1. Breakfast
I love to start my day at Charli Boulangerie on rue Sainte-Catherine in the centre of the city. I think it is the best bakery in Brussels. I usually order a cappuccino and a simple croissant with jam, and unwind and people-watch in the café for an hour or two.
Rue Sainte-Catherine 34
+32 2 515 63 32
www.charliboulangerie.com
2. Lunch
My wife and I like to go to Kamo, a Japanese restaurant that just moved its setup to Chaussee de Waterloo. It’s run by a nice young chef and we always order fresh sashimi, sushi and miso with green tea.
Avenue des Saisons 123
+32 2 648 78 48
3. Sweet stop
Belgian chocolate is famous around the world and it makes a great edible souvenir. The best chocolate is made by my friend, Pierre Marcolini, the best chocolate and pastry chef in town. He has stores all over Brussels including one at Place du Grand-Sablon, which is the most popular place in the city to buy chocolate.
Rue des Minimes 1, Place du Grand Sablon
+32 2 514 12 06
www.marcolini.be
4. Dinner
For Belgian specialties and the best steak tartar you’ve ever tasted, you have to visit Au Vieux Saint Martin. I also like to go to Toucan Sur Mer for shellfish and oysters. I think people like also to visit my restaurant, Bon-Bon, because it has a different dining concept. Everything is open and people pass by through the kitchen to the dining area. We also cook with whatever fresh produce we find each day.
Au Vieux Saint Martin
Place du Grand-Sablon 38
+32 2 512 64 76
Toucan Sur Mer
Avenue Louis Lepoutre 17
+32 2 340 07 40
Bon-Bon
Avenue de Tervueren 453
+32 2 346 66 15
www.bon-bon.be
5. Drinks
Hortense Spirits & Cocktails bar on rue des Sablons is a great place to have a drink. It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday, and the crazy bartender thinks up the most creative cocktails. For a traditional Belgian beer, you can’t go past Chez Moeder Lambic at the Fontainasplein.
Hortense Spirits & Cocktails
Rue des Sablons 7
+32 2 514 43 47
Moeder Lambic
Fontainasplein 8
+32 2 503 60 68
6. Midnight snack
Brussels is as famous for its frites (chips) as its chocolate. Friture Clementine is, in my opinion, where you can buy the best fries in the city. It’s always popular and there are so many different delicious toppings to choose from. I like my fries with a dollop of hollandaise.
Place Saint-Job 40
+32 2 374 08 86