Looking for iodine without driving miles to the coast? Good news: Brussels hides addresses where the fish is fresher than the Zwin breeze. Whether you’re a fan of oysters, lobsters or giant platters to share, here are the seafood restaurants that are sure to make the capital shine.
La Quincaillerie
In the spectacular setting of a former Art Nouveau hardware store designed by Victor Horta, this iconic address serves seasonal oysters, seafood platters and small plates to share. Committed to sustainability, the house relies on local producers and even its own farm in Bresse! The result is a cuisine that combines authenticity and quality with panache.
📍Address: Rue du Page 45, 1050 Ixelles
Noordzee – North Sea
Impossible to miss this mythical fishbar, a veritable landmark of Brussels streetfood. On the sidewalk of Place Sainte-Catherine, people crowd around the high tables. You can enjoy shrimp croquettes, fresh oysters, homemade kibbeling or steaming bouillabaisse. And all washed down with a glass of white wine! Here, the fish arrives ultra-fresh every day. Enjoy it “a la plancha” in a friendly, sunny atmosphere of pure Brussels spirit.
📍Address: Rue Sainte-Catherine 45, 1000 Brussels
Toucan-sur-Mer
On the chic Avenue Louis Lepoutre, Toucan sur Mer is the iodized address of the duo it forms with the neighboring Brasserie. Here, oysters from the finest terroirs (Gillardeau, Belon, Normandie, Zeeland…) line up on the shucking bench. Meanwhile, seafood platters and fish à la plancha seduce lovers of impeccable freshness. You can also munch on shrimp croquettes or octopus carpaccio, under the watchful eye of Paulo Campos, a leading figure in the industry. For special occasions, the menu even includes caviar, fine bubbles and tailor-made pairings.
📍Address: Avenue Louis Lepoutre 1 & 17, 1050 Brussels
Les Brasseries Georges
Since 1986, Les Brasseries Georges has embodied the elegance of a French brasserie in Brussels, in a sumptuous art deco setting, while also having been awarded the title of “Best Scallop Shop in Belgium 2022” thanks to Saïd Alaoui for his speed, open-mindedness and creative presentation. With the largest shucking bench in the country, you’ll find top-of-the-range oysters, crustaceans, shellfish and a variety of platters – perfect for discerning connoisseurs or for enjoying a convivial moment on the large, shaded terrace.
📍Address: Avenue Winston Churchill 259, 1180 Uccle
La belle maraîchère
A Brussels institution since 1973, La Belle Maraîchère perpetuates the art of classic seafood dishes, from shrimp croquettes to impeccable sole meunière. In this elegant bistro, where loyal Bruxellois, gourmets and visiting celebrities (including Eddy Merckx) rub shoulders, the Devreker family cooks with consistency and passion, offering a veritable plunge into the gourmet history of the Poissonniers district.
📍Address: Place Sainte-Catherine 11a, 1000 Brussels
Crab Club
Housed in a former garage, Crab Club shakes things up with its raw, inventive cuisine, where the sea sometimes mingles with the land. From mackerel sashimi with ginger, to razor clams with chanterelle mushrooms, to audacious surf & turf with crispy pork and grilled octopus, each dish surprises with its intensity. A vibrant place to share with curious diners in search of marine experiences off the beaten track.
📍Address: Chau. de Waterloo 7, 1060 Saint-Gilles