Brussels Food Guide: 9 Best Food in Brussels Belgium & Where To Go!
For such a small country, Belgium has a huge food reputation with their multiple specialities including their world famous sweet treats like Chocolate and Waffles.
The capital city of Brussels is the best place to start if you want to try these national foods so I’ve put together a Brussels Food Guide including what and where to eat in Brussels Belgium.
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Belgium takes its influences from countries like The Netherlands and France but remains firm in its traditional dishes and ingredients for a distinct Belgian cuisine.
I spent 3 days in Brussels trying these local dishes, as well as Vietnamese and Italian cuisine, and was so impressed with their staple foods. This post lists the very top Brussels food to try and the best places to get them from. Let’s eat in Brussels!
Best Food Tours in Brussels
If you’re searching for a Belgian food tour Brussels has some of the best in the country including visiting Brussels best restaurants, bars and famous cafes.
The Best Food in Brussels That Belgium is Known For!
Read on for the 9 best food Brussels has.
1. Waffles Brussels
The famous Belgian Waffle actually comes in two types: the Brussels Waffle and the Liege Waffle. A Brussels Waffle is a rectangular-shaped, light, pastry with squared holes throughout and of course, comes from the capital city of Brussels. The Liege Waffle is usually oval-shaped, thicker and made from Brioche dough and pearl sugar making it sweeter and different to the Brussels Waffle.
You can add your favourite toppings on either waffle but usually you’ll find chocolate, whipped cream and strawberries on offer.
It’s said that in 1958, the Belgian Waffle was first introduced at a World Fair in Brussels and the invention is credited to Walter Cleyman.
I tried both in Brussels and love them equally. They’re so moreish and probably the most famous food in Brussels.
Where to Get Waffles: Maison Antoine has some of the best waffles in Brussels. Or Veganwaf for vegan waffles Brussels!
Brussels Waffle Workshop – Learn the art of making these famous waffles for yourself at this cooking class in Brussels and eat unlimited waffles plus a complimentary drink. If you’re looking for food tours Brussels is the way to go and makes for an excellent rainy day in Brussels activity!
2. Brussels Fries: A Brussels Famous Food
How can fries be considered on a country’s must-eat list? Aren’t they in every country and on every menu? Actually, no. There are certain places where you have to try their take on deep-fried potatoes and condiments because some far outweigh others with how delicious they taste. Belgium is one of those countries and fries are part of Belgian food traditions. (Not forgetting the UK where fish and chips is a staple meal on a weekly basis).
Thinking back on the best fries Brussels gave me, my mouth is watering writing this. They are cut into thick shapes, deep fried, left to cool and deep fried again which makes them crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Traditionally they are cooked in animal fat and when they are you’ll know the difference because they are phenomenal! The fries are served in a paper cone, found as a popular street food in Brussels, with a side of special sauce, curry sauce, ketchup or the best of them all: mayonnaise.
Make sure you try the local special, a Mitraillette, essentially a Frites Brussels sandwich to enjoy fresh bread, sauce and Belgian fries as a carb-haven. In Wales we call this a ‘chip butty’ and it’s extremely popular so if you’re from Wales or anywhere in the UK, you’ll love this Belgian food!
Where to Find The Best Fries in Brussels: Fritland Fries or Frit Flagey
3. Mussels: Seafood Brussels
Not to be confused with Jean Claude Van Dam, the other muscles from Brussels, these are the shellfish that you cannot visit the city without tasting! Known as Moules in French, these are usually eaten with Frites on the side.
Some people believe eating Mussels originated in Belgium but I’m sure there are European neighbours who might disagree with this. Regardless, there is no denying that this is a popular meal in this country and can be found all over in different variations. The most common way to have Mussels, however, is in a white wine sauce with shallots and butter or steamed with leeks and butter.
Your mussels will be served to you steaming from being boiled until the shell opens and with another dish where you can discard the shell when you pick out the juicy meat from inside! Of all the things to eat in Brussels, let this be it.
Fun fact: When I worked in Melbourne, Australia it was known that the best place to get mussels was in a small, hidden Belgian bar in the centre of the city. It’s obviously known globally that the Belgians know their mussels!
Best Restaurants in Brussels for Mussels: Chez Leon is one of the best restaurants in Brussels Belgium as they are famous for their Mussels.
4. Boulets Liegeois (Meatballs)
A staple traditional Belgian food is Belgian Meatballs known as Boulets served with Belgian fries or another variation of potatoes (perhaps Stoemp which is Belgian mashed potatoes), covered in either tomato sauce, a beef stock and butter, onion and apple gravy, or sweet cherry sauce! The meat is usually Beef and Pork mixed with breadcrumbs and onions.
The portion of the meal is typically large, sometimes you can even order one huge meatball with the sauce and sides.
Places to Eat in Brussels for Meatballs: Ballekes or Spago\
5. Tomaat met Grijze Garnalen (Tomato & Prawns)
Tomate Aux Crevettes in French, Tomaat met Grijze Garnalen in Flemish or Prawn Stuffed Tomatoes in English is a Brussels traditional food consisting of grey shrimp and mayo stuffed into a tomato served with a salad. The prawns used are usually on the smaller side that come from the North Sea.
This typical Belgian food is served cold and can be a starter or a main on menus in Brussels.
The little grey shrimp is also used for another traditional food in Belgium: Purus (Grey Shrimp Croquettes).
Where to Go For Prawn-Stuffed Tomatoes: Fripon
Cooking Lesson & Market Tour – Take a private cooking class in a Brussels home to learn a Belgian gourmet meal after taking a guided food tour in Brussels local market.
6. Chocolate: The Sweet Food of Belgium!
A huge part of Belgium’s economy is the production (and consumption) of chocolate. While the raw ingredients used to make chocolate are not from Belgium, the making of the product has been used in the country since the 1600’s (parts of this include the colonisation of African countries from where cocoa was imported).
It’s famous around the world that when you think of what is Belgium famous for, chocolate usually pops up. When you try the delicious-ness, you’ll be hitting up the chocolatiers every day and taking some home for everyone (but potentially eating all the souvenirs on the journey home). It’s one of the best things to do in Brussels!
The best chocolate piece in the world (according to lil old me anyway) is Praline and is entirely a Belgian invention. And I love you for it! If you haven’t had a praline, you are sincerely missing out on one of life’s treasures. If you’re reading this because you’re visiting Brussels, get a Belgian praline the very second you can.
If in Brussels, check out the Chocolate Museum tour to learn about the production of cocoa and fun facts about this much-loved product.
Brussels Chocolate Workshop – Learn how to make chocolate by making authentic Belgian pralines and take home recipes and a box of chocolates.
Walking Tour of Brussels Chocolate – Take this guided walking tour where you’ll visit chocolate boutiques in Brussels with free tastings, discover the history of Belgian chocolate and take a workshop with a chocolate connoisseur.
7. Waterzooi (Belgian Stew)
A traditional food from Belgium is Belgian stew hailing from Flanders, specifically Ghent so it’s sometimes called Gentse Waterzooi. It boils lots of veggies like carrots, leek and potatoes along with an array of herbs, egg-yolks, cream and stock.
You can usually get either a fish-based Waterzooi or a chicken-based Waterzooi. Or maybe try delicious Brussels Mussels in a Waterzooi. Yum.
Eat Waterzooi At: T ‘Kelderke
The best way to find the food of Brussels? Getting an E-Sim to stay connected while in Europe! I use Airalo and it’s cheap, fast and reliable! Use my referral code, SHIREE9313, and we’ll both get USD$3 off the next plan!
8. Chicon au Gratin (Endives in Ham)
The last Belgium traditional food on this list is Chicon au Gratin. To prepare this dish, Belgian endives are wrapped in ham and covered in cheese and a white sauce. It’s usually served as a main meal and a comfort food.
Where to Eat Chicon au Gratin: Les Petits Bouchons
9. Bonus for Brussels Food Guide: Belgian Beer
Because Beer is like food in this nation! The quality of the Belgium Beer is at a very high standard and drinking a beer is a cultural experience rather than just a means to get drunk. You’ll find beer in all bars, cafes and restaurants, numerous beer tours of Brussels and there’s even a museum dedicated to the history here.
The unique way of brewing beer in Belgium is that they use four types of fermentation.
UNESCO even added Belgian Beer Culture to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. It’s that important in this country.
Where To Have a Beer in Brussels: Delirium Cafe has over 2000 types of beer and is one of the best places to enjoy a Brussels beer. In 2004, the bar made (and holds) the Guinness World Record for the most beers avaialble for tasting which was 2004 beers.
Private Guided Belgian Beer Tour – Accompanied by an expert local, you’ll try 8 Belgian beers with some Belgian foods like Belgian cheeses, smoked ham and chocolate. The tour will take you to popular cafes and describe beer traditions in Belgium.
Beer Tasting Experience in Brussels – Join this beer tasting in a private venue to try 5 Belgian beers, learn the basics and how to pick and order beer at a bar in Belgium.
More Belgium Foods
Of course this list isn’t exhaustive. Other traditional foods of belgium include Brussels Sprouts (of course), Steak Tartare, Carbonnades Flamandes (Flemish Stew), Speculaas (Gingerbread cookies), Eel in The Green (sauce made from herbs), and Rabbit with Prunes.
Now you know what to eat in Brussels, see more of my food guides in Europe:
- Amsterdam Food Guide & Food Tour Review
- What to Eat in Munich, Germany
- Slovenian Traditional Dishes
- 31 Foods of Romania
- Try This Zadar Food Tour, Croatia
- The Very Best Street Food in Naples, Italy
- Everything You Get On An Edinburgh Food Tour
Pin This Belgian Traditional Food in Brussels Guide!
