Belgium

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.

Food Type :French

Address :22 Rue Antoine Dansaert

Website :http://bonsoirclara.net/en

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. Their cellars include a collection of some 20,000 bottles of some of the finest vintages.

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.

Food Type :French

Address :2 Rue Charles Buls

Website : https://visit.brussels/en/place/Restaurant-La-Maison-du-Cygne-meeting-venue

't Brugs Beertje is a popular beerhouse that offers unpretentious pub fare for a cheap meal in Bruges. The real star of the show is the beer though, as there are more than 300 Belgian beers available. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and the pub is open for dinner, Thursday to Monday.

Food Type :Local

Address :Kemelstraat 5

Website :www.brugsbeertje.be

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.

Food Type :Local

Address :13 Rue des Bouchers

Website :http://www.auxarmesdebruxelles.com/en/

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.

Food Type :French

Address :23 Place Rouppe

Website :www.commechezsoi.be

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.

Food Type :French

Address :12 Boulevard de la Cambre

Website :www.truffenoire.com

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.

Food Type :Gastropubs

Address :45 Rue du Page

Website :www.quincaillerie.be

Anyone with a sweet tooth will want to stop at Gelateria Da Vinci, a popular ice cream parlour near the centre of town. Offering a wide variety of gelato and dairy-free sorbet, the bustling shop has a relaxed atmosphere and is the perfect place for a treat. Note that the shop tends to be busy and seating is not always available.

Food Type :Ice Cream

Address :Geldmuntstraat 34

Website :www.davinci-brugge.be

Belgian brasseries are scattered throughout Brussels so it's hard to tell which are truly outstanding and worth seeking out. But there are 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.

Food Type :Local

Address :36 Rue Keyenveld

Website :www.lesbrassins.com

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 is the perfect place to dine. Found near the Grand Place, it is open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations recommended.

Food Type :Local

Address :18 Rue des Bouchers

Website :www.chezleon.be

Gingerbread Tea Room is a sweet little family-run tea house offering delicious homemade breakfasts and lunches. Specialties include comfort food like bagels, quiche, and soup. However, be sure to sample their selection of teas and sweet baked treats. Note that only cash is accepted as payment.

Food Type :Brunch

Address :Amandsstraat 29

La Porteuse d'Eau is a beautiful art deco restaurant that not only stuns with amazing decor but keeps locals coming back for more with classic Belgian cuisine and selection of over 70 Belgian beers. This wonderful brasserie in Brussels operates from 11am until 3pm and 6 until 10.30 pm from Tuesday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, it's open from 11am until 11.30pm, while on Sunday it closes at 10.30pm.

Food Type :Local

Address :48a avenue Jean Volders

Website :www.laporteusedeau.be

Reservations are a must at this small restaurant. Gruuthuse Hof offers excellent Belgian cuisine in an elegant environment. If possible, book one of the few outdoor tables for a leisurely lunch and people-watching. Closed on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Food Type :Belgian

Address :Mariastraat 36

Website :www.gruuthusehof.be

Park Restaurant is one of the most popular eateries in Bruges, known for its classic, romantic atmosphere. Its location near prominent attractions makes it convenient for sightseers. The food is simple and filling. However, note that on weekends and holidays only four-course set menus are offered.

Food Type :European

Address :Minderbroedersstraat 1

Website :www.parkrestaurant.be