CENTRAL BRUSSELS In ‘t Spinnekopke z Δ ¡¡¡
Place du Jardin aux Fleurs 1, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5118695 City Map 1 B2
A rare surviving estaminet dating back to 1762 and still delightfully atmospheric. In ‘t Spinnekopke (At the Sign
of the Spider’s Head) specializes in good traditional Bruxellois and Belgian dishes – seafood, steak, waterzooi and
dishes cooked in beer. Friendly service and a lovely terrace. Closed Saturday lunch, Sunday.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS La Chaloupe d’Or Δ ¡¡¡
Grand Place 24-25, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5114161 City Map 1 D3
Occupying the beautiful Baroque-style guildhouse of the tailors, this is an elegant and sophisticated restaurant
and café. A good place to soak up the busy atmosphere of the city centre while sipping a beer or coffee, or eating
a slice of pâtisserie at tea time. Lunch is offered from a menu of well-prepared dishes. Popular among locals.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS La Villette © ¡¡¡
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains 3, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5127550 City Map 1 C2
A charming little tavern-style restaurant with wood panelling and gingham tablecloths. It specializes in Belgian
dishes – tomatoes filled with little grey shrimps from Oostende, cod with Belgian endives, salmon cooked in wheat
beer, mussels and steak-frites. Meals are concluded with a jenever gin. Closed Saturday lunchtime and Sundays.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Le Falstaff Δ ¡¡¡
Rue Henri Maus 19, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5118789 City Map 1 C2
This celebrated bar and brasserie-restaurant is famed for its Art Nouveau decor, but also has a robust, tavern-like
atmosphere in keeping with its Shakespearean name. A good place for a drink and bar snack. The res taurant,
spilling out on to a heated terrace, offers full meals, mainly of Belgian and Bruxellois inspiration. Closed Mondays.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Le Roy d’Espagne Δ ) ¡¡¡
Grand Place 1, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5130807 City Map 1 D3
With its premier position in the old bakers’ guildhouse on the Grand Place, and with its sunny, south-facing
terrace, this is justifiably one of the city’s most celebrated watering holes. The waiters’ tabard aprons and the
Breughelesque decor of the interior add a medieval air. Food ranges from snacks to substantial dishes.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Restaurant MIM Δ © ¡¡¡
Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5029508 City Map 2 E4
The restaurant atop the splendid Art Nouveau building that houses the Musée des Instruments de Musique is
open during museum hours (10am–4:30pm Tuesday–Sunday). Its main draw is the fabulous view over Brussels.
The well-prepared food includes salads and open sandwiches, plus typical brasserie dishes such as fish and steaks.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS La Belga Queen z f 0 ) © ̊ ¡¡¡¡
Rue Fossé aux Loups 32, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 2172187 City Map 2 D2
This splendidly theatrical restaurant, created by maestro eatery-architect Antoine Pinto, is located in an imagin-
atively transformed 19th-century bank, all marble columns and high arches. The refined cuisine has a determinedly
Belgian slant. There is also an oyster bar, beer bar and cigar lounge.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS La Roue d’Or Δ ¡¡¡¡
Rue des Chapeliers 26, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5142554 City Map 1 D3
A fine brasserie richly evoking early 20th-century Brussels with its dark-wood panelling, brass fittings, mirrors and
Magritte-inspired murals. It is a spell-binding setting for a broad range of high-quality brasserie food, with plenty
of good Belgian classics such as croquettes de crevettes and waterzooi. Closed for four weeks over July–August.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Vincent z ¡¡¡¡
Rue des Dominicains 8-10, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5112607 City Map 2 D3
Entering past the steaming kitchen, guests will find a room decorated with tiles illustrating maritime themes. Fish
and oysters are on the menu, but there is also a strong emphasis on meat. There’s a true Bruxellois feel to this place:
a family-run enterprise founded in 1905 where visitors can tuck into good wholesome fare.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Comme Chez Soi z ̊ ¡¡¡¡¡
Place Rouppe 23, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5122921 City Map 1 C4
Widely regarded as the city’s best restaurant, Comme Chez Soi is the domain of the Wynants family, with the highly
respected chef, Pierre Wynants, and his son-in-law, Lionel Rigolet. Exquisitely presented dishes of lobster and game. Closed
Sundays, Mondays, Wednesday lunch and mid-Jul to mid-Aug. Only 40 seats, so booking ahead is a good idea.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS L’Ėcailler du Palais Royal z ̊ ¡¡¡¡¡
Rue Bodenbroeck 18, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5128751 City Map 2 D4
An écailler is a professional shellfish seller and opener: a clue to the orientation of this splendidly traditional and august
fish and seafood Michelin-starred restaurant. Set in a 17th-century townhouse, the decor is plush, the service and
cuisine absolutely as they should be: classic, but with inventive flair. Closed December, Sundays and public holidays.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS La Belle Marâichère z ̊ ¡¡¡¡¡
Place Ste-Catherine 11, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5129759 City Map 1 C2
The former site of the fish market, Place Ste-Catherine is still the place to eat fish in Brussels. Founded in1973,
the family-run La Belle Marâichère (The Pretty Market Gardener) is one of the best-loved fish restaurants. Classic
dishes, including the very Belgian fish waterzooi. Meat dishes are also served. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.
WHERE TO EAT 285