18 Belgian culinary specialties and the restaurants where to eat them in Brussels

In 2024, Brasserie Ommegang won the award for “Best Carbonnade in Brussels”! The chef then revealed the secret ingredient behind this success… It’s a beer, and not just any beer: Tongerlo Brune, which won the gold medal at this year’s World Beer Awards . Hurry and try this delicious carbonnade!

👉 Our recommendation: Brasserie Ommegang, Rue de la Montagne 4, 1000 Brussels

A flaky pastry crust, a filling of chicken bathed in cream (yum!): don’t call it a “bouchée à la reine” (smaller), but a vol-au-vent! It’s one of Belgium’s specialties and is best enjoyed at Vieux Saint Martin, in the Sablon. Looking for other places to try? The restaurant La Pierre Bleue has just won the coveted title of Best Vol-au-Vent in Brussels 2025 in a recent competition. We’ll tell you all about it here!

👉 Our recommendation: La Pierre Bleue, Rue des Dominicains 12, 1000 Brussels

We could recommend plenty of great fry shops in Brussels. But our favorite (and it’s a true institution here) is undoubtedly Maison Antoine on Place Jourdan. In the city center, Patatak (and its delicious sauces) is also an excellent spot.

👉 Our recommendation: Maison Antoine, Pl. Jourdan 1 (or Patatak, Rue de la Bourse 34)

Whether you prefer the Brussels version (rectangular, with fruit on top) or the Liège version (more oval, sweet on the inside), eating a waffle is the number one food activity to do in Brussels. And our favorite spot is always Maison Dandoy, the undisputed benchmark . Are you familiar with Belgian humor? We also had fun tracking down the worst waffle recipes for the adventurous palate.

👉 Our recommendation: Maison Dandoy (multiple locations)

Ah, the grey shrimp croquette, a true local specialty! It originated in Ostend, in the north of the country, but you’ll have no trouble finding it in Brussels. Our recommendation? Café Métropole, located in the prestigious hotel of the same name. With a touch of Brussels elegance, the croquettes are served as an appetizer or main course, accompanied by a glass of local white wine.

👉 Our recommendation: Café Métropole, Place de Brouckère 31, 1000 Brussels

Fait Maison isn’t quite a restaurant, but rather a deli. You’ll need to pick up your food to go—all the more reason to fill your container with plenty of delicious items, but especially their tasty Brussels sprouts! They’re so good!

👉 Our recommendation: Fait Maison, Chau. de Vleurgat 158, 1000 Brussels

Look no further— the meatball specialist in Brussels is undoubtedly Ballekes. They have two locations in the capital, one near the Grand Place and another in the Châtelain neighborhood. You’ll be surprised by the variety of meatballs and sides available!

👉 Our recommendation: Ballekes, Rue des Chapeliers 3 or Chaussée de Charleroi 174

30 variations of mussels await you at Chou de Bruxelles! Perfect for savoring these tasty seafood delicacies, accompanied, of course, by a mountain of fries! With cream, Ardennes-style, curry, parsley, tarragon, Normandy-style… take your pick! With deliciously crispy house-made fries and a one-of-a-kind Belgian wine, the experience is authentic and unforgettable.

👉 Our recommendation: Le Chou de Bruxelles, Rue de Florence 26, 1050 Brussels

Whether it’s waffles or Speculoos, it’s hard to find anything better than Maison Dandoy. Their vanilla Speculoos are so good we’d be willing to get up in the middle of the night just to eat them! This little brown sugar cookie was born in 17th-century Belgium. So, you’re also getting a taste of history with this delicious local specialty.

👉 Our recommendation: Maison Dandoy (multiple locations)

Stoemp is a dish that has been prepared in Brussels since the 19th century! It consists of mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables and flavored with thyme and bay leaf. The restaurant Fin de Siècle (a Brussels institution) offers a delicious stoemp with sausage at an affordable price.

👉 Our recommendation: Fin de Siècle, Rue des Chartreux 9, 1000 Brussels

This small round roll, typical of Brussels, owes its name to the fact thatit cost almost a pistole (a coin) in the 17th century. In Brussels, the #1 spot for a snack is undoubtedly Pistolet Original, with its many varieties!

👉 Our recommendation: Pistolet Original, Rue Joseph Stevens 26, 1000 Brussels

The mitraillette is actually neither a weapon nor a healthy, balanced meal! This baguette stuffed with meat, fries, and sauce is probably one of Belgium’s most calorie-packed specialties! But it’s so good! You can find delicious ones at Fritland, in the city center.

👉 Our recommendation: Fritland, Rue Henri Maus 49, 1000 Brussels

Originating in Ghent, this soup served with chicken or fish is a true comfort food on colder days! At Les Armes de Bruxelles, a historic Brussels brasserie dating back to 1921, they offer a fish version that is sure to delight you!

👉 Our recommendation: Aux Armes de Bruxelles, Rue des Bouchers 13, 1000 Brussels

Chicons au gratin, those savory endive rolls with ham, are among Belgium’s typical culinary specialties. Our recommendation? The restaurant C’est Bon C’est Belge, which serves them exclusively from late October to early April. Mark your calendars!

👉 Our recommendation: C’est Bon C’est Belge, Rue de Rollebeek 3, 1000 Brussels

Scampi is what we colloquially call large shrimp here: not quite like classic shrimp, but much smaller than prawns! They’re served with garlic, Liège-style, or in a cream sauce, as at Le Prétexte in Saint-Gilles.

👉 Our recommendation: Le Prétexte, Rue de la Victoire 225, 1060 St-Gilles

The cuberdon is a delicious, 100% Belgian treat! Made from sugar, gum arabic, gelatin, and fruit flavors, the cuberdon is a nose-shaped candy with a jelly-like texture and a raspberry flavor. (If that doesn’t ring a bell, it’s perhaps because they’re also called “neuzekes” in Flemish!). Stop by Maison Elisabeth—you’re in for a treat!

👉 Our recommendation: Elisabeth, 43 Rue au Beurre, 1000 Brussels

Are we going tuna fishing? No, it’s literally a dish featuring tuna. More specifically, canned peaches stuffed with a tuna and mayonnaise salad. It’s usually served as an appetizer. This typically Belgian dish, as fresh as it is surprising, is typically served in the summer.

👉 Our recommendation: Le Prétexte, Rue de la Victoire 225, 1060 Saint-Gilles

A filet américain in our ranking of the best Belgian specialties? Isn’t there a geographical issue here? Not at all! It’s actually good old steak tartare. That is, a dish of raw ground beef seasoned with various condiments (capers, onions, sauce, etc.), often served with fries and a salad. This Belgian steak tartare is traditionally prepared in advance and often served spread on a sandwich (“an American”) or as a main dish.

👉 Our recommendation: Brasserie Au Vieux Saint Martin – Place du Grand Sablon 38, 1000 Brussels