destinations

newsletter sign-up

 

 
 

Steamed Mussels in Brussels


Mer du Nord in Brussels

It's not easy finding reasonable food fare in Brussels which is, for the most part, an expensive capital city. So, after eating nothing but waffles and chocolate (hey, we're not complaining) for days, we were all ears when the locals recommended the "mussels in Brussels."

Probably Belgium's most beloved steam room - if you will - is Chez Leon, on the trendy and ultra-touristy Rue des Bouchers. Mussels at Leon are fresh, cheap (a fixed price meal, including pommes frites and one free beer, is €14.50 per person), and steamed to order. When last there, this Cheapo ordered mussels marinières (mussels steamed in a tomato base) and watched as her fellow Cheapos delighted in mussels à la provencale. And, the best part? When you're all done, you can take some beer to go; a four-pack costs €6. It's good stuff, we promise. Check Chez Leon's site for recipes (vegetable stoemp anyone?), info about Leon's famous home-brewed beer, and more.

Another hot spot, Le Zinneke, offers diners more than 50 preparations from which to choose. You can even get curried mussels here - only on the Chez Leon menu during the summer months. One kilogram, equal to 2.2 pounds, is €15 (three courses = €30). And, Zinneke gives customers a money back guarantee. Check out their web site for photos of their spacious back garden, open on warmer days.

We highly recommend stopping by Mer du Nord (1 rue Ste-Catherine; 00 32 2 513 11 92), the stand-up seafood diner on the corner of Place Ste. Catherine. Locals swear by this place, which is run by a fishmonger, always has the freshest seafood, and doesn't charge an arm and a leg for it.

Overall, though, your best bet is to get downright chatty and ask the locals. Also browse the placards outside most restaurants. With a little research, you'll find your tummy and your wallet feeling full.

Brussels Essentials
written by our editors

»  Car Rentals: Brussels

»  Getting around Brussels

»  Getting Into Brussels



Search us



Looking for flights to Europe? Use Yahoo FareChase.



AMSTERDAM  HOTELS : ATHENS  HOTELS : BARCELONA  HOTELS : BERLIN  HOTELS : BRATISLAVA  HOTELS : BRUGES  HOTELS : BRUSSELS  HOTELS : BUDAPEST  HOTELS : COPENHAGEN  HOTELS : DUBLIN  HOTELS : FLORENCE  HOTELS : KRAKOW  HOTELS : LISBON  HOTELS : LONDON  HOTELS : MADRID  HOTELS : MUNICH  HOTELS : NEW YORK  HOTELS : NICE  HOTELS : PARIS  HOTELS : PRAGUE  HOTELS : ROME  HOTELS : SALZBURG  HOTELS : SEVILLE  HOTELS : STOCKHOLM  HOTELS : VENICE  HOTELS : VIENNA  HOTELS HOME : SITE MAP
© 2008 by Over There Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy