here are our top 18 and where to eat them in Brussels

In 2024, Brasserie Ommegang won the award for “Best Carbonnade in Brussels”! The chef then revealed the secret ingredient behind his success… It’s a beer, and not just any beer: Tongerlo Brune, which won the gold medal at this year’s World Beer Awards . Hurry up and try this delicious carbonnade!

👉 Our recommendation: Brasserie Ommegang, Rue de la Montagne 4, 1000 Brussels

A puff pastry crust filled with chicken bathed in cream (yum!): don’t call it a “bouchée à la reine” (smaller), but a vol-au-vent! It is one of Belgium’s specialties and can be enjoyed at Vieux Saint Martin in the Sablon district. Looking for other places to try it? The restaurant La Pierre Bleue recently won the coveted title of best vol-au-vent in Brussels 2025 in a recent competition. We’ll tell you all about it here!

👉 Our recommendation: La Pierre Bleue, Rue des Dominicains 12, 1000 Brussels

We could recommend lots of great fries shops in Brussels. But our favorite (and a real institution here) is undoubtedly Maison Antoine on Place Jourdan. In the center, Patatak (and its delicious sauces) is also an excellent choice.

👉 Our recommendation: Maison Antoine, Pl. Jourdan 1 (or Patatak, Rue de la Bourse 34)

Whether you prefer the Brussels version (rectangular, with fruit on top) or the Liège version (more oval, sweet on the inside), eating a waffle is the number one food activity to do in Brussels. And our favorite is still Maison Dandoy, the undisputed benchmark . Are you familiar with Belgian humor? We also had fun finding the worst waffle recipes for the adventurous palate.

👉 Our recommendation: Maison Dandoy (several locations)

Ah, the shrimp croquette, a specialty of our region! It originated in Ostend, in the north of the country, but you’ll have no trouble finding it in Brussels. Our recommendation? Café Métropole, located in the prestigious hotel of the same name. With a touch of Brussels elegance, the croquettes are served as an appetizer or main course, accompanied by a glass of local white wine.

👉 Our recommendation: Café Métropole, Place de Brouckère 31, 1000 Brussels

Fait Maison is not quite a restaurant, but rather a caterer. You’ll need to take your food away, which is all the more reason to fill your tray with delicious products, especially their tasty Brussels sprouts! They’re so good!

👉 Our recommendation: Fait Maison, Chau. de Vleurgat 158, 1000 Brussels

Look no further, the meatball specialist in Brussels is undoubtedly Ballekes. They have two locations in the capital, one near the Grand-Place and another in Châtelain. You’ll be spoiled for choice with their amazing selection of meatballs and side dishes!

👉 Our recommendation: Ballekes, Rue des Chapeliers 3 or Chau. de Charleroi 174

30 variations of mussels await you at Chou de Bruxelles! It’s the perfect place to enjoy these tasty seafood delicacies, accompanied, of course, by a mountain of fries! Cream, Ardennes, curry, parsley, tarragon, Normandy… take your pick! With deliciously crispy homemade fries and a unique Belgian wine, the experience is authentic and unforgettable.

👉 Our recommendation: Le Chou de Bruxelles, Rue de Florence 26, 1050 Brussels

Whether it’s waffles or Speculoos, it’s hard to find better than Maison Dandoy. Their vanilla Speculoos are so good that we would get up in the middle of the night to eat them! This little cake made with brown sugar was created in Belgium in the 17th century. So you’re also tasting a little bit of history in this delicious local specialty.

👉 Our recommendation: Maison Dandoy (several locations)

Stoemp has been cooked in Brussels since the 19th century! It consists of mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables and flavored with thyme and bay leaves. The Fin de Siècle restaurant (a Brussels institution) offers a delicious sausage stoemp at an affordable price.

👉 Our recommendation: Fin de Siècle, Rue des Chartreux 9, 1000 Brussels

This small round bread roll, typical of Brussels, owes its name to the fact thatit cost almost a pistole (a coin) in the 17th century. In Brussels, the #1 place to try it is undoubtedly Pistolet Original, with its many varieties!

👉 Our recommendation: Pistolet Original, Rue Joseph Stevens 26, 1000 Brussels

The mitraillette is actually neither a weapon nor a healthy, balanced meal! This baguette filled with meat, fries, and sauce is probably one of the most calorie-dense Belgian specialties! But it’s so good! You can find delicious ones at Fritland, in the city center.

👉 Our recommendation: Fritland, Rue Henri Maus 49, 1000 Brussels

Originally from Ghent, this soup served with chicken or fish is a real comfort food on colder days! Aux Armes de Bruxelles, a historic Brussels brasserie dating back to 1921, offers a fish version that is sure to delight you!

👉 Our recommendation: Aux Armes de Bruxelles, Rue des Bouchers 13, 1000 Brussels

Chicons au gratin, tasty endive rolls with ham, are one of Belgium’s typical culinary specialties. Our recommendation? The restaurant C’est Bon C’est Belge, which only serves them from late October to early April. Mark your calendars!

👉 Our recommendation: C’est Bon C’est Belge, Rue de Rollebeek 3, 1000 Brussels

Scampi is what we commonly call large shrimp: not quite like classic shrimp, but much smaller than king prawns! They can be enjoyed with garlic, Liège-style or with cream, as at Le Prétexte in Saint-Gilles.

👉 Our recommendation: Le Prétexte, Rue de la Victoire 225, 1060 St-Gilles

Cuberdon is a delicious 100% Belgian treat! Made from sugar, gum arabic, gelatin, and fruit flavors, cuberdon is a nose-shaped candy with a gelatinous texture and raspberry flavor. (If that doesn’t ring a bell, it’s probably because they’re also called “neuzekes” in Flemish!). Stop by Maison Elisabeth, you’ll love them!

👉 Our recommendation: Elisabeth, 43 rue au Beurre, 1000 Brussels

Are we going tuna fishing? No, it’s literally fishing with tuna. More specifically, canned peaches stuffed with a tuna mayonnaise salad. It is usually eaten as a starter. This typically Belgian dish, as fresh as it is surprising, is usually served in summer.

👉 Our recommendation: Le Prétexte, Rue de la Victoire 225, 1060 Saint-Gilles

A filet américain in our ranking of the best Belgian specialties? Isn’t there a geographical problem? Not at all! It’s actually good old steak tartare. This is a dish made from raw ground beef seasoned with various condiments (capers, onions, sauce, etc.), often served with fries and salad. This Belgian steak tartare is traditionally prepared in advance and often served spread on a sandwich (“an American”) or as a dish.

👉 Our recommendation: Brasserie Au Vieux Saint Martin – Place du Grand Sablon 38, 1000 Brussels