Fish, Mussels & Seafood, Brussels

To the north of the Grand Place is a maze of narrow streets devoted apparently to just one purpose, namely feeding tourists. I was reminded of the Latin Quarter in Paris, but here in Brussels the competition to get tourists inside seemed even more intense, and the different restaurants even less varied. The main features were a striking display of seafood outside, and a cheap but very limited menu (or in a few, a choice of menus). Of course you can also choose a la carte, but then the prices are much higher. The menus are certainly good value if you’re on a budget, ranging from 12 EUR to 18 EUR when we were there in early 2007.

We wanted a quick meal before heading for the station to catch our train so we tried one of these restaurants. The food was OK and the service speedy but there wasn’t a lot of choice (and none at all for dessert). I didn’t note the name of the restaurant but I really think there’s very little to choose between them all – just pick any one where you can see something you like the sound of on the menu!

After a hard week's work, the team celebrated with a meal in this restaurant.... I was struck by the tiling and the large globe lights... it certainly wasn't the cosiest restaurant, looking rather like a public convenience, but the food was wonderful.

The strange thing was that you had to enter the restaurant through the kitchens....

Favorite Dish: I just love the mussels... these were aux escargots which meant that there were no snails in them, but they were cooked in garlic butter just like snails... they added a touch of finely shredded cheese on the top which just finished the dish off nicely.

The chef's special was Steak au Poivre which was a very tender piece of beef with a stunning pepper sauce. The African Professor from Dar es Salaam was so impressed with this sauce I had to give him the recipe, then he wanted another for a pasta sauce.... I had visions of him taking over his wife's kitchen upon his return so show off his new skills...

The whole cost of the meal, including two rather stunning wines was 250 Euros or therabouts for 6 people..... it's definitely the drinks that bump up the prices in the restaurants.....

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.

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Rue des Bouchers, Petite Rue des Bouchers, Rue de la Fourche Petite and Rue Gretry are basically a strip of more than 70 restaurants; most of them are seafood restaurants that give a unique flair to the area. Most restaurants have sidewalk tables, but because there are no sidewalks they are simply set out in the street. They are generally small and inexpensive, many with but a few tables. It’s a great place to get good food and a great place to people-watch!

Favorite Dish: I always try the local cuisine. And yes, from time to time in Belgium I love to eat a typical "Rue des Bouchers" dish like the famous Bouillabaisse, the expensive version of the provençal fish soup, with langoustine.
You can taste also other fine dishes such as mussels steamed in wine, or "Anguilles au vert", which is eels in a green sauce and endives braised under a layer of cheese and ham. But Bouillabaisse with a free bottle of wine.................!!! Unbeatable!

I l iked the fire on a cold evening which is why we chose this place. It was empty as well which meant no smokers and I hoped a fast service. We were somewhat neglected by the waiter which was a shame as he was rather good looking... sigh....

Food was good, not overly priced, I had the mussels and a rather nice fish dish.....

The interior is unique.Old fashioned tables and chairs - a corner on the left showing a picture how the restaurant was many years ago.And this corner looks still the same.
Visitors are locals and typical BXL

Favorite Dish: Seafood - and this in BXL !!
Mussels in a sauce of gallic - scampis - a good bottle of "Chateau Guibon" and a bottle of San Pellegrino - café Ristretto !
All this at table 27
"Merci de votre visite"

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The narrow streets north of the Grand Place are filled with restaurants. Too small for cars, the streets are lined with tables sheltered by awnings. Often the food is displayed in showcases to tempt the passing traveler to partake of hearty fare. If that isn’t sufficient, waiters work the crowds to further entice pedestrians and make a difficult decision nearly impossible.

This tip is especially made to identify nice spots to eat seafood, rather than falling into tourist traps like Ilôt sacré restaurants.

I've eaten in some Ste-Catherine and Marché aux poissons seafood restaurants and like all of them. No name in particular. Wouldn't that be any excuse to return there and fetch the names and re-experience them? :)))

Remember: seafood is certainly NOT in Rue des bouchers. Those restaurants have some quite trouble with hygiene.. yet, they attract lots of tourists... hence the name of "tourist traps" :)))

Favorite Dish: However, I remember appreciating Smoked salmon, cooked salmon.

Belgium is also known for its Croquettes de crevettes ( Shrimp croquettes ).

Just next to Rugbyman 1 there is this fancy looking restaurant which turned out to be more like a brasserie-type than a white tablecloth style one.
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The menu is mainly fish and different size lobsters!
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Restaraunts in Brussels are amazing!! There is a strip of about 30 of them, each with specials and all the waiters wait outside (and speak about 10 different languages) and try to get you to come in. The food was cheap (19 euro's I think for several courses and a free beer), the waiters friendly, and the atmosphere was enjoyable. I was there in march and they had heaters outside to keep their customers warm. Honestly, if you want to eat the best food in europe, do yourself a favor and go to brussels

Favorite Dish: I had the mussles in a white sauce. Very very very good. My friend though had flounder or salmon or some kind of fish with some sort of a honey-bourbon sauce and honestly, when i took a bite of it my body entered a heaven-like state, my mouth collapsed like i just swallowed an orgasm pill and i experienced true euphoria. Anyone who likes seafood, or food in general you can't go wrong in brussels.