Dining

Al Barmaki
A Lebanese restaurant of very good bill, in all meanings of the word! The frame is typical (a smart decor in oriental constituted by colored mosaics and by arabesques, by trays of copper and a learnedly finely wrought wooden portal), the succulent kitchen, luscious wines, charming music and the service of a conversational warmth. As for the addendum, it is of thinness conversely proportional to scoops in plates. Nothing amazing, as a result, in the fact that they hurry up in this good home for soon thirty-five years! www.albarmaki.be
   
Bocconi “Hotel Amigo”
Our Chef, Adriano Venturini, will seduce you with his creativity and his strive to constantly adapt the menu to the season. Bocconi equals the imaginative interpretation of the best of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine within a relaxing, comfortable and contemporary atmosphere. www.hotelamigo.com/dining

Les Brigittines aux Marchés de la Chapelle
An excellent bistro in Belle Epoque design that manages to be smart and informal at the same time. The menu is fairly short, but the food is superb. www.lesbrigittines.com

Bruneau
Chef Jean-Pierre Bruneau, one of the city’s finest and most innovative chefs, has been awarded two Michelin stars, although he respects tradition and well-known recipes, the chef is always seeking to offer a cuisine that is innovative and imaginative yet excludes any eccentricity. Working with the finest products in the tranquility of his elegant house and garden Bruneau stands for 30 years perfecting a culinary art that is unanimously acclaimed by real gourmets. www.bruneau.be

Comme chez Soi
this is the top stratum of heady haute cuisine and Chef Lionel Rigolet is a national hero, being one of Europe's top chefs. The family has won every accolade going, including two stars from the picky Michelin people, and the food is the absolute best, of course, with such delights as pigeon stuffed with truffles. The changing set menu can make the bill a little more bearable. A veritable temple to the art of fine dining, this art nouveau-inspired townhouse is nigh on impossible to get into unless you book many weeks ahead. But that's the price you pay for eating at the top restaurant in Brussels, and arguably in Belgium. www.commechezsoi.be
 
De Karmeliet
In the heart of historical Bruges aims Geert Van Hecke at gastronomic perfection. De Karmeliet is a 3-star restaurant where you can discover Belgian Gastronomy either a la carte or through special menus such as "The flat country" or "Bruges die Scone". De Karmeliet is truly a culinary highlight where gastronomy, an enjoyable surrounding and atmosphere blend together into a unique and exclusive mix. www.dekarmeliet.be

Elephant Bleu
Thai antiques, comfortable rattan, flower arrangements and indigenous table settings create the exotic atmosphere of this Thai restaurant. www.blueelephant.com/brussels

Kasbah 
Popular with a young, groovy crowd, this Moroccan eatery is famous for serving enormous portions of couscous and other North African specialties. The atmosphere is definitely vibrant. www.lakasbah.be

L’Ecailler du Palais Royal
French restaurant serves some of the best seafood in Brussels. Unlike most gourmet haunts, L’Ecailler has a faithful, predominantly Belgian clientele. As the first restaurant dedicated solely to seafood and shellfish, it has pursued excellence for nearly forty years. The intimate setting –best experienced on the cosy ground floor of this 17th-century townhouse-is in marine mode, with aquatic-colored tiles and pictures of fish adorning wood –paneled walls. Apart from the popular oyster bar, dinners can opt for fishy starters such as caviar, lobster ravioli, smoked salmon and smoked eel. Main courses include red mullet on a bed of spinach, grilled brill or turbot in a wine sauce. www.lecaillerdupalaisroyal.be

Les Larmes du Tigre
This discreet restaurant near the Palais de Justice is a favorite among Brussels politicians and serves the best Thai food in town. The red decor paired with white wicker furniture is a little jarring, but the expertly cooked food is fantastic, particularly the red curry prawns. www.leslarmesdutigre.be

Lola
A long, narrow restaurant in the Sablon, with modern design, and classic French cooking with a twist.Main courses include duck with mango and rabbit with almonds and orange blossom, and there are couples of vegetarian starters and main courses. www.restolola.be

L’idiot du village
it’s a small and very popular bistro hidden in a side street of rue Blaes.
The chairs and tables are the type of furniture you hope to find in the nearby Jeu de Balles flea market (but never do), the walls are midnight blue, there are dried herbs and roses around the place, and the chandelier looks like a leftover from Christmas.
It sounds faintly clichéd but works perfectly, as does the food.  www.sensum.be/en/resto/show/l-idiot-du-village?Brussels

Little Asia                                                                                                            
A restaurant known for its well-prepared Vietnamese specialties, modern decor and smiling waitresses, overseen by a charming female owner. www.littleasia.be

La Maison du Cygne
There can surely be no grander building or location in which to eat in Brussels. Sitting right on the Grand' Place, the house has associations with Karl Marx and now spreads an authoritative, distinctly capitalist air across the square. It has the feel of a gentlemen's club, and the rich French food, liberally sprinkled with truffles and caviar, costs an arm and a leg. Only the proletariat with expense accounts can afford to visit, though the set menus make it more acceptable. For a celebration meal or an impulsive treat, it's perfect and you won’t regret once you see the view and experience the cushioned luxury. www.lamaisonducygne.be

La Porte des Indes
La Porte des Indes is widely celebrated as the best Indian restaurant in Brussels. Set in a beautifully converted Ixelles mansion on the heaving Avenue Louise, La Porte des Indes is decorated in rich wood carvings, warm red-toned color scheme, masses of flowers and lush plantings, and Colonial style Indian furniture. The costumed waitstaff make the setting complete. This is another success from the Blue Elephant group, so you know the ingredients are of the highest quality. See for yourself. Roam the menu and try dishes like specialties starter of Crab Malabar, a warm salad of flaked crabmeat and corn kernels, main course of something classic like fiery chicken vindaloo and finish with a palate-freshening mango sorbet. www.laportedesindes.com

La Roue d’Or
This Belle Epoque style pub near the Grand Place is without a doubt one of the most authentic of Brussels. The decoration is superb with its stained glass and frescos on the walls where Magritte's man in a black suit and bowlers' hat is paid homage. Seating is in wooden benches where clients enjoy typical pub food as well as seasonal dishes and old favorites. www2.resto.be/rouedor

Rugbyman Number Two
This restaurant situated at the fish market is really, with is professional polyglot service and is cozy décor, the place to find the best lobster in Brussels.  www.rugbymantwo.com

Le Royal
Located very near the Fish Market areas, this charming Belgian bistro style, offer you a large choice of the locale specialties “Fish – seafood – Mead”. The atmosphere is modern design and trendy. www.royalbrasseriebrussels.be

Samourai
A Japanese restaurant that opened in 1975 near the Théâtre de la Monnaie. Dining rooms on three floors with a Japanese decorative theme. Authentic dishes based around quality products and adapted slightly to Western tastes.

Scheltema
Located in the historic centre of Brussels just a few steps away from the Grand Place, it has been an institution from 1972. The establishment is known for its seafood specialties and its turn of the century pub ambiance. Scheltema is a real institution in Brussels, where you discover a unique and inviting atmosphere. 5 to 10 minutes walk. www.scheltema.be
   
La Truffe Noire
Italian chef Luigi Ciciriello is passionate about his truffles, used in just about every dish at this gastronomic, Michelin-starred but friendly restaurant. Located close to Avenue Louise in central Brussels, the restaurant is characterized by its rich wood and warm, gentle tones. Specialties include Carpaccio truffles with olive oil and Parmesan, lobster risotto with truffles, and, for dessert, black chocolate truffle with spun sugar and raspberry sauce. An extensive wine cellar of fine Italian and French bottles, offers the perfect accompaniment to any meal.  www.truffenoire.com

La Villa Lorraine
Located in the Uccle district, on the edge of the Bois de la Cambre, this very smart restaurant, with impeccable white tablecloths, has large windows overlooking dense greenery. During summer, there is a lovely garden for alfresco dining. The cuisine, is created by chef Freddy Vandecasserie, he happily pursues his search for a cuisine that cleverly combines French creativeness with common sense.  There is an extensive wine list, ranging from agreeable, reasonably priced wines to vintage wine from the Villa’s cellar. To impress a client, there is no better way than by inviting them to lunch at La Villa Lorraine. The establishment offers a series of gracious, private rooms, which are ideal for business lunches and banquets – special business menus can be created to order. A suit is required (for men) here. www.villalorraine.be

Vincent
Belgium brasseries (sins 1905) in the streets around the grand place are mostly overpriced and without any charm, but Vincent is a notable exception. It guarantees tradition, good service and a menu of Belgium classics such as waterzooi, delicious steaks (restaurant specialties) and best of all, a vast bucket of mussels.www.restaurantvincent.com

Yamayu Santatsu
A lively and authentic Japanese restaurant that only uses the best hand picked ingredients, and prepares sushi in full view of diners. Assorted à la carte options with four different menus for two people.