Brussels Restaurant Tips by irisbe Top 5 Page for this destination

oeps have to retrieve the name but got the adress!: a good chinese restaurant

I thought to be smart and took the bill with me so I could remember the name of the restaurant but unfortunately there was only printed “Chinese restaurant” on a yellow paper and some Chinese words, maybe that was the name?
So am so sorry I cannot tell you the name, but I can tell you where about it was situated.

It was at Rue des poissonniers number 5, not so far from the stock exchange buildin.

I was with Els (Mahieu) and Hussein (Hashis).
We took different plates. I took Chinese duck with eight delights. Additional instead of the main rice I asked baked rice.
The duck was delightful and so where the eight delights that consisted out of vegetables, big Chinese shrimps and much more.
The baked rice however contained some cooked ham so I was a bit embarrassed I could not share this one with Hussein who is not allowed to eat any pork. I bear this in mind for next time I go out for dinner with Muslim guests. Although I am usually alert for this, it just slipped my mind this time that pork could be used as ingredient in the rice.

The food was good and plenty.

Negative point was that the Chinese were smoking on the table next to us. It does spoil your appetite.

They are opened all days just till midnight.

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I visited again on a few more occasions and each time it was delicious and never there were many people inside.

Favorite Dish: I sure would go again for the Chinese duck with the eight delights :)

The food deserves a 4 maybe, considered price/quality, but I give a 3 because of the smoking without having any air ventilation or seperate rooms/space for non smokers.

Address: 5 rue des poissoniers, 1000 Bruxelles

Comparison: about average

Directions: Between Place St Catherine and Boulevard Anspach

Other Contact: fax +32 (0)2 - 511.73.39

Phone: +32/(0)2 - 503.01.03

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Arcadi: A pleasure for the eye and the tummy!

Want something to keep on going till dinner?
Not so hungry for a big lunch... what a bout a "little in-between"?
Then I can recommend you the place to be !
The Arcadi! Oh my goodness... it was so difficult to make choices, not only because everything was written in French `-)
but they had a variety (see picture) of so many differnt kind of cakes that you could come again at least 2 weeks without having to eat the same kind twice.

Favorite Dish: All the cakes had much fruit on it, they have not been greedy; they looked all very fresh and tasted delicious. I still prefer red fruit.
The interior was nice and you can soo more pictures on my Fotki album from this picture on. (The people on the first picture are strangers to me, they probably wondered why I took their pic)

A minus was that the service was not very friendly, the girl had difficulties to smile; to be patient and I had the impression we were not welcome.
Maybe she had a tough night before?

the food is worth a 4; the service merely a 2...
so I give an average of 3.

Address: Arenbergstraat/Rued'Arenberg 1B

Comparison: about average

Directions: Walk the Saint Hubert Galleries till the very end and turn to the right. It is there right on the corner.

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Panoramic picture! Pls click on the picture if you want to enjoy the full view.

Phone: Tel. :+32 (0)2.511.33.43

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Vegan/Vegetarian

De Ultieme Hallucinatie: Brasserie-Restaurant stilling your hunger 4 art

The Ultimate Hallucination is the translation of the Brasserie-Restaurant’s name.
Indeed, you can just hop in for a drink or for a quick lunch during the week days.

The interior of this 19th century civil house is just breath taking. The Art Nouveau style is astonishing

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The restaurant has private parking facilities; a place for non smokers and a room for groups.
There is also a possibility to have dinner at the terras.

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Chef is Didier Vraux
and host is Fernand Geselle

Favorite Dish: I haven't been eating here myself but a good friend of mine told me she works in the neighborhood and happens to frequent this brasserie sometimes for a lunch snack.
She said it was ok. So I better believe her :)

I had a drink here, an Orval and that was at 3 Euro, which is for Brussels a normal price as Brussels tends to be more expensive then Antwerp.

Prices of food rangs from:

Lunch from 8 euro on
Menu can vary from 18 till 74 Euro
A la carte (entry, main course, dessert, without drinks)from 18 to 48 Euro.
It all depends on what you want to order and what you want/can spend.

The service was good and the people were very friendly and polite, not rushy or stressed.

I really liked the place very much and I will visit it again should I be in the neighborhood and if it is opened.

The openings hours are a bit of a problem.
The brasserie aims more at the people working in the neighborhood then at tourists.

The opening hours are:
from noon till 2:30 pm - from 6 pm till 11 pm
closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday
Yearly holiday 19th of July till 18th August, included.

Address: Koningstraat 316 Reu Royale, 1210 Brussels

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: From the area of Brussels North station/Kruidtuinlaan: go towards the Saint Mariechurch;
from the centre of Brussels: walk up the Koningstraat direction St Joost then Node. It is a 15 minute walk: you can also take the tram going that direction.

Other Contact: Fax.: +32/(0) 2-217.72.40

Phone: +32/(0) 2-217.06.14

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Istanbul: Turkish delight

Here I find myself in the Rue du Marché aux Fromages again.
If you are near the Grand place, this is still the closest location to find something nice for lunch at a descent price.
But I wanted to try out a different one then the one at the left hand side where I was with the mini meeting on occasion of Ralph’s visit.

I was now with my sister and her step daughter and we chose for “Istanbul”, maybe because my sister went to Turkey already several times, although not to Istanbul, and I never went but would love too `-)

Anyway outside the tables were all taken so we sat inside and I had no complains about that choice! It was really nice: so colourful and clean!
I went to the bathroom after ordering and had to go a few steps down, passing a salon, wowww pretty pretty. My hopes where now the food would be as good as well.

The food was tasty and I was satisfied with what I got for the price I paid.
The service was good and friendly and smiles where granted to you free, at no extra charges `-)
They were even willing to pose for a picture

Favorite Dish: You can choose from photo's what you like. It might interst the muslim amongst you that they had "Halal" painted on the window.

Address: Rue du Marché aux Fromages 17 Brussel

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: If you face the city hall, take the most left straat at the left corner, go in there and turn left again. You are now in the Rue du Marché aux Fromages.
Go a bit towards the end of the street and it is at number 17, at your right hand side

Other Contact: accept Visa and other plastics

Phone: 047.228.65.28

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Middle Eastern

"Au temps passé": A Brasserie with a melancholic name

In February the visit of George W. Bush was another reason for many people to express their disagreement.

Despite the cold lots of protesters turned up.
Not that W. would notice any of them, he was not around yet.

At the end of the day a big snow blitz rushed over and I called it an end. I walked through the park Cinquantanaire, away from the crowd.

A warm wine would do wonders.
A good choice as I heard only minutes after I have left the area of protest, the police did some charges, chased people into the park and made some arrests.

Meanwhile I was sipping on a very good warm wine. It is always a risk to order one, sometimes they can be very bad prepared but this one was nice.

Enjoying the warming up from the heating I was sitting next to, and the wine, slowly going down my throat, into my stomach...
I saw nothing but flickering of bleu police lights in all surounded windows.

I took the time to look around the etablishment - no need to get outside at this tricky moment.
It was clean, not too fancy but ok.
Prices of the drinks and the mails were acceptable:

Plat du jours 8,50 Euro
Lunch with 2 courses and coffee 12,50 Euro
a Business lunch 3 courses and caffee, 17,50 Euro
and you had the choice out of 3 different menus.
I cannot say how they tasted, as I only hopped in for some warming up.

Good thing to remember is that in Summertime they have a terras with a view on the Cinquantenaire and...... they are opened 7 days on 7!

Favorite Dish: I haven't tasted any meal yet but I volunteer to come with you to test it out :)

Address: Avenue de Tervuren 9 , B-1040 Bruxelles

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Opposite Parc du Cinquantenaire near metro station Merode

Other Contact: e-mail:autempspasse@skynet.be

Phone: +32/(0) 2 - 734 50 02

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Local

Haagen Dazs: Something to cool you off :)

What is more refreshing then an ice cream on a hot Summerday. We had some hot Summerdays in 2003! It was the hottest Summer as long as I lived.

People were looking up some refreshments and why not an ice cream?

Address: Grasmarkt

Directions: Just at the entrance of the Saint Hubert Galleries at the Grasmarkt

Rating: 0

Theme: Ice Cream

Fish, Mussels & Seafood: Huge variety of fish restaurants! Fish, Mussels & Seafood Review

If you can afford to spend a little it more then you can go to the Ste Catherina Square.
The Church in the background makes a lovely decor for the many terasses, crowded in Summer time.
Pubs you will hardly find on this square as most are fish restaurants.

Favorite Dish: They offer several possibilities:
a la carte or a menu
depending from what you chose, the price will vary but you won't for sure find anything less then 20 Euro's, it will rather be around 30 Euro.

Address: Place Ste Catherine

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Take the metro and get off at Sainte Catherine. You will be right on the square.
You also can walk the direction, it is about 10 minutes from the Stock Exchange building.

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Panoramic picture! Pls click on it to enjoy the full view!

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 0

Theme: Seafood

Villa Rosa, not all moonshine and roses!: An everlasting reputation for VT-ers!

Some called it the horror restaurant, but it definitely was Spanish.
We were with many and had a reservation but we came at the wrong moment I think.
The owner - I supposed he was the boss, observing the two other guys helping with fear in their eyes – replied to our good evening with a grrrr and some unfriendly mumble. We felt welcome and at home immediately `-)

But soon as we sat down we got an appetitive and some tapa’s on the tables.
I first went making pictures, bad choice I have made because by the time I wanted to taste the tapa’s the boss took all the plates away again, into the kitchen.
It seems he assumed we all took the compiled menu but that has never been the agreement.
Ok… so we now had screwed it up really bad. We felt sorry for the guy so 19 of the 24 didn’t wanted to make problems and chose the menu… so he didn’t had to make something different.
Suri could not eat the menu, as he is vegetarian, so he got eggs and eggs.
Anyway… we thought we would have done the boss a favour by saying it was ok for at least 19 out of 24 but no… It was too late for the menu! All we could get was Paella.
Ok
No problem, paella it was!
This story had a terrific ending the moment Bozena walked in, but let that be a story that needs to be passed on orally. It has to do with 5 kids hungry at home and belly dancing!

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Anyway... if you go eat there you might support the restaurant to buy new meat knifes which they did have ordered and paid but never received!
What an excuse to tell some one who can't cut his meat `-)

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Anyhow... this is a restaurant that has been talked about many many meetings ever after!

Favorite Dish: I would say the house menu looked nice but I only had Paella :)

If you want to check out more pictures of this unforgettable VT-moment, do visit the FOTKI ALBUM starting from this picture on!
Enjoy!

Comparison: about average

Directions: Close to the Halle poort and Blaes straat
but believe me I totally forgot

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 1

Theme: Other

Maison Antoine!: If you are on a low budget but very hungry

At Place Jourdan there is this famous fritkot where you can queue from several places to get your best fries of Brussels.
Even the Rolling Stones once agreed on it that these where the best to eat.
I suppose they did have changed the oil since! `-)
So… next time I am around I will do what is advised and try out these fries with the homemade tartar sauce (dressing).
Here you see Suri whit his package!
Bon apetit my friend and I hope to welcome you again some day in Belgium!

Favorite Dish: It is a public secret you should try the tartare dressing as it is home made.
Some of our Dutch friends didn't liked the taste too much, probably not used to it. They prefere the sweet mahonaise.

Address: Place Jourdan

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Near Leopold Park/Parc Leopold

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Bakeries with good sandwiches!: When you are hungry and at a low budget

When you are hungry and your budget doesn’t allow you to go to a restaurant, or for q quick bite and all if the weather permits, there are plenty of bakeries selling really good sandwiches.
If you don’t go for the famous fries on Place Jourdan, then try one of the shops selling those sandwiches.
They were really good!

Favorite Dish: I bought myself bread with vege's and cheese and it was mjammie!

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Willy and Dirk shared my choice!

Address: Place Jourdan

Directions: Near Leopold Park/Parc Leopold

Rating: 4

Theme: Local