Michelin Bib Gourmand: 7 best restaurants in Brussels, Belgium

Located in the heart of Brussels, between Sablon and Palais de Justice, Les Petits Oignons is a French brasserie restaurant with a warm and inviting setting. Opened in 1986, it was the brainchild of Khaled and Frieda Zoughlami and is now managed by their daughter, Rym. Nestled in an old building, it possesses a timeless decor made with a touch of modern elements like redwood paneled flooring, hanging elegant light fixtures, warehouse-type windows, and vintage café-style black chairs. Jazz music playing in the background adds a major scale to an overall lively atmosphere.

Les Petits Oignons, meaning little onions, offers its guests a bountiful French-inspired menu combined with Belgian and Mediterranean influences. Expect to find gourmet dishes like gray shrimp croquettes, free range chicken vol-au-vent, veal sweetbread, spiced duck foie gras terrine with red onion-ginger compote, and steak tartare with brioche bread. In desserts, indulge yourself in sweet treats like pineapple carpaccio with coconut milk ice cream, Brussels waffles with bitter chocolate, and lemon meringue tart, making you forget about counting calories and just enjoy life.

Set Menu Regence – €67
Set Menu Bib Gourmand – €42.50

Maison du Luxembourg is a contemporary fine-dining establishment that specializes in the best of regional fare. Situated in the heart of the European district, it offers bistro cuisine that stands out for its panache and dynamism. The atmosphere is lavish and upscale, complete with design elements, such as European-style navy blue window sills, light gray sofa chairs with soft furnishings, diffused ambient lighting, wood-paneled floorings, and two modern circular hanging dome chandeliers.

The kitchen is run under the guidance of Chef Philipe Lecomte, who creates a menu of hearty Luxembourg cuisine with ingredients from the Wallonia region to suit the palate of local and international patrons. Besides the main à la carte specialties, guests can also opt for a three-course fixed-choice menu, as well as a selection of other seasonal dishes, which may change depending on market availability. We recommend trying flavorful items like scallops carpaccio with walnut pesto, marinated Iberian pork with soybean, sea bream ceviche with lime coriander, and beef ribeye with shallots in red wine butter. Pair your meal with a glass of full-bodied red or crisp, zesty white from their impressive collection that features only quality vintages approved by winegrowers who are passionate about their terroirs.

Lunch menu – €38
Chef’s menu – €45

If you are looking for a flamboyant place with bow tie service and a lavish seafood spread, then Brasserie de l’Expo is the spot to save on your Google Maps. Nestled in the Heysel neighborhood, it is a Parisian-style restaurant that perfectly characterizes a Brussels bistro. It specializes in ocean-rich cuisine along with a diner-style menu. The moment you enter the establishment, you are mesmerized by the red color scheme dotted with Art Deco and 1958 Expo details. The interiors feature red leather benches, dark tables, booth-style seatings, sophisticated hanging gold lamps, large French windows, and polished wooden flooring. All you need to complete this Paris setting is a glass of Champagne.

The kitchen offers a display bank of tempting fruits de mer delicacies to choose from, along with a diversity of dishes on the menu. Patrons of the brasserie can relish scrumptious delights, including tuna tartare with avocado in yuzu dressing, beef carpaccio with freshly made tangy mayo, lamb shank stew with lentils, lightly smoked Scottish salmon, scampi with garlic, freshly shucked Normandy oysters, and homemade croquettes of gray shrimps.

Average bill – €38

JB is a stylish family-run establishment that is well-known for serving the most refined meals since 1970. Located just a stone’s throw away from Avenue Louise, it has acquired a loyal following of regulars ever since its inception. The dining space is divided into two levels, with a mini wine bar on the first floor. The interiors are high-class and sophisticated, with a modern decor consisting of orange cushioned chairs, redwood floors, chandelier lights, rough rock walls, a half-open kitchen concept, enveloped in a gray-white color tone.

The innovative menu offerings are designed by Chef Freddy Van Ruyskensvelde and his two sons. You can sample beautifully crafted dishes, such as veal and duck liver with red beets, monkfish cooked in shellfish broth served with cherry tomatoes, filet of Irish angus beef steak with fries in a pepper cream sauce, and baked veal sweetbread in bernaise sauce. Leave some room for dessert items: fondant au chocolat, crêpe Normandy with warm chocolate, mango sorbet, and tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream.

Lunch menu – €27
Average bill – €60

Situated in the casual, buzzy Saint Catherine neighborhood, Le Selecto is a thriving restaurant that incorporates and reflects the bistro model perfectly. It revolves around simple and flavourful international cuisine with a dash of Mediterranean flair. The decor is minimalistic and contemporary in atmosphere, complete with black wooden chairs, dark leather furnished booth seating, fancy hanging lamp lighting, a mini wine bar, and small vintage tiled flooring.

The menu is developed and managed by Chef Oliver Morland, who has received a Michelin star at Le Pain et le Vin and also worked at the prestigious Guy Savoy restaurant in Paris. Patrons of Le Selecto relish delicious down-to-earth flavors in dishes like creamy risotto with shrimps, sun-drenched tartlet of aubergine, scallops with olive oil in parsnip velouté sauce, veal sweetbreads with ricotta, fried lamb chops with pistachio crust in truffle sauce, and foie gras with rhubarb coulis. Le Selecto also boasts a fantastic organic wine list. Curated by sommelier Jérôme Bellin, it consists of at least 30% natural labels and a selection of biodynamic wines vinified naturally.

Set menu – €49

If you fancy Greek cuisine, then head straight to Strofilia in the Saint Catherine neighborhood. Nestled near a bustling fish market, a few steps away from Rue de Flandre, it is one of the most authentic restaurants to visit in Brussels – a gorgeous dining place adorned with red brick walls and a huge 17th-century wine cellar. To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the owners have renovated the interiors of the establishment by incorporating modern design elements: wine case panels, huge colored columns, a transparent high ceiling, brick-lined walls, and rustic wood furniture. Strofilia also offers seating inside their wine cellar with ambient lights, high stools, and black tables.

The food is prepared by Chef Lonnis Sachinidis and his team, who create a menu of traditional mezze platters with contemporary fusion twists. Some of the amazing characteristic dishes you can enjoy here are grilled octopus with bean puree, signature salad of bulgur, dill, and Mediterranean herbs, tzatziki with aubergine salad, chicken and squid mezze platter, and lamb simmered in olive oil served with celery puree. Pair your meals with reasonably priced Greek wines – fruity and rich, they will elevate your incredible dining experience at Strofilia.

Lunch menu – €22
Average bill – €47

Brasserie de la Patinoire is a grand fine-dining establishment with a Normandy-inspired edifice that sets the scene of a luxurious venue. Located at the entrance to Bois de la Cambre, it serves a Belgian-French fusion cuisine paired with good wines. The vast front of the house has a warm and romantic atmosphere: an old-style pavilion decorated with numerous woodwork, lattice windows, a traditional fireplace, Scottish carpet on the floor, a beautiful open bar, and an air-conditioned trendy well-stocked cellar. It also features a spacious terrace seating to enjoy the pleasant sunny weather and take in the unique view of Bois de la Cambre.

The kitchen creates a wholesome menu of comfort dishes made with top-quality ingredients. Don’t miss out on an opportunity of trying their classic items like meatballs in tomato sauce, breaded cod with tartare sauce, chicken vol-au-vent, old-style veal blanquette, salmon tartare with herbs, grilled American filet steak with caramelized shallot, and frisée with bacon and mimosa egg. There is also an oyster bar with fresh seafood to choose from.

Average bill – €65

Brussels is a friendly city that loves welcoming people from all over the world. Besides fabulous landmark accolades of historic tourist spots, its food and drinks scene is also very popular and tempting. From iconic dishes like Belgian moules et frites to comforting waffles, the restaurants in Brussels are a true reflection of the city’s rich cultural heritage and gastronomic expertise.

Did you ever get a chance to visit a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant? Drop your comment with recommendations for other foodies below. And don’t forget to check out our latest reviews and recipes.