Most days in Belgium are a little dreary — ever more the reason to huddle with strangers over some of the best seafood in the city.

Noordzee/Mer du Nord (depending on your language of choice) is a fish market turned outdoor bar, where you stand with an obligatory glass of white wine or champagne and feast on whatever's fresh that day. The photographed Belgian specialty: shrimp croquettes, were little grey shrimp and bundled and fried up to perfection.