Food Lover's Guide to Brussels

As much as the world loves chocolates and the world capital of chocolates in Brussels, Belgium, a 24-hour itinerary just around that isn't the best way to experience the historic city in Europe.

From some of the most delicious waterzooi at Nuetnigenough to Pain à la grecque at Maison Dandoy that first established in the 19th century, to Belgian beers, waffles and Flemish stew at Delirium, there are plenty of reasons to get on a flight to Brussels.

Here, Michelin-starred dining rooms sit comfortably alongside century-old cafés, while office workers queue for the same frites that tourists travel across continents to try. Also, if you have sweet tooth, that is just a cherry on top as you'll find some of the best sweet and savoury foods in the city.

One would expect the food scene in the capital of Belgium, all French. However, with internationalisation of Brussels has made its culinary much more diverse than before.

From a growing demand in vegan and vegetarian foods to non-European cuisines like Mexican flourishing in the city, your 24 hour in Brussels can be an eclectic adventure where you explore the city and its culinary.

A 24 Hour Guide Around Brussels and Its Food Scene

Maison Dandoy

Start your day at the city centre at Maison Dandoy for a delicious breakfast. The 19th century cafe is an iconic, historic Belgian bakery and tea room famed for its traditional speculoos, authentic Belgian waffles and other melt-in-the-mouth pastries.

From there walk east toward the Grand Place and take a winding winding pedestrian streets (Rue de la Fourche/Greepstraat) that lead through the city center to cross over into the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. Continue north to Rue des Sables 20 to reach Comics Art Museum.

Comics Art Museum

An accomplished attraction located in the heart of Brussels, the Comics Art Museum has been honouring the creators and heroes of the 9th Art for 30 years. But that's not all.

The museum also hosts an exceptional Art Nouveau home designed by Victor Horta as a tribute to the pioneers and to contemporary comics art. It celebrates the rich history of Franco-Belgian comics (such as Tintin and The Smurfs).

From here you can head to another museum which is much more immersive and just the kind for a gastronomer.

National Beer Museum

Just a 10 minute walk through the city at historic Grand Place, the Museum of the Belgian Brewers (also called the Belgian Brewers Museum), located inside the historic brewers' guild house on the Grand-Place awaits. It showcases traditional brewing equipment, the history of Belgian brewing, and the evolution of beer culture in Belgium.

If that sounds a little to mellow for you, go for a more modern experience, at Belgian Beer World, an immersive beer museum and visitor centre housed in the former stock exchange building. It opened in 2023 and focuses on Belgian beer culture through interactive exhibits and a rooftop tasting bar.

Moules-Frites For Lunch

You cannot leave Brussels without eating moules-frites.

A steaming pot of mussels cooked in white wine, garlic and herbs arrives alongside what many Belgians would argue are the world's greatest fries. The secret lies in the double-frying method, which produces a crisp exterior and impossibly fluffy centre. A great place to have Moules-Frites would be at Aux Armes de Bruxelle which close to Grand Place or you can head to Chez Léon - a 125 years old family-run restaurant that has been serving mussels prepared in the traditional way, and served with golden fries to perfection.

Moreover, Brussels takes chocolate with the seriousness of a national sport.

Skip the supermarket brands and head straight to the city's master chocolatiers. Sample pralines, truffles and ganaches crafted with the sort of precision usually reserved for fine jewellery.

Beer Before Dinner

Belgium's contribution to world drinking culture deserves more than a quick pint. So, of course, you have to spend the early evening in a traditional estaminet or beer café exploring Trappist ales, saisons and lambics. Some Belgian beers are stronger than wine, so pace yourself.

A tart gueuze or fruity kriek offers an excellent introduction to the country's more unusual brewing traditions. Head to Cantillon Brewery, where wild-fermented lambics are still brewed using methods that predate most modern beer styles. The smell of ageing barrels and fermenting fruit tells you more about Belgian beer than any touchscreen exhibit ever could.

Some beers to try: Trappist Ales, Kasteelbier, kriek of Boon or Lindemans,
Geuze and Orval.

Nightlife and Dinner

For dinner, La Châtelaine du Liban is a sophisticated Lebanese restaurant a for change. Or you can go to Bintje for burgers, 't Spinnekopke and Todt's café for Belgian food. The city also has several vegans and vegetarian options like Verdo on Vleurgat has really good vegan versions of Belgian classics.

Morover, Brussels nightlife is an eclectic mix of world-record beer bars, buzzing underground techno venues, and chic cocktail lounges. You can enjoy a musical night while bar hopping around the city. Here are some recommendations:

Bloody Louis: A premium venue in the Ixelles district famous for its hip-hop, R&B, and energetic dance floor.

Fuse: Located in an old cinema in the Marolles district, this is Brussels' premier, long-running electronic and techno club featuring resident DJs and huge international acts.

La Pharmacie Anglaise: A beautifully curated, eccentric speakeasy cocktail bar with apothecary-themed decor that creates bespoke, artisanal drinks.