A Tour Through Brussels' Foodie Scene

Much like the diversity of Brussels’ population, the food in this city spans a vast palate of tastes and smells. In order to ingratiate yourself to variety of the Brussels food scene, you need to hunt around to find the best edible and olfactory gems. Whether you are a born and bred Bruxellois, a new resident, or a visiting intrepid traveler, the following list is a great starting point to find something unique in this city.

Shrimp croquettes and seared tuna fillet

Located on the stunning Place Saint Catherine, Mer du Nord is a Brussels institution selling perfectly cooked, freshly caught seafood. Walking onto the square exposes individuals to the sweet aroma of the freshest fruits of the sea. Everything on the menu is exceptional but the two standouts are the seared tuna steak and the shrimp croquettes. The seared tuna is crispy, juicy, well seasoned, and topped with a delightful marinade. The shrimp croquettes are some of the best in Brussels and within the crispy outer shell you find sweet flavorsome north-sea shrimp swimming in a creamy, cheesy sauce.
Mer du Nord/Noordzee – Place Saint Catherine, Brussels, Belgium , +32 02 513 11 92

1. Tako gali and agedashi tofu

Restaurant, Japanese

This small bento-style restaurant in a quiet street in Brussels serves some of the most delicious and delicate food outside of Japan. Tako gali is a cold octopus salad with a tangy pickled citrus dressing. A flavor explosion from the pickle, perfectly compliments the tender pieces of squid. The agedashi tofu is more reserved than the tako gali and is comprised of two perfectly fried cubes of tofu in a balanced fragrant broth. Bonito flakes adorn the top of the tofu and perform dance-like motions as steam rises from the broth.