When in Brussels, do as the locals do: eat. Enjoy Belgium’s traditional dishes and explore its lively contemporary cuisine. Sample the city’s street food—Belgian waffles are a must—or stop at an open seafood bar such as La Mer du Nord. For dessert, choose from trays of handcrafted chocolates produced by master chocolatiers. And when you savor those famously crisp potato fries, remember: they are a Belgian invention, not French fries.
To understand why Belgium has such a strong culinary reputation, it helps to start in the kitchen. I visited Mmmmh!, a large culinary studio that sells thousands of cooking tools and offers lessons every day. Walking toward a kitchen classroom, I passed a group happily sampling what they had just prepared.
“How is it?” I asked. “Delicious,” they replied, smiling.
In the class, the instructor assigned tasks, and we donned aprons to slice, dice, peel, chop, julienne, stir, bake, boil and broil. When we sat down to eat, the results were imperfect: the chicken was overcooked, the potatoes underdone, and a dessert had collapsed into a sandy mess. Smiles were few, but laughter plenty. The instructor, however, remained stern.
A happier culinary experience followed at Chocolats Gerbaud, where I attended a hands-on chocolate demonstration. After molding chocolates and finishing them with fruits, nuts and spices, we listened to founder Laurent Gerbaud speak about chocolate—its varieties, techniques and history. He was engaging, knowledgeable and clearly passionate. We tasted our chilled, handmade creations and packed the rest to take home, all smiles this time.
Beyond cooking classes, Brussels boasts a wealth of restaurants. One standout was Aux Armes de Bruxelles, an 81-year-old establishment in the heart of the old city. Traditional in its menu, warm in atmosphere and impeccable in service, it exemplifies classic Brussels dining. For an elegant final meal, I visited Le Chalet de la Forêt, a refined restaurant set in a mansion on the edge of the Soignes Forest, offering Belgian cuisine with contemporary, artistic touches. For a more casual midday option, La Taverne du Passage serves brasserie-style Belgian fare in a relaxed setting. Finally, stroll along the elegant Place du Grand Sablon, lined with exceptional chocolate shops and cafés, to leave Brussels with a lasting and delicious memory.
Weblinks
Belgium Tourist Office
Le Chalet de la Forêt
Chocolats Gerbaud
Mmmmh!
Visit Brussels