros if the service is very good. Some restaurants close for several weeks in August.

La Villa Lorraine

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: French

This smart restaurant, with impeccable white tablecloths, has large windows overlooking a lovely garden where you can dine alfresco in summer. The cuisine, created by chef Maxime Colin, is classical French and specialities include sole Lorraine, broccoli terrine with wild asparagus, or lobster with turmeric and coconut milk accompanied by an excellent wine selection.

Address: Avenue du Vivier d'Oie 75, Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 374 3163.

La Truffe Noire

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: Italian

Italian chef Luigi Ciciriello is passionate about his truffles, used in just about every dish at this Michelin-starred restaurant. Specialities include Carpaccio truffles with olive oil and Parmesan, lobster risotto with truffles, and (for dessert) black chocolate truffle with spun sugar and raspberry sauce. Those with a passion for truffles but with less time to linger should try the sister establishment, L'Atelier de la Truffe Noire, on Avenue Louise.

Address: Boulevard de la Cambre 12, Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 640 4422.

Comme Chez Soi

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: French

The fame of this intimate little restaurant, decorated in Belle Epoque-style, extends worldwide. Chef Lionel Rigolet serves exceptional French cuisine that justifies its two Michelin stars. Specialities include fillets of sole with a mousseline of Riesling, or prawn and apricot soufflé with crunchy pistachios and red fruits. Advanced booking is strongly recommended.

Address: Place Rouppe 23, Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 512 2921.

La Quincaillerie

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Belgian

La Quincaillerie, one of the many restaurants clustered around the place du Châtelain in Brussels's Ixelles district, is always busy. Housed in a former ironmonger's shop (hence the name, Hardware), the interior retains much of the original décor, including a wrought-iron staircase, designed by students of Victor Horta (Brussels's renowned art nouveau architect) in 1903. Specialities include shellfish, oysters and lobsters.

Address: Rue du Page 45, Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 533 9833.

Kokob

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Ethiopian

Brussels’ first Ethiopian restaurant has quickly garnered a reputation as one of the city’s best places to grab a bite. The emphasis is on shared plates, with unleavened bread to mop up delicious lentil dishes and saucy meat platters. There are heaps of veggie options too.

Address: Rue des Grands Carmes 10, Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 511 1950.
Website:

Aux Armes de Bruxelles

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Belgian

While many of the restaurants in the winding streets surrounding the Grand-Place are tourist traps, this place is always a safe bet for traditional Belgian cuisine such as waterzooi (fish or chicken in a creamy soup with vegetables), oysters or mussels with chips and mayonnaise. The surroundings are unfussy and the service is friendly.

Address: Rue des Bouchers 13, Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 511 55 98.

Noordzee / Mer du Nord

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: Seafood

Locals flock to this ‘seafood bar’ at lunchtime, which sells some of the best seafood snacks in the city. Try the fish soup, mussels, shrimps, calamari and oysters and wash it down with a chilled glass of white wine or champagne. The menu depends on the season and the catch of the day. A great little find.

Address: Rue St Catherine 45, Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 513 1192.

Tonton Garby

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: Sandwiches

A convenient and simple “bread and cheese shop”, the friendly owner will help you find whatever you’re craving on the menu if you’re indecisive. Named after the owner, customers are sure to feel right at home even if they are tourists.

Address: Rue Duquesnoy 6, Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 484 29 02 16
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