Three days in brussels, need restaurant suggestions
Apr 19th, 2007 | 03:25 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,641
Likes: 0
what's your budget and when exactly will you be in Brussels? Some restaurants shut down in parts of July or August.
Also, keep in mind that many of the better Brussels restaurants offer terrific lunch specials.
In general, one of the best places to find moderately priced, good, non-chain restaurants is in the Ixelles area along the Chaussee de Waterloo and around Chatelain.
About the 400 to 600 blocks of Chaussee de Waterloo are several popular neighborhood restaurants including Toucan, Lettre a Elise, En Face de Parachute, La Poste, and down the side streets are some very good newcomers like Le Fruit Defendu and an upscale tapas bar right by the Parc Tenbosch.
If you do a search here for brussels restaurants you should get some recs.
Normally, I recommend against eating in the restaurants around the Grand'Place, but the Leon's there is a lot of fun. Touristy, but who cares.
On the Sablon, Lola is extremely popular (still).
One of my favorite restaurants in Brussels is Notos, on Livourne off the rue Bailly (also in Ixelles). www.notos.be
Also, keep in mind that many of the better Brussels restaurants offer terrific lunch specials.
In general, one of the best places to find moderately priced, good, non-chain restaurants is in the Ixelles area along the Chaussee de Waterloo and around Chatelain.
About the 400 to 600 blocks of Chaussee de Waterloo are several popular neighborhood restaurants including Toucan, Lettre a Elise, En Face de Parachute, La Poste, and down the side streets are some very good newcomers like Le Fruit Defendu and an upscale tapas bar right by the Parc Tenbosch.
If you do a search here for brussels restaurants you should get some recs.
Normally, I recommend against eating in the restaurants around the Grand'Place, but the Leon's there is a lot of fun. Touristy, but who cares.
On the Sablon, Lola is extremely popular (still).
One of my favorite restaurants in Brussels is Notos, on Livourne off the rue Bailly (also in Ixelles). www.notos.be
Apr 19th, 2007 | 04:47 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
There is a great place called 't Kelderke right on the Grand Palace which, despite its location smack in the middle of tourist central, serves quite good Belgian fare at reasonable prices. They have outdoor seating on the square or downstairs in the cellar under a great barrel vauted ceiling.
Apr 19th, 2007 | 08:04 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,641
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If you're over by the Cinquantenaire/Montgomery Circle area, then Martin-Pecheur on the corner of Ave. Brand Whitlock* and Ave. Georges Henri has good food at inexpensive/moderate prices and they serve all day. You can get either full meals or light tapas-style snacks. No reservations. I forget whether they take credit cards, we always pay with cash. They're a great place to go if you get hungry for steak as their filet steaks are good and you won't pay nearly as much as you would in some of the fancier spots. They also offer a nice selection of traditional Belgian dishes (depending on the season) and do a wine of the month selection with glasses costing about 3€.
If you get hungry for chicken, the best (arguably) place in town for chicken is Canterbury's over by the Ixelles lakes. A pretty setting, good staff, lots of well heeled locals (and their dogs). Not cheap, but not over the top expensive either. They also serve most of the day, so if you're hungry early and don't want to wait til after 8 pm for dinner, they're a good choice.
Les Brasseries Georges is one of *the* places for Sunday lunch. Can be expensive. But their week-day lunch specials are great value. Has a Parisian vibe.
A good place over in the Woluwe St. Pierre neighborhood is Shake Hands. A weird name, but it's very Belgian and a local favorite. Excellent food and wine list and moderately priced. Near the Stockel metro stop.
If it's a warm day and you opt to relax in the shade of the Parc Woluwe, the park restaurant, Les Etangs Mellaert (sp) is surprisingly decent. But service can be hectic when it's really crowded. And try to eat inside, you may get buzzed by wasps (guepes) if you eat outside in mid-summer.
Our favorite "occasion" restaurant, a place of a blowout meal, would be Le Chalet de la Foret out in Uccle (an easy cab ride). Outstanding food and service.
For cheap and tasty, there's a Thai place in the food court of the Galleries Louise on the Ave. Louise near the Louise metro stop. Food is better than expected and all the main courses are under 10€. But their specials sell out VERY quickly!
Up on the Ave. Louise at the intersection with rue Bailli is the Natural Caffe (or Caffe Natural, I forget which). Run by some Italian guys who make terrific coffee and also fresh squeezed OJ. Casual.
On a warm day, try the tea with fresh mint leaves. Very refreshing. And if you want a lighter, cold beer, Bel Pils is available on tap at many cafes. Our favorite hot weather Belgian beer.
If you get hungry for chicken, the best (arguably) place in town for chicken is Canterbury's over by the Ixelles lakes. A pretty setting, good staff, lots of well heeled locals (and their dogs). Not cheap, but not over the top expensive either. They also serve most of the day, so if you're hungry early and don't want to wait til after 8 pm for dinner, they're a good choice.
Les Brasseries Georges is one of *the* places for Sunday lunch. Can be expensive. But their week-day lunch specials are great value. Has a Parisian vibe.
A good place over in the Woluwe St. Pierre neighborhood is Shake Hands. A weird name, but it's very Belgian and a local favorite. Excellent food and wine list and moderately priced. Near the Stockel metro stop.
If it's a warm day and you opt to relax in the shade of the Parc Woluwe, the park restaurant, Les Etangs Mellaert (sp) is surprisingly decent. But service can be hectic when it's really crowded. And try to eat inside, you may get buzzed by wasps (guepes) if you eat outside in mid-summer.
Our favorite "occasion" restaurant, a place of a blowout meal, would be Le Chalet de la Foret out in Uccle (an easy cab ride). Outstanding food and service.
For cheap and tasty, there's a Thai place in the food court of the Galleries Louise on the Ave. Louise near the Louise metro stop. Food is better than expected and all the main courses are under 10€. But their specials sell out VERY quickly!
Up on the Ave. Louise at the intersection with rue Bailli is the Natural Caffe (or Caffe Natural, I forget which). Run by some Italian guys who make terrific coffee and also fresh squeezed OJ. Casual.
On a warm day, try the tea with fresh mint leaves. Very refreshing. And if you want a lighter, cold beer, Bel Pils is available on tap at many cafes. Our favorite hot weather Belgian beer.
Apr 20th, 2007 | 05:28 AM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
BTilke, Again thanks for the great information, we have never been to Brussels so this helps so much. We will be staying at the Amigo Hotel, we have no idea what part of the city its in. Our TA just booked it and I have not started my research on the city yet. Any more suggestions would be most appreciated....
