RESTAURANTS

Restaurants

Bonsoir Clara

$$$$$ | International

Located in the fashion district of Brussels, this trendy restaurant offers diners a selection of both traditional and international cuisine. The menu features a variety of Belgian, Italian and Asian dishes including cold pea soup, fish lasagne, roast lamb and cod carpaccio. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner, and for dinner on weekends. Reservations recommended.

Address: 22 Rue Antoine Dansaert; Telephone: (02) 502 0990

La Maison du Cygne

$$$$$ | Local

Once frequented by the likes of Karl Marx and the Belgian Socialist Party, this 17th century house now offers diners a traditional ambience, enhanced by richly coloured décor and polished walnut walls. The menu features mainly Belgian and French cuisine including lobster salad with apples and a curry sauce, beef fillet with a three pepper sauce, and lemon-scented codfish. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner, and for dinner on Saturday. Reservations recommended.

Address: 2 Rue Charles Buls; Telephone: (02) 511 8244

Les Trois Couleurs

$$$$$ | French

Dining at Les Trois Couleurs is gorgeous throughout the year - in winter guests can enjoy the spacious, neat dining room and in summer the terrace garden is perfect. This elegant and romantic restaurant's menu offers French cuisine such as a prawn and caviare salad, or poached brill. Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner and Sunday for lunch. Reservations essential.

Address: 453 Avenue de Tervuren, Woluw�-Saint-Pierre; Telephone: (02) 770 3321

Aux Armes De Bruxelles

$$$$$ | Local

Founded in 1921, this is a true Brussels legend that serves the freshest of mussels and finest of French fries. Approach the moules et frite Bruxelles-style by eating the first mussel with your fingers and then use the shell to eat the rest. The entire menu is excellent, especially the beef stewed in beer and the delicious waterzooï. The front room's vintage Art Nouveau interior is delightful. Open for lunch and dinner daily, reservations recommended.

Address: 13 Rue des Bouchers; Telephone: (0)2 511 5598

Comme Chez Soi

$$$$$ | French

This gourmet pilgrimage site never fails to impress, with exceptional quality, refined flavours and an ambient Art Nouveau design. The restaurant boasts both a warmly welcoming atmosphere and truly memorable dishes, such as red mullet fillet with karides or beef fillet with black truffles. For dessert, try the chocolate cake with almonds and hazelnuts. Advanced booking is essential. Closed on Sunday and Monday, and on Wednesday for lunch.

Address: 23 Place Rouppe; Telephone: (0)2 512 2921

La Truffe Noire

$$$$$ | French

For those with a passion for truffles, pay a visit to this shrine created by Italian chef Luigi Ciciriello. It is a friendly establishment renowned for serving superb truffle-focused dishes in its warm and relaxed environment. Don't miss the carpaccio truffles with olive oil and parmesan for starters and the roast duck with Canary Island bananas for mains. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, only open Monday and Sunday for reservations of 30 or more guests.

Address: 12 Boulevard de la Cambre; Telephone: (0)2 640 4422

La Quincaillerie

$$$$$ | Gastropubs

Housed in a former hardware store, La Quincaillerie has all the raw materials for a fabulous dining experience. The staff are friendly if slightly frenetic; the interior's Horta-inspired industrial qualities are striking; and the food is quite simply fantastic, especially the impeccably fresh seafood. Open for dinner all week, and lunch Monday to Friday. Bookings essential well in advance.

Address: 45 Rue du Page; Telephone: (0)2 533 9833

Les Brassins

$$$$$ | Local

Belgian brasseries are scattered throughout Brussels so it's hard to tell which are truly outstanding and worth seeking out - we've heard consistently good reports about this local secret, tucked away at the end of a back street in Ixelles. Enjoy tasting some of the 50 local brews while tucking into hearty dishes like rabbit cooked in cherry beer, or the meatloaf with mustard sauce. Open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations recommended.

Address: 36 Rue Keyenveld; Telephone: (0)2 512 6999

Chez Leon

$$$$$ | Local

Don't be put off by the picture menu and touristy look, this is the real deal! For celebrated mussel dishes, as well as local fare such as rabbit stewed in kriek (cherry) beer or stoemp (bubble and squeak), the original Chez Leon (near the Grand Place - watch out for imitations!) is the perfect place to dine. Open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations recommended.

Address: 18 Rue des Bouchers; Telephone: (0)2 511 1415