"A belle-époque seafood house that has anchored the Îlot Sacré since 1972; book the back room for a long anniversary lunch."
About Scheltema
Scheltema has cracked langoustine and poured Sancerre on Rue des Dominicains since 1972, a half-step off the tourist crush of the Îlot Sacré and a world away from it in tone. The room is brass, white linen and bevelled mirror, the kind of classic seafood house that has survived because it never chased a trend. Sole meunière runs about €27, the cold seafood platter climbs from there, and a full dinner lands near €60 a head with wine. It remains one of the steadiest tables in our Brussels dining guide.
The Kitchen
There is no celebrity chef here, and Scheltema has never pretended otherwise. It is a brasserie de la mer in the old Brussels mould, run as a kitchen rather than a personality, and the card has barely moved in five decades because it did not need to. The work goes into sourcing and timing: Zeeland oysters, North Sea sole, langoustine and lobster handled plainly and sent out hot.
Order the sole meunière, filleted at the table, or the fruits de mer tower if there are several of you. The grey-shrimp croquettes and the lobster bisque are the other things regulars come back for, with Belgian classics such as waterzooi holding the rest of the menu and a wine list that leans white and French. Prices are honest for the address: mains from €27, most dinners between €55 and €70 a head with a bottle. For the wider field, see our guide to the best seafood restaurants worldwide.
The Room
Two floors of belle-époque brasserie: dark wood, etched glass, globe lamps and waiters in long aprons who have worked the room for years. The sound sits at an easy hum even when full, tables are close in the front and roomier at the back, and the lighting stays warm rather than bright. Dress is smart but unfussy, and a jacket never looks out of place. The front fills with walk-ins off the Petite rue des Bouchers, so ask for a back table when you book.
Best for an Anniversary Dinner
Book the back room for an anniversary because the pacing is unhurried, the setting flatters, and a shared seafood platter turns dinner into an event. The kitchen is happy to let a table linger over a second bottle, and the period room does the celebrating for you. By day it also works as a Brussels business lunch when you want old-world weight without a tasting-menu clock.
Not for
Skip it if you want modern, minimalist plating or a quiet corner. This is a busy classic brasserie, the menu is conservative, and the front room runs loud with passing tourists.
Frequently Asked
Is Scheltema worth it?
Yes, if you want a proper old Brussels seafood brasserie rather than cutting-edge cooking. Scheltema does the classics well, from sole meunière at around €27 to a generous fruits de mer, in a belle-époque room that has run since 1972. It is not inexpensive and not inventive, but it is reliable, characterful and central.
How do you book a table at Scheltema?
Reserve by phone or through TheFork, ideally a few days ahead for weekends. The front room takes walk-ins when there is space, but the quieter back tables, which suit a long anniversary dinner, go first. Lunch is easier than dinner, and the kitchen serves continuously through the afternoon on busy days.
What is the dress code at Scheltema?
Smart but relaxed. There is no jacket requirement, yet the period dining room rewards dressing the part, and most evening diners arrive in smart-casual or better. You will not feel out of place in a blazer, and you will not be turned away in neat separates.
What should you order at Scheltema?
Start with oysters or the grey-shrimp croquettes, then the sole meunière filleted tableside, or build a fruits de mer platter to share. The lobster bisque and waterzooi are dependable, and the wine list leans toward crisp French whites that suit the shellfish. Leave room for a classic dessert.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Scheltema
Book by phone or via TheFork; weekend evenings fill first. Walk-ins are taken in the front room.
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
AddressRue des Dominicains 7, 1000 Brussels
NeighbourhoodÎlot Sacré
CuisineBelgian-French Seafood
PriceMains €27–45; ~€55–70 pp with wine
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingTwo floors, ~90 covers
ReservationPhone / TheFork
