5 great restaurants for local atmosphere in Brussels

This stylish restaurant stands opposite the church where Pieter Bruegel was buried. The interior is decorated in a warm style, with mirrors, paintings and art nouveau lamps. The cook uses the best local ingredients, including Cantillon beer.

This rustic restaurant lies hidden down a quiet cobbled lane on the edge of a nature reserve. You can dine in the wood-panelled interior or outside on the terrace when the weather allows. The menu is fantastic value for Brussels, although you might have to factor in a taxi fare.

This downtown bistro sets out to recreate the legendary mood of 1960s Brussels. The kitchen prepares typical Belgian comfort food served with a touch of flair. The beers are interesting craft brews from small breweries. And the loud music is vintage Belgian chanson. Go there on a Thursday to catch an old-style thé dansant or squeeze in on a Friday night for a wild time that could easily end with everyone dancing on the tables.

Hidden down a cobbled lane in the Marolles, this intimate restaurant is one of the best new spots in town to dine out. It’s a relaxed, romantic place in two small rooms with exposed brick walls, candles and velvet curtains. The enthusiastic young team creates some stunning dishes such as roast octopus with black pudding, and cheesecake made with Herve. Even the appetisers are miniature works of art.

This is a friendly, relaxed restaurant with authentic Brussels charm. A great place to go with kids: its walls are decorated with quirky comic-book murals illustrating episodes from Belgian history. The cooking is Belgian style with classics like moules-frites, beef stewed in Belgian beer and saucisse-stoemp (sausage with mashed potatoes). The menu lists interesting Belgian beers, along with Belgian Cécémel (chocolate milk) for the young ones.