Noordzee – Mer du Nord

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.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Sainte-Catherine area full of fish restaurants?

This was Brussels' fish market, back when barges came up the now-covered river Senne to quays right here — Quai aux Briques means 'brick quay'. Noordzee is the living, affordable remnant of that trade among pricier seafood restaurants.

Is there anywhere to sit?

No — it's standing tables on the square, whatever the weather. That's the deal and honestly part of why it's good: quick, social, and you're eating fish-shop-fresh seafood outdoors in the middle of the old fish-market quarter.

What if it's raining or freezing?

They still serve, and the hot fish soup exists precisely for those days — but there's no shelter to speak of. In bad weather, either embrace it with soup and wine or come back; this is a fair-weather-optimal experience.

What are grey shrimp and why does Belgium obsess over them?

Tiny, intensely flavorful North Sea shrimp — the national seafood treasure, traditionally hand-peeled. In croquette form (crisp outside, molten shrimp béchamel inside) they're one of Belgium's great bites, and Noordzee's version is a benchmark.

How does ordering at Noordzee work?

Queue at the steel counter, order and pay, then hover by the standing tables until they call your name. It's self-organized chaos that works — no reservations, no waiters, no stress once you understand the system.

What should I order at Mer du Nord?

The garnaalkroketten — grey-shrimp croquettes, around €13 for two — are the icon, plus the fish soup in cold months and whatever's on the grill (scallops, calamari, tuna). Add a glass of crisp white; the wine is decently priced.

Is Noordzee expensive?

Mid-range for seafood: croquettes and soup are affordable, grilled plates more, and it adds up if you graze — but it's half the price of the sit-down fish restaurants around the square for comparable freshness.

What are Noordzee's opening hours?

The fish bar runs roughly 11:00 to 18:30, Tuesday through Sunday — closed Mondays. Note it's a lunch-and-afternoon place; come for dinner and you'll find the counter shut.

Nearby in Ask Brussels

• Dansaert QuarterNeighborhood0.1 km · 1 min walk
• Sainte-CatherineNeighborhood0.14 km · 2 min walk
• L'ArchiducBar0.14 km · 2 min walk
• Le Fin de SiècleRestaurant0.2 km · 3 min walk
• Mappa MundoBar0.21 km · 3 min walk