"Dirk Myny's Belgian terroir kitchen by the Chapelle, home of the Zenne Pot — reserve it to impress a visiting client."
About Les Brigittines
The Zenne Pot arrives still steaming: cabbage braised in gueuze, layered with bloempanch, dry sausage and whelks. It is the dish that tells you what kind of place this is, a Brussels kitchen that takes Belgian terroir seriously rather than treating it as folklore. Les Brigittines has held the same corner below the Chapelle, between the Sablon and the Marolles, for more than twenty-five years.
The setting is a grand Art Nouveau room of mirrors, dark wood and globe lamps, the kind of dining room built for a long lunch. For where it sits among the city's tables, see our Brussels dining guide, and for the wider category our best French restaurants guide, against which Franco-Belgian kitchens like this one are measured. It also clears the signs that separate a great restaurant from a good one.
The Kitchen
Chef Dirk Myny has guarded this kitchen for more than two decades, cooking what he calls Belgian terroir with Flemish precision and Walloon warmth. He keeps the classics intact rather than reinventing them for the sake of it. The vol-au-vent comes with morel mushrooms; the crushed Charlotte potato with brown butter and grey shrimp is plain enough to sound dull and good enough to order twice.
Beyond the signature Zenne Pot, the autumn game menu is where the kitchen shows off, and the Belgian beer list is built to drink with the food rather than alongside it. Main courses run roughly €32 to €52, starters from about €18.75, so a full dinner lands near €70 to €110 a head before wine. The address is Place de la Chapelle 5, at the foot of the Marolles, and the restaurant has carried a place in the Michelin Guide selection for years.
The Room
The dining room is the draw: a high Art Nouveau space of mirrors, carved wood, brass and warm globe lighting, formal without being cold. Tables are set with generous spacing, the sound level stays at an easy hum even when full, and the banquettes along the walls are the seats to ask for. Around seventy covers. Dress is smart casual; a jacket would not look out of place but is not required. Service is old-school and unhurried, which is the point.
Best for Impressing a Client
Book this room to impress a visiting client because it does three things at once: it looks like an occasion, it tastes unmistakably of Brussels, and it lets you actually talk. The Art Nouveau setting signals effort without ostentation, the Belgian menu gives a guest a real sense of the city, and the room is quiet enough for a working conversation. Ask for a banquette away from the door. For other business-meal options in town, see our best restaurants for a business lunch.
Not for
Not for a quick or budget bite: portions are rich and old-school, the bill passes €100 a head with wine, and the pacing assumes you have the whole evening.
Frequently Asked
Is Les Brigittines worth it?
Yes, for classic Belgian cooking done with conviction rather than novelty. Chef Dirk Myny has held the same corner below the Chapelle for more than twenty-five years, and the Zenne Pot, cabbage braised in gueuze with bloempanch, dry sausage and whelks, is the dish to try first. The Art Nouveau room is part of the appeal.
How do I book Les Brigittines?
Reserve by phone or through the restaurant's website, ideally one to two weeks ahead for a weekend table. Lunch is easier to get than dinner. The room is popular with locals marking occasions, so for a Saturday evening it pays to call early in the week.
What should I order at Les Brigittines?
Order the Zenne Pot, the vol-au-vent with morel mushrooms, and the crushed Charlotte potato with brown butter and grey shrimp. These are the dishes Dirk Myny is known for. In autumn the game menu is worth building a meal around, and Belgian beers on the list pair better than you might expect.
What does dinner cost at Les Brigittines?
Main courses run roughly €32 to €52, with starters from about €18.75 and desserts near €13. Expect €70 to €110 a head before wine. It sits at the higher end for a Brussels brasserie, which the room, the service and the cooking justify for a special meal.
Is Les Brigittines good for impressing a client?
Yes. The grand Art Nouveau room reads as an occasion without tipping into stiffness, and the Belgian menu gives a visiting client a genuine sense of place. Book a table away from the door, order the classics, and let the room do the work. See more on our Brussels dining guide.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Les Brigittines
Reservations by phone or via the restaurant's website; book 1–2 weeks ahead.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressPlace de la Chapelle 5, 1000 Brussels
NeighbourhoodMarolles / Place de la Chapelle
CuisineBelgian
PriceMains €32–52; starters from €18.75; about €70–110 a head before wine.
Dress CodeSmart casual
Seating~70; banquettes, Art Nouveau room
ReservationBy phone; book 1–2 weeks ahead
