What to eat Bruxelles - Brussel? culinary specialties and gastronomy

For lunch, restaurants are generally open from noon to 2pm (sometimes 3pm). There are few restaurants that offer continuous service during the day except for snack bars. Don't hang out at night if you don't want to be hungry all night. Most restaurants close earlier than in Paris! In the evening, the kitchens open around 6:30 or 7pm and close around 10pm. Of course, you can find kebabs (here, we say pittas), fast-foods or brasseries open until midnight 24 hours a day (at least, except for sanitary measures, check the websites of the establishments for the latest updates).

You can get by for less than €10 in a French fry shop. In restaurants or brasseries, à la carte main courses will generally cost between €20 and €35, or even more in gourmet restaurants. As for drinks, you'll pay a little more for wine than in France, but you can make up for it with beer (price and variety).

Unlike in France, carafes of tap water are not served free of charge. Water always has to be paid for.

Service is included in the price of meals, so there's no need to leave a tip, unless you wish to reward particularly attentive service.

Be sure to have some change with you (between 50 cents and 1 €), some establishments have a "Mr. or Mrs. Pee" who ensures the cleanliness of the toilets, a service that is paid extra.

Restaurants offer children's menus almost everywhere. When this is not the case, it is often possible to request smaller portions.

Contrary to French habits, not all terraces accept smokers. In this case, you will have to go further away!

As in all the capitals of the world, tourist attractions exist in Brussels. They are often located by habit in the Sacred Island, although the gastronomic quality of the area is improving. It is better to follow the advice of the Petit Futé!

Depending on the type of establishment (café, bar, tea room), the hours and the time of the day will be different. Cafés/tea houses usually open in the morning. Some close between 6 or 8 pm, others open later. Bars usually open in the mid-afternoon until late in the evening. Count on the aperitif hour, from Thursday until the weekend, as the beginning of the fire for the bars. The most common closing day is Monday.

A special beer will still be quite expensive (usually between €4.50 and €8, depending on the location), but there's always a selected beer of the month on special offer. Or happy hour at certain times of the week. Keep your eyes peeled for good places!

As in restaurants, service is included and you don't have to leave a tip, unless you want to.

As of January 2019, all alcohol is prohibited for those under the age of 18, with the exception of beer or wine, which is allowed from the age of 16. There is no age restriction to enter bars.

A special Belgian feature is that children are welcome in bars and cafés (especially since smoking is prohibited). It is not uncommon to see groups of parents and friends enjoying a good stamcafe with the baby in the stroller or the children playing while enjoying their fruit juice.

Unlike in France, terraces are non-smoking, unless a terrace is completely open on one side (which, in most cases, it is). The presence of ashtrays should tip you off. Otherwise, you'll have to go further afield! Nonetheless, we're debating a total ban on smoking on terraces.