Restaurants in Brussels
 

Can anyone recommend a good bar restaurant with a friendly atmosphere in Brussels suitable to entertain 12 people.I am looking for good food with good value.

LUCKY YOU AND YOUR GROUP! SOME OF THE BEST DINING THAT I HAVE EVER DONE HAPPENED TO BE IN BELGIUM. JUST OFF THE MAIN SQUARE, THE ONE WITH THE VERY OLD BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS, A BLOCK OR SO, OFF THE SQUARE, ALONG A VERY NARROW STREET ARE SEVERAL RESTAURANTS. THEY ALL ADVERTISE THEIR MENU OUTDOORS. I'VE BEEN TO THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN MAJOR CITIES IN FOUR CONTINENTS, BUT STILL CHOOSE THAT AREA AS THE VERY BEST. IT'S NOT ONLY THE FOOD BUT ALSO THE WAY THAT IT IS SERVED, ALSO THE ATTENTION THEIR GUESTS RECEIVE BY THE STAFF. COST? JUST A BIT HIGHER THAN AN ORDINARY PLACE, BUT WELL WORTH IT. ENJOY YOUR TRIP AND YOUR DINNER.

Beware of some of the tourist "fish" restaurants along a narrow walking-only street just off the Grand Place. They're very attractive, food is terrific, but prices can be out of sight. Be sure you know how much you're paying for food and drink. Enjoy Brussels, the Grand Place is lovely.

I've dined many times at the Bruxelles de Armes, right in the middle of the restaurant district. It's a comfortable place with excellent food - their mussels are the best in the world. Be sure to have your hotel concierge make a reservation. Speaking of hotels, I recommend the downtown Sheraton.

Regarding the area which is refered to as "THE MAIN SQUARE, THE ONE WITH THE VERY OLD BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS" by a previous posting, many of the fancy looking restaurants with the fruit de mer stalls, may be tourist traps. In that area, I would try Chez Leon at rue Bouchers 18. They don't put sea fruit stalls in front but still have the same Bruxelles atmosphere (give or take) which they used to have 28 years ago when I first started going there. And if you're really for sea food, walk over to Place Ste. Catherine (that's an address, not a restaurant). La Belle Maraichere was quite good (try the half lobster with butter sauce and get a white beaujolais to go with it - yes I said "white"). On the same square there are a few more worthy places, some of which even boasting a Michelin star.