Discover the Culinary Delights of Belgium with iBestTravel
With delicious waffles, crispy fries, rich chocolate, and superb beer, Belgian cuisine is celebrated worldwide. Despite the humble origins of many dishes, their flavors capture the essence of this beautiful country.
Feast on Belgian Chocolate
Belgium is home to some of the finest chocolate in the world, boasting over 2,000 chocolate shops nationwide. You’ll find a delightful selection no matter where you travel.
Top Belgian chocolate brands, such as Neuhaus, Godiva, Guylian, Leonidas, and Pierre Marcolini, are popular choices. For a deeper understanding of chocolate making, consider visiting Chocolate Nation in Antwerp, dubbed “the world’s largest Belgian chocolate museum.”
While you can easily purchase a chocolate bar, don’t miss the chance to indulge in a box of pralines, which were invented in Brussels in 1857.
Where to Try It: In cities like Brussels and Bruges, chocolate shops abound. Renowned chocolatiers such as Van Dender in Brussels, famous for its hot chocolate, and Pierre Plas in Bastogne, known for unique praline designs, are must-visit locations.
Taste Mussels by the Seaside
Mussels are plentiful along the Belgian coast, where they are a staple of local cuisine. The traditional dish, moules-frites, consists of mussels cooked in a savory sauce of white wine, shallots, parsley, and butter, served with fries. Many consider it Belgium’s national dish.
For the freshest mussels, visit Ostend, where many restaurants source their ingredients directly from local fishers.
Where to Try It: Apero Fish Palace serves excellent moules-frites, while La Moulinière offers an impressive menu featuring over 40 mussel dishes, including the delicious mussels à l’Ostendaise.
Enjoy Fries at a Traditional Frituur
While fries are enjoyed globally, Belgium takes fried potatoes to a different level. The only place to experience authentic Belgian fries is at a frituur.
These ”fry shops” vary from mobile trucks to full-scale restaurants offering a range of meaty and cheesy snacks, including the beloved frikandel, a deep-fried sausage.
One of the best aspects of frituurs is their diverse clientele—from government officials to everyday workers, everyone enjoys a good fry.
Where to Try It: With over 4,600 frituurs throughout the country, locals often recommend hidden spots in residential areas, while well-known places like Frit Flagey, De Frietketel, and Frites Atelier rank among the favorites.
Indulge in Belgian Waffles
The waffle debate in Belgium is spirited, particularly between witches of the two iconic cities: Liège and Brussels. The Brussels waffle is known for its airy, crispy texture, topped with a variety of embellishments. Conversely, the Liège waffle consists of a denser brioche-like dough, featuring caramelized pearl sugar enjoyed without any toppings.
Regardless of your preference, both types boast Belgium’s exceptional waffle-making expertise.
Where to Try It: Savor great waffles at local tearooms, waffle shops, and street vendors, especially in Brussels and Liège, where renowned establishments like Gaufres & Waffles and Maison Dandoy await you.
Discover Stoemp, a Hidden Local Gem
Stoemp serves as Belgium’s version of mashed potatoes, incorporating ingredients such as milk, butter, and various vegetables. Though often overlooked by visitors, this dish is cherished by locals for its creamy texture and mild flavor.
Where to Try It: Recommended by locals, stoemp can be found at many establishments, with Balls & Glory featuring this comforting dish paired with their signature meatballs and gravy.
Enjoy Traditional Flemish Beef Stew
Across Belgium, stoofvlees (known as carbonade flamande in Wallonia) is the beloved stew made with beef, onions, Belgian beer, and bread. Slow-cooked to perfection, it is typically served alongside fries or sometimes mashed potatoes.
Each family may have its preferred recipe, claiming the unique touch of their grandmother makes theirs the best.
Where to Try It: Visit ’t Bagientje in Bruges to experience a locally-prepared version made with Brugse Zot beer.
Savor the Freshness of Belgian Endive
No country loves endive (witloof in Dutch) like Belgium. This mildly bitter vegetable can be enjoyed raw or cooked, often wrapped in ham and baked with béchamel sauce.
Where to Try It: Oven-roasted endive is a popular dish in many Flemish homes and can also be found in traditional brasseries across Antwerp. Check out places like De Bomma or The Bistro for authentic flavors.
Explore Belgian Beers at Traditional Brown Cafés
Beer culture permeates Belgian life. In 2016, it was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, a tribute to its significance in social interactions. Sampling Belgian beers is a must, with options ranging from pilsners to Trappist beers and lambics.
Where to Try It: Experience a traditional “brown café,” known for its warm ambiance and eclectic decor, such as Café Merlo in Brussels or ’t Poatersgat in Bruges.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options Are Available
Belgium may have been slow to embrace meat-free meals, but today, vegetarians and vegans can find plenty of delicious options throughout the country.
Many restaurants offer vegetarian and vegan dishes, and plant-based eateries like HUMM in Antwerp and Le Botaniste in Ghent exemplify Belgium’s growing culinary landscape.
