Where to Eat in Brussels
Probably due to its rich history, Belgian Cuisine is varied, delicious, and caters to all tastes. There are numerous traditional dishes that are worth trying and another perk is that most are relatively inexpensive. Discover the best places to eat in Brussels.
Traditional Dishes
These are some of the traditional Belgian dishes:
- Moules-frites (mussels and chips): Mussels are the most popular dish served in Brussels and are served in different sizes: either 1.1 pounds (500 grams) or 2.2 pounds (1 kilo) of mussels accompanied with a side dish of delicious Belgian chips. You can also decide on your sauce: marinara, white wine, tomato, or garlic are some of the options.
- Carbonnade flamande (Flemish stew): a stew made with Belgian beer, beef, and onions. It doesn’t taste like beer and has a side of fries.
- Waterzooi: chicken or fish stew with vegetables. It's a typical dish from Ghent.
- Chicons au gratin: Belgian Endives wrapped in ham gratin with a cheese sauce.
- Filet Américain: minced raw beef, usually served on a piece of toast.
Beers
Belgium has the world’s leading brewer and over 180 breweries in the country, making this alcoholic beverage world famous. It's the most popular drink in the country with Belgians drinking nearly 26.42 gallons (100 liters) of beer each year. Some of the most renowned beers include Stella Artois, Leffe, Chimay, and Duval.
In most bars, you’ll be given a plate of chips or nuts with a glass of beer, but you can also order a cheese board with a bit of mustard and spices.
If you're a beer lover, the best way of getting to know the Belgian beer is by taking a tour, which you can reserve ahead of time on our website:
Chocolate
Belgian chocolate is another typical product in Brussels. You'll find chocolate shops and specialized chocolate stores all over the city, which can be bought as chocolate bars, filled chocolate, shavings, and melted chocolate.
The most famous type of chocolate in Brussels is praline. It's a crunchy shell filled with chocolate, which became popular in the 20th century and has become a star product in Belgium.
The most famous Belgian chocolate brands are Godiva, Neuhaus, and Leonidas. If you stroll through Brussels, you can also see chocolate art decorating the chocolate store stands.
If you have a sweet tooth, the following tours in Brussels are sure to take your fancy!
Belgian Waffles
One of the best-known desserts from Belgium is Belgian waffles (called Gaufres in French). There are two varieties, the ones from Liège are smaller and crunchier and the ones from Brussels are much larger and thicker. You can normally choose from a selection of toppings like chocolate, whipped cream, etc.
In Brussels, the waffles usually cost € 1.50 (US$ 1.60). If you visit Liège, 90% of the stands sell these delicious delicacies.
Where to Eat in Brussels
Bouillon: This restaurant is one of the most prominent brasseries in the center of Brussels. It's located on Rue des Dominicains and stands out for its traditional Belgian cuisine. You can enjoy its menu for € 35 (US$ 37) by booking through this link.
Hard Rock Cafe Brussels: Located in the Grand Place, in this American-style restaurant you can enjoy the music and food with its two menu options that you can buy at this link.
When to Eat?
Restaurants in Brussels are fully adapted to the needs of tourists and you’ll find most bistros open until approximately midnight, especially in the city center.
Prices
Although Brussels is in general quite expensive, eating out can be relatively cheap, spending as little as € 3 (US$ 3.20) for a large sandwich (which is prepared on the spot), to visiting some of the best Belgian restaurants where it'll cost approximately € 60 (US$ 63.50) per person.
The average price in a centrally-located restaurant is approximately € 20 (US$ 21.10) per person, but it's also possible to find a three-course menu with a dessert for around € 10 (US$ 10.60). There are many restaurants in Brussels to eat well and cheap.
Best Areas
The city center of Brussels is full of restaurants, but one of the most popular areas is the Grand Place and the Rue des Bouchers. Even though these two areas are very touristy, they offer a wide selection of restaurants.
Around the Grand Place, restaurants tend to be more expensive, while in the Rue des Bouchers, you’ll find restaurants that cater to all, including a 2-course meal with a dessert and drink for € 12 (US$ 12.70).
