Dining
Armand and Ko
Close to the famous Grand Place, a pleasant 17th-century house reveals this welcoming restaurant and even small museum, decorated in bistro style with antique corkscrews as well as enameled plates. Particular care has been taken in bringing the guests a selection of brandies and spirits as well as presenting a large choice of Havana cigars.
Price range: 50-60 euros
Au Stekerlapate
This is a wonderful old-fashioned brasserie in the Marolles, which offers a wide-ranging menu featuring the best of traditional Bruxellois cuisine – everything from eel to even pigs’ feet. The dish of the day will cost you just 11 €. Stekerlapate is only open evenings, which ensures a great, bustling atmosphere.
Price range: 35-50 €
Bocconi “Hotel Amigo”
Our Chef, Vincenzo Regine, 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.
Price range: 55-70 €
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 tranquillity of his elegant house and garden Bruneau stands for 30 years perfecting a culinary art that is unanimously acclaimed by real gourmets.
Price range: 127-175 €
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.
Price range: 65-140 €
De Bijgaarden
Situated a 20-minute drive from central Brussels, De Bijgaarden is the territory of Chef Olivier Schlissinger. Its most prestigious wines, original dishes and considerate service offer you a bouquet of exceptional pleasures.
Price range: 90-130 €
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 "Brugge die Scone". De Karmeliet is truly a culinary highlight where gastronomy, an enjoyable surrounding and atmosphere blend together into a unique and exclusive mix.
Price range: 90-120 €
In‘t Spinnekopke
Ancient restaurant and bar that serves many traditional Bruxellois dishes cooked in beer – the owner has even published a book of beer recipes. It is also one of the few places that serve beer from the Cantillon brewery in Anderlecht.
Price range: 35-50 €
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.
Price range: 30-40 €
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.
Price range: 50-55 €
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.
Price range: 40-70 €
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.
Price range: 95-105 €
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.
Price range: 78-100 €
Le Vieux Bruxelles
Belgium brasseries in the streets around the grand place are mostly overpriced and without any charm, but le Vieux Bruxelles is a notable exception.
It guarantees tradition, good service and a menu of Belgium classics such as waterzooi, steak and best of all, a vast bucket of mussels."
Price range: 50-55 €
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.
Price range: 40-50 €
Les petites oignons
Les petites oignons is a first-rate and popular restaurant serving Belgian cuisine with flair, although at top prices. The restaurant is situated on the modern edge of the Marolles district.
Price range: 35-50 €
