Beers, french fries, mussels and chocolates, the gastronomic heritage of Brussels

Beers and fries but not only!

Crunchy and golden French fries: our national pride but not only! Do not forget to taste the chocolate and to visit our chocolate artisans Marcolini, Neuhaus, Wittameur, Darcis… the beer and our local brewers, the waffles from Liège or Brussels and traditional dishes such as waterzooi, Flemish carbonnades or stoemp sausage to taste in traditional breweries.

But Brussels is also a city that loves refined and innovative cuisine that has great starred restaurants such as La Villa Lorraine, at Bon Bon, Le chalet de la Forêt, Le Pigeon noir, etc.

Where and how to eat Belgian fries?

French fries are eaten in a fritkot as we say in “Belgian”. It is a “cabanon” where fries are served in a cone accompanied by sausages or various meats to eat.

At Frit’Flagey Place Flagey, La maison Antoine Place Jourdan, Fritkot Big Moestasje, Jette are well known addresses in Brussels but Belgium has nearly 5000 chip shops, one or more in each village or even each district. The perfect chip shop does not exist because each chip shop is unique.

And then you have the new generation fritkot like the Patatak. Design and trendy atmosphere to taste specialities. Everything is prepared on site. The potatoes come from a local producer, peeled and cut on site… And no more expensive than elsewhere.

THE BEST BELGIAN CHOCOLATE MAKERS IN BRUSSELS

Belgian chocolate, a world reference

Belgian chocolate is a gastronomic speciality of Belgium. With 500 chocolate makers and 2000 chocolate shops in Belgium, i.e. 1 for 5,500 inhabitants, the Belgian consumes on average 8 kg of chocolate per person per year.

Visit the Cocoa and Chocolate Museum near the Grand-Place or make chocolates in one of the chocolate craftsmen’s workshops. The Maison des maîtres-chocolatiers belges elevates the production of chocolate to the rank of art.

Belgian beer, an exceptional heritage

In addition to the Belgian Brewers’ Museum located on the Grand-Place, take a short visit to the Cantillon family brewery where you will discover the entire brewing process of the typical Brussels lambic gueuze.

The production and appreciation of beer is part of Belgium’s heritage. This culture plays a role in the daily life and at festive events. Almost 1,500 types of beer are produced in Belgium using different fermentation methods. Since the 1980s, artisanal beer has become particularly popular.

In addition, beer growing is now seen as such a sustainable practice with recyclable packaging being encouraged and new technologies to reduce water consumption during production.

At the restaurant

Gourmet, tasty and generous: Belgian cuisine is perfect for winter days and evenings.

Stoemp, waterzooi, Flemish carbons, chicory in the gratin… so many recipes that will keep your senses awake. If these traditional dishes are eaten all year round, it is in winter that they will be most delicious. Sublimated by seasonal products, you cannot visit Brussels without tasting them. Whether you want to spend a pleasant moment with family or friends, the city is full of restaurants to titillate your taste buds.

Here are some suggestions of essential items that are typically “brusseleir”: the Brussels Arms, the Swan House, Léon’s house, Sudden Death,…

In addition to traditional classic cuisine, Brussels also offers great tables. Let’s note: Comme chez soi, the Sea Grill, Villa Lorraine, chez Bon bon. Belgian cuisine has the reputation of being close to its great French neighbour.