5 seafood restaurants worth the trip across Belgium, editor-ranked. All cuisines in Belgium.

Noordzee Mer du Nord ★ 4.5 · Brussels

sainte-catherine · Rue Sainte-Catherine 45, 1000 Brussels

Noordzee Mer du Nord on Rue Sainte-Catherine in Brussels is the standing-only seafood counter the city is built around. The kitchen runs fish soup.

Tip: No tables. Order at the counter, listen for your name, then carry the plate to a high-top across the street.

Noordzee Mer du Nord ★ 4.5 · Brussels

sainte-catherine · Rue Sainte-Catherine 45, 1000 Brussels

Noordzee Mer du Nord in Brussels' Sainte-Catherine is the standing-only seafood counter. Priced at €€. At Rue Sainte-Catherine 45. Booking recommended.

Tip: No tables. Order at the counter, listen for your name, then carry the plate to a high-top across the street.

Rock-Fort ★ 4.4 · Bruges

langestraat · Langestraat 15, 8000 Brugge

Rock-Fort on Langestraat in Bruges runs a contemporary fish kitchen on short supply chains out of Zeebrugge. The room is tight, the cooking precise.

Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The bar seats are the spot for a solo lunch.

Bia Mara ★ 4.1 · Brussels

saint-gery · Rue du Marché aux Poulets 41, 1000 Brussels

Bia Mara in Brussels' Saint-Gery is the British-style fish and chips counter near the Bourse. Sustainable cod, hand-cut chips, condiment bar runs Belgian.

Tip: Open seven days lunch and dinner. Quick service; the bench tables fill at peak lunch.

Breydel-De Coninck ★ 4.0 · Bruges

markt · Breidelstraat 24, 8000 Brugge

Breydel-De Coninck on Breidelstraat in Bruges is the mussel and eel house with the strongest reputation in town. Seven mussel preparations, all with frites.

Tip: On the busy Breidelstraat tourist run, but locals rate the mussels. Cash and card both fine.