Located on the leafy Graanmarkt square behind Antwerp’s Bourla theatre, the lively Brasserie Bourla attracts a mix of bankers, artists and local regulars. The interior could almost be Paris with its mix of mirrors, marble table tops and chandeliers.
The kitchen focuses on classic Belgian comfort food like shrimp croquettes, Flemish stew and North Sea mussels served with perfect fries and homemade mayonnaise. And the beer list includes Antwerp classics such as De Koninck and Seef.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.