The Top Restaurants In The Northern Quarter Brussels

The Northern Quarter is the triangular neighborhood that stretches around the front of Brussels-North Railway Station, bordered by the train track and the Brussels Ring. It’s mostly a business district, packed with offices. But don’t let that stop you from exploring it, there’s a wide variety of wonderful restaurants to be found. Here are 10 of the best for you to try.

Taverne Omega

Restaurant, Belgian

Taverne Omega is located close to Brussels-North Station and serves typical Belgian dishes. Besides Belgian cuisine, you can also try a few Greek or Hungarian dishes here. The relaxed atmosphere and the wide variety of Belgian beers makes the tavern-atmosphere complete.

A La Vraie Belle Epoque (perm closed)

Brasserie, Pizzeria, Italian, European

Named after a European Golden Age before the First World War, this brasserie aims to mimic the architectural and interior style of those days. This means large mirrors, high ceilings and wooden furniture. The food is simpler than the décor, typical brasserie food, combined with a pizzeria.

The O Bar

Bar, Cocktails, Beer

Local Belgians don’t usually drink or eat at hotel bars, but that doesn’t mean they should be avoided. The quirky and colorful O Bar is a welcoming place where you can have dinner, or wind down with a cocktail. There’s live music on Tuesdays and a happy hour every evening. The fact that it’s not that popular with locals makes it a calm place, where you can still easily have a conversation. And if you’re in the mood to party, the bar hosts ‘after work’ celebrations every three months.

Sawad

Restaurant, Indian

Sawad is a fusion of Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern cuisine. There’s also a wide variety of vegetarian options here. The tasty food and big portions will surely make you hungry for more. Just remember to tell the waiter you can take some spicy foods, the menu tends to be adjusted to the Belgian taste. Or not, if you prefer it like that.

La Cantina 17

Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean

The reasonable prices, relaxed atmosphere and delicious food makes La Cantina 17 a popular lunch place for locals. This means it’s a busy restaurant, but the waiting will be worth it. The great variety of different pasta dishes and other Italian specialties are wonderful, as is the friendly service.

About the author

Ayla Sileghem

Ayla is a 20-something Belgian with roots in other places. She teaches Japanese, writes pieces in English and is always open for a change. Raised in Kenya, she picked up English at a young age and still prefers writing in English instead of Dutch. She studied Japanese at the Catholic University of Leuven and did a Master’s degree in Journalism at the Catholic University of Brussels. Ayla also spent some time in Japan, at Fukuoka Women’s University. She loves reading about history, and only remembers the funny facts. Her family includes a boyfriend who does the cooking and a rabbit that loves watching the Wizard of Oz.