Top 5 Delicious Local Food You Must Try In Belgium

1. Moules-frites

One of the top dishes on my must-try food list in Belgium is Moules-frites: mussels cooked or steamed with onion and celery served with deep-fried fries. This is one of the best combinations I have ever tried, as the juicy and sweet mussels play off the earthiness of the fries. You can also add other types of vegetables and herbs to the pot to enhance the flavours of the fresh mussels. Some of the most popular dining areas in Brussels are Place du Chatelain, Rue Saint Boniface and Place Stephanie. These are good recommendations for a whole area of restaurants with mixed types of cuisine and a lively atmosphere, especially in the evening. Here tables and chairs are usually carried out onto the street, so visitors can dine out on the footpath or in gardens.

2. Fries

Deep-fried chipped potatoes are typically sold at fast food stands or fast-food restaurants. Belgian fries are typically wrapped in a traditional paper cone and served with various sauces such as mayonnaise or curry ketchup. You can find some of the best fries in Bruges at the two street food stands in front of the Belfry Tower at the central square, Grote Markt. Belgium has a very popular fry culture. Local Belgian families often have a deep fryer in their homes. Some other deep-fried foods you must try are frikandel (minced-meat hot dog), meatballs and croquettes.

3. Carbonade Flamande

Carbonade Flamande is a Flemish sweet-sour beef and onion stew made with beer, served with fries and mustard. The dish is usually complemented by a beer. This is an excellent choice of dish for a traditional Belgian dinner. But it’s usually difficult to find good restaurants serving less expensive carbonade flamande. A good place in Bruges where you can get deals for as low as 15 EUR (roughly 17 USD) for a set of carbonade flamande dish and one drink (including beer or wine) is called t’ Vagevuur. Another national dish you can find here is waterzooi (rich stew and soup of chicken or fish, vegetables, cream and eggs) from Ghent.

4. Chocolates

Known as the chocolate paradise for sweets-lovers, Belgium is famous for some of the best chocolates in the world. Many handmade chocolate recipes are passed down from one generation to another. Some of the must-try types of chocolate are: Florentine (dark or milk chocolate with caramel and almonds specially from Bruges), Gruut Pralines (chocolate in the shape of a swan), Choco Beer (chocolate bottle with caramelised beer inside), chocolate stick, and Speculoos cookies (typically dip in coffee or tea during breakfast).

Though there are plenty of chocolate shops in every city of Belgium, some particular places I recommend you visit are the Marleen on the Chocolaterie de Burg in Bruges or the Gallerie Royals Saint-Hubert in Brussels. In the practice of producing handmade chocolates for 30 years, Marleen offers good prices and lots of free sample. On the other hand, you will find lots of famous big brands such as Leonidas, Godiva, La Belgique Gourmande, etc., in Gallerie Royals Saint-Huber. Handmade chocolates used to be sold by family businesses, but nowadays there are companies with huge brands selling more expensive products. If you are keen on good quality chocolate for a low price, go to local supermarkets. Côte d’Or is one of the best chocolate brands in the country.

5. Waffles

Another sweet must-try specialty of Belgium is the waffle. Waffles are either eaten as a street snack or served in restaurants as desserts. You can find waffles in many ice cream trucks, often served with chocolate, whipped cream or ice cream. There are lots of fruity fillings as well. There are many waffle stores selling waffles for as low prices as 2 EUR (roughly 2.50 USD) near the famous Manneken Pis Statue in Brussels.