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Noordzee

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A bustling Brussels institution that transforms a fish shop into a high-quality street food experience, serving the freshest seafood by the North Sea.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
du vin blanc pour accompagner

Noordzee

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A bustling Brussels institution that transforms a fish shop into a high-quality street food experience, serving the freshest seafood by the North Sea.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"This spot offers amazing and incredibly fresh seafood – totally worth the wait!"

TIP

Visit Early to Avoid Lines

On sunny days, expect long queues. Arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds and secure a spot.

Sample Various Small Portions

Try different small portions to experience a wide array of flavors offered by Noordzee.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Thursday 8AM

Cuisine

Seafood

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+32 2 513 11 92

Address

Rue Sainte-Catherine 45, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Fresh, High-Quality Seafood

Fresh, High-Quality Seafood

Indulge in incredibly fresh seafood like oysters, sardines, and fish soup, all at reasonable prices.

The best restaurants in BrusselsThe 12 Most Famous Restaurants In Brussels, BelgiumBest Cheap Eats in Brussels+1
Iconic Street Food Experience

Iconic Street Food Experience

A former fish shop turned street food outlet, offering a unique way to enjoy delicious seafood snacks.

The best restaurants in BrusselsThe 12 Most Famous Restaurants In Brussels, BelgiumStreet Food in Brussels, Belgium+1
Homemade Tartar Sauce

Homemade Tartar Sauce

Complement your fresh seafood with their delicious, homemade tartar sauce that perfectly enhances each bite.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

This is a must try in Brussels!! #noordzee
@genieshow
11 likes • 1.2K views

Visit Early to Avoid Lines

On sunny days, expect long queues. Arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds and secure a spot.

Sample Various Small Portions

Try different small portions to experience a wide array of flavors offered by Noordzee.

📍Noordzee - Mer du Nord in Brussels #brussels #studyabroad #thingstodo #watchmeeat #fyp
@watchurveat
31 likes • 4K views
Food idea if you’re feeling cold at the Brussels Christmas Market🧣delicious fish soup at 📍Noordzee (Mer du Nord)🎄🦪🐟 #noordzee #merdunord #plaisirsdhiver #bruxelles🇧🇪 #brussels #visitbrussels #foodstands #christmas #christmasmarket #brusselschristmasmarket
@azaibg
48 likes • 2.7K views

Share the Whitebait

Consider sharing larger items like whitebait, as they can be quite substantial for a single diner.

Enjoy with Wine

Pair your seafood with a glass of white wine for a complete and enjoyable dining experience.

The reason why I love Brussels so much is because of you. Noordzee-Mer Du Nord #Noordzee #merdunord #seafood #belgium #brusselsfood
@tramtram_66
16 likes • 1.2K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Visit Early to Avoid Lines

On sunny days, expect long queues. Arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds and secure a spot.

Sample Various Small Portions

Try different small portions to experience a wide array of flavors offered by Noordzee.

Share the Whitebait

Consider sharing larger items like whitebait, as they can be quite substantial for a single diner.

Enjoy with Wine

Pair your seafood with a glass of white wine for a complete and enjoyable dining experience.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Noordzee is a highly-regarded seafood spot praised for its incredibly fresh and well-executed dishes, including standout tartar sauce and reasonable prices for the quality. While the atmosphere is described as charming and the experience unique, some reviewers note that the offerings can be average and certain items, like shrimp croquettes, are considered overpriced. Expect queues, especially on sunny days, and be prepared for a casual, stand-up dining style.

"This spot offers amazing and incredibly fresh seafood. While the menu isn’t extensive, the quality more than makes up for it—it’s a great place to try something simple yet well-executed.

We had the fish nuggets and the grilled seabass, both served with what I believe was their homemade tartar sauce. Everything tasted fresh and full of flavor—absolutely delicious.

Prices are reasonable, especially considering the freshness and quality of the seafood. Just keep in mind that on sunny days, long queues and wait times are to be expected.

Overall:
Totally worth the wait. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fresh, tasty seafood bites. I’ll definitely be coming back!"

Tai-Danh Dang

"Amazing experience! Even though the kitchen wasn’t fully open yet, the staff was super friendly and served me salmon tartare on fresh bread — easily one of the best raw salmon preparations I’ve ever had. It was so good I came back later the same day to try more. Warm service, great food — I’d definitely return next time I’m in Brussels"

Felipe Castellanos

"Every thing was amazing! Although wwe had to wait to find a table but the whole idea of serving food so differently was quite fun and the food quality was also great! 👍🏼"

Negar KM

What People Like

Incredibly fresh seafood
Delicious homemade tartar sauce
Reasonable prices

What People Dislike

Can be expensive for some items
Long queues on busy days
Average experience for some

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular choices include pickled herring, fatty sardines, fish soup, grilled mackerel, fried calamari, and raw oysters. Don't miss their homemade tartar sauce!

Noordzee is a popular spot, and seating is limited, often standing room only. It's best to visit early, especially on sunny days, to avoid long queues and find a place to eat.

Google Review

It's a charming outdoor setting, often described as lively and bustling. It's more of a street food experience than a traditional sit-down restaurant.

The best restaurants in BrusselsThe 12 Most Famous Restaurants In Brussels, Belgium

Noordzee primarily focuses on seafood. While sides like salads are available, dedicated vegetarian main courses are not explicitly mentioned.

Yes, it's a casual and lively spot. However, seating is limited, and it can get crowded, so it might be best for families with older children or during off-peak hours.

Prices are generally considered reasonable for the high quality and freshness of the seafood. However, some items like shrimp croquettes have been noted as potentially overpriced by some reviewers.

Google Review+1

While seafood is the main focus, they offer beer and potentially some sides like salad. It's primarily a seafood destination.

Mentioned in

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The Telegraph

The best restaurants in Brussels

This little fish-shop-turned-street-food-outlet is now a well-established Bruxellois favourite, and deservedly so. Located on the edge of the Place Sainte-Catherine, famed traditionally as the Brussels centre of seafood and now revitalised as a dynamic foodie hub, it serves first-class fishy snacks such as croquettes aux crevettes, escargots de mer (whelks), fish soup, pickled herring, smoked mackerel and salmon, hot dishes of crab and scallops – as well as wine and beer. You could make a tapas-style meal of it, but you’ll have to stand at a table on the pavement to eat, and seek a dessert elsewhere (if you're looking for a suggestion, try a pastry from Charli, the wonderful bakery at No 34).

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The Culture Trip

Where To Eat The Best Seafood In Brussels

Three fish bars rich and currently expanding due to popular demand, Noordzee is one of Brussels’ most beloved seafood concepts: no nonsense, just the best the North Sea has to offer. The original fishmonger’s counter at Sainte-Catherine was opened by Wouter and Véronique over twenty years ago and it wasn’t long before locals started lining up to guzzle oysters, shrimp croquettes and steaming fish soup in the streets over lunch. Quick, relaxed and bursting with flavor, De Noordzee has grown to include a branch on the Rue de Luxembourg and a brand-new one in the old Marolles neighbourhood.

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The 10 Best Restaurants In Sainte-Catherine, Brussels

Not only a fish shop, La Mer du Nord –Noordzee – is a true Belgian institution in Brussels for anyone who wants to enjoy seafood at reasonable prices. Looking for a place to have a glass of wine and eat some fresh fish?. This is the one for you.

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ETIC Journal

The 12 Most Famous Restaurants In Brussels, Belgium

Noordzee Mer du Nord provides a unique seafood experience in the heart of Brussels, gracefully combining the atmosphere of a bustling fish market with the finesse of high-quality, street-side dining. The stand-up seafood bar is known for serving up the freshest fish and shellfish dishes – from razor clams to grilled prawns – that are perfect for a quick, gourmet bite. A favorite among the lunch crowd, the dynamic vibe and the on-the-spot cooking make it a culinary hotspot.

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Tripper - Guide - 15 perfect restaurants in Brussels, Belgium

Welcome to Noordzee Mer du Nord in Brussels, where the seafood is so fresh, it practically waves at you before you devour it!. Nestled in the heart of the city, this quirky joint offers an unforgettable dining experience that will make your taste buds do the cha-cha. Inspired by the hustle and bustle of a seaside fish market, join the locals as they gather around the vibrant outdoor counters, feasting on fishy delights while juggling their comically large portions.

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What to Eat in Brussels

To keep food costs down, avoid the area by the Grand-Place, and venture to foodie neighborhoods Sainte-Catherine, home to famous seafood spot Noordzee Mer du Nord, or the communes of Ixelles and neighbouring Saint-Gilles. Many restaurants offer prix fixe two- or three-course menus, but another wallet-friendly option is a cornet of fries. Given that some believe Belgium actually invented French fries, frietkots (fries stands) aren't hard to find.

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Street Food in Brussels, Belgium

You probably don’t think eating street food is particularly classy, but at the Brussels seafood institution, Noordzee/Mer du Nord, fine dining takes to the streets. This traditional Brussels fishmonger ranks as one of our 5 Must Eat Restaurants in Brussels. Belgian grey shrimps street food fresh from the sea

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Brussel — Recipes

I don’t know how old this fish street bar is but I have been visiting this bar since more than decade. My favourite is the soupe “escargots”. This soup is made from a strong dark fish broth with red chillis, possibly quite a bit of black pepper, celery as the only vegetable and snails.

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TripSavvy

Cheap Eats in Brussels

The bilingual name of this eatery—North Sea in Flemish and French—tells you exactly what to expect here: Seafood. It's a popular spot with the locals and is more of a fishmonger than an actual restaurant. It's located on a busy street corner and there are no tables inside to sit.

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Best Cheap Eats in Brussels

Noordzee Mer du Nordserves fresh fish dishes straight from the counter. Grab a portion of shrimp croquettes or fish soup and enjoy it standing outside with the locals. It’s a favorite among locals and perfect for an affordable quick bite.

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Où manger pas cher à Bruxelles? Les 10 Meilleurs fast-food de qualité

Si vous avez envie d’un bon repas bien fait avec cuisson rapide ; Noordzee correspond exactement à vos attentes. C’est l’un des meilleurs Fast-foods à Bruxelles. Il est reconnu pour ses poissons et fruits de mer de qualité et pas cher.

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Noordzee/Mer Du Nord is a kind of street food stall, almost-deli, somewhat al-fresco restaurant that specialises in small plates of seafood. Dishes are cooked to order, served with fresh bread, side salad and simple glasses of wine.

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The Bulletin

Eat like a local: Brussels is a foodie capital laying on a feast of specialities

Stalwart addresses for seafood are the Noordzee/Mer de Nord outdoor fish bars (pictured, above) in Place Sainte-Catherine and Place Luxembourg; ideal for casual, tasty and super-fresh finger food.

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This is an absolute Brussels institution and you must experience it. It’s glorious in the warmer weather. Don’t take this snippet as our word for it, read our full post on Mer Du Nord here.

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