Le Vieux Saint-Martin

Le Vieux Saint-Martin is a traditional brasserie with a terrace at Place du Grand Sablon 38, in the Sablon district of Brussels. The Sablon is the city's antiques and chocolate quarter, close to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, the Magritte Museum and the Notre-Dame du Sablon church, and the brasserie is a practical stop between museum visits. Mains cost about €18-30, mid-range for the area. The menu is classic Belgian and French brasserie fare. Signature dishes include croquettes aux crevettes, the crisp shrimp croquettes that appear on most traditional Brussels menus, steak tartare, served with frites in the usual brasserie style, and a cheese platter that provides a lighter or finishing option. Other brasserie staples such as salads, sandwiches and daily specials fill out the menu, making it a flexible choice for a light lunch or a full dinner. The terrace on the square is the main draw in fine weather. Tables outside overlook the Sablon square and its weekend antiques market, which gives the meal a people-watching setting. Inside, the room has the dark wood and traditional furnishings expected of a Brussels brasserie, with a relaxed, slightly formal atmosphere. Noise levels are moderate, and the clientele includes museum visitors, antique dealers, locals and tourists. The wine list covers French and Belgian wines, and Belgian beers are available alongside. The brasserie serves lunch and dinner daily. Reservations are accepted and worth making for weekends and for terrace tables on sunny days, as the square draws crowds, particularly when the antiques market runs at the weekend. Prices on the Sablon are somewhat higher than in neighbourhood restaurants, reflecting the location. Visitors planning a day of museums and chocolate shopping in the upper town will find it a convenient and comfortable choice for a seated meal.