284
Key to Symbols see back cover flap
Restaurants, Cafés and Bars
The restaurants given here have been selected for their
good value, food and location. Also listed are the best
and most colourful cafés and bars. Cafés serve alcoholic
drinks and soft drinks, while bars offer coffee in addition
to alcohol. Snacks and larger meals can be found at both.
For map references in Central Brussels, see pages 92–7.
BRUSSELS
CENTRAL BRUSSELS À la Mort Subite Δ ) ¡
Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères 7, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5131318 City Map 2 D2
Opened in 1928, À la Mort Subite (Sudden Death) gets its name from a game of dice. The original owner, Théophile
Vossen, also used this name for his brand of gueuze beers. Now run by the fourth generation of Vossens, the
establishment serves a full range of Brussels beers, other drinks and traditional light bar snacks.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS La Fleur en Papier Doré ¤ ¡
Rue des Alexiens 56, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5111659 City Map 1 C3
A traditional estaminet (tavern) that was the haunt of the Surrealists, Magritte included, who left suitably bizarre
mementos and poems that now decorate the series of small rooms. A lovely time-capsule in which to enjoy fine
Belgian beers and a platter of of light food such as cold meats and smoked salmon.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Le Cirio ¤ Δ ¡
Rue de la Bourse 18, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5121395 City Map 1 C2
Francesco Cirio, 19th-century Italian pioneer in food canning, set up one of his prestige outlets by the Bourse.
When it became a café-bar, the name was retained. It is now a well-known landmark, cherished for its splendidly
old-fashioned interior and its famous tipple, the half-en-half (half sparkling wine, half still). Traditional bar food.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Le Pain Quotidien © ¡
Rue Antoine Dansaert 16, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5022361 City Map 2 D4
This was the first branch of the chain Le Pain Quotidien. Lovely bread with delicious fillings, salads and pastries.
The formula has since become an international hit, with 25 branches in Belgium alone, 10 of which are in Brussels.
Brilliant for lunch, but also good for breakfast and early evening (closes between 6 and 7pm).
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Mappa Mundo Δ ¡
Rue du Pont de la Carpe 2-6, 1000 Tel (02) 5135116 City Map 1 C2
One of the most popular bars in the trendy St-Géry area. It has many of the attributes of a traditional Bruxellois
bar, but the clientèle is young and cosmopolitan, and the theme lightly South American. Bars upstairs too, and
a street terrace. Open from 11am to 2:30am on weekdays, and to 4am Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Sundays.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Restaurant ‘t Kelderke Δ ¡¡
Grand Place 15, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5137344 City Map 1 D3
This 17th-century cellar restaurant has a decidedly genuine feel and is generally busy. Here, the Bruxellois will rub
shoulders with visitors to their city. The food is entirely Bruxellois – carbonnades flamandes, stoemp, bloedpens
(blood sausage), rabbit cooked in kriek (see p283) and, of course, moules-frites (mussels and fries).
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Aux Armes de Bruxelles z Δ ̊ ¡¡¡
Rue des Bouchers 13, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5115550 City Map 2 D2
In an area notorious for substandard tourist restaurants, the Aux Armes de Bruxelles is a shining exception – a classic
restaurant serving first-class Belgian cuisine, fish in particular. An excellent place to try such dishes as croquettes de
crevettes (shrimp croquettes), waterzooi or anguilles au vert. Jacques Brel ate here.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Brigittines Aux Marches de la Chapelle 0 ) ̊ ¡¡¡
Place de la Chapelle 5, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5126891 City Map 1 C4
An elegant Art Nouveau-style restaurant with a soothing decor and deep green, wood pannelling; an open fire
burns in winter. The assured service is equally welcoming – a good backdrop for fine, market-fresh Franco-Belgian
cooking, which has won many devotees. Closed for Saturday lunch and on Sundays.
CENTRAL BRUSSELS Clef des Champs z Δ ¡¡¡
Rue de Rollebeek 23, 1000 BRU Tel (02) 5121193 City Map 2 D4
Set in a pretty little street, this highly respected restaurant is run by a husband-and-wife team. It serves regional
French cuisine in a setting of warm Provençale colours. Dishes of the day are written on a blackboard. Look out
for their bargain fixed-price offers at lunch time (Tuesday–Friday). Closed Sunday evenings and Mondays.
PRICE CATEGORIES
The following price categories are for
a three-course evening meal for one,
including a half-bottle of house wine,
tax and service.TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS¡ Under 25 euros
¡¡ 25–37 euros
¡¡¡ 37–50 euros
¡¡¡¡ 50–62 euros
¡¡¡¡¡ Over 62 euros