Italian-belgian€€€ixelles
Racines in Brussels' Ixelles is Francesco Cury and Ugo Federico's Italian-Belgian dining room on Chaussee d'Ixelles. The kitchen runs natural-wine pairings.
Signature: Hand-rolled pasta, Italian-Belgian tasting menu
Order: Whichever pasta course is on the chalkboard, with a glass of the house orange wine.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The bar seats give the open-kitchen view; lunch is the budget pick.
Modern Belgian€€€sainte-catherineTue-Sat 12:00-14:30, 19:00-22:30
Le Selecto on Rue de Flandre runs a bistronomie carte in the Sainte-Catherine quarter. Bib Gourmand listed, modern Belgian cooking off a short seasonal card.
Signature: Belgian beef tartare, Seasonal market plate
Order: The lunchtime two-course set; the kitchen leans on Belgian sourcing and the daily ardoise.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Friday and Saturday dinner runs through to 23:00; book a week ahead for weekend service.
Belgian Brasserie€€Wed-Sun 12:00-14:30, 18:00-22:00, Mon-Tue closed
Brasserie de l'Expo in Brussels sits on the Heysel plateau in Laken, two metro stops from the Atomium. Priced at €€. Kitchen leans belgian brasserie.
Signature: Stoemp with sausage, Vol-au-vent
Order: Stoemp with sausage and bacon, or vol-au-vent with frites for two.
Tip: Open seven days, lunch and dinner. The 1958 marquetry in the back room is worth the seat; closes at 22:00 on weekends.
Japanese€€€€ixellesFri 12:00-13:00, 18:30-20:00
Kamo in Brussels is chef Tomoyasu Kamo's omakase counter on Chaussee de Waterloo. Located in Ixelles. Priced at €€€€. Kitchen leans japanese.
Signature: Omakase sushi, Tempura course
Order: The omakase in full; the sake pairing is by the bottle, not the glass.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Counter seats book six weeks ahead; the back table seats four.
Filipino-inspired Sharing Plates€€€sainte-catherineMon 12:00-15:00, Mon 18:00-22:30, Tue 12:00-15:00, Tue 18:00-22:30, Wed 12:00-15:00, Wed 18:00-22:30, Thu 12:00-15:00, Thu 18:00-22:30, Fri 12:00-15:00, Fri 18:00-22:30
Humphrey in Brussels' city centre runs a Filipino-inspired sharing-plates kitchen blending Belgian produce with Asian flavours. Located in Sainte Catherine.
Signature: Sharing plates with Filipino flavours, Adobo-influenced mains
Order: The tasting menu in full; the open kitchen leans on sharing plates with Filipino seasoning.
Tip: Closed Saturday and Sunday. Counter seats face the kitchen; the back table is the spot for groups of four.
Thai€€saint-gillesMon 19:00-22:30, Tue-Fri 12:00-14:00, 19:00-22:30, Sat 19:00-22:30, Sun closed
Premier Comptoir Thai is the standing Saint-Gilles Thai room on Chaussee de Charleroi, with daily-fresh prep, a small summer garden and one of the most.
Signature: Pad Thai, Green curry
Order: A green curry and a plate of pad thai to share, with the house garden seating in summer.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Monday lunch. Reserve evenings, the room fills fast with regulars.