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Les Petits Oignons
★ 4.0(1 review)Restaurant
brasseriewarmjazz
About the Vibe
This Sablon institution has been doing its thing since 1986, and honestly, it's only gotten better with age. Tucked between the two Sablon squares, Les Petits Oignons nails that rare balance of feeling like a proper brasserie without being stuffy — jazz playing softly, a bright room that blends old-school charm with modern touches, and service that treats you like a regular even on your first visit. The Michelin Bib Gourmand is well-earned, and the seasonal menu keeps things interesting without ever losing its Belgian-French soul.
Why it's worth it
A Sablon fixture since 1986 with Michelin Bib Gourmand cred, legendary shrimp croquettes, and a seasonal belgo-french menu that keeps locals coming back.
Highlights
shrimp croquettesBib Gourmandnatural wineseasonal menu
Before you go
Reserve ahead — the dining room fills up fast at peak hours, especially on weekends, and walk-ins are regularly turned away.
Known For
- •shrimp croquettes (coup de cœur)
- •seared scallops
- •seasonal belgo-french menu
- •natural and biodynamic wine list
Best For
date nightbusiness lunchdinner with friends
1 review
City InsidersEditorialMarch 31, 2026
A Brasserie with Heart
Les Petits Oignons has been a Sablon fixture since 1986, and walking in, you immediately understand why it's lasted. The space sits between the two Sablon squares — bright, welcoming, with traditional brasserie bones updated by contemporary touches. Jazz plays softly in the background, and the room hums with that particular Brussels energy: lively but never loud enough to drown conversation. Service hits the sweet spot between attentive and discreet; they make you feel like a regular even if it's your first time.
The food is where this place really earns its stripes. The shrimp croquettes are the stuff of legend — they've won over the chefs themselves, earning a "coup de cœur" designation, and one bite tells you why: perfectly crisp, improbably light, bursting with grey shrimp flavor. The seared scallops are another must — caramelized outside, tender within, consistently excellent. The menu rotates seasonally, so you might find a Mediterranean-inspired risotto one month and a classic French preparation the next. The wine list is equally thoughtful, with a solid range of natural and biodynamic options that actually pair well with the food rather than just being there for show.
It's not perfect — the room can get packed during peak hours, and reservations are essential if you don't want to be turned away. But for a reliable, quality meal in one of Brussels' prettiest neighborhoods, this is one of the city's best bets. The Bib Gourmand from Michelin is well-deserved, and the fact that locals keep coming back decade after decade tells you everything you need to know.