Must-see restaurants in Belgium

  • As Ouhès

    Liège

    One of many jolly cafe-restaurants whose ever-busy terraces line Place du Marché, As Ouhès ('Aux Oisseaux' in Walloon) gives itself a slightly more…

  • Les Brassins

    Brussels

    On a quiet, unpromising backstreet, this unpretentious brasserie is decorated with old enamel brewery adverts and serves reliable, well-priced Belgian…

  • Het Gebaar

    Antwerp

    Celebrity TV chef Roger van Damme's Het Gebaar occupies the romantic former caretaker's house at the entrance to Antwerp's petite botanical gardens,…

  • Au Vieux Cerexhe

    The Ardennes

    One of the best in a strip of appealing brasserie-restaurants set just back from the Vesdre River's north bank, this atmospheric place covers the typical…

  • Domestic

    Antwerp

    The Dôme's renowned Zurenborg bakery-cafe now also has an old-city address whose two upper rooms are lavished with mouldings and camp colours. Perfumed…

  • Streekgasthof Wagenhuis

    Northeast Belgium

    Facing Kasteel van Horst's drawbridge, with terrace tables surveying the moat, this popular café-restaurant is a high-roofed antique barn with giant A…

  • Tommenmolen

    Northeast Belgium

    Part of an original working watermill-complex, this popular cafe-restaurant has given its interior a gently contemporary rework and can get crowded at…

  • Le Temps des Cerises

    Namur

    The food is authentic Walloon and French, while the cosy restaurant lays on the charm in thick brush strokes with gingham tablecloths and scarlet-framed…

  • Il Cardinale

    Northeast Belgium

    Facing Mechelen's cathedral and a contoured green space onto which a giant, bright yellow Op-Sinjoorke appears to have fallen, this big-windowed terrace…

  • Terra Terrae

    Liège

    Confident contemporary cuisine with a subtle creativity influenced notably by styles of 'the south' (Provence, Italy, northern Spain) add up to a…

  • Parfums de Cuisine

    Namur

    The homey candlelit interior here matches the fuss-free atmosphere and service. The cuisine, however, is rather more sophisticated, with plenty of…

  • Mon Manège à Toi

    The Ardennes

    Just west of Alle, a footbridge crosses Renoir-like water scenes to this punnily named village eating spot whose centrepiece is a large rocking horse. The…

  • Domus

    Leuven

    Reminiscent of a big old-English country pub, this brewery-café has heavy beams and rough-plastered part-brick walls generously adorned with photos,…

  • La Pomme d’Or

    Northwest Belgium

    Tiffany-glass windows, wrought-iron lamps and 1930s decor create a welcoming feel at one of East Flanders' better-value brasserie-cafes, where beautifully…

  • Bistro Bis

    Northeast Belgium

    For very fine bistro food with a rock-and-roll soundtrack, cosy up with fellow diners at a long rough-wooden table and choose from the day's three…

  • Little Ethiopia

    Antwerp

    Discover a veritable museum of African artefacts in a historic old Antwerp house while perusing the multilingual menu supplement that helpfully explains…

  • Dôme sur Mer

    Antwerp

    In a classic Zurenborg building with an interior that's all white but for a mirror-topped blue stripe of an aquarium, this professional seafood outfit…

  • La Vieille Ardenne

    The Ardennes

    Beer flagons dangle from the beams of this compact, traditional Ardennes-style café-eatery, and summer tables overflow onto neighbouring pavements. The…

  • Zarza

    Leuven

    Interesting combinations of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, plenty of seafood and classy vegetarian alternatives feature at Zarza, and are best…

  • Opus Latino

    Bruges

    Modernist café with weather-worn terrace tables right at the waterside, where a canal dead-ends beside a Buddha-head fountain. Access is via the easily…

  • Gasthof 1618

    Northeast Belgium

    At the northeast corner of the begijnhof, this antique-styled hostelry has a manorial charm with a central barbecue hearth and a lovely rear terrace area,…

  • Improvisio

    Leuven

    Hidden away within the 30cc arts complex, between the former farm buildings of an Augustinian convent, this 1735 mansard-roofed building was originally…

  • ’t Zeezotje

    Ostend

    Floor-to-ceiling glass and masses of outdoor seating – including an easily missed upper-floor balcony – draw in tourist diners, as do the English-language…

  • L’Écurie d’Ennetières

    Wallonia

    Affordable Belgo-French cuisine is served in this high-ceilinged room with exposed-brick walls and a tribe of marionettes hanging from hefty wooden beams…

  • La Gourmandise

    Wallonia

    With a cheery good vibe, expansive menu and outdoor seating on Rochefort's main street, La Gourmandise hits all the right notes. The space features a shop…

  • Au Point de Vue

    Liège

    Since 1971 it's been named for its (road-blighted) view of the city's 19th-century opera house, though in fact this tourist-friendly brasserie occupies a…

  • Bistro Nazionale

    Brussels

    For a dose of Italian Dolce Vita in the epic area between Flagey and Avenue Louise, grab a seat at Bistrò Nazionale, Cocina’s little sister. Share a plate…

  • Ciro's

    Antwerp

    Ciro's is an authentically nostalgic restaurant that dates back to 1962 and sports an almost untouched mid-century interior. The well-reputed cuisine…

  • Taverne St-Géry

    Wallonia

    Facing Aubechies’ barrel-vaulted 1077 church, Taverne St-Géry is one of rural Belgium’s most authentic village pubs. It’s a whitewashed farm-style place…

  • Cosma Foodhouse

    Northeast Belgium

    At first glance it's easy to mistake this restaurant for a half-closed cooking-utensil shop. But the gorgeous aromas soon prove otherwise, drawing you…

  • Albrecht

    Ostend

    Although the loveable art nouveau corner shopfront which houses it has seen many incarnations, Albrecht is a relative newcomer on the Ostend cafe-dining…

  • Le Cercle des Voyageurs

    Brussels

    Delightful bistro featuring globes, an antique-map ceiling and a travel library. If your date's late, flick through an old National Geographic in your…

  • La Tonnellerie

    The Ardennes

    This relatively sophisticated chalet-style half-timbered restaurant offers well-prepared if somewhat pricey brasserie food, served in a series of…

  • Crème

    Brussels

    In a quiet pedestrian cobbled street next to Brussels’ iconic chocolatiers, enter Crème, an espresso bar serving up Aussie style pancakes, avocado toasts…

  • Eva Cosy

    Wallonia

    This stylishly revived old-world bakery and teahouse offers not only a range of speciality teas but also wine, beer and excellent coffee accompanied by…

  • De Mouterij

    Northwest Belgium

    Tucked away on a side lane behind the Centrum De Ronde van Vlaanderen you'll find this homely Belgian affair. It offers al fresco dining in its spacious…

  • Le Quai Gourmet

    Wallonia

    The French food here is borne of a gourmet imagination and served in an elegant setting: one of many revamped former shop-houses on the river quay. The…

  • De Comeet

    Northeast Belgium

    Gilt cherubs hold wooden beams, and a contemporary wrought-iron chandelier sits above the grand piano in this characterful place whose summer 'garden’…

  • Infirmerie

    Northeast Belgium

    Tucked away at the base of the begijnhof, Infirmerie is a relaxed brasserie incorporating elements of historical design from a 1701 building that had been…

  • Puur Oogst

    Northeast Belgium

    With distressed walls, well-spaced seating and a street terrace, this organic grocery/salad bar is great for coffee, pancakes or especially for healthy…

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