What to eat in Belgium: planning your culinary journey

For a small country tucked away in Europe, Belgium is home to more than its fair share of culinary big-hitters. We’re talking fries, beer and chocolate – crowd-pleasers to say the least. But these aren’t the only famous Belgian dishes. From feasting on succulent fresh mussels at the seaside to loading up the toppings on a classic Brussels waffle, this article takes you on a tasting tour of traditional Belgian food and top culinary experiences.

An introduction to Belgian food

The rich history behind Belgium’s culinary identity

The origins of Belgium’s culinary identity lie deep in the past. Influences stem from diverse invasions and neighboring nations, including the Vikings, the Romans, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. But what is a traditional Belgian dinner?

Look at an average family dinner table and you’ll find hearty meat and vegetable dishes rich in spices and herbs. Potatoes feature highly, and of course, beer, both in sauces and liberally poured. These staples clearly hark back to the medieval kitchen and are the building blocks of most Belgian national dishes.

Regional differences: Flemish vs Walloon cooking traditions

Broadly speaking, Flemish cuisine is influenced by the Dutch kitchen, and Walloon cuisine has closer culinary ties with France. In reality, though, the differences are subtle and arguably more linked to the natural geography of each region (i.e. coastal and countryside).

If you ask, what are Belgium’s two national dishes? The common answer would likely be moules-frites (mussels and fries) and waffles, and you’ll find both these dishes served right across Flanders and Wallonia. This illustrates that a more cohesive culinary style is shared across Belgium than between the regions and their neighboring countries.

Iconic Belgian food: the dishes you must experience

Here, we look in more depth at Belgian food culture, starting with the classics…

Classic comfort foods

Moules-frites (mussels and fries)

Nothing beats moules-frites, especially when enjoyed hyper-fresh at a seafront restaurant on Belgium’s northern coast. Ideally, you’ll order this traditional Belgian food after a bracing sea walk and accompany it with a glass of locally brewed beer.

Traditionally served in a broth of white wine, shallots and butter, there are now dozens of ways to marinate a moule. Beer is another favorite broth base, as is cream, sometimes laced with Pernod, and peppered with various herbs and spices.

Carbonnade flamande (Flemish beef stew)

There is no definitive recipe for the homely carbonnade flamande, but this hearty stew is one of the ultimate Belgian comfort foods. Beef is slow-cooked until tender in a rich gravy of onions and beer, then enjoyed with frites or potato mash. It’s a warming and simple dish for cold weather days, and is served up and down the country in workers’ cafes, country inns and bistros.

Waterzooi (creamy chicken or fish stew)

Another traditional stew or soup, waterzooi, originates from Flanders and can also be adapted to incorporate different ingredients. Originally, it was a fish stew, but these days it is often served with other seafood or chicken.

The base is a delicate, creamy broth, flavored with different combinations of fragrant herbs and vegetables. It’s a versatile dish and can be served as a wintery warmer or a light summer supper accompanied by fresh bread to mop up all the delicious juices.

Stoemp (mashed potatoes with vegetables)

Very much as it sounds, stoemp is a solid savory side dish that often appears on family dinner tables. This is mashed potatoes taken to the next level, made with plenty of butter or cream and laced with additional vegetables, such as kale, fried onions or carrots. It works as a side dish and pairs especially well with Belgian sausage as a hearty meal.

Boulets à la liégeoise (Liège-style meatballs)

This traditional Wallonia dish hails from Liège and is a favorite in its home city and across Belgium. The meatballs are prepared with pork and beef, blended with breadcrumbs and herbs. They are then simmered in a sauce made with Liège syrup, an intense reduction of apple and pear. Sides are the classic frites, along with apple sauce.

The small chain, Balls & Glory, has updated this classic for the modern kitchen, offering a range of new takes and flavors. These include several vegetarian options using ingredients such as seitan and mushrooms as a base.

Read more: What to eat in France: a travel guide for foodies

Seafood specialties and North Sea treasures

Belgium really makes the most of its North Sea coastal bounty. Aside from steaming bowls of moules marinières, fresh seafood platters are ideal for sharing. Oysters, clams, lobster, and sea snails pair perfectly with white wine or beer and are a delicious indulgence.

A seafood more unique to Belgium is a tiny grey shrimp prized for its sweetness. These are fished along the sands of some North Sea beaches using a UNESCO-protected method featuring a horse-drawn net. Shrimp croquettes are one of the nation’s favorite ways to enjoy them. Deep-fried and delicious, they make a moreish accompaniment to a flight of Belgian beer.

Unique Belgian appetizers, from cannibale (Belgian steak tartare) to chicon au gratin

Belgian brasseries often have an appealingly retro flair in their décor, service and menu choices. Appetizers, such as puff pastry vol-au-vents, appear on the menu alongside Belgian steak tartare served with cornichons and slivered onions.

Another classic is chicon au gratin, featuring the old-school favorite, bitter endive, wrapped in ham and baked in a creamy sauce.

Unmissable sweet treats and desserts

Belgian waffles: Liège vs Brussels

The most famous Belgian food is probably waffles, and they are everywhere. You’ll catch their sweet, vanilla scent drifting from café doors, tea rooms, and street carts the length and breadth of the country.

The ultimate sugary hit, a Belgian waffle might not be for everyday consumption, but you must make room for at the very least two on your vacation in Belgium. Our reasoning here is that there are two distinct types of waffles to try:

• Probably the most well-known is the Brussels waffle – crispy, golden and with large hollows designed to embrace toppings. This type of waffle can be served plain, but more often than not it is topped with Chantilly cream, fresh fruits, or chocolate sauce (or all of the above).
• The Liège waffle is a little different – the dough is denser and baked with caramelized sugar in the mix, foregoing the need for toppings if you’d prefer a simpler treat.

Whichever you prefer, both are delightful and both are essential eating for those dedicated to exploring Belgium’s famous dishes.

Biscuits and candies, from speculoos to cuberdon

If you haven’t clocked it already, the Belgian people have a somewhat sweet tooth. Patisseries and chocolate shops are everywhere, and you’ll often see traditional stores stacked with old-fashioned jars of candies, including sweet, syrup-centered raspberry cuberdons.

Cookies or biscuits are another favorite nibble, especially around Christmas when a range of warmly spiced sweet treats come into their own. Speculoos, a cinnamon and ginger-infused shortbread cookie, are a winner year-round, but production ramps up during the festive season. Other cookies include crunchy almond thins (kletskopje) and butter crisps (galette au beurre).

The Holy Trinity: frites, beer, and chocolate

Amongst all the famous Belgian food and drink to try, the top three spots go to the holy trinity of fries, beer and chocolate. To enjoy them fully, consider the following tips on your culinary travels.

• When ordering frites, remember to refrain from calling them French fries. Belgian friers are proud of their product, and when enjoyed in Belgium, these are Belgian frites, not French fries! With all the toppings on offer, it can be tempting to slather your fries in sauces; however, we recommend you try them naked first, before venturing into the realm of sauces.
• Even if you’re not a regular beer drinker at home, you should make an exception in Belgium. Beer is so much a part of the culture that you’d be missing out if you didn’t at least try it. If you sip just one type of beer, go for the best and make it a prestigious Trappist beer, brewed by monks as part of a centuries-old tradition. Beer enthusiasts should absolutely sign up for brewery tours and tastings.
• Famous chocolate brands include Neuhaus, Leonidas and Godiva, and their stores are found throughout Belgium. However, connoisseurs should seek out smaller artisan chocolatiers that often temper their chocolate with lower sugar content and allow the more complex flavors to sing.

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Exploring top foodie cities: Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges

One of the best things about traveling in Belgium is its compact size. The top sights and cities are all conveniently close together and easy and speedy to travel between. This means visits to two or three towns and cities can be smoothly combined into one Belgium break. Here, we look at Belgium’s top cities and their culinary highlights.

The bounty of Brussels

Multicultural Brussels is home to the European Parliament and NATO and has a sophisticated dining scene full of global flavors. Mexican, Asian, French, Italian, seafood and plant-based restaurants are all on the menu in the Belgian capital.

But what is Brussels’ traditional food? The sweet-toothed will be delighted to hear that the most emblematic Brussels ‘food’ is probably chocolate, closely followed by waffles. There are chocolate shops and waffle emporiums around every corner in Brussels, so you won’t go short of opportunities to try the city’s top treats.

For the ultimate chocolate treat and some good old window shopping, saunter by La Maison Wittamer Pâtissier & Chocolatier, the official supplier of chocolate to the royal court. Founded in 1910, the café serves decadent pastries, glazed fruit tarts, refined quiches and a cornucopia of truffles, pralines and chocolatey delights.

On the menu in Antwerp

Antwerp is known as the fashion capital of Belgium, and it has a dining scene to match – stylish, inventive and keen on caffeine. There are coffee shops galore in Antwerp, often combined with bakeries.

There is also a high concentration of Michelin-starred and recommended fine dining restaurants, notably avant-garde Zilte and traditional Bistrot du Nord. At the other end of the scale, but no less delicious, seek out Frites Atelier for the ultimate fries and a mind-boggling choice of sauces.

Gastronomy in Ghent

Glorious Ghent is a laid-back river port city with a medieval heart and a vibrant university. Criss-crossed by canals and cobbled streets, the city center is picturesque, charming and perfect for exploring on foot.

As well as becoming known as the plant-based capital of Europe, there are several Michelin-starred restaurants and a raft of traditional local delicacies to try. Well-established pubs and bars are everywhere, and there’s a pleasingly authentic atmosphere.

The emblematic traditional foods of Ghent are dry-cured Ganda ham paired with the local Tierenteyn mustard. You’ll often find this combo in old-school bars, served as a tasty appetizer, alongside kroakemandels (salted, deep-fried peas). Both go nicely with a glass or two of local beer.

On the sweet side, Ghent’s best-known local confectionery is the cuberdon – a cone-shaped raspberry candy with syrup inside.

Bringing the flavor in Bruges

Busy and beautiful, Bruges is a favorite Belgian city for visitors, with its picturesque city center and well-preserved medieval streets and canals. All of Belgium’s famous foods and drinks are here to try, from pillowy waffles to flights of beer and twice-cooked fries.

Dining out: restaurant and bar etiquette tips

Belgium food culture when dining out is slightly different to that in the US. The main point of difference is that you are not expected to tip. A service charge is almost always added, so a simple rounding up of the check as a gesture of appreciation for good service is welcome but not expected.

If you ask for water in a Belgian restaurant, you will always be served a bottle of mineral water that will carry a charge. Providing free tap water is not customary, and it’s probably more budget-friendly to drink beer. However, bread is usually brought to the table free of charge.

If in need of coffee, be mindful that Belgium’s traditional cafes are more aligned to serving beers than barista coffee. Also, be aware that beer in Belgium is often much stronger than in other parts of the world. If you’re not used to the hard stuff, ask for something light and check the alcohol percentage first.

Seasonal events and unique Belgian food experiences

Belgium is a real foodie destination, so you’ll eat well at any time of year. We do have a few dates for your diary, though.

• The June Shrimp Festival in Oostduinkerke is a long-standing tradition. This local festival celebrates the UNESCO-protected method of grey shrimp harvesting and the many ways these tasty crustaceans can be enjoyed. June is a good month to visit Belgium, before the busier summer season gets going in July.
• Kookeet, held in late September, brings together the best of Bruges’ chefs during a three-day event of cooking demonstrations, talks and tastings. This is a great time of year to visit Bruges, after the summer crowds have dispersed a little.
• December is a joyful time to visit Belgium, with Christmas markets bringing good cheer and medieval town centers lit up with festive lights and music. Traditional foods abound, with plenty of spiced biscuits, rich and warming hot chocolate, and special Christmas festive beer brews.

Read more: Local expert tips: exploring top European gems in fall and winter

Make it happen

Embark on a culinary journey to explore traditional Belgian food at its best, with help from our seasoned, English-speaking travel experts. Equipped with all the local knowledge, they’ll help you put together the perfect itinerary for your budget and needs, so that you’ll never need to lift a finger.