The 5 best restaurants for local atmosphere in Brussels
1) Les Brigittines
This stylish restaurant stands opposite the church where Pieter Bruegel was buried. The interior is decorated in a warm style, with mirrors, paintings and art nouveau lamps. The cook uses the best local ingredients, including Cantillon beer.
![Restaurant interior of Les Brigittines](https://images.the500hiddensecrets.com/2019-01/bxl_resto_brussels_atmosphere_les_brigittines.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&h=1080&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1920&s=5551e52e845e93555d345e699df9a36f)
2) Le Chou de Bruxelles
This friendly little restaurant in a quiet residential street is a good bet if you want traditional Belgian cuisine. The lamb is succulent, the frites are served in a paper cone, and the Zeeland mussels come with a choice of 30 different sauces. The place is always busy and staff occasionally struggle to cope with all the tables.
![terrace of Le Chou de Bruxelles](https://images.the500hiddensecrets.com/2019-03/brussels-eat-les_chou_de_bruxelles.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&h=1080&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1920&s=df2ec4344fc554dd89e0ece7e07255b1)
More hidden Brussels?
Discover the guide: The 500 Hidden Secrets of Brussels takes you to hundreds of lesser-known places and unique spots in the city. Available as book or ebook.
3) La Branche d'Olivier
This rustic restaurant lies hidden down a quiet cobbled lane on the edge of a nature reserve. You can dine in the wood-panelled interior or outside on the terrace when the weather allows. The menu is fantastic value for Brussels, although you might have to factor in a taxi fare.
![interior of La Branche d'Olivier](https://images.the500hiddensecrets.com/2019-03/brussels-eat-la_branche_dolivier.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&h=1080&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1920&s=4af9cad3a57421e3a2fa8435eeefdfc9)
4) La Bonne Chère
Hidden down a cobbled lane in the Marolles, this intimate bistro opened in 2020. It’s a relaxed, romantic place with exposed brick walls and velvet curtains. The enthusiastic young team create an inspiring menu using seasonal ingredients.
![Brussels - La Bonne Chère exterior](https://images.the500hiddensecrets.com/2022-01/154218393_289842672485476_8869671800075059788_n.jpeg?auto=format&fit=max&h=1080&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1920&s=b8f034e7d5ddaee97e762e3215e6f3dc)
5) Houtsiplou
This is a friendly, relaxed restaurant with authentic Brussels charm. A great place to go with kids: its walls are decorated with quirky comic-book murals illustrating episodes from Belgian history. The cooking is Belgian style with classics likemoules-frites, beef stewed in Belgian beer and saucisse-stoemp (sausage with mashed potatoes). The menu lists interesting Belgian beers, along with Belgian Cécémel(chocolate milk) for the young ones.
![colourful wall at Houtsiplou](https://images.the500hiddensecrets.com/2019-03/brussels-eat-houtsiplou.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&h=1080&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1920&s=740c913d1bb87ed795eb3c7fd12752df)
Join the community
Sign up for free to gain unlimited access to the website. Plus, you'll receive a 10% discount in our online bookshop.
Already a member? Log in. |
New here? Sign up. |