Brasserie Ploegmans

Brasserie Ploegmans occupies a former café on the Rue Haute, the long street that runs through the Marolles, and it captures the working-class character of this old Brussels neighbourhood. It is listed in the 2026 Michelin Guide, whose inspectors note that both the décor and the menu are rooted in local tradition. For many visitors it is the place to try honest Brussels cooking at a fair price.

The menu sticks to the classics and does them well. The Michelin Guide highlights cheese croquettes, steak and chips and vol-au-vent, and you can expect other familiar brasserie dishes and seasonal specials alongside Belgian beers. Portions are generous and the cooking unfussy, which is exactly what most people come for after a morning at the flea market.

The atmosphere is that of a neighbourhood café that happens to serve good food, with a mix of locals and visitors. It suits couples, friends and families who want relaxed, traditional food without ceremony, and it is a good choice for budget-conscious travellers who still want a proper sit-down meal.

According to the Michelin Guide, the brasserie is closed on Mondays and open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch only on Sundays. Lunch starts at 12:00 and dinner at 19:00. It is popular with locals, so book ahead by phone if you can, or arrive early, particularly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday lunchtime. Allow about an hour and a half.

The Rue Haute is a short walk from the Place du Jeu de Balle and its daily flea market, and the Porte de Hal metro station, on lines 2 and 6, is nearby. Walk north along the Rue Haute to reach the Sablon and the Place de la Chapelle, or uphill to the Palais de Justice for views across the city.

Ploegmans makes a natural lunch stop on a morning spent in the Marolles. The neighbourhood's antique shops, second-hand dealers and bars are best explored at a slow pace, and a long, filling brasserie lunch fits the rhythm of the area well. If you are visiting at the weekend, a Sunday lunch here after the flea market is a very Brussels way to spend the day, so it is worth reserving.