What to eat in Brussels? (Complete Food Guide)

Sharing is caring!

Besides its beautiful architecture and extensive cultural offer, Brussels is a paradise for foodies!

From its famous chocolate, waffles, and fries to the most delicious mussels and stews, Brussels offers diverse gastronomy with influences from France, Germany, and the Netherlands to satisfy all curious palates. Oh, and that’s not to mention the countless types of beer you can enjoy there— yep, you definitely won’t get bored.

So, if you are planning a trip to Belgium and have no idea what to eat in Brussels, this article is for you.

Let’s get started!

1. Crispy, golden Belgian fries at Fritland

Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium and the European Union but also of fries. Some people even say Belgian fries are the best in the world, and with a good reason.

Fries are the quintessential street food, snack, and side dish in Belgium, so there is no way you leave this country without tasting some crunchy fries.

There are many (seriously many) friteries in Brussels to get good French Belgian fries and recharge your batteries to keep exploring the city. And, if you are looking for a delicious and affordable meal, you should go to Fritland.

Located in the Rue Henri Maus, Fritland is probably the most famous friterie in Brussels because of its value for money. However, some people would argue that Friterie Tabora has the best fries in the city (but, to me, that’s just more motivation to go and taste more places!).

Enjoy a cone of fries topped with mayonnaise or taste the copious mitraillette: a Belgian sandwich filled with meat, fries, salad, onions, and a generous amount of your favorite sauce.

2. Traditional moules-frites at Chez Léon

Considered the national dish of Belgium, moules-frites combine the mussels’ mild ocean flavor with the crunchiness of fries to make for the perfect meal— always served with a beer, of course!

Chez Léon is a must-stop in the Rue des Bouchers if you want to taste authentic Belgian food near the Grand-Place square. They are widely known for their moules-frites and home-brewed beer, but they also offer one of the most varied menus to try the best of Belgian cuisine.

Personal disclaimer: Even though, steamed mussels are the most popular dish, you can’t stop asking for a serving of gratinated mussels. I must say they are my absolute favorite way to eat mussels in brussles.

3. The finest, sweetest, and tastiest Belgian pralines at Neuhaus

No trip to Brussels would be complete without tasting a bit —or rather a lot— of sweet and smooth Belgian chocolate. There are countless chocolatiers around the city, but Neuhaus is a favorite among Belgians and tourists.

First opened in 1857, Neuhaus is probably the most famous chocolate shop in Brussels. Its founder, Jean Neuhaus, was the inventor of the classic and oh-so-delicious Belgian pralines that today are a tradition not to be missed if you visit the capital.

Enjoy some first-class Belgian pralines at the original Neuhaus boutique in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert— another must-stop if you are visiting Brussels! However, be ready to spend some money because these are no cheap chocolates (but trust me, they are worth every penny).

4. Belgian beer at the world-famous Delirium Café

Belgium is a country known globally for its beer. So much so that Belgian beer culture was inscribed on the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2016.

There are countless types of beers produced in Belgium, so the best advice is to go on a beer tasting tour to try a good variety of local beers.

And, among all the bars in Brussels, you can’t skip the Delirium Café at Impasse de la Fidélité.

The Delirium Café is the most famous bar in Brussels (and probably the world). With 2,004 beers from Belgium and other parts of the globe, this place holds the Guinness World Record for the most beers offered since 2004.

Here, you can taste all kinds of beer you can imagine, and it’s an excellent place to delve into the vast Belgian beer world. Cheers!

If you want to explore the vast world of breweries in Brussels, here is my list of the best breweries to visit in the city.

5. The best lapin á la kriek at Fin de Siècle

Located at Rue des Chartreux, Fin de Siècle is one of the best restaurants in Brussels to taste some traditional Belgian dishes at fair prices considering its high quality and huge portions— as it should be.

This restaurant is well-known for its lapin á la kriek, a typical Brussels dish consisting of rabbit meat marinated in a sauce made of kriek, a Belgian lambic beer flavored with cherries.

Fin de Siècle is also an excellent place to taste Belgian stews like the traditional carbonade flamande with fries or stoemp (a popular side dish of mashed potatoes mixed with other vegetables and herbs).

6. A classic, creamy vol au vent at C’est Bon C’est Belge

If you are curious about what to eat in Brussels, you can’t miss C’est Bon C’est Belge at Rue de Rollebeek. This is another must-stop for foodies to taste authentic Belgian dishes in the capital.

One of the best dishes you can eat at C’est Bon C’est Belge is the traditional vol au vent: a chicken stew in a creamy white sauce with mushrooms served in a puff pastry and usually accompanied with fries— so yummy!

But, if you want to explore the Belgian gastronomy in full, go for their “C’est si Bon!” combo platter,a selection of national dishes to get a glimpse at the Belgian culture with every bite.

7. Sweet Liège waffles at Maison Dandoy

Along with chocolate, waffles are the most famous Belgian sweet treat, and you can eat —and smell— them on almost any street in Brussels.

There are two types of waffles in Belgium: the Liège waffle and the Brussels waffle. The Liège waffle is probably the most popular; it is slightly smaller and thicker with distinctive rounded edges and a crunchier exterior. On the other hand, the Brussels waffle is softer, bigger, and has a typical rectangular shape.

You can eat both kinds of waffles in Brussels with different toppings like whipped cream with chocolate or caramel syrup, strawberries, and more.

However, Belgians usually eat the Brussels waffle only topped with powdered sugar and the Liège waffle alone to appreciate the texture and flavor of the batter.

But, let’s be honest: no one can resist a fluffy waffle covered with chocolate!

If you are looking for the best of the best, try some Liège waffles at Maison Dandoy with your favorite toppings, or enjoy their delicious-filled waffles for a completely new experience.

8. Soft and sweet cuberdons at Elisabeth Chocolatier

Elisabeth is another famous chocolatier where you can find almost all kinds of sweet treats, including chocolate bars, truffles, pralines, waffles, and the traditional Belgian cuberdons.

Cuberdons are purple cone-shaped candies made with a gum Arabic candy crust and filled with a chewy raspberry coulis inside.

These tiny but super sweet candies come from Ghent, and they are commonly called the Ghent noses or neuzekes (“little nose” in Dutch) because of their shape.

9. A comforting waterzooi at the fine Aux Armes de Bruxelles

If you are up to Brussels’ most delicate Belgian dishes, you can check the famous (but expensive) Aux Armes de Bruxelles. This fancy restaurant is in the Rue des Bouchers, and it offers superior Belgian dishes to take you into a first-class culinary experience. 

Included in the Michelin Guide Belgium, Aux Armes de Bruxelles is an almost historic place in Brussels (or at least for food lovers). It is an excellent choice to taste a warm and creamy waterzooi, a traditional Belgian stew of fish, vegetables, cream, and eggs.

10. A delicious spaghetti with a Belgian beer at Monk

Located at Rue Sainte-Catherine, Monk is a cozy Belgian café to hang out, drink a beer with your friends, and enjoy some live music.

Besides their varied beer options, they offer a small but delicious menu with four types of pasta in case you are hungry for a big plate— including a veggie option!

It’s not your typical Italian restaurant, nor do they provide a wide variety of dishes, but Monk is truly a hidden gem for some of the tastiest spaghetti in Brussels.

11. Top-quality seafood at Noordzee

If you like seafood, you are going to love Noordzee!

Noordzee Mer du Nord is a famous fish bar at Rue Sainte-Catherine. It offers plenty of fresh fish dishes prepared on the spot for you with quality sea ingredients. You can order takeaway or eat your meal at one of the standing tables in the street.

Enjoy their legendary fish soup or a couple of yummy shrimp croquettes with a refreshing glass of white wine! 

12. Creamy, flavorful homemade ice cream at Glacier Gaston

What better way to wrap up this short —but substantial— list than with one of the best places to try some creamy ice cream in Brussels?

Located at the Quai aux Briques in Sainte Catherine, Gaston is the perfect pause to taste a comforting dessert while exploring Brussels. Sit on the terrace and enjoy their delicious homemade ice cream, sorbets, waffles, crepes, and other sweet treats.

There are many flavors to please all ice cream lovers, but pistachio and speculoos are two of the top favorites!

Whether you are more into sweet or savory, Brussels is a beautiful city to delight all tastes. This list is just a starter for your foodie tour in the capital of Europe.

What other places would you add to this list? Leave a comment below!