Poissonnerie ABC

The food might be OK, but the service from what seems to be the owner and her daughter is the worst ever. If you don’t want to wait 45 min +…don’t go.

Definitely a hidden gem in Brussels. I was thinking about going to Mer du Nord (across the street) for some light seafood fare but it was closed then I noticed this place. How could I have missed it before is beyond me. Anyhow, people were crowding around and the cooked seafood smell made me curious.
Standing room only since it’s just a small u-​shape bar in front of a tiny kitchen attached to a small fish market. The hand written menu on the wall was in French but not all that difficult to decipher.
The selections are fairly simple yet extensive and the prices are very reasonable for Brussels.
I ordered some spicy mussels with a glass of white wine. Bread comes with the meal. Everything was prepared right in front of me. The aroma was just fantastic.
Curios of the Spanish motif and flag adorning the place, I struck up a conversation with the guy eating next to me who spoke good English and he told me that this is a typical seafood tapas bar that can be found in most small seaside towns in Spain.
Off the beaten path but not to be missed if anyone gets a chance. Not too far from the Grand-​Place, about 10 min walk.

Just happen to be walking by and grabbed a serving of Escargot and a glass of wine. Great way to spend your afternoon on a sunny day. The Escargot was really good. I should of found this place sooner.

I stumbled upon this outdoor seafood tapas joint while exploring the neighborhood with a local in search of a spot to sit and chat. Even though there were no seats available we switch gears as soon as we spotted this place, planked our elbows on the bar and got down to businesses testing some of the exciting tapas items on the hand-​drawn menu.
I had been in Brussels for over 24 hours and had yet to have anything fried, so fried was on my eating agenda. Cod fritters and fried mussels (which neither I nor my Brussels-​born companion had ever seen) sounded like the perfect late afternoon snack to accompany our chat (as well as a glass of crisp white whine, what the hey?!).
Since our spot at the bar was smack in front of the outdoor kitchen we were able to see everything prepared before our eyes. The mussels were steamed on the grill to get them out of their shell, then each one was coated in a light bread crumb mix and fried up fresh. Served with homemade tartar sauce they were beyond perfection: juicy, slightly spicy, crisp. The cod fritters were equally delicious in their tempura crust, but the mussels stole the show for sure.
Who knew that you could have an authentic seaside experience in the heart of Brussels? Not me! But now that I’ve discovered this place you can guarantee I will be back every chance I get!

What a cool place. You stand outside freezing your butt off while eating delicious seafood. We had shrimp croquettes, fried calamari, and grilled shrimp. If it had been the summer, I’m sure I would have given 5 stars.