I LOVE good food, but unfortunately I don’t have the money to pay for it. I’m going to Brussels in a couple weeks and I’ve noticed that the price of restaurants is VERY high. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for restaurants that specialize in local food that are good but also cheap. (My guide book has NOT been helpful) If you do know of restaurants, would you mind including estimates of the prices that you paid at the restaurant? Thanks!

It's not so. Brussels is full of affordable eateries.

If nowhere else try Le Choux de Bruxelles, just off St Katherine's. Looks crumy but has excellent food.

But most pubs and bars do good food. Just stay out of the streets immediately around

a) the Grand Place; and
b) the European Institutions.

I agree with Sheila, bad guidebook! Actually Brussels is famous for the number and variety of restaurants for such a small city. If you are coming from US Dollars, it may seem worse given the exchange rate, but on the whole we are far far cheaper than our neighbors in Paris and London.

If you are after local cuisine try, "De Markten", a bar/café near St. Catherine (and a hangout of "locals&quot. Address is Rue du Vieux Marché-Aux-Grains 5. Near the Sablon, you have "Skievlat" for an old style Belgian bistro/bar where you can get Belgian specialites or lasagna or sandwiches served with your beer (under 10 Euros). Address is: Rue J.Stevens 16-18. Try chicons gratin or stoemp if you see it offered.

For other cuisines on a budget, the area across from the Bourse heading into St. Gery is full of affordable Thai and Vietnemese places. Let's say 8 Euros per main dish. There is also a Spanish Tapas bar in that area (Bar a Tapas) which is affordable (maybe 2-4 Euros per tapa).

In other parts of town you also have reliable sandwich shops and pita/fry stands if you want a "walk and go" meal that is quite tasty for less than 5 Euros.

Beyond that (and not knowing which part of the city you are looking), try www.resto.be and search by post code and budget under 25 Euros per meal. You'll find lots.

Good luck, happy eating, and Enjoy!!

Try 'inexpensive' instead of 'cheap'. Cheap is almost cheat! Base meal ingredient costs are similar for all restaurants. The perceived ambience value is a price ingredient that increases the customer price. Another cost is labor. McDonald's keeps prices down by eliminating waiters. Location is another factor; someone has to pay for a high rent. 'Mom and Pop' restaurants will meet your request. Costs are low and the proprietors work hard to provide delectable food. Find a place with three or four tables, off 'Main Street' with a few customers waiting to be seated. More, restaurants with lengthy menus should be avoided. They probably use precooked frozen entrees. Get some local advice!

I have been for work twice a few years back and we used to save most our money daytime for shopping and eat out at night. We bought the most tasty grapes ever with cheese for the apt and ate Belgian fires or had a beer and shared a snack in the daytime. I remember eating at a vegetarian Moroccan rrestaurant thet was extremely reasonable and the food was delicious. Its an easier city than most I feel for cheap eats.

Thanks so much for your help! I'll look into your suggestions!