24 Hours In Brussels: Why The European City Should Be Your Next Culinary Detour

Waffles, fries, chocolate, beer, seafood-we could go on. Brussels does many things better than most cities in the world. The de facto capital of the European Union is also one of Europe's most underrated travel destinations, especially for food lovers. Just two hours away from Amsterdam or Paris, Brussels makes for a perfect one- or two-day detour to savour some of Europe's finest culinary experiences. From street snacks to gourmet bites, learn about the foods you should not miss in the capital of Belgium.

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How To Eat Like A Local In Brussels:

1. Chocolate heaven in Brussels:

Belgian chocolate and pralines are the perfect treat for every chocolate lover. 
Photo Credit: Visit Brussels

If you're a true chocolate devotee, Belgium is where your pilgrimage begins. It's here that pralines were invented over a century ago. Concept Chocolate is a great stop to get up close and personal with chocolate. This local institution works closely with cocoa producers in West Africa to source beans ethically as part of its Cacao-trace programme. You can even sign up for a workshop to make your own pralines, or take a guided chocolate tour that includes a stop at the Chocolate Museum.

2. Beer Paradise:

Delirium Cafe is a popular spot for beer lovers. 
Photo Credit: Ashwin Rajagopalan

Brussels is among the world's greatest beer cities. Almost all trails lead to  Delirium Cafe, which claims to serve more varieties of beer than any other bar globally (a claim validated by the Guinness World Records). The tricky part is handling the glassware. Belgium has over 1,500 beers, each with its own specific glass. Beer has shaped the Belgian cultural landscape, with brewing traditions dating back to the Abbeys. Brussels also makes a perfect base to explore family-owned breweries. Timmermans, just outside the capital, is renowned for its unique Lambic beer, brewed with spontaneous fermentation.

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3. Waffle mania:

Belgian waffle is a must-try. 
Photo Credit: Visit Brussels

Choosing a waffle in Brussels can be as complex as picking a coffee at a hipster cafe. There are two classics: the Brussels waffle, which is light, rectangular, and crispy with a dusting of icing sugar, and the Liege waffle, which is smaller and richer and has caramelised edges. Belgian waffles are equally at home as street food or gourmet snacks. For the latter, Maison Dandy, with its elegant tea room, is a favourite stop.

4. Fries, the Belgian way:

Fries enjoy immense popularity in Belgium. 
Photo Credit: Visit Brussels

The Belgians proudly insist their fries are the world's best, and they might just be right. Once you try them here, no other fries will compare. In Belgium, fries are never a sidekick. Ask for pommes frites and locals will point you to hotspots like Maison Antoine or Fritland, which even serves fries in a sandwich. If you're obsessed, head to the Fries Museum (Frietmuseum), dedicated entirely to the country's most iconic snack.

5. Seafood favourites:

Moules-frites is a gourmet classic in Brussels. 
Photo Credit: Visit Brussels

Two seafood dishes are unmissable in Brussels. Moules-frites, which comprises fresh mussels cooked with herbs, white wine and garlic, served with fries, was once a fisherfolk meal, but is now a gourmet classic. Shrimp croquettes, crispy on the outside and creamy inside, are another beloved snack. For one definitive seafood stop, try Noordzee, the city's legendary fish bar.

6. Farm-to-fork experiences:

De Blauwe Spie is voted one of Europe's top 50 farms
Photo Credit: Ashwin Rajagopalan

About 90 minutes from Brussels, the town of Ypres (or Ieper) hosts a lively Saturday market where local produce shines. De Blauwe Spie, a pioneering farm here, grows edible flowers, rare tomatoes and heirloom beets. Voted one of Europe's top 50 farms, it champions biodynamic farming-a holistic, ecological approach that views the farm as a self-sustaining ecosystem. It's a fitting reminder at a time when we're asking more questions about the origins of our food.

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7. Gourmet shopping:

Gare Maritime is an extensive food market in Brussels. 
Photo Credit: Visit Brussels

Brussels is a haven for market lovers. Begin at the Marche du Midi, one of Europe's largest markets, bustling with fresh produce. Food halls like Wolf Market and Gare Maritime blend global cuisines, from sushi to artisanal bread, under one roof. Stock up at gourmet supermarkets such as Carrefour, looking out for Europe's quality assurance stamps: PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). And don't leave without local treats like Belgian chocolate (Neuhaus or Pierre Marcolini) or spiced speculoos biscuits.