Our selection of seafood restaurants in Brussels

Brussels' port used to be located in the city centre, in the Sainte Catherine district. Ships were always coming and going. You used to be able to buy fish at the so-called Vismet, the fish market. The harbour docks, however, were filled in at the beginning of the 20th century, but the fish remained. The area is teeming with fish restaurants, but you can also eat amazing fresh fish and seafood in other parts of the capital. This selection of seafood restaurants will whisk you away to the North Sea.

At La Belle Maraîchère, right opposite Saint Catherine’s Church, time has stood still. But then, why change when they prepare all the best Belgian seafood classics to perfection? From the phenomenal shrimp croquette to the delicious sole meunière, in this cosy, authentic restaurant you’ll find a nice mix of local Brussels residents, culinary tourists and world-famous stars. Brussels icon Eddy Merckx is a regular customer.

Next is a restaurant that shares its name with an album by British electronic music duo Underworld: Beaucoup Fish. This restaurant next to the beautiful KVS building is the ideal place to start your evening. Both at the bar and in the dining room, you can feel the big city vibes. But you can also come here at lunchtime for pure, generous cuisine that showcases produce. Don't forget to order the fantastic home-made chips with it. And who knows, you might run into the British electronic duo there, as, of course, they too are fans of the restaurant.

It’s wonderful to see Ostend-born chef Tom Decroos plying his trade with such skill and passion in the open kitchen of his Brussels restaurant, Le Vismet. His position overlooks the sleek and tastefully decorated spacious dining room, where a casual, typically Brussels atmosphere prevails. On the menu, seafood reigns supreme. However, you can also put your trust in the quality of the classical meat dishes at this excellent, unpretentious restaurant in the Sainte Catherine district.

If you love seafood, be sure to head to this restaurant in the Flagey district. Crab Club is now housed in a super-cosy bistro with exposed brick walls. The dishes they serve are often just as bold as the décor. Think whole fish or seafood with the wildest combinations. Here, you really taste the sea, and the waves wash away any clichés. European traditions rub shoulders with Asian ones, and meat is served alongside seafood. Unconventional and surprising.

At the capital's most famous fish shop, you can also eat on site. Thanks to the fish bar on the pavement, day-fresh delicacies like shrimp croquettes, salmon, oysters or bouillabaisse have become some of the best street food in the city. At Noordzee - Mer du Nord, they are served in tapas form. Why not feast on them in good company on the super cosy place Sainte Catherine.

Despite Kamo meaning “duck” in Japanese, it’s fish that takes centre stage at this restaurant. The phenomenal sashimi and other unique Japanese fish dishes earned this restaurant a Michelin star years ago – the only Japanese restaurant in Belgium to boast this. Subtlety is the common thread running through the menu. It's a fantastic spot, just like the eponymous fish shop not too far away. 

Some brasseries are so good that you end up referring to them in the plural. At Brasseries Georges they certainly think big. Don’t let the enormous menu throw you off – it will only complicate matters. Instead, head straight for the impressive oyster bar and treat yourself. It’s the biggest in the country! The giant oyster platters are every bit as amazing as the sole or the lobster. And as befits a proper brasserie, it’s open all day, from lunchtime until late in the evening.

Entering this restaurant is like stepping into your favourite pub. It feels like coming home. But to what home a hundred years ago. The interior dates ack to 1936 and has hardly changed. Don’t expect gastronomic gourmet delights from Jacques, he keeps it simple and honest. Good food that suits the Vismet's surroundings. Mussels with chips, for example. It’s an authentic address that never disappoints.