The 13 Best Restaurants in Brussels

A fishmonger on Place Sainte-Catherine with a legendary outdoor counter: order shrimp croquettes, fish soup, or grilled catch, then eat standing at high tables with a glass of white wine. A friend sends you here for lunch, full stop — it's peak Brussels. Caveats: no seats, weather-exposed, closed Mondays, and the fish bar shuts by early evening.

A tiny, unpretentious wine bar and bistro on the Parvis de Saint-Gilles that punches well above its weight. The chalkboard menu changes daily and leans on quality seasonal produce with a natural wine focus. It's the kind of place locals guard jealously. Arrive early or expect to wait — it's perpetually packed and doesn't take reservations.

A loud, convivial, no-frills brasserie on Rue des Chartreux serving huge plates of Belgian grandmother food — carbonnade, stoemp, ribs — at kind prices, with local beer to match. A friend sends you here for your proper Belgian dinner. Caveats: expect a wait at peak hours, and bring cash — card acceptance has historically been unreliable.

The most famous friterie in Belgium — a kiosk on Place Jourdan frying twice-cooked frites since 1948, with a wall of sauces and a cone from about €3.50. A friend sends you here for the definitive Belgian frites experience, sauce andalouse included. Caveat: EU-lunch and evening queues can be long, and it's standing-room only.

A beloved neighbourhood gem in Saint-Gilles run by Italian chef Valerio Calabrese, Racines serves deeply personal Italian cooking rooted in southern Italian tradition. The pasta is made fresh daily and the menu changes with the seasons. The room is intimate and warm, with a loyal local following. Reservations are essential and the space is small, so plan ahead.

The taproom and brasserie of one of Brussels' most respected craft breweries, serving their own Zinnebir, Taras Boulba, and seasonal beers alongside simple, well-executed food. It's a genuine local institution that helped revive Brussels' brewing culture. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. Food is secondary to the beer but perfectly decent.

Housed inside the iconic Bozar arts centre, this restaurant by chef Karen Torosyan (of Bozar Brasserie fame) offers refined Belgian-French cuisine in a stunning Art Deco setting. The pâté en croûte is legendary and has won international competitions. Service is polished and the wine list is serious. Book well in advance as it fills up fast, especially on event nights.

A singular restaurant entirely devoted to mushrooms and fungi in all their forms — from wild foraged varieties to cultivated rarities. The menu is creative and surprisingly varied, and the knowledgeable staff make it an educational experience too. It's quirky and genuinely unique in the Brussels dining scene. Vegetarians will be especially well served here.

One of the most authentic traditional Belgian brasseries in the city centre, this place has been serving honest Belgian classics since 1969. The stoemp, waterzooi, and carbonnade flamande are all done properly. It's a rare find near the Grand Place that hasn't sold out to tourist traps. The interior is wonderfully old-school and the portions are generous.

A neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant near Flagey that has built a devoted following for its natural wine selection and honest, market-driven cooking. The menu is short and changes frequently, which keeps regulars coming back. The atmosphere is relaxed and genuinely local. It can get very busy on weekends so booking ahead is wise.

One of Brussels' most talked-about contemporary restaurants, Humphrey offers a creative tasting menu in a sleek, open-kitchen setting near the Dansaert design district. The cooking is inventive without being gimmicky, drawing on global influences with strong local sourcing. The bar programme is equally impressive. Tasting menus only at dinner, which may not suit everyone.

A lively Alsatian-inspired brasserie in the Châtelain neighbourhood beloved for its tarte flambée, choucroute, and excellent beer and wine selection. The atmosphere is warm and convivial, and it's a favourite for after-work gatherings and weekend lunches. The tarte flambée with crème fraîche and lardons is not to be missed. It gets very busy on Thursday and Friday evenings.

The most famous moules-frites institution in Brussels, Chez Léon has been serving mussels since 1893 and remains a genuine Brussels landmark. Yes, it's touristy, but the mussels are fresh, the frites are proper, and the experience is part of the city's identity. Go for the classic moules marinières and don't overthink it. Expect queues and a lively, chaotic atmosphere.