Today, Brussels is not simply the capital city of Belgium. As the home of the European Union and NATO, it is also the political and administrative capital of Europe. However, one of Brussel’s great strengths is that it has retained its traditional charm. Modern day Brussels offers restaurants of all kinds, from the more traditional to the exotic and modern where fashion, music, architecture, and design are as important to the dining experience as the food itself. In the approximately 30 scene-making restaurants selected for this guide, eating is a lifestyle choice, and not just a necessity.

Aurora Cuito is an architect and writer based in Barcelona. The author of several titles in teNeues Archipocket, Ultimate, and Cool Restaurant series, she has also worked in architecture and interior design firms in New York and Barcelona.

• A best-of” collection of the most remarkably conceived and designed restaurants in Brussels
• This useful guide to the city’s hottest dining establishments, also includes over 130 color photographs along with carefully chosen recipes