If you had to name Belgium’s most emblematic dishes and culinary specialties, what would you say? Let’s put the fries and waffles to one side, and discover 17 authentic Belgian specialties that delight the taste buds of the flat country. And where can you enjoy these delights in Brussels?
1. The Flemish carbonnade
Some time ago, the Brasserie Ommegang won the “Best Carbonnade de Bruxelles 2024” award! The chef then revealed the secret ingredient to which he owed 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 . Go and taste this delicious carbonnade!
👉 O ur recommendation: La Brasserie Ommegang, rue de la Montagne 4, 1000 Brussels
2. Le vol-au-vent
A puff pastry crust, a filling of chicken bathed in cream (yum!): don’t say “bouchée à la reine” (smaller), but vol-au-vent! It’s one of Belgium’s specialties, and is best enjoyed at Vieux Saint Martin, in the Sablon district. Looking for other addresses? We’ll tell you about them right here.
👉O ur recommendation: Au Vieux Saint Martin, Pl. du Grand Sablon 38, 1000 Brussels
3. French fries
We’d have plenty of good friteries to recommend in Brussels. But our preference (and it’s a real institution here) is undoubtedly Maison Antoine, on Place Jourdan. In the center of town, Patatak (with its delicious sauces) is also an excellent address.
👉O ur recommendation: Maison Antoine, Pl. Jourdan 1 (or Patatak, Rue de la Bourse 34)
4. Waffles
Whether you prefer the Brussels version (rectangular, with fruit on top) or the Liège version (more oval, sweet inside), eating a waffle is the #1 food activity to do in Brussels. And our favorite is always Maison Dandoy, the undisputed reference.
👉 O ur recommendation: Maison Dandoy (several addresses)
5. Shrimp croquettes
Ah, the shrimp croquette, a 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, croquettes are served as a starter or main course, accompanied by a glass of local white wine.
👉O ur recommendation: Le Café Métropole, Place de Brouckère 31, 1000 Brussels
6. Brussels sprouts
Fait Maison isn’t quite a restaurant, but rather a caterer. You’ll need to take your food there to go, all the more reason to put together a tray full of delicious products, but above all, their tasty Brussels sprouts! They’re so good!
👉 O ur recommendation: Fait Maison, Chau. de Vleurgat 158, 1000 Brussels
7. Meatballs
Look no further than Ballekes , the meatball specialist in Brussels. They have two locations in the capital, one near the Grand-Place and another in the Châtelain district. You’ll have a surprising choice of meatballs and side dishes!
👉O ur recommendation: Ballekes, Rue des Chapeliers 3 or Chau. de Charleroi 174
8. Moules-frites
30 variations of mussels, that’s what awaits you at Chou de Bruxelles! Perfect for savoring these tasty seafood dishes, accompanied, of course, by an avalanche of fries! Cream, Ardennaise, curry, parsley, tarragon, Normandes… take your pick! With deliciously crispy home fries and a unique Belgian wine, the experience here is authentic and unforgettable.
👉 O ur recommendation: Le Chou de Bruxelles, Rue de Florence 26, 1050 Brussels
9. Le Spéculoos
Whether it’s waffles or Spéculoos, we’re hard-pressed to find you better than Maison Dandoy. Their vanilla Spéculoos are so good, we’d get up in the middle of the night to eat them! This little brown sugar cake originated in Belgium in the 17th century. So we’re sampling a bit of history too in this delicious, home-grown speciality.
👉O ur recommendation: Maison Dandoy (several addresses)
10. Le stoemp
Stoemp has been cooked in Brussels since the 19th century! It consists of mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables and flavored with thyme and bay leaves. The Fin de Siècle restaurant (a reference in Brussels) offers a delicious sausage stoemp at an affordable price.
👉 O ur recommendation: Fin de Siècle, Rue des Chartreux 9, 1000 Brussels
11. The pistol
This typical Brussels round bread owes its name to the fact that it cost almost a pistole (a coin) in the 17th century. In Brussels, the #1 address for this snack is undoubtedly Pistolet Original, with its many varieties!
👉O ur recommendation: Pistolet Original, Rue Joseph Stevens 26, 1000 Brussels
12. The machine gun
La mitraillette isn’t actually a weapon, nor is it a healthy, balanced dish! This baguette filled with meat, French fries and sauce is probably one of Belgium’s most calorific specialties! But it’s so good! You can find delicious ones at Fritland, in the center of town.
👉O ur recommendation: Fritland, Rue Henri Maus 49, 1000 Brussels
13. Waterzooi
Originally from Ghent, this soup with chicken or fish is a real comfort food on colder days! Aux Armes de Bruxelles, a historic Brussels brasserie dating back to 1921, offers a fish version that should delight you!
👉O ur recommendation: Aux Armes de Bruxelles, Rue des Bouchers 13, 1000 Brussels
14. Chicory au gratin
Chicons au gratin, tasty endive rolls with ham, are a typical Belgian culinary specialty. Our recommendation? The restaurant C’est Bon C’est Belge, which serves them only from late October to early April. Mark your calendar!
👉O ur recommendation: C’est Bon C’est Belge, Rue de Rollebeek 3, 1000 Brussels
15. Creamy scampi
Scampi are what we colloquially call large shrimp: not quite like classic shrimp, but much smaller than prawns! They’re served with garlic, cork or cream, as at Le Prétexte in Saint-Gilles.
👉 O ur recommendation: Le Prétexte, Rue de la Victoire 225, 1060 St-Gilles
16. Cuberdon
Cuberdon is a delicious 100% Belgian delicacy! Made from sugar, gum arabic, gelatin and fruity flavors, the cuberdon is a nose-shaped candy with a jelly-like texture and a raspberry flavor. (If that doesn’t ring a bell, maybe it’s because they’re also called “neuzekes” in Flemish!). Stop by Maison Elisabeth, you’re in for a treat!
👉O ur recommendation: Elisabeth, 43 rue au Beurre, 1000 Brussels
17. Tuna fishing
Are we going tuna fishing? No, this is literally fishing with tuna. More precisely, canned peaches stuffed with a tuna mayonnaise salad. It’s usually eaten as an appetizer. This typically Belgian dish, as fresh as it is surprising, is usually served in summer.
👉O ur recommendation: Le Prétexte, Rue de la Victoire 225, 1060 Saint-Gilles