Page 147 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  145

their customers with heated
outdoor terraces where
smoking is permitted.

Travellers with
Disabilities
While facilities for the disabled
in Brussels are in general not as
good as those in most other EU
capitals, almost every restaurant
in the city will go out of its
way to make disabled diners
feel comfortable. There are a
Outdoor tables at Chez Léon on Rue des Bouchers (see p151) limited number of restaurants
with ramps and ground-
Ordering Food vegetarian couscous courses. floor bathrooms, so check
On the whole, Belgians like to Ghent, by contrast, has actively accessibility before making a
eat beef fairly rare. If you ask for encouraged a move away from reservation; the same applies to
a medium-rare steak, it is likely meat-eating by declaring Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp.
to be cooked more rare than Thursday to be “Veggie Day”
medium. The quality of the beef (a promotional campaign,
usually justifies light cooking, rather than a strict edict). Recommended
but if you want your meat well Restaurants
done, insist on it, and ignore any The restaurants featured in this
raised eyebrows. Lamb is also Etiquette guide have been selected for
served rare; again, ask for it to Brussels, and Belgium generally, is their good food, value, location,
be well done if you prefer. Use less relaxed than, say, Amsterdam atmosphere or a combination of
the phrasebook at the back of and, although casual or smart- all of these. As wide a range of
this guide to help when ordering. casual dress is acceptable in all places as possible has been
restaurants, you will probably feel included, from cafés, pubs and
more comfortable dressing up bistros to a selection of the city’s
Breakfast and Snacks for upmarket places. Michelin-starred restaurants.
Breakfasting in a café or Look out for those tagged as a
brasserie, such as the Belgian DK Choice: these restaurants
chain Le Pain Quotidien (Het Children have been highlighted in
Dagelijks Brood in Dutch), is In general, Belgium is child- recognition of an exceptional
recommended if breakfast friendly. Many establishments feature – exquisite food, an
is not included in your hotel have children’s menus, although inviting atmosphere, an unusual
accommodation. For snackers they are not always the setting or simply great value.
with a sweet tooth, seek out cheapest option. Highchairs The majority of these are
the stands, vans or cafés should be available on request, exceptionally popular among
producing hot waffles, which and some restaurants have local residents as well as visitors,
can be topped with jam, cream indoor play areas. On the so be sure to enquire regarding
or chocolate. Sweet crêpes/ outskirts of Brussels or near one reservations or you may be faced
pannekoeken (pancakes), with of the parks, eateries may offer with a lengthy wait for a table.
lemon and sugar or chocolate, extensive outside playgrounds.
are just as popular – and filling. Children are usually allowed
in cafés and bars, although
they are forbidden to drink
Vegetarians alcohol. Note that while some
Despite a marked upturn in restaurants may be too formal
recent years, Brussels is far from for children to feel comfortable,
being a vegetarian-friendly city. not even the most celebrated
Pescetarians will find that Michelin-starred places will
mainstream restaurants cater turn them away.
generously to their needs;
Brussels is very strong on fish
and seafood. There are only a Smoking
handful of specialist vegetarian Brussels is still very much a
restaurants, but the traditional smokers’ city, although smoking
dish stoemp is a classic vege- is prohibited inside restaurants,
tarian dish. North African bars and cafés. Many bars and The elegant dining room of La Rose Blanche
restaurants usually offer restaurant premises provide in the Upper Town (see p152)

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