Eat in Anderlecht, Brussels

La Paix ★ 4.5

La Paix in Brussels has run since 1892 in a neo-classical building opposite the Anderlecht abattoir. David Martin took over the kitchen in 2004 and holds two Michelin stars with a Japanese-Belgian style.

Signature: Slow-cooked Belgian beef, Seasonal grill plate

Order: Whatever the menu calls the day's slow-cooked beef course; the kitchen is butcher's-row by lineage.

Tip: Closed Saturday and Sunday. Lunch only on Friday; the dining room runs Japanese-minimalist with origami above the tables.

Friture Rene ★ 4.3

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.

VK Concerts ★ 4.2

VK Concerts in Brussels' Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is the long-running concert hall on Rue de l'Ecole. Indie, electronic and world touring acts, with a 600-capacity main room.

Tip: Standing only; book through the VK website. The bar serves Belgian craft on tap during shows.