"Fin de Siecle" literally means "End of the Century" in French. We first noticed this otherwise seemingly unassuming place because it was immensely popular (always very crowded during those pre-COVID times), oftentimes with a line out the door.
It's popular because the food's hearty, authentic, and tasty, plus the prices are very, very reasonable. Furthermore, it's in a convenient location (not to far from the Grand Place near St. Catherine's), and there's good beer (of course, we're in Belgium).
When we went there were no menus and it was cash only. We ordered off of what was written on a blackboard, and we made sure we had enough cash.
We got the massive ham with mustard sauce (€18.95), which was executed quite well. The portions were seriously gigantic.
I got the bacon wrapped endive in Chimay sauce (€16.95) which was also good, and not nearly as crazy huge. Mashed potatoes were creamy and spot on.
Other signature dishes include the rabbit with Kriek (a cherry beer) and the carbonnade (a Flemish beef stew).
This being Belgium, there was a solid selection of local beers, which we most certainly enjoyed.
Fin de Siecle Brussels - Then and Now
Covid-19 has changed the way a lot of restaurants do business. Fin de Siecle now accepts electronic payment (using Payconiq), and even accepts reservations, something that was definitely not available before.
All in all, this is a lovely place to try some very hearty, authentic Belgian fare together with Belgian beer in a cozy, traditional Belgian atmosphere. Pre-Covid it was very bustling, crowded, and full of energy.
These days the restaurant has implemented a variety of safety measures, so I'm sure the experience is not quite the same (but then, neither is the world). However, the menu still looks quite similar to what it was when I was there, so you can still enjoy all of their excellent classics! Better yet, you can now take your time thinking about which item to get because the menu is conveniently available on their new website.
Fin de Siecle Brussels
Rue des Chartreux 9, Brussels 1000 Belgium
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