The best restaurants Bruxelles - Brussel

Uccle Calevoet looks like a big village, and that's where Filipe decided to open a neighborhood restaurant in the noblest sense of the word. Although the restaurant is brand new, it already has its regulars, and that's a good sign. Filipe highlights his Italian-Portuguese origins in a menu that changes according to his moods. The pizzas remain the constants, while the rest varies from linguine vongole to pasteis de nata, without neglecting French and seasonal cuisine (game in autumn). The plates are generous, cooked just like at home.

A great success for this restaurant still firmly rooted in the Nemo33 diving center. The inspired decor evokes the world of diving, and the view over the depths of this deep spring-water pool. But you don't have to be a diver to appreciate the Asian flavors on the menu (Thailand, Vietnam, China). At lunchtime, the clientele is mainly business, while in the evening, the subdued lighting invites romance. Beautiful rooms for groups and a magnificent green terrace are among the top 5 most attractive in Brussels.

Pushing the door of the Sanglier, it is to find oneself in a little Ardennes café with its rustic furnishing (not surprising that it carries the name of boar). Martine and Marc Roeland have been running the place for 14 years and it is a popular tavern in the noble sense of the word: you come here to drink a coffee, a beer, eat a croque or an omelette when the kitchen is closed, and when it is open, you can find good old specialities (solettes, American, grilled steak). At noon on weekdays, dish of the day at good price. Covered terrace and discovery as a bonus.

"There is no journey to the heart of Moroccan cuisine that does not leave traces full of emotions, perfumes, colours, memories and encounters with women and men attached to their ancestral culinary traditions. True reflections of this country full of resources and authenticity." If the restaurant itself writes word for word what we wanted to share, it's all the easier to convince you to go there absolutely! A varied menu of tagines, couscous, grilled meats and other typical dishes. The terrace is an island of peace.

This is the one and only restaurant that cooks its meat like a Texas barbecue: low & slow, in a smokehouse, until 8pm. At lunchtime, we come for the burgers (given the way they're cooked, there's less to choose from) and in the evening, for the tender, tasty meat dishes (ribs, briskets, sausages), accompanied by coleslaw, smoked butter potatoes and homemade cornbread. And where there's BBQ, there's whiskey or bourbon. You'll be spoilt for choice (100 of them!), but the menu will recommend the perfect pairing.

50 metres from the Boulevard du Souverain, a typical early 20th century house in the commune, between the Tenreukens park and the Soignes forest, with a breathtaking view of the pond. The Niels family runs the establishment with brio, in addition to the Vieux Saint-Martin in the Sablon and the Canterbury in Ixelles. Here too, the menu is exclusively à la carte, so it's not surprising to find brasserie dishes as well as more creative suggestions, all based on exceptional products. This is the family's DNA. Heated terrace all year round.

Soeurs is the brainchild of Lara and Hélène Milan. Of Lebanese origin, the two sisters had a career before opening their cheese dairy near Flagey, but the memory of their grandfather, a cheesemaker in Lebanon, had never left them. And their uncle, Vincent Verleyen, was voted best cheesemaker in Belgium. You'll find his products, among others, displayed on the large wooden shelves of their pretty boutique. The producers are essentially Belgian. Feeling a little hungry? The crémières will prepare a lovely sandwich for you at lunchtime.

Located at Belgian Beer World (formerly the Brussels Stock Exchange), this new brasserie is situated on one of the most beautiful spots in the city center. And already the public is flocking here, thanks to the majestic setting of the former stock exchange, as well as the atmosphere and Belgian accents of the short menu. Carbonnades, Liège-style dumplings, mussels, entrecote steak... Special mention for the thick-cut steak tartare and fresh French fries. The only downside is the drinks, with very few wines and a dearth of Belgian beers. But what a setting!

Uniko is the osteria e vinoteca sister of Ricotta and Parmesan. The concept of Italian-style tapas has changed a little. You still start with one of the superb aperitif boards, then pick from the various starters (parmigiana, focaccia...), but there's now a list of dishes (risotti, pasta, lasagne and polenta). You can even choose pasta stuffed with the sauce of your choice. You can accompany all this with a wine from one of the 90 labels on offer. A trendy decor, with glass wine-cans as lighting fixtures.

Tero is a coherent model that links healthy products (meat and vegetables) that come from their own farm in Rochefort, with creative gastronomy based on flavours and seasonality. The consistency continues with the sleek and dynamic setting that wraps around the central bar while fitting perfectly into the three levels of the space. On the menu are thirty or so small hot and cold dishes, mezze style, to share or not, and at lunchtime a vegetarian or meat lunch. On all levels it is refined, original and delicious. Another address in Bierges.

What a pity that this café-resto is not open more often because it deserves to be known. The place is an old industrial bakery with beautiful exposed bricks and a ceiling made of arches. The concept is announced by the name of the establishment, they are aperitif boards: Italian cold cuts, cheeses from Saint-Octave, various piadine... to share in all conviviality. As for the dessert board, it's pure regression, we won't tell you more. The beer list is not too bad either.

The Groot Eiland Workshop, among others, trains job seekers here to work as clerks, in the dining room and in Dutch. They have set up their restaurant in a part of the former malt house of the Belle-Vue brewery, in a beautiful, light room. A large part of the vegetables is grown in the garden on the spot. The rest is purchased locally and with unsold produce from the morning market. Each day, a different dish (meat or veg) but also salads and pastas. And on weekends, it's a gala menu in the evening. A hearty, healthy cuisine at a low price.

Rôtisse offers a modern and innovative culinary experience, reinventing the traditional Belgian rotisserie. Located just a stone's throw from the Bourse, it combines modernity and tradition with revisited classic dishes, fine roasting techniques and the use of local, seasonal produce. The menu offers a variety of choices, including vegetarian and vegan, as well as an original selection of cocktails. The setting combines Brussels authenticity and contemporary touches, with a pleasant terrace. Ideal for business lunches or romantic meals.

A local bistro par excellence, it serves truly inventive, original brasserie cuisine with a gastronomic flavour. In the kitchen, Jean-Claude Demurger is a saucier and roaster who is not to be messed with! His suggestions are handwritten on a pretty slate and the gentle terrace inevitably reminds one of the fine days in the South. A tempting selection of wines completes the picture of this address that we love! A real charming place, with its location opposite the Kisendael reserve, its conviviality and its estaminet decor.

Georges Badghi Sar, who arrived in Belgium from Syria at the age of 11, is at the helm of this gourmet streetfood establishment near Flagey. The star of the show is the homemade Syrian flatbread baked in the oven (tannour), followed by a choice of meat (slow-cooked) or a veggie option. Everything is accompanied by fresh vegetables and served either as a dish or rolled up like a shawarma. What makes the difference are the quality ingredients and the care taken in preparation. A real treat, as is the low price. The line-up in front of the restaurant bears witness to this.

The brasserie serves in a Belgian-Belgian atmosphere a very popular American fries but does not prevent the ribs from being noticed, nor the spaghettis, scampis, meatballs in tomato sauce, Flemish carbonnades, tripe, kidneys, mussels in season, shrimp croquettes... Sometimes available as a suggestion, the pork chop with Blackwell sauceis a killer! And in summer, we add a few salads or carpaccio. Note some nice beers selected by Poje, who inspired the comic book hero of the same name "Du Côté de Chez Poje". You can't get more zwanzeur !

After Vieux Spijtigen Duivel (also in Uccle), De Hoef is one of the oldest estaminets in Brussels. This former coaching inn, which became a restaurant in the 1950s, is now in the hands of the grandsons of "Madame Pitou", the establishment's tutelary figure. It's a real throwback to the era of the Spanish Netherlands, with its old tiles, wood panelling, beams and huge fireplace. It's not surprising that the specialties here are grilled meat and... Burgundy snails. The inner courtyard has been transformed into a charming terrace.

Across the street from My Tannour, his other establishment, Georges Baghdi Sar offers his concept of Levantine cuisine. A child of his mother's and grandmother's cooking, he honors the cuisine of his native region. For lunch, you can enjoy a challah (Israeli bread) with a filling. In the evening, hot and cold mezze and grilled meats, all served in paper right on the table! On Sundays, it's time for a hearty brunch. It's full of flavors and spices, and all the preparations, such as labneh and sausage, are homemade. Convivial and festive as hell.

Just a stone's throw from the charming Romanesque church of Saint-Denis, the Frite of the same name seems to be a favorite with lunchtime and evening customers. We can vouch for it! The address is more than recommendable. The beef fat fries are crisp and tasty. The meat for the burgers, kebabs and pittas is homemade, as is the American food, which is prepared fresh. The owner and his wife are as rigorous about product preparation as they are about hygiene. Copious portions can be taken away or eaten on the spot.

There's a country club feel to this restaurant and for good reason: it's the "cafe" of the Roseau tennis club in Uccle. In fact, if you sit on the terrace, you will have a view on the courts. Dominique and Vincent, two professionals in the field, are at the head of this no-fuss restaurant. The menu is short but well-balanced between hearty proposals (beef steak and French fries) and lighter ones (goat's cheese or Caesar salad) in addition to the suggestions. Enough to refresh yourself after a good game!

At a pretty crossroads in an affluent district of Schaerbeek, an elegant bistro by the name of Perruche has come into its own. Its bright green floor tiles are a tribute to the plumage of the birds that have taken up residence all over Brussels. Open in the morning, you'll find breakfasts (sweet and savory) as well as dishes (shrimp croquettes, vol-au-vent with free-range chicken) and pastries. In the evening, beers and cocktails close the show. If the upstairs is more intimate, don't miss the terrace when the Japanese cherry trees are in bloom.

Would we have arrived in Sorrento, sitting on an azure or lemon yellow bench? It almost seems like it! What is sure, is that we are in the den of pasta fresca, the real home made. Spaghetti alla chitarra, pappardelle, tagliatelle... The chef and Mario, the owner, match the type of pasta with the sauce. And the recipes are inventive; toscanella with sausage crumble and red wine, terramare with scampi flambéed with negroni and 'nduja. Piatti sociali as an aperitif and a nice wine and cocktail list will fill you with felicità.

In a pretty corner house, Suada and Edin welcome you to this cosy little restaurant, where dishes are prepared in the pure Italian tradition: simply, but with the finest products. Alessio and Milva are in the kitchen, preparing fresh pasta and delicious pizzas (cooked over a wood fire), as well as meat and fish secondi (saltimbocca, osso bucco, Lombardy-style sea bass fillet...) in generous portions. The hardest part will be choosing, especially when it comes to pizzas and pastas - the list is long and tempting.

If the low, wet clouds of our belgian lifestyle tire you out some days, head for the Nato in Evere and grab a bite to eat at Sole di Napoli. True lovers of Mediterranean cuisine, the owners, originally from Naples, have left the dolce vita to bring it back to you on the menu and on the plate. All dishes are made fresh from carefully selected ingredients. The result is as tasty as it is colorful. Sole di Napoli, a unique concentration of the peninsula's many culinary delights!

The decor, atmosphere and specialties are typically Brussels-Belgian... but with a Thai twist! You'll find honest steaks, ribs, carbonnades and various types of tartar, including Thai tartar. Lovers of flavors from the land of smiles will find a delicious pad thai and various kinds of curries. While you wait for your food, you can take time to admire the puppets hanging from the ceiling of a beautiful room that has kept its cachet. A real merry-go-round horse adds to the festive atmosphere!

Located on the first floor of the Jam Hotel, Kaiju is a temple to Asian street-food, from Japan to Thailand. The interior resembles a restaurant you might find in Tokyo or Taiwan. The principle? You order several dishes, made to be shared, and enjoy a culinary voyage: won ton soup, Korean-style fried chicken, beef tataki... For an original touch, there are fusion specialties such as kimchi-style chicory. The bar swings excellent cocktails and, alongside Asahi and Tsing Tao, serves microbrewery beers.

This establishment takes you straight to the Indonesian archipelago, a rarity in Brussels! This jungle-green cocoon immediately sets the mood. Choose from Javanese dishes (nasi goreng, mie ayam...), Pan-Asian delights (baos, fluffy pancakes, Korean-style chicken) and, in the evening, dishes to share. It's also an opportunity to try coffees from small Indonesian producers or curiosities like wedang, a hot drink made from ginger, lemongrass and spices. The 100% female team is adorable.

At the helm of this cozy brasserie are two professionals from Michelin-starred establishments, Pierre Baeyens (Bon Bon) and Jonathan Delhière (L'Air du temps), ready to make you forget the rustic image often associated with beer cuisine. Each dish is crafted with artisanal beers or their ingredients. Salmon trout and beet are cooked with kriek, sea bass is enhanced by the floral touch of hop oil, and poached poirée with spiced chantilly is refreshed with an IPA granita. It's fine, aesthetic and surprising all at once.

Don't let the name fool you, L'Épicerie Nomad isn't a boutique, even if it retains the look of one, with its counter, shelf and grocer's scales, a legacy of the former owner's Asian store. This is a restaurant where world cuisines meet: Moroccan bread stuffed with vegetables, roasted octopus, ceviche, Ottoman-style leg of lamb... This project, led by Jean Callens, a restaurant pro, supported by Sandrine de Tollenaere in the kitchen and Clément Bollart in the dining room, aims to be both intimate and accessible.

We thought we'd lost this atmospheric brasserie-bistro-style restaurant, reminiscent of the pigeon café it once was, but here it has been resurrected by a young team who have also worked at Dillens. This address remains as welcoming and authentic as ever in the Place Saint-Job district. What's on the menu? Comfort food, for starters: snacked pork belly, cauliflower gratin, dumplings in tomato sauce, a terrific chocolate mousse and a fine selection of wines and beers. A true refuge!

Recyclart is more than just an outlet. The organization is involved in the social fabric, often working with the underprivileged by putting people in need of training to work. Such is the case in its bar-restaurant, whose rough-and-ready setting (it's a former warehouse) is devilishly warm. Dishes come in a variety of forms: vegetarian, vegan, halal... Good old carbonnade rubs shoulders with pastilla and hummus, not forgetting the suggestion of the day. It's Molenbeek in all its diversity, and it's delicious!

Located right in the heart of the new Parc Tout & Taxis, Parckfarm is first and foremost a major social project that aims to create "an edible park with a social and ecological purpose, and a reappropriation of public green space by local residents". During the summer months, on Wednesdays and weekends, their greenhouse opens to offer vegetarian snacks and drinks: the ideal, and original, place for a snack or refreshment. The Farmhouse also has a reading corner and board games available free of charge.

A warm place as we like them and that goes so well with the bohemian character of Saint-Gilles. Le Petit Mercado is both a mini-market and a lunch counter. On the convenience store side, you can find everything: fruits, vegetables, bread, wines, preserves, cheeses, cold cuts, rare products... carefully selected by the Mercado team (including Mano and Pia, the owners). On the counter side, you can't miss it, it's huge and all tiled in white. You can sit there for a breakfast, a quick coffee, a healthy and delicious dish of the day or an XXL bun.

It looks like a brasserie, with a brasserie menu, and it is... a brasserie in the noblest sense of the word. At Soje, you'll find the good old classics of Belgian-French cuisine: baked marrow bones, andouillette à la dijonnaise, meatballs in tomato sauce... comforting dishes in an atmosphere of wooden benches and chairs, under the gaze of the clock that sits above the counter. Seasonal cuisine, according to market arrivals, and a rather attractive wine and beer list.

The Carlos in question is Carlos Castaño, the Colombian-born chef and owner who has set up shop in a beautiful Art Deco building with eye-catching stained glass windows. He offers market cuisine with 2 faces: on the one hand, Belgian gastronomic classics (shrimp croquettes, Liège meatballs, American...) and on the other, dishes from other parts of the world, such as papas rellenas or fillet of sea bass with manioc coulis and coconut milk. It's a neighborhood restaurant that the inhabitants of the Observatoire district have quickly adopted.