Belgian cuisine.
Start with a taste.

WHAT TO EAT

Local dishes, explained.

These are specialties from our featured city guides. Regional styles and availability vary.

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Belgian fries

Order the sauce separately if needed and ask what fat is used if you avoid animal products.

Editorial planning estimate: 4–7 EUR

Where to look: Friteries

Find Belgian fries in Brussels ↗Find Belgian fries in Bruges ↗Find Belgian fries in Ghent ↗Find Belgian fries in Antwerp ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Waffles

Brussels waffles are light and rectangular; Liège waffles are denser with pearl sugar.

Editorial planning estimate: 4–9 EUR

Where to look: Waffle shops

Find Waffles in Brussels ↗Find Waffles in Bruges ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Moules-frites

Mussels with fries; check the serving size and seasonal availability.

Editorial planning estimate: 25–38 EUR

Where to look: Belgian brasseries

Find Moules-frites in Brussels ↗Find Moules-frites in Bruges ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Flemish stew

Slow-cooked beef in a beer-based sauce; ask about alcohol and ingredients if relevant.

Editorial planning estimate: 20–30 EUR

Where to look: Traditional Belgian restaurants

Find Flemish stew in Brussels ↗Find Flemish stew in Bruges ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Belgian pralines

Buy a few individual chocolates to compare styles; nut and dairy allergens are common.

Editorial planning estimate: 5–10 EUR for a small selection

Where to look: Chocolate shops

Find Belgian pralines in Brussels ↗Find Belgian pralines in Bruges ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Waterzooi

A creamy stew, most commonly chicken or fish; ask which version is being served.

Editorial planning estimate: 22–32 EUR

Where to look: Traditional Ghent restaurants

Find Waterzooi in Ghent ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Cuberdons

Cone-shaped sweets with a soft syrupy centre. Buy a small quantity as a tasting.

Editorial planning estimate: 3–7 EUR for a small bag

Where to look: Confectioners around the historic centre

Find Cuberdons in Ghent ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Gentse stoverij

Beer-braised beef stew, usually with fries; check ingredients if avoiding alcohol.

Editorial planning estimate: 20–30 EUR

Where to look: Flemish restaurants

Find Gentse stoverij in Ghent ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Plant-based bowls and burgers

Ghent has longstanding vegetarian options; check the current menu for vegan sauces and toppings.

Editorial planning estimate: 10–17 EUR

Where to look: Greenway, Nederkouter 42

Find Plant-based bowls and burgers in Ghent ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Flemish beef stew

Slow-cooked beef, often prepared with beer; alcohol and meat ingredients require a dietary check.

Check the current menu; this is a dish suggestion, not a price quotation.

Where to look: De Bomma

Find Flemish beef stew in Antwerp ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Shrimp croquettes

Crisp croquettes with shrimp filling; usually a starter or small plate, with shellfish allergens.

Check the current menu; this is a dish suggestion, not a price quotation.

Where to look: Belgian kitchens and seafood restaurants

Find Shrimp croquettes in Antwerp ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Belgian waffles

Choose a freshly prepared waffle; fruit, cream and ice cream increase the total.

Check the current menu; this is a dish suggestion, not a price quotation.

Where to look: Central waffle shops

Find Belgian waffles in Antwerp ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Antwerp handjes

Hand-shaped local biscuits or chocolates make a small souvenir tasting.

Check the current menu; this is a dish suggestion, not a price quotation.

Where to look: Bakeries and chocolatiers in the centre

Find Antwerp handjes in Antwerp ↗

GO STRAIGHT TO THE TABLE

Find restaurants by city.

Different places. Different flavours.

Compare the specialties and food neighbourhoods in our featured destinations. This is a starting selection, rather than a complete map of every regional cuisine.

Plan your food budget.

Examples from the city guides below. Planning estimates are per dish or stated portion, not a full-day allowance. Check service charges, drinks and current menus separately.