Depending on which part of Brussels you work in, the lunch options can vary tremendously. The vast majority of them are quite good but trying to find a great view while you eat is not easy in the Belgian capital.

One of most-often recommended spots is the cafeteria on top of the Museum of Musical Instruments. The view is stunning but the place is frequently packed so trying to get a table there is rather hit and miss.

This was why I was on the lookout for another good place for lunch and how I discovered the canteen in the Royal Library of Brussels.

The building is accessible just off the Mont des Arts which means that if you’re stuck outside the Museum of Musical Instruments, you need only walk down towards the centre and is barely a minute’s walk away. The entrance to the building is bright, airy and seems to be continuously busy with people. Walk into the bowels of the building and when you get to the reception desk, just ask for the cafeteria. You will be directed to a poky lift that will clunk its way up to one of the higher levels.

The cafeteria itself is unremarkable. It reminded me of a decaying school canteen which has seen better days. The decor is minimal but functional.

The food is cheap and good but will certainly not win any awards. Don’t expect to be blown away by the extensive menu or by the originality of the kitchen.

Armed with your reliable and hearty food, find a table by the window or, if the weather is amenable, grab a seat on the small terrace that they have. The view there is over the roof tops of Brussels and is one of those views that few can get to see on a regular basis – how often can you sit, eat and stare at the steeple of Brussels’ Town Hall right in front of you?