With Belgium soon set to celebrate its 194th National Day celebrations, and with the Belgian tricolour fluttering across town, one of the best ways to celebrate Belgium is through its long and rich gastronomical history.
From centuries-old estaminets to elegant brasseries and modern interpretations, each of these ten restaurants offers a unique lens on our national palate. In Brussels and beyond, these culinary havens bring history to life, one dish at a time.
These establishments promise more than a meal; they deliver atmosphere. Whether you're seated under vaulted ceilings, in a sunlit gallery, or crowded tavern, each venue is a quintessentially Belgian dining experience found nowhere else on earth.
It is advised to check in advance if you plan to eat out on National Day itself, as many restaurants are closed or fully-booked. Regardless, these restaurants remain Brussels classics throughout the year. For a full map of the restaurants below, click here.
Au Vieux Spijtigen Duivel, Uccle
Credit: Au Vieux Spijtigen Duivel/Facebook
Dating back to the early 18th century,with roots said to trace to as far back as the 1500s, this historic brasserie is now protected as a heritage site. Its vaulted cellar, original woodwork and vintage Godin stove evoke centuries of stories. A Brussels institution, the restaurant was once favoured by patrons such as Charles Baudelaire and Victor Hugo.
The menu serves Belgian staples like shrimp croquettes, ballekes, vol-au-vent, carbonnade flamande, seasonal mussels, calamari and scampi tartare, all naturally paired with an extensive beer and wine list.
Nüetnigenough, Brussels (near Bourse)
Credit: Nüetnigenough/Facebook
A cozy tavern beloved for hearty Flemish cuisine, it serves beer-infused dishes, such as stoofvlees, horse meant and stoemp, all matched with a curated list of Belgian beers with unusual pours such as Oerbier and Nooït Té. Guests can appreciate the warm atmosphere and dedication to authentic Belgian flavours.
La Porteuse d’Eau, Saint-Gilles
Credit: La Porteuse d'Eau/Facebook
Set in a stunning 1903 Art Nouveau building by Ernest Blérot, this brasserie offers beer-cooked meats, waterzooi, witlof, shrimp croquettes and Américain préparé.
Staff are praised for attentive service and the setting blends elegance with warmth, making it an ideal stop for a festive meal.
’t Spinnekopke, Brussels centre
Credit: In ‘t Spinnekopke
This 18th-century estaminet retains its original wooden panels and tiled floors, with red-checked tablecloths and a 1762 "Mother Spider" sculpture keeping watch. The menu focuses on Brussels classics: moules-frites, croquettes, waterzooi. For beer drinkers, the restaurant features a carefully curated lambic beer selection.
’t Potverdoemmeke, Schaerbeek
Credit: 'T Potverdoemmeke
This neighbourhood favourite serves fresh, locally sourced Belgian fare with no frills and lots of flavour. Expect shrimp and cheese croquettes, stoemp-saucisse, vol-au-vent, and hearty seasonal specials. It’s known for its convivial service and honest portions.
Fin de Siècle, Brussels centre
Credit: Fin de Siècle
A no-reservations brasserie near Rue des Chartreux, Fin de Siècle serves large portions of carbonnade, rabbit in Kriek, chicons, pork knuckle, and stoemp-saucisse. The rustic interior and rotating chalkboard menu draw crowds seeking hearty food and atmosphere.
Le Marmiton, Brussels (Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert)
Credit: Le Marmiton
Since 1979, this gallery-side bistro has served Belgian and French classics with polish. Its menu features moules marinières, sole, oysters, steak tartare, and veal cutlets. The stylish restaurant features a rotating selection of set menus taking diners through the very best of local cuisine mixed with European flavours and comfortable fare.
Aux Armes de Bruxelles, Brussels (Ilot Sacré)
Credit: Luc Viatour/Aux Armes de Bruxelles
This central Brussels classic is a 1921 Art Nouveau brasserie, located on the emblematic Rue des Bouchers. The restaurant still retains its festive spirit from the 1958 Expo era.
Its menu is full of time-tested favourites: veal tongue, Marolles poached egg, stewed eel in sauce, winkles and veal brains. If this sounds daunting, don’t worry. The large menu is big enough to cater for most tastes, even vegetarians and the squeamish. Period-costumed staff and polished service complete the old-world charm.
De Hoef 1627, Uccle
Credit: De Hoef 1627
Housed in a former 17th-century postal house in Uccle, De Hoef 1627 offers Belgian grilled meat, cooked over a real wood fire. Surrounded by a rustic yet elegant interior, specialties include grilled châteaubriant, rib-eye, and filet américain. This family-run restaurant blends history and hospitality in every dish.
Le Bugatti, Brussels (Louise)
Credit: Le Bugatti
Located on Rue Jacques Jordaens, Le Bugatti has been a Belgian institution since 1988 in a beautifully preserved Art Nouveau/Deco building. Its menu includes Flemish carbonnades (beef cheek), homemade shrimp and Orval cheese croquettes, rabbit braised in Kriek Boon, tomato‑sauced meatballs, eel in green sauce, and Zeeland mussels (in season), paired with 48 craft, specialty, and Trappist beers.
The stained‑glass windows and murals recall its origins as a 19th‑century garage annex. The restaurant is intimate and warmly lit and welcomes diners seeking nostalgic yet polished Belgian cuisine.
