Authentic Brussels (doublon): 200 local favourites (EN)

By Emmanuelle Hubert and Mélissa Monaco

DOUBLON

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mardaga
• Release date: Nov 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9782804706746

Book preview

common

a bite

to eat

It’s no secret that Brussels boasts some incredible food. The city’s eclectic culinary scene brings together Belgian classics and international specialities inspired by its diverse, cosmopolitan heritage, and features not only a dazzling array of restaurants, but also a phenomenal range of specialist stores and delicatessens so that you can whip up mouthwatering dishes from the comfort of your own home.

La Buvette

1

La Buvette

Chaussée d’Alsemberg 108, 1060 Saint-Gilles

la-buvette.be

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MAPS 3 & 9

La Buvette is one of three eateries managed by chef Nicolas Scheidt on the Chaussée d’Alsemberg in the trendy Saint-Gilles neighbourhood (his other establishments, Hopla Geiss Bakery and Café des Spores, are also well worth a visit). The restaurant is housed in an Art Deco-style former butcher’s, complete with meat hooks and an old butcher’s table, which is now the most coveted spot in the building. The hearty, meticulously prepared meals on offer often put an inventive spin on traditional Belgian fare, and diners can wash them down with a Belgian or foreign beer from the restaurant’s extensive selection.

2

Kumiko Izakaya

Rue d’Alost 7, 1000 Brussels

kumiko.be

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MAP 1

The up-and-coming canal neighbourhood is home to a host of hot new addresses, including the cosy cocktail bar Life Is Beautiful (see No. 59) and the nearby restaurant Kumiko Izakaya. With a reputation for fast, friendly service, Kumiko serves Japanese street food-style dishes (think onigiri, donburi and gyoza) and a good choice of hot and cold drinks, making it a great destination for a tasty meal or a relaxed night out with friends. Make sure you check out the spacious outdoor terrace for those balmy summer nights!

3

Atomium Restaurant

Square de l’Atomium, 1020 Laeken

atomiumrestaurant.be

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MAP 11

The Atomium is one of Brussels’ most iconic monuments and a must-visit destination for many tourists, but the upscale restaurant situated 100 metres above the ground in the highest of its nine spheres is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Serving quality Belgian food with unbeatable views across the entire capital, the restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience. It’s a little pricier than some of the other restaurants on our list, but the setting alone is more than worth splashing out for!

4

Sanzaru

Avenue de Tervueren 292, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre

sanzaru.be

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MAP 6

Sanzaru is Brussels’ first restaurant fully dedicated to Nikkei, a bold Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine that brings together the best of both cultures. Its star dishes include the Peruvian chicken served with sobrassada and miso and the yuzu curd with Peruvian chocolate foam, but the restaurant stands out as much for its décor as its food: the building’s Cubist-inspired architecture dates from the 1930s, and its charming interior features vivid wall paintings by the Belgian artists Marcin Sobolev and Arianna Musetta.

5

Nuovo Rosso

Rue Bosquet 62, 1060 Saint-Gilles

facebook.com/nuovorosso

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MAP 3

This charming little restaurant in Saint-Gilles is renowned for its friendly service and generous portions of classic Italian fare, including its speciality of fresh pasta cooked al dente and served straight from the pot. The menu features food from all over Italy, and the restaurant offers a constantly changing dish of the day at an unbeatable price, making it the perfect option for anyone looking to dine out on a budget without compromising on quality.

La Manufacture

6

La Manufacture

Rue Notre-Dame-du-Sommeil 12, 1000 Brussels

lamanufacture.be

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MAP 1

La Manufacture’s past may surprise you: the building that is now home to one of the best international restaurants in central Brussels formerly housed both a factory owned by the leather goods company Delvaux and a print shop. In this unique setting, you can enjoy dishes inspired by recipes from all over the world and made using local, seasonal produce, accompanied by a quality wine menu presented on a tablet, giving this historic venue an unmistakeably modern touch.

7

Ciaooo Pizzeria

Avenue du Diamant 199A, 1030 Schaerbeek

ciaooopizzeria.be

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MAP 6

Thanks to Brussels’ sizeable Italian community, the city is home to so many pizzerias that it can be difficult to choose between them. However, few can match Ciaooo Pizzeria in Schaerbeek, an authentic Neapolitan-style restaurant that stands out for its classic pizzas and pizze fritte, all cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven. As well as a host of crowd-pleasing favourites, Ciaooo also offers a regularly changing selection of seasonal pizzas featuring premium ingredients like Italian sausage and truffles.

Bouchéry

8

Bouchéry

Chaussée d’Alsemberg 812/A, 1180 Uccle

bouchery-restaurant.be

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MAP 9

The young, dynamic team at Bouchéry have set up shop in a charming, classically furnished building in the upmarket neighbourhood of Uccle. Chef Damien Bouchéry prides himself on using local organic products sourced from small-scale farmers to create stunning, wholesome dishes with plenty of fresh, flavoursome veggies. The vegetarian buffet at lunchtimes is delicious and very reasonably priced, and for special occasions you can’t go wrong with the four-, six- or eight-course evening meal.

Knees to Chin

9

Knees to Chin

Rue de Livourne 125 & Rue de Flandre 28, 1000 Brussels; Chaussée d’Alsemberg 148, 1060 Saint-Gilles

kneestochin.com

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MAPS 1, 3 & 4

With three stylishly decorated restaurants (in the centre, Saint-Gilles and the trendy Bailli neighbourhood), Knees to Chin is the place to go for spring rolls: its generously sized rolls are a real treat for the taste buds, with original flavour combinations and a great range of sauces. Don’t miss the prawn spring rolls, which come with a zingy lemongrass sauce, or the minced chicken option, served with a delicious peanut sauce. Plus, its dishes are lactose-free and low in gluten, and the menu features plenty of vegetarian choices.

10

Don Luis

Avenue Clays 107, 1030 Schaerbeek

restaurantdonluis.com

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MAP 8

Don Luis specialises in modern dishes from all over Portugal, prepared using only the finest ingredients and accompanied by quality Portuguese wines. The food is so good that the restaurant tends to be packed with