Are you heading to Brussels or Bruges and wondering what to eat in Belgium? Try these 12 dishes.
Belgian culinary culture must be one of Europe’s best-kept food secrets. We were certainly not aware of the delightful blend of French, German, and Dutch food traditions that awaited us. Here you can indulge in local Belgian dishes like mussels with fries, flavorful stews, luscious waffles, and exquisite chocolate, not to mention thousands of different types of beer – what more could a foodie wish for?
Here are 12 tips for local dishes you must eat in Belgium.
1. Moules (mussels)
Belgian cuisine shares much with the French, including exquisite seafood. Mussels are very popular and can be ordered marinated, steamed, fried, au gratin, or in various stews.
2. Carbonnade flamande/Flemish stew (beef stew)
Carbonnade flamande is a type of stew made with ingredients such as beef, onions, mustard, and Belgian beer.
3. Boulets (meatballs)
Belgian meatballs are made from pork and/or beef, mixed with onions, parsley, and breadcrumbs. They are served with different sauces depending on where you are in the country.
4. Lapin á la Kriek
A traditional Belgian dish consisting of rabbit in a cherry beer sauce.
5. Waterzooï
Waterzooï is a stew with its roots in Ghent. It is served in a thick white sauce made from vegetable broth, egg yolk, cream, and various vegetables and herbs chosen by the chef.
6. Belgian fries
Weren’t French fries invented in France? The first written reference to fries does indeed come from a Parisian book published in 1775. However, according to several historians, the first fries were actually served in Belgium a whole century earlier when the residents of the city of Namur couldn’t find anything else to fry due to the river they used to fish in being completely frozen.
Regardless of what the definitive answer is, it might be wise to avoid ordering “French fries” in Belgium.
Here they are served as a standard side dish to mussels, meat, and chicken in restaurants or as a standalone dish topped with chicken, pulled pork, or similar. They are also sold in containers at street vendors, where you can often choose from dozens of sauces.
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7. Stoemp (mashed potatoes)
If you get tired of fries, you can order “stoemp” as a side dish at most Belgian restaurants. It’s simply mashed potatoes mixed with ingredients like bacon, broccoli, onions, herbs, and spices.
8. Croquettes (dumplings)
If you can’t get enough fried food, Belgium is the place for you. Small croquettes are served as snacks or appetizers, while larger ones are a main course. The most common fillings are cheese or shrimp.
9. Waffles
We can’t talk about what to eat in Belgium without mentioning Belgian waffles. They are crisp and thick and come in two main varieties:
- Liège waffles, which are the most common in Belgium and slightly thinner with an uneven, slightly oval shape.
- Brussels waffles, which are more common outside of Belgium and slightly thicker and square with deeper “pockets.”
You can enjoy the waffles plain with powdered sugar or cinnamon, or indulge in toppings like berries, fruit, cream, ice cream, and Nutella – the choice is yours!
10. Belgian Chocolate
Belgium is heaven for chocolate lovers! There are thousands of chocolate shops in Belgium, so whether you’re in Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, or elsewhere, you don’t have to go far to find one. Two Belgian chocolate specialties are pralines (filled chocolates) and truffles.
11. Speculoos
Speculoos is a type of cookie that somewhat resembles a mild gingerbread with a hint of vanilla flavor. It’s often served alongside coffee and becomes an exciting flavor element when used in desserts, such as Speculoos-flavored ice cream, Speculoos sauce, or Speculoos crumble.
12. Belgian beer
Belgium has a very strong beer culture, with so many different flavors and varieties that it’s impossible to try them all. Beer tasting is a must when you’re in Belgium.
You can read more about Belgian beer here!
Finally, we should mention that Belgium offers an impressive range of restaurants specializing in vegetarian, vegan, organic, and locally sourced food. So, if you don’t want to go overboard with fries, beer, and waffles, there are many great places that offer healthy and nutritious options.
Bon appétit!
