(26 Place Ste Catherine in Brussels, Belgium)

Babeko restaurant in the heart of Brussels, just a few steps outside Brussels’ very first city wall ...and near a dozen theatres, is a hotbed of creativity. Sited in an ancient building – the oak beams have been dated to 1567 – Babeko’s menu is rooted in timeless French techniques and draws inspiration from the rest of the world too. Each dish is arranged as a beautiful little sculpture on a smartly-designed plate with scribble of sauce. The ambience is vibrant and trendy, the décor a breathtaking modern interpolation into the old house. Private tables in the vaulted cellars are lit with scads of candles, while the sun pours down on the terrace outside. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 3pm & 7pm - 11pm Sat - Sun 7pm - 11pm [moreless]

(73 Rue des Alexiens in Brussels, Belgium)

Bleu de Toi restaurant in the heart of Brussels, between Manneken Pis and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, ...was once a small, run down house now transformed by passionate owners into one of the most intimate, romantic, welcoming restaurants in the city. For fourteen years it has been celebrated in Brussels, for both its menu and décor. With exposed brick walls, flea market mirrors, smart, clean, modern décor and vibrant splashes of marine blue everywhere – the awnings, the paintings, even the bottled water – this is a place with pizzazz. Central to the menu are bintjes, a sort of rich baked potato that Bleu de Toi artfully stuffs in seventeen different ways. But pride of place must also go to the seven different preparations of half or whole Canadian lobster, flown in fresh daily. Or the superb salads, like the Scampi, with caramelized scampi and bacon with balsamic dressing, which can be had as starter or main. Or the ‘suggestions’ of two seasonal fish, two meats, a vegetarian selection, and seasonal starters. The monthly changing menu with featured themes offer the very best of the season, including asparagus, Easter lamb, and fresh oysters, among many others. And there are fourteen sensational desserts like authentic speculoos gingerbread ice cream. The international wine list features more than 100 bottles and favours the French. On arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 2pm & 7pm - 11pm Sat 7pm - 11:30pm Sun: closed all day [moreless]

(22-26 Rue Antoine Dansaert in Brussels, Belgium)

Bonsoir Clara restaurant is perfectly sited on Brussels’ hippest street. Need a break from shopping... the boutiques? Want a place to meet after visits to the edgy galleries? Or just fancy an evening among a vibrant, arty crowd? Then this smart French brasserie is exactly the place. Entire walls are decorated in patches of brightly-hued stained glass, like a glass tapestry, while the décor generally sports art deco’s uncluttered lines. The seasonally-changing, sophisticated cuisine is highly eclectic, just like the cosmopolitan crowd that gathers there. Try starter of beef carpaccio with tartare of dried and fresh tomatoes, parmesan slices, and mixed salad, main course of aiguillettes of duck with Muscat grapess and confit ginger. Wine list is not as French as you might expect, and mainly affordable. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 2:30pm & 7pm - 11:30pm Sat - Sun 7pm - 12am [moreless]

(Galerie de la Reine 11 in Bryssel, Belgium)

At the center of the Galerie de la Reine, in former days a theatre, then a nightclub, the vaudeville... has revived since the beginning of February under the form of an intimate and attractive restaurant that has all the ingredients to become the new Brussels "hotspot". The restaurant is open 7 days a week. Serge and Pascal Van Hamme developed the principle of a hot/cold buffet where the visitors choose between several sizes of plates and serve themselves at the buffet. They can enjoy their meal on the terrace or in the gallery or on the first floor in one of the three grand rooms decorated by Philippe Guillemin. The room of surrealists, Victor Hugo, Marx and Engels personalized in the works of Emile Vercruysse, form a touch of history while mixing perfectly with the modern decoration. As far as the majestic theatre is concerned, this is reserved for events, weddings, receptions and seminars and can easily accommodate up to 250 persons for diner or 625 for a reception. Don't miss out on this one ! [moreless]

(4 Rue de l'Epée in Brussels, Belgium)

Havana restaurant is action central when it comes to drinking, dining and dancing. But just getting... there is worth the trip: you go to the massive Palais de Justice, take the glazed public lift on the right, gaining some of the best views in the city en route, and arrive at the Place Breughel. Wow. Everybody starts with one of the Mojito Cubanos, famous with good reason, at one of the three on-site bars, then moves into the Red Room or The Loft for authentic, modern Cuban/Latino cuisine. The tapas menu makes it possible to assemble a jillion little dishes to share as a leisurely meal, or enjoy serious main courses like chicken or beef fajitas, or oven grilled goat with veg and fried potato balls. The short wine list includes Mexican and South American wineries. Check out the cigar menu before enjoying an evening of dancing in the disco, either under the spell of one of the DJs or to live music. The décor is reminiscent of the Cuba of Hemingway, with vibrant red paneling, gauzy curtains, leather banquettes, and loads of moody mirrors and twinkling lights in the Red Room, or airy high beamed ceilings and warm natural colours in the loft. On arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via Toptable. Opening hours: Wed - Thur 7pm - 3am Fri -Sat 7pm - 7am Sun 2pm - 11pm Mon - Tue : closed all day [moreless]

(60 Rue des Minimes in Brussels, Belgium)

L’Arriere Pays restaurant in Brussels near the huge museum and the Palais Royal is a rustic, casual ...restaurant-cum-epicerie that also is a charming spot for tea or an early-evening drink. The front room is a shop for reagional, artisanal products are sold. The dining rooms are kitted out with solid wood floors and furniture and walls the colour of sun-ripened tomatoes, a cosy ambience for light lunches and suppers. Choices include salads, cold or warm tartines, pastas, tartiflette, steaks and vegetarian dishes. The tiramisu with speculoos and genievre (Dutch gin) is an inspired combination, and artisan ice creams keep the inner child quiet for quite a while. The terrace seats up to 60 – a terrific choice for a group or private meal, and the whole restaurant can be booked for events. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 2:30pm & 6:30pm - 11pm Sat & Sun open 24 hours [moreless]

(31 Rue du Rollebeek in Brussels, Belgium)

La Tortue du Sablon restaurant is a famous homarium, or lobster house, right in the heart of Brussel...s. A nautical theme prevails, and quite right too, with scrubbed wooden floors, the remains of huge shelled creatures on the walls, and a ship’s wheel hanging from the ceiling. Inside you’ll find an intimate, smart, white-table-cloth setting while the terrace in front has a jauntier, more informal feel. Wherever you sit, you can choose from nine different preparations of lobster including La Tortue’s own grilled version and a warm edition Parisian Bellevue style. Fish dishes in general are a speciality, though meat-eaters are catered for, and, unusually, La Tortue has a strong tradition of game in season, with creations like six-spice duck with ginger sauce. Special groups up to 40 are made very welcome here. French wine list. On arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Sun 12pm - 2:30pm & 6pm - 10:30pm [moreless]

(10-12 Rue de la Vierge Noire in Brussels, Belgium)

Right in the heart of all things Brussels, La Vierge Noire restaurant is an elegant Art Deco space t...hat will transport you to another era. The warm lighting, mirrored walls, authentic zinc bar, splendidly comfortable furnishings, jazzily parqueted floors, and graceful table settings make this one smart place to dine. Chef Sebastien Mertens offers traditional and modern French dishes, with careful sourcing, like starter of carpaccio of king prawn and white truffle oil, main course of lamb saddle from the Pyrenees with mustard and parsley, and dessert of zabaglione according to the chef’s mood. And wait, there’s more: five choices of lobster prep, good veggie selections, thoughtful children’s menu, Market Menu and Discovery Menu. La Vierge Noire is truly a temple of gastronomy. Wine list is French with eclectic touches. On arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 2:30pm & 6:30pm - 10:30pm Sat 6:30pm - 10:30pm Sun: closed all day [moreless]

(3 Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains in Brussels, Belgium)

La Villette restaurant, opposite lovely St Catherine Church, is as Belgian as it can possibly be. T...he charming old stucco-fronted building is overhung with awnings, while inside the quaint checkered table cloths, rust wood-panelled walls, country chairs, old framed advertising, and chalkboard menu of specials make this a landmark of postcard Belgian-ness. Yes, you will find tourists here, but also savvy locals who understand that La Villette boasts a more imaginative menu, especially of la cuisine á la biére, than most St Catherine’s establishments. Its forty-strong carte of beers is a powerful incentive, too. Try starter of hot brochette of small Belgian sausages served with two jams, Belgian endive and onion, main course of seasonal mussels with escargot sauce or Fleish beef stew with Maredsous beer, and dessert of crème brûlée ‘the Chimay’s way’, unlike any you’ve tried before. On arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via Toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 2:30pm & 6:30pm - 10:30pm Sat 7pm - 11:30pm Sun: closed all day [moreless]

(13 Rue de Notre Seigneur in Brussels, Belgium)

Les Petits Oignons in the historic Marolles quarter of Brussels is a warm, welcoming restaurant set ...in a decidedly pretty 17th century townhouse. Now filled with colourful artwork and divided into the main dining room, the lively mezzanine with its open fireplace and witty lighting fixtures, and the oasis-like candlelit garden, Les Petits Oignons is known for the freshness and quality of its French food. The menu is purposefully small and select, to keep a beady eye on standards and to honour the produce of the seasons. It changes often, too. Dishes may include starter of foie gras two ways, with apples and ‘nature’, main course of pan-sauteed anglerfish with cider vinegar, and dessert (order at the start of your meal) of the restaurant’s own profiteroles with caramelised custard. You can tell the wine buyer has roamed the globe, but left his heart in France. Excellent attention to detail and service. Several spaces are available for group dining with special menus for numbers from 10 to 80. On arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 3pm & 7pm - 11pm Sun closed all day [moreless]