Al Barmaki
Hidden on a quiet backstreet, Al Barmarki has long been considered one of Brussels' best Middle Eastern eateries. And now, after more than three decades of faithful service to uncompromisingly authentic Lebanese food, it's made the Michelin guide. Expect cool Moorish décor, brusque service and succulent skewered lamb kebabs. Great for vegetarians too.
Am Sweet
Spiralling over two floors and several rooms, this charming salon de thé / confiserie on a village-like street resembles a Parisian apartment, with small metal tables, chairs in striped calico slip-covers, shelves of well-thumbed books, and framed watercolours resting against the walls. Not only is it a delightful spot for brunch or a fragrant tea, but the ground floor stocks an enticing array of sweets, including Laurent Gerbaud chocolates.
Arcadi
Jars of preserves, beautiful cakes and fruit tarts behind the glass counter of this classic bistro entice plenty of locals, as do well-priced meals like layered eggplant and cheese, all served non-stop by courteous staff.
Archy's
Tiny Latin-American restaurant in Matonge, Brussels' African quarter, that's been serving up specialties from California to Peru for more than 15 years. Join diners at one of just four tables on the pedestrianised street, or head inside to meet Archy himself.
Au Stekerlapatte
The grungy façade hides a cavernous bistro where the approach is casual, the menu extensive and the portions large. Meat, fish and fowl - cooked in traditional Belgian ways - are the staples. Well hidden but definitely known.
Aux Armes de Bruxelles
In a street where dining is a minefield of mussel places, this elegant eatery is where locals come to get treated like royalty and to eat fantastic seafood. The oysters are the freshest around, and for mains try any version of the mussels or fish - the sole meuniere (fish with butter and lemon) is excellent.
Belga Queen
The Belga Queen is Brussels' queen of indulgence. Generous opening hours, a fabulous restaurant with an equally fab crowd, a lustrous ecailler (oyster bar) and a cigar bar leave you no excuses for not visiting. The main menu (split between meat and fish) even has a vegetarian section and low-calorie options for visiting supermodels.
Bij den Boer
A longtime seafood favourite with a no-fuss interior and newly-revamped blue-tiled façade. Real Brussels experience.
Bon-Bon
Brussels' most talked-about chef, Michelin-starred Christophe Hardiquest, shuns menus in favor of dishes crafted from the day's freshest ingredients from the markets. It's a bit of a hike out to residential Uccle, but for foodies this is as good as it gets.
Bonsoir Clara
One of the capitals’ enduring success stories. The twin salons boast bold colors, subtle lighting and lots of metal and geometry. It struck a chord with locals years ago and continues to serve generous portions of modern European food, particularly Mediterranean flavors. Reserve in advance for weekend dinners.
Brasserie de la Roue d'Or
If you're hankering for hearty Belgian fare (rabbit, pigs' trotters and the like), follow the locals' lead and head to the 'Golden Wheel', where the décor is inspired by the city's surrealists.
Brasserie La Clef d'Or
Unassuming café that's been serving soupe de la maison (house soup) and a good croque-monsieur (grilled ham and cheese sandwich) to flea-market vendors for years. It's as unpretentious as they come. The unusual opening hours reflect the needs of the clientele.
Brasserie Ploegmans
An endangered species. This bar is the local of old folk from the Marolles and has plenty of working-class kudos. It's one of only a couple of remaining family-owned pubs on this street and is generally full of smoke, a rich assortment of characters and Brussels dialect.
Café Des Spores
Getting here means trekking out to Uccle but it's well worth it if you like chanterelles, porcini and other assorted fungi from the forest floor. If you don't, then don't bother, because mushrooms feature in every dish (even the cep tiramisu) at this so-named 'mushroom restaurant'. It sounds gimmicky but it isn't at all - the daily changing menu is market-fresh and there's a solid wine list.