Belgian Brasserie€€ixellesMon-Sat 12:00-22:30, Sun 10:00-22:30
Volle Gas in Brussels' Ixelles is a 1924 Art Deco brasserie on Place Fernand Cocq. Kitchen leans belgian brasserie. At Place Fernand Cocq 21.
Signature: Mussels, Carbonnade flamande
Order: Whichever mussel preparation looks new on the chalkboard, with frites and a Tripel Karmeliet.
Tip: Open seven days, kitchen runs late. The Art Deco interior is the seat; book the corner banquette.
Belgian Bistro€€marollesTue-Thu 12:00-14:30, 18:30-22:00, Fri 12:00-14:30, 18:30-23:00, Sat 18:30-23:00, Sun 12:00-15:00, 18:30-22:00, Mon closed
Au Stekerlapatte in Brussels' Marolles is the wood-panelled bistro on Rue des Pretres. Boudin noir with caramelised apples, shrimp croquettes.
Signature: Boudin noir with apples, Shrimp croquettes
Order: Boudin noir with caramelised apples, and shrimp croquettes to start.
Tip: Closed Sunday. Open evenings only; the dining room fills with the same Marolles regulars night after night.
Seafood€€sainte-catherineTue-Sun 11:00-18:30, Mon closed
Noordzee Mer du Nord in Brussels' Sainte-Catherine is the standing-only seafood counter. Priced at €€. At Rue Sainte-Catherine 45. Booking recommended.
Signature: Shrimp croquettes, Fish soup
Order: A bowl of fish soup, croquettes aux crevettes, and a glass of muscadet from the wine fridge.
Tip: No tables. Order at the counter, listen for your name, then carry the plate to a high-top across the street.
Belgian€€anderlechtWed-Sun 12:00-14:00, 18:00-21:30, Mon-Tue closed
Friture Rene in Brussels' Anderlecht has run since 1932 on Place de la Resistance. Kitchen leans belgian friterie-bistro. At Place de la Résistance 14.
Signature: Hand-cut frites, Steak frites
Order: Steak frites or moules-frites, then anything from the long beer list.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Lunch service runs to 14:30; the dining room books out on weekends.
Italian-belgian€€€ixelles
Racines in Brussels' Ixelles is the Italian-Belgian dining room on Chaussee d'Ixelles. Priced at €€€. At Chaussee d'Ixelles 353. Booking recommended.
Signature: Hand-rolled pasta, Italian-Belgian tasting menu
Order: Whichever pasta is on the chalkboard, with a glass of the house orange wine.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The bar seats face the open kitchen; lunch is the budget pick.
Modern French€€€dansaertMon-Fri 12:00-14:00, 18:00-22:00, Sat-Sun closed
Henri in Brussels' Dansaert is the neo-bistro on Rue de Flandre. Closed Sunday and Monday. Lunch set is the value pick; book ahead for evenings.
Signature: Beef tartare, Cheese souffle
Order: Beef tartare prepared at the table, with the cheese souffle for two.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Lunch set is the value pick; book ahead for evenings.