"Brussels’ art deco brasserie in the Galeries Royales since 1928; the grey-shrimp croquettes are the order — book for a first date."
About La Taverne du Passage
La Taverne du Passage has served Brussels from the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert since 1928, and its art deco dining room has barely changed in the century since. It sits inside the glass-roofed Galerie de la Reine, one of Europe’s oldest shopping arcades, where the waiters still work in long white aprons and the menu reads like a record of Belgian classics. After a careful renovation, the brasserie reopened in 2022 with the room intact, and it carries a listing in the Michelin Guide. It is less a restaurant of the moment than a fixture that the city keeps coming back to. For the wider picture, see our Brussels dining guide.
The Kitchen
This is classic Belgian brasserie cooking, made on-site and held to the standard the room demands. The order to start is the croquettes de crevettes grises, the grey-shrimp croquettes, followed by the vol-au-vent at €28, the tête de veau en tortue, the anguille au vert, or a sole meunière. Steak tartare is prepared at the table in the old way. Most mains run €25 to 40, fair for the setting and the heritage. The kitchen does not chase trends; it cooks the canon, and it cooks it well, which is exactly why the room has lasted since 1928. For the global field, read our guide to the best French restaurants worldwide and our city ranking of the best French and Belgian restaurants in Brussels. Compare it with the brasserie cooking at Aux Armes de Bruxelles.
The Room
The room is the reason to come: dark wood, mirrors, brass and a 1928 art deco interior kept almost untouched, opening onto the covered Galerie de la Reine. The light is warm, the banquettes are comfortable, and the sound stays at an easy hum that lets you talk across the table. Waiters in long aprons move at an unhurried pace. Dress is smart casual, the gallery setting is gently romantic, and a table on the arcade side puts you in the middle of the passing theatre. Book ahead for the gallery seats.
Best for a First Date
Book La Taverne du Passage for a first date because the setting flatters the evening without trying: a warm art deco room in a glass-roofed arcade, comfortable banquettes, and a sound level that lets you actually hear each other. The classic Belgian menu is easy to navigate together, the prices are clear, and the gallery outside gives you something to wander past afterward. Reserve a gallery-side table, share the shrimp croquettes to start, and let the room do the rest. See more restaurants for a first date.
Not for
Not for diners chasing modern or experimental cooking. The menu is classic Belgian brasserie, unchanged on purpose, so look elsewhere for reinvention.
Frequently Asked
Is La Taverne du Passage worth it?
Yes, for the room and the classics. La Taverne du Passage has run in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert since 1928, with an art deco interior kept almost untouched and a menu of Belgian standards cooked on-site. Most mains run €25 to 40, fair for the setting and the heritage, and it carries a Michelin Guide listing. You come for a timeless Brussels brasserie rather than for novelty.
What should I order at La Taverne du Passage?
Start with the croquettes de crevettes grises, the grey-shrimp croquettes the brasserie is known for, then choose the vol-au-vent at €28, the anguille au vert, or a sole meunière. The steak tartare is prepared at the table in the classic way and is worth ordering for the ritual. The kitchen cooks the Belgian canon, so trust the traditional plates rather than looking for something modern.
How much does La Taverne du Passage cost?
It is a mid-to-upper brasserie, not a budget one. The signature vol-au-vent is €28 and most mains fall in the €25 to 40 range, with starters, dessert and wine adding to the bill. For an art deco institution in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert with classics cooked on-site, the pricing is fair. It works well for a relaxed lunch or a special dinner without tipping into fine-dining territory.
Is La Taverne du Passage good for a first date?
Yes. The warm art deco room, the comfortable banquettes and an easy sound level make conversation simple, and the covered gallery outside gives you somewhere to wander afterward. The classic menu is easy to share, starting with the shrimp croquettes. Book a gallery-side table ahead. See our first-date guide for more rooms that keep the conversation going.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at La Taverne du Passage
Book ahead for weekend evenings and gallery-side tables. The room fills with theatre-goers and shoppers from the Galeries.
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
AddressGalerie de la Reine 30, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Brussels
NeighbourhoodGaleries Royales Saint-Hubert
CuisineBelgian brasserie
PriceVol-au-vent €28; most mains €25–40
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingArt deco dining room and covered-gallery terrace; banquettes and tables
ReservationPhone / website
