3 Best Restaurants in Brussels, Belgium

August

$$$$

A couple of miles west of Gaasbeek is the rather bijou little town of Lennik, home to a fair number of high-priced dining options. One of the finer is August, a wine shop-cum-restaurant that oozes class and is set in an 18th-century wine merchant's premises. Paired set menus aren't cheap, but they pack a lot of flavor in, arriving immaculately presented. 

Alfred Algoetstraat 2b, Gaasbeek, Flanders, 1750, Belgium
02-532--4220
Known For
  • the wine selection is backed by good knowledge
  • the cooking is pretty exciting with well-balanced set menus
  • it's a gorgeous old building
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Wed. and Sat.

Le 203

$$$$

While COVID-19 forced a lot of restaurants to embrace reservation policies, 203 has gone for the first-come, first-served approach, and recommends turning up at 7 (we'd argue 10 minutes beforehand) to guarantee a spot at dinner. It's certainly worth the effort. Set menus at this charming bistro change every week, according to the whims of the season, and there's a fine selection of natural wines, which are, by now, almost mandatory in all modern Brussels restaurants. 

Chau. de Waterloo 203, Saint-Gilles, Brussels Capital, 1060, Belgium
02-539--2643
Known For
  • seasonal cooking with an eye of local producers
  • the limited menu ensures each dish really pops
  • queues of people waiting outside
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat.

Le Tournant

$$$$

A restaurant with a firm eye on seasonal cooking, slow food, and organic produce. No surprise, then, that it's from the same people behind the Titulus wine bar (see Nightlife), and that its selection of natural wines is among the finest in any restaurant in the city. The food isn't half bad either, and impresses with its often pared-down simplicity: from Asian-style duck with miso and wakame to a gamey venison stew. Dishes are not over fussed but presented simply and with confidence. 

Chau. de Wavre 168, Ixelles, Brussels Capital, Belgium
02-502--6165
Known For
  • slow-cooked slow food
  • a great wine selection
  • cooking that lets the ingredients speak for themselves
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends. No lunch Mon., Tues., and Thurs.

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