What are the best typical dishes to eat in Brussels?
Updated on December 7, 2022 by pierre
The 7 traditional dishes and best varieties of dishes to eat in Brussels
Apart from its majestic buildings and its magical places, there are some varieties of typical Belgian dishes to eat in Brussels very interesting. Eh yes ! These famous dishes that you will never be told unless you taste them and appreciate them yourself.
Belgium fascinates with its mixed culture and above all with its special gastronomy. Even though Belgians love beer, they also possess a remarkable culinary talent.
Our top 7 varieties of typical meals will allow you to discover the deep taste existing in its dishes. Why not indulge yourself and taste these specialties outside in the sun.
7 Best Varieties of Food to Eat in Brussels: Take Your Pick
If you come for your holidays, your tourist or business trips, do not leave without having tasted these dishes. For that, let's go and discover them.
1. The Belgian tartine: the undisputed and adored treat of the people of Brussels
Above all, do not ask a Belgian to swear on his life. If he does, it would surely be by the toast.
By the way, among the varieties of dishes to eat in Brussels, toast finds a place of choice in our top 7.
A toast consists by slice of bread which generously accommodates a number of ingredients. What you put in cheese, butter, … the most important thing is when you eat them that counts.
The people of Brussels often eat lunch. Sometimes accompanied by a soup or not, it is the ideal moment to eat it. However, even if it comes a little closer to a sandwich, the Belgians add an impressive traditional touch.
You will find it most often in:
- Bars,
- Bakeries,
- Shops,
- Etc
You can find it in the following snack bars and restaurants:
- Time for Sandwiches (Rue du Midi 73),
- Charlotte her toast (Restaurant Rue de Bailli),
- HOUTSIPLOU, Place Rouppe 9, 1000 Brussels
See this post on Instagram
2. Fries or mussels and fries: the people of Brussels hold the secret
That the French claim to be the origin of fries, it is in Brussels that you will eat the best in the world.
You may say that we are exaggerating a little bit. Well ! It is quite the opposite. By the way, Brussels fries are not only unique, they are legendary. They are part of the Brussels street-food landscape.
Therefore, they deserve to be found in the top 7 varieties of typical dishes and meals to eat in Brussels.
In Belgium and particularly in Brussels, chip shops litter the neighborhoods. It's almost a culture here. Instead of imitating the Europeans or the Americans, in Brussels, fries come with sauce and sometimes even inserted into typical dishes such as Belgian Mitrailette
This last piece of the puzzle is a significant detail for Belgians. For this reason, most chip shops add their house recipe to mark the difference.
You can find the best fries at:
- Fritland (Fast restaurant rue Henri Maus 49),
- Café Georgette (Belgian Rue de la Fourchette),
- Belgian Frites-Papy (Fast restaurant in Rue de la Madeleine),
- In old Brussels (Belge Rue Saint-Boniface), etc.
Do not miss to associate your fries with the famous Belgian machine gun
3. Stofé: the sublime conquering Walloon dessert to eat
In Brussels, nothing is left to chance. Even if each family has at least one dessert recipe, the Sofe is legendary and hails from Wavre, a little outside of Brussels. It is one of the diversity of flavors to discover in Brussels and not to be missed under any circumstances. Remember this for your next vacation.
Indeed, this dessert comes from the South of Belgium which has a hypnotizing flavor.
You can find it for example in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium. Do not miss this opportunity to taste the stofé once in Brussels.
4. Carbonnade Flemish: The original Belgian recipe
Belgians are the best consumers of beer in the world. In Brussels, the neighborhoods are not lacking in good corners where you can enjoy a good bottle. However, accompanying your bottle with carbonnade is an excellent idea.
Composed mainly of meat and onions, she owes her origin in Belgian. It is one of the varieties of dishes to eat in Brussels that cannot leave anyone indifferent. I recommend this specialty to people who have experience with meat and beer dishes. It's fascinating.
You will enjoy yourself very well at these Brussels restaurants specializing in beer-based dishes:
- Restobiere (Belgian Rue du Lombard);
- Beer Circus (BrasserieRue de l'Enseignement 57),
- It's good It's Belgian (Belgian Rue de Rollebeek 3),
- Nüetnigenough (Belgian Rue du Lombard 25),
- Lunch Garden Brussels (Restaurant Rue Neuve 111), etc.
5. Mussels and fries: one of the savory specialties in Brussels
In the list of our top 7 varieties of typical dishes to eat in Brussels, we can include mussels and fries.
As already underlined a little above, the Belgians know and know the ideal accompaniment with fries: lare mussels.
It is certain that not all restaurants will offer you the same accompaniments with mussels. However, without any decree, try this iconic Belgian dish. At 100%, this dish will make you come back to Brussels.
Find this dish in the following restaurants:
- Chez Leon (Belgian Rue des Bouchers 18),
- Grimbergen Brussels Café (Brasserie Place Sainte-Catherine 22),
- Brussels sprouts (Restaurant Rue de Florence 26),
- Restaurant L'Ancien Brussels (Restaurant Rue des Foxes 32), etc.
See this post on Instagram
6. Delicious Brussels waffles: a Belgian marvel
Here has Brussels, you will find them everywhere. This Belgian dish is a delight for the inhabitants of Brussels. Crispy, waffles go very well with, for example, ice.
Sweet or salty, the mode of consumption of these waffles continues to evolve. They belong to Belgian gastronomy and culture. Moreover, it is our pride.
Arrived in Brussels, you can treat yourself and taste the best waffles in these restaurants. It is :
• Waffles & Wafles, Chemin du Croquet 1, 1000 Brussels
• Tea Room Waffles from Brussels, Rue du Marché Aux Herbes 113, 1000 Brussels
• Tea Room Brussels Waffles (Restaurant Rue du Marché Aux Herbes 113),
• Waffles from Brussels - The Tightrope Walker, Rue de l'Etuve 42, 1000 Brussels
7. The winter vegetable: Chicon Bruxellois
Do not leave Brussels without having tasted the “chicon”. It is a winter vegetable that grows in the ground, a the root. It is eaten accompanied for example by cheese, for example in the typical " Chicory Gratin“. But, most of the time, the people of Brussels are used to using it as a condiment and simple accompaniment. For our French friends, chicory is quite simply chicory. A long time ago, the Belgians roasted chicory root to rediscover the taste of coffee.
It has an exceptional flavor. Gastronomy lovers should not miss the opportunity to taste chicory.
In the restaurants below, you can have your first chicory au gratin experience. Attention, this one does not come with fried but good mashed potatoes! We have among our favorites:
- At home (Restaurant Schaerbeek, Belgium), etc.
- The Pretext, Rue de la Victoire 225 Saint Gilles, Brussels 1060 Belgium
- The Schievelavabo in Etterbeek, Chaussée de Wavre 344, 1040 Etterbeek
We cannot do without chicory in our list of culinary specialties in Brussels.
Now that you have an idea of the varieties of food to eat in Brussels, try experimenting with them. You're probably asking for more! You also have the possibility to discover restaurants with a terrace in Brussels. Try all the specialties of this city here!
8. American Fries
Minced raw beef mixed with an egg yolk and capers.
