Dominique

This Aladdin’s cave-style restaurant near the Ixelles étangs (ponds) does an incredible fusion of Moroccan and Jewish cuisine.

Golden tagines in heavy clay pots and carafes of ruby-colored Middle Eastern wines emerge from the kitchen, along with the most intoxicating smells.

Take a post-dinner stroll around the lush green ponds to work off your meal and the jewel-like pistachio pastries, dripping in honey, that the waiters present you with as you leave.

A large tagine with couscous is about €16.
KifKif, Square de Biarritz 1, +32 2 644 18 10, no website. – Photo by Olaiya Land

Kitsch decor covers every inch of wall space in this former brothel, now one of Brussels’ coolest bars.

Expect to find anything from a politician’s bust to a rusty bicycle in Goupil’s three-story boudoir.

Sink into a chintzy velvet sofa among the candles and sip on the house speciality: secret-recipe hazelnut wine served ice-cold in a huge glass.

If you’re feeling brave, head up to the third floor to join couples smooching to the sounds of old French jazz on the record player.
Goupil le Fol, Rue de la Violette 22, http://www.goupillefol.com