Brussels is a gourmet capital that delights with both its international culinary diversity and its traditional Belgian cuisine. From crispy fries, sweet waffles, refined chocolates, to craft beers, the city is also brimming with typical dishes like mussels and fries, beef carbonnade, or vol-au-vent. Add to this its popular restaurants and lively markets, and you have an essential culinary destination in Europe.
While Belgium is globally renowned for its chocolate, waffles, and fries, Brussels has much more to offer. The capital boasts a cosmopolitan culinary scene where you can enjoy a Congolese dish, discover a Brazilian churrascaria, and then return to traditional Belgian cuisine, all within a few days.
Fries in Brussels
No visit to Brussels is complete without trying the famous and delicious Belgian fries. Each friterie ("Frituur" in Belgian) has its own frying method, which it claims is the best. However, the most famous in the city are Frit Flagey and Maison Antoine, competing for the top spot in Brussels. Fritland is another trendy spot, always with a queue at its city center location. "Frituurs" in Belgium also offer various sauces to try with the fries. Don't hesitate to switch it up and try a new one each time.
Waffles in Brussels
When it comes to waffles, you have a choice between the Brussels waffle and the Liège waffle.
The former is quite airy, light, and less sweet than the Liège waffles in Wallonia. These are doughier and have hidden sugar chunks in the batter. They are sweet, sticky, and delicious!
In Brussels, you'll find numerous shops selling them, with a wide array of toppings to try, ranging from Nutella and bananas to strawberries and whipped cream. The city's most popular spots for waffles are Maison Dandoy and the Waffle Factory (which is a chain). Around the famous Manneken Pis statue, you'll find plenty of shops offering all sorts of waffles to enjoy.
Chocolate in Brussels
Belgium is also famous for its chocolate, and as you stroll through the streets of Brussels, you'll encounter chocolatier after chocolatier. Godiva, Neuhaus, and Pierre Marcolini are very popular names among chocolate enthusiasts, and they have many refined chocolates to try.
Leonidas is a more affordable option if you want to buy gifts for everyone at home. And honestly, supermarkets in Belgium all sell very good Belgian chocolate.
Beer in Brussels
When it comes to Belgian beer, it would take almost a lifetime to try them all, and the list keeps growing as every spring, autumn, and winter, Belgian breweries produce seasonal beers to try.
Belgian beer is famous worldwide, and for good reason; it is delicious and comes in many forms, offering something for everyone's taste. The best way to dive into the world of Belgian beer is to try it yourself.
In Brussels, there is no shortage of bars and taverns to enjoy them, from the legendary Delirium Café to the Sainte-Catherine square, to the newer microbreweries that are renewing the tradition.
Belgian Cuisine
If you want to try traditional Belgian dishes, mussels will probably be the first thing that comes to mind. In the Belgian style, they are truly delicious, and you can order them cooked in a variety of sauces.
Another local favorite is Flemish stew, "stoofvlees" in Dutch. It's a stew where the meat is cooked in Belgian beer until it is very tender.
Then there is stoemp, which is essentially sausage and mashed potatoes. Vol-au-vent is another classic of Belgian cuisine. It is actually a puff pastry stuffed typically with chicken prepared with mushrooms in a creamy sauce.
In the spring, you'll find asparagus on almost every menu. They are often boiled and then cooked in a butter sauce.
There are really many tasty local dishes to try, and one of the most popular Brussels restaurants among Belgians and tourists is Chez Léon. It is located right next to the Grand Place. It is both touristy and authentic, and they serve all the aforementioned dishes.
Fin de Siècle is another excellent Belgian restaurant to visit in the center of Brussels, while Mer du Nord is the go-to place for delicious seafood. It has a relaxed atmosphere where you can also enjoy oysters while sipping sparkling wine.
Popular restaurants and where to go in Brussels
One of the best ways to explore the rich Brussels gastronomy is to simply let your whims guide you to the restaurant of your choice; there are so many. However, there are must-see places not to be missed. You won't leave disappointed, guaranteed!
Around the center of Brussels, towards the rue de Flandre, which is a very trendy and lively place in the evening, you'll find restaurants of all kinds. There is truly everything; from Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Romanian, to Chinese. As for the Sainte-Catherine square, it is teeming with seafood restaurants.
Away from the center, Place Saint-Boniface offers good restaurants to try. It is bordered by Matonge, the "African Quarter of Brussels", where you mainly find restaurants like Au Soleil d'Afrique and l'Horloge du Sud. These two restaurants offer fabulous African dishes and are by far the most popular in the area.
You will also find excellent Indian and Pakistani restaurants to discover.
The Place de Londres, very popular with eurocrats, is another good place to visit. It is located right next to the European Parliament.
El Turco offers delicious Mediterranean cuisine while Chou is a favorite spot for a business lunch.
Another landmark in dining is Place Flagey, which houses as many good bars as good restaurants. If you're in the mood for fresh Hawaiian food, then PokiPoke is the place to go. Les Super Filles du Tram will serve you delicious burgers, and Mamma Roma offers fabulous pizzas.
Food markets in Brussels
When it comes to food markets, Brussels has a lot to offer. On Wednesday, for example, Châtelain has a large food market that many people visit to buy fresh produce and artisan products. And in the evening, it turns into a fantastic place to have an aperitif.
On Thursday morning, it's the Parvis de Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Molenbeek that buzzes with activity. There are many good deals to be found as you can buy everything from clothes to mangoes, honey, and fresh vegetables. Meanwhile, Place des Chasseurs Ardennais hosts a lively market on Friday with pop-up beer stands and stalls offering food and street food for those strolling by.
There are also other large food markets that take place during the weekend. On Sunday, for example, Place Jourdan and the Midi Market, which is the largest market in Brussels. You will undoubtedly make some very good deals, and there are many delicious street foods to try.
Another popular market is held at Place Flagey, and it runs every day of the week, with peaks in attendance over the weekends.
Whether you're a fan of Belgian specialties or curious to discover flavors from elsewhere, Brussels is a true gourmet capital. Between its crispy fries, sweet waffles, renowned beers, and generous traditional dishes, the city is brimming with culinary delights. Add to that a cosmopolitan restaurant scene and vibrant markets throughout the week, and you have a destination where good food is an integral part of the art of living.
One thing is certain: in Brussels, gastronomy is enjoyed as much on the plate as in the convivial atmosphere that accompanies it.
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