Restaurants

Thanks to its excellent food and diversity of cuisine, Brussels has moved into the European culinary limelight. While not the cheapest of cities to eat out in, its thousands of restaurants offer consistently high quality fare and spectacular value for money. The excellence exhibited by restaurants like Comme Chez Soi has trickled down to mainstream dining, and as a result, there really is no excuse for eating poorly. With the natives expecting this minimum level of quality, even the trendiest of restaurants are obliged to have a cuisine which matches the sleek decor. Apart from the excellence of the native Belgian fare, the city is among Europe's best for sampling a wide range of different cuisines — from the ubiquitous Italian places, through to Spanish, Vietnamese, Japanese and Russian restaurants.

Restaurants aside, it's worth remembering many bars and cafés serve food. Though this is often limited to pastas, soups and croques monsieurs, many have wider-ranging menus usually consisting of traditional Brussels fare. There are also plenty of frites stands and pitta places around the Grand-Place, notably on rue du Marché aux Fromages, known locally as “Greek Street”, and on rue des Bouchers.

Unfortunately, Brussels is lacking when it comes to specifically catering for vegetarians, but many restaurants, particularly Middle Eastern ones, serve a good selection of vegetarian dishes.

The Lower Town is great for good-quality cuisine that doesn't cost the earth. The fashionable rue Antoine Dansaert is an excellent place to start, with several stylish restaurants. The Lower Town also holds the frenetic rue des Bouchers, a restaurant ghetto well worth checking out. There's another cluster of good restaurants around the lovely place du Grand Sablon in the Upper Town, although the food doesn't come cheap and you may find yourself paying extra for the pretty scenery. Out of the town centre, Ixelles is home to some of the capital's finest restaurants, particularly at the place Stéphanie end of chaussée de Charleroi, but also close by the attractive place du Châtelain. The European Union Quarter holds a few spots that rise above the average business lunch gulp down, while the commune of Ganshoren is home to two of the finest restaurants in the city.

Generally speaking, most places are open from noon to 3 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays and Mondays tend to be the quietest days, and some restaurants close down altogether in July and August. It's not usually necessary to make a reservation midweek, but it's highly advisable on Friday and Saturday nights.

Restaurant prices vary, depending on where you eat and when. Lunch menus are considerably less expensive than evening menus, whereas the plat du jour — the main course meal of the day — is often great value for money and usually available all day.

Service charges are automatically included, and you need only leave a tip if service is above average.

Belgian Cuisine

For those among you who want to sample some Belgian cuisine (it’s been said many times that it is even better than French cuisine), here is a listing (in no particular order) of restaurants where we have eaten or restaurants recommended to us by our Belgian friends. So live a little and enjoy the culinary exploits of these Belgian chefs. You will find restaurants in all price ranges. Go to the restaurants’ web sites to check out the menu.

Villa Lorraine (Michelin guide: *) (VERY expensive)

Chaussée de La Hulpe, 28
Tel: 32 2 374 31 63 / Fax: 32 2 372 01 95
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, created by Chef Freddy Vandecasserie, is classical French and specialties include sole Lorraine, broccoli terrine with wild asparagus, or lobster with turmeric and coconut milk. 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 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 (for men) is required here.

Comme Chez Soi (VERY expensive)

Place Rouppe, 23
Tel: 32 2 512 29 21 / Fax: 32 2 512 36 74
info@commechezsoi.be Comme Chez Soi is one of the most coveted places in Belgium, where sybarites flock — if they can get the kitchen seats — to taste the exquisite culinary creations of chef-owner Pierre Wynant and his son-in-law Lionel Rigoler. After a second evening of phenomenal dishes and outstanding wines served in this art nouveau setting I will admit… the service is impeccable and the food divine; this is one of the best culinary experiences.

This is the top stratum of heady haute cuisine, and Chef Pierre Wynants is a national hero, being one of Europe's top chefs. The family has won every accolade going, including three 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 town house 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.

Bruneau

73 - 75, avenue Broustinlaan (BASILIQUE)
Tel: 32 2 427 69 78 or 32 2 421 70 70 / Fax: 32 2 425 97 26
Bruneau is an excellent French restaurant whose kitchen turns out beautifully prepared food in a lovely dining room with marble and jade accents; delightful paintings decorate the walls. The cuisine is superb, the setting very elegant and the service attentive but not intrusive. It’s well worth the 20 minute trip from the city-center to Ganshoren, on the edge of town. Critics are evenly divided as to whether Bruneau or Comme Chez Soi is the best eatery in the country.

Chef Jean-Pierre Bruneau, one of the city's finest and most innovative chefs, has been awarded three Michelin stars for his classic cuisine with a contemporary twist. Designer dishes are served at Bruneau against the backdrop of a modern decor and elegant atmosphere. This is a temple of fine food, offering a choice of seafood, meat and game dishes. Dishes include coucou de malines (chicken stuffed with truffles), ravioli filled with celery and truffles, or lobster with truffles and a light vinegar sauce.

Chez Léon (moderate prices)

BRUXELLES GRAND-PLACE (400 places) Rue des Bouchers 18
Tel: 02 511 14 15 / Fax: 02 514 02 31
Chez Léon is a great place for moules and frites (mussels and fries). The mussels will come from abroad in early June.

Aux Armes de Bruxelles

Rue des Bouchers 13
Tel: 02 511 55 50
Metro: Bourse. Tue – Sun noon – 11:15 p.m. 20 – 32 euros)
Right in the middle of the restaurant district near the Grand-Place, this polished spot divides into a formal restaurant popular with the pearls-and-blue-rinse brigade, and a simple bistro with wooden benches, both of which serve old-fashioned Belgian cuisine to a very high standard. Renowned for its moules and Flemish carbonnades.

L'Ogenblik

1 Prinsengalerij / Galerie des Princes 1
Tel: 32 2 511 61 51 / Fax: 32 2 514 55 97
Email: ogenblik@resto.be
Open 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 7: 00 p.m. - midnight (12:30 on weekends) Closed on Sundays The domain of chef Gonzalo Gomez. L’ Ogenblik (translated it means “blink of an eye”), is an authentic old Belgian brasserie in business for over 30 years. It serves solid French food; not grand cuisine but bourgeois fare equal to any good Parisian bistro. Located in the heart of Galeries Saint-Hubert, it is close to practically everything of importance in this city.

La Quincaillerie - Brasserie

Rue du page, 45
Tel: 32 2 533 98 33 / Fax: 32 2 539 40 95

Restaurant “Belga Queen”

rue Fossé aux Loups 32
Tel: 32 2 217 21 87 / Fax: 32 2 229 31 79
Email: reservation.brussels@belgaqueen.be Open every day from noon – 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – midnight
Antoine Pinto has given the superb Hôtel de la Poste with its entrance hall and late 19th century stained-glass windows, a complete new lease of life. The metamorphosis the building has undergone — from a bank in true belle époque style to a multifunctional complex housing a restaurant, an oyster bar, a beer bar and a cigar lounge reveals clearly his respect for the original space and volumes.

The top quality products used in the preparation of the dishes are, wherever possible, grown from Belgian soil and all of the wines on the list originate from Belgian winegrowers around the world. Furthermore, through his collaboration with Palm Breweries, he is able to serve a large range of high quality Belgian beers.

Le Fils de Jules (Basque Kitchen)

Corner of Rue du Page et Rue Américaine
Tel: 32 2 534 00 57
Open every day from noon – 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 11: 00 p.m. (Weekends until midnight)
For more interesting fare from Southwestern France, Les Fils de Jules is a fashionable but relaxed restaurant with ‘30s-inspired decor. It serves specialties from the Basque and Landes regions and the kitchen can be very creative when not rushed. The wines are interesting and certain finds are logically priced. The service is a bit uneven at times, but they try to please. The seating is a bit close; it reminds me of some New York restaurants.

Restaurant/Lounge Khnopff

1 Rue Saint-Bernard / Sint-Bernardusstraat 1
Tel: 32 2 534 20 04 / Fax 32 2 534 34 95
Email: info@khnopff.be
Open noon – 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 - midnight / Closed Saturday noon and Sunday

Lola

33 Grote Zavel / place du Grand Sablon 33
Tel: 32 2 514 24 60 / Fax: 32 2 514 26 53
Open noon – 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. (Weekends noon – 11:30 p.m. non-stop)

Restaurant Loui /Lounge & Bar (in Conrad Hotel, trendy)

Conrad Brussels, Avenue Louise, 71
Tel: 32 2 542 42 42 / Fax: 32 2 542 42 00
Email: brusselsinfo@conradhotels.com

Restaurant “Bonsoir Clara”

rue Antoine Dansaertstraat 22
Tel: 32 2 502 09 90 / Fax: 32 2 502 55 57
Open noon – 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. (12:30 a.m. on weekends) / Closed Saturday & Sunday noon

Restaurant “En Face du Parachute”

Waterloosesteenweg 578
Tel: 32 2 346 47 41

Restaurant “Taverne du Passage”

Galerie de la Reine 30
Tel: 32 2 512 37 31
Email: tavernedupassage@resto.be Daily noon – midnight. Closed Wed & Thu in June and July. 20 - 32 euros.)
Popular with Belgian families, this traditional Art Deco place is well known for its excellent Sunday lunches (37 euros) and for serving delicious classic Belgian dishes such as anguilles au vert. There are a number of vegetarian options including a tasty cheese fondue for only 7 euros. Their Belgian beer menu is also worth perusing. This restaurant is a great place for shrimp crockets, a Belgian specialty.

Restaurant “Le Mess”

1. Boulevard Louis Schmidt
Tel 32 02 734 03 36 / Fax: 32 02 734 25 43

Restaurant “L’Esterel” (at Le Plaza hotel)

Bd Adolphe Maxlaan, 118-126
Tel: 32 2 278 01 00 / Fax: 32 2 278 01 01
Email: reservations@leplaza-brussels.be

Restaurant “Bocconi” (at Hotel Amigo)

Tel: 32 2 547 4715 / Fax: 32 2 547 4767
Email: bocconi@hotelamigo.com
Opening hours: Breakfast - 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Lunch - noon to 2:30 pm | Dinner - 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Ristorante Bocconi is fun, contemporary, comfortable and relaxing. A professional, dedicated team offers a discreet and personalized service to complete a memorable moment.

The Chef, Giuseppe Colella, was the winner of the Five Star Award and voted “One of the Finest Chefs” by The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences 2004. He will seduce you with his creativity as he strives constantly to adapt the menu to the season, offering an imaginative interpretation of the best of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Before or after Ristorante Bocconi, the Amigo Bar is the best place to meet for an aperitif or to enjoy an impressive list of whiskies and cognac. The award-winning barman Pierre Pelseneer will surprise you with his cocktail menu and a selection of the world's most exquisite cigars.

Coffee and Pastry

Wittamer

Place du Grand Sablon, 6,1000 Brussels
Tel: 32 2 546 11 11
Great for coffee and pastry. The best cafe in Belgium. They are purveyors to the Royal family.

Restaurants in Bruges

De Karmeliet (Michelin guide: **)

Langestraat 19, 8000 Brugge
Tel: 32 50 33 82 59 / Fax: 32 50 33 10 11
In the heart of historical Bruges, Geert Van Hecke aims at gastronomic perfection. De Karmeliet is a three-star restaurant where you can discover Belgian gastronomy either a la carte or in special menus such as “The Flat Country” or “Brugge die Scone”. De Karmeliet is truly a culinary highlight where gastronomy, enjoyable surroundings and atmosphere blend together into a unique and exclusive mix.

Belgian Specialties Translated

anguilles au vert eels in green sauce
faisan à la brabançonne Pheasant in butter, white wine and chicory
carbonnade flamande beef braised with beer, onions, carrots and sometimes prunes
crevettes roses/grises red/grey shrimp used in salads
croque monsieur toasted cheese and ham sandwich
dame blanche ice cream with melted chocolate
gaufres au chocolat Chocolate waffles
kip-kap jellied meat (often sold in bars)
lammekezoet fresh herring croquettes
lapin à la kriek rabbit in cherry beer
poulet à la Bruxelles chicken stuffed with cheese and basted in beer
poulet à la framboise chicken in raspberry beer
salade à l'ardennaise salad with strips of Ardennes ham
steak américaine raw minced steak
stoemp mashed potatoes and mashed seasonal vegetables with sausages and/or bacon
waterzooi stew with eels, fish, or chicken, cooked in a broth enriched with cream