In 't Spinnekopke is a belgian estaminet restaurant in Dansaert, Brussels.
In 't Spinnekopke in Brussels is an 18th-century estaminet on Place du Jardin aux Fleurs. The kitchen cooks Brussels-specific dishes with lambic beer used as a sauce ingredient.
Signature dishes: Rabbit in gueuze, Eels in green sauce
Must order: Rabbit braised in gueuze, with bloempanch on the side and a Cantillon Geuze to drink.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The wooden banquettes are 1762 vintage; the cellar lambic list runs 30 bottles deep.
Address: Place du Jardin aux Fleurs 1, 1000 Brussels
Les Brigittines in Brussels sits on Place de la Chapelle in the Marolles in an Art Nouveau dining room. The kitchen runs creative Belgian bistro built on local meats, with a deep cellar list.
Signature: Carbonnade flamande, Pied de cochon
Order: Carbonnade flamande with frites, or whichever offal cut is on the chalkboard menu that night.
Tip: Closed Saturday lunch and Sunday. The terrace at the back is the quietest seat in summer.
Brasserie Ploegmans in Brussels' Marolles is the wood-panelled local that runs Belgian standards: meatballs, shrimp croquettes, choucroute garnie. Half a block from Place du Jeu de Balle.
Signature: Carbonnade flamande, Shrimp croquettes
Order: Carbonnade flamande with frites, and a Westvleteren 12 if it is on the board.
Tip: Closed Monday. Book ahead for Sunday lunch when the Jeu de Balle flea market is in full swing.
Volle Gas in Brussels' Ixelles is a 1924 Art Deco brasserie on Place Fernand Cocq. The kitchen runs nearly 30 mussel preparations and a Belgian carte of meatballs and steak.
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.
Au Stekerlapatte in Brussels' Marolles is the wood-panelled bistro on Rue des Pretres. Boudin noir with caramelised apples, shrimp croquettes, the chalkboard runs Brussels classics.
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.
Noordzee Mer du Nord in Brussels' Sainte-Catherine is the standing-only seafood counter. Fish soup, oysters and grilled langoustines run to the steel bar all day, no tables anywhere.
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.
Friture Rene in Brussels' Anderlecht has run since 1932 on Place de la Resistance. Pre-war fritkot-bistro hybrid: hand-cut beef-fat fries, steak from the grill, white-shirt waiters.
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.
