The monuments, the charming corners, the narrow streets that tell centuries-old stories, all form part of a city's routes and together they create its charm.
Well, all this comes to nothing if there is nothing to eat. Blessed gastronomy. We are like that, we love to eat, and food is part of our route on a trip.
In the same way that we need to visit new monuments and get to know new cultures, discovering new flavours is essential to make our trip everything we have imagined.
That is why we have compiled the best typical dishes and snacks of the Belgian capital. Brussels awaits you full of surprises and delicious morsels.
The most typical food and dishes in Brussels
Before we begin, we would like to point out that the city of Brussels is officially bilingual. French and Dutch coexist side by side. That's why you'll see everything written twice, or even three times, on the menus, streets and signs.
Moreover, being the European centre that it is, English is also treated almost like another language. That's why we'll give you the names of the dishes in all their languages, so you won't go wrong when you order what you want to try.
Flemish Carbonade flamande
Carbonade flamande/ Stoofvlees
Before talking exclusively about Brussels, we have to start with this dish that is very typical of the whole country, not just the city.
It is a beef stew with onions, local spices and a sauce, often chocolate, topped with a touch of beer, cider or wine vinegar.
Of course, being a typical Belgian dish, it is accompanied by potatoes in any form; fried, baked or mashed.
Mussels
Moules-frites/ Mosselen
Mussels and Brussels is like talking about London and Fish & Chips, but with the exception of Madrid and its squid sandwich, they go hand in hand.
They can be made in as many ways as their famous potatoes, but the most common, and the one we recommend, is the one made with white wine, celery and accompanied by fried potatoes; Moules-frites.
Waterzooi
Belgian stew / Waterzooi (fish) Kippenwaterzooi (chicken)
Imagine you spend the whole morning sightseeing in Brussels, the temperature is soaring, you need to warm up and recharge your batteries with something authentic to the place, Waterzooi is the answer.
It's a vegetable, leek, potato and carrot stew, traditionally with fish, but you can also find it with chicken called Kippenwaterzooi.
Healthy, natural and traditional energy and warmth.
Rabbit with cherry
Lapin a la Kriek / Konijn met Kriek
The sauce of this cherry rabbit comes from cherry beer, and that is the reason for its unique taste. This is what makes it different from other rabbit dishes you may have tasted.
Needless to say, the perfect side dish is potatoes, either fried or mashed.
Mustardy knuckle of lamb
Jambonneau moutarde / Hammetje
Pork knuckle with mustard sauce, which gives the dish a really special flavour. This is a great choice for meat-loving tourists. Portions are usually generous, so be prepared to enjoy.
Stoemp sausages
Saucisse / Stoemp
This is a Belgian-style mashed potato. It is accompanied by vegetables such as spinach, carrots and onions. Of course, it also comes with sausages, but depending on the place, you can also find bacon and even black pudding and fried eggs.
Hutspot
Hodgepodge
This dish is similar to the stoemp we have just seen. It is a mashed potato that comes with fried onions, leeks and carrots. At first glance, it looks like a very undercooked potato omelette, to give you an idea.
It is often used as a side dish instead of a main course.
Endive with cheese and ham
Chicons au gratin / Witloofin de oven
One of Belgium's star vegetables, with the exception of cabbage, has its moment of glory in this dish, where it is topped with ham and cheese au gratin. You've never had such a tasty vegetable that tastes less like a vegetable.
Mitraillette
This is the Belgian version of fast food, and it is certainly fast, but it is also cheap, very popular and healthier than traditional fast food.
It is a sandwich, usually a half baguette, filled with meat, fries, gravy and often salted. Something simple and convenient to eat on a busy day of sightseeing and sightseeing.
Sweet treats in Brussels
You can't leave Brussels without tasting the sweetest of Brussels traditions. We hope you've left room for dessert.
Brussels waffles
Although waffles are always welcome, Belgian waffles are not the same as Liège waffles.
In short, Brussels waffles are light, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside without topping. Whereas Belgian waffles are rectangular, sugar-free waffles with different toppings on top.
Chocolate
We know it goes without saying, but just in case, you're in the perfect place if you're a chocolate lover. You're in luck. Bonbons, praline, chocolate bars and other products in places like Godiva, Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus, Leonidas,... and the list goes on and on.
Speculoos
Typical biscuit from all over Belgium that we couldn't forget to include. Its cinnamon and ginger flavour takes us straight to Christmas. You can also find them made of chocolate and vanilla.
Pain à la Grecque
This is a typical cake in the dessert section of the Belgian capital, easy to make and tasty. It is a sweet bread with milk, cinnamon and sugar with a granulated sugar topping.
By the way, its translation is not "Greek bread", "grecque" comes from the word "grecht", originally from a local dialect, and means ditch.