What Food To Try in Brussels and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Brussels for 2024.
National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Brussels cafes and restaurants
$19.1
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $13.1
$87.3
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $65.51
$10.9
Combo Meal
Starting from $9.83
What to Try in Brussels
Must-try Dishes
Confit de Canard - Duck Confit - Tender duck leg slow-cooked in its own fat until crispy, served with potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Locals enjoy this dish especially during family dinners, savoring every bite over good conversation.Fries - Frites (Belgian Fries) - Thick-cut potatoes fried twice to achieve a crunchy exterior and fluffy interior, often served in a paper cone with a variety of sauces. You’ll typically find locals grabbing them on the go, especially after a night out.
Moules-frites - Mussels and Fries - Fresh mussels steamed with garlic, parsley, and white wine, served with a side of crispy fries. It’s a popular dish for Friday lunches, where friends gather around to share an extensive meal and good company.
Stoemp - Mashed Potato Dish - Creamy mashed potatoes mixed with seasonal vegetables like carrots or leeks, usually served as a comforting side or main dish during chilly months. It’s common to enjoy stoemp at cozy bistros, especially in winter.
Carbonnade Flamande - Flemish Beef Stew - Beef braised in Belgian beer with onions and spices, creating a hearty, rich stew often served with fries or crusty bread. Locals savor this dish during rainy days, when heartiness is key.
Gaufre - Waffle - A tender, crispy waffle typically enjoyed with a drizzle of chocolate or a dollop of whipped cream. Belgians love having these as an afternoon treat, though many can be seen indulging late at night.
Waterzooi - Chicken or Fish Stew - A creamy stew made with chicken or fish, vegetables, and potatoes, it’s hearty and comforting. Served in the colder months, it’s often enjoyed by families gathered around the table, sharing stories.
Autumn Pumpkin Soup - Soupe de Potiron - Silky and blended soup made from roasted pumpkin, cream, and spices, with a seasonal flavor that warms the soul. Enjoy this dish in October, where local markets boast fresh pumpkins.
Desserts & Drinks
Speculoos Latte - Speculoos Latte (spiced coffee drink) - A comforting espresso drink blended with speculoos syrup, steamed milk, and topped with a sprinkle of crushed speculoos cookies. Locals enjoy it during chilly autumn afternoons while cozying up in cafes for a sweet escape. Bolleke - Bolleke (local beer) - This amber beer is known for its rich, malty flavors balanced with a hoppy finish, often served in a distinctive round glass. It's a typical order at local brasseries to quench thirst after a long day, especially on Fridays when the workweek winds down.
Framboise - Framboise (raspberry lambic) - A refreshing, fruity beer brewed with raspberries, making it more like a sweet fruit drink than a traditional beer. Best enjoyed on a sunny terrace in summer, this drink is often the choice for those who normally avoid beer.
Waffle - Gaufre (Belgian waffle) - Light and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these waffles are usually made with yeast, giving them a unique texture. Perfectly topped with powdered sugar and fruit, they are a popular street snack, especially during weekend markets.
Ice Cream - Glace (artisan ice cream) - Made from high-quality cream and often incorporating local fruits and flavors, this ice cream is a creamy delight perfect for hot summer days. You’ll find craft gelato shops dotted throughout, and a scoop of speculoos flavor is a local favorite.
Food and Groceries in Brussels
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $2.4 |
| Bananas | $1.74 |
| Oranges | $2.63 |
| Potatoes | $1.56 |
| Apples | $2.64 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $1.15 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $2.36 |
| Imported Beer | $3.61 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $8.73 |
| Milk 1L | $1.35 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $18.24 |
| Chicken | $10.84 |
| Cigarettes | $8.73 |
| Rice | $2.3 |
| Local Cheese | $14.96 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Brussels's dining scene has a rhythm all its own, particularly observed in the bustling Grand Place between noon and 2 p.m. Locals flock to nearby cafés and bistros for lunch, where you’ll often see a sea of business attire gathered around tables engaged in lively chatter over a quick meal. This typical mealtime scene highlights how lunch is both a break and a social engagement here, a stark contrast to the hurried meals in other cities.
Meal times in Brussels can vary but generally align with traditional European hours. Breakfast is usually light, with locals grabbing a quick bite around 7 a.m. – think a croissant or a slice of bread with coffee. Lunch takes place between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., while dinner can start as late as 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., especially during weekdays. Prices can vary significantly between districts; for example, a hearty lunch of moules-frites can cost you around €15 in a central area but might drop to €10 in neighborhoods such as Saint-Gilles.
In terms of payment customs, cash is still king in many small cafés and markets, although credit cards are widely accepted in larger establishments. From personal experience, it’s not uncommon to find tiny family-run spots that prefer cash-only transactions, so it’s wise to have some euros on hand. Tipping is generally expected around 10% for good service, but many Brussels locals simply round up their bill, which is a common practice here.
Something unique in local dining habits is the concept of “tentation.” It’s not unusual for locals to order a full meal but also treat themselves to a dessert, reflecting a love for indulgence in culinary experiences. A common tourist mistake is trying to stick to rigid dining hours, often leading to frustration when some restaurants close during the afternoon.
For broader insights into dining patterns, exploring popular districts like the Marolles, known for its vintage shops and laid-back cafés, or Sablon, celebrated for high-end chocolate and exquisite dining, can yield quite different experiences. It’s advisable to make reservations in Sablon, especially during weekends, as those refined spots can fill up quickly.
As for timing, be aware of rush hours around major office districts—these areas can be packed at noon. Conversely, you’ll find that dining scenes during off-peak hours often have a more relaxed atmosphere, perfect for enjoying leisurely meals.
Looking ahead, areas like the Canal district are evolving with a growing number of trendy eateries, catering to a younger crowd that enjoys both traditional and innovative culinary options. This shift hints at the vibrant and constantly evolving character of Brussels’s food culture, always with a delicious twist ahead.
Meal times in Brussels can vary but generally align with traditional European hours. Breakfast is usually light, with locals grabbing a quick bite around 7 a.m. – think a croissant or a slice of bread with coffee. Lunch takes place between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., while dinner can start as late as 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., especially during weekdays. Prices can vary significantly between districts; for example, a hearty lunch of moules-frites can cost you around €15 in a central area but might drop to €10 in neighborhoods such as Saint-Gilles.
In terms of payment customs, cash is still king in many small cafés and markets, although credit cards are widely accepted in larger establishments. From personal experience, it’s not uncommon to find tiny family-run spots that prefer cash-only transactions, so it’s wise to have some euros on hand. Tipping is generally expected around 10% for good service, but many Brussels locals simply round up their bill, which is a common practice here.
Something unique in local dining habits is the concept of “tentation.” It’s not unusual for locals to order a full meal but also treat themselves to a dessert, reflecting a love for indulgence in culinary experiences. A common tourist mistake is trying to stick to rigid dining hours, often leading to frustration when some restaurants close during the afternoon.
For broader insights into dining patterns, exploring popular districts like the Marolles, known for its vintage shops and laid-back cafés, or Sablon, celebrated for high-end chocolate and exquisite dining, can yield quite different experiences. It’s advisable to make reservations in Sablon, especially during weekends, as those refined spots can fill up quickly.
As for timing, be aware of rush hours around major office districts—these areas can be packed at noon. Conversely, you’ll find that dining scenes during off-peak hours often have a more relaxed atmosphere, perfect for enjoying leisurely meals.
Looking ahead, areas like the Canal district are evolving with a growing number of trendy eateries, catering to a younger crowd that enjoys both traditional and innovative culinary options. This shift hints at the vibrant and constantly evolving character of Brussels’s food culture, always with a delicious twist ahead.
Tourist Reviews
All photos and texts belong to their authors
In every journey I take, I have a principle: I only eat dishes and products from local cuisine. That's why I've decided to start a new section "Food Around the World" 🍽️, where I will share the most intriguing recipes, my tastings, drinks, stories, and traditions.
So, Belgium. A beautiful country famous for waffles, chocolate, beer, pralines, fries, and Brussels sprouts. I also learned that in this country there are more so-called "Michelin" restaurants than anywhere else.
But the dish that surprised me is not a recipe, but a common item on every menu of traditional cuisine – it's the mussels with fries. Furthermore, mussels are considered fast food here; they used to be referred to as "poor man's food."
These mussels are an amazing product. They contain hormonal substances – serotonin, and they are also considered aphrodisiacs.
Mussels have always been regarded as a symbol of female beginnings, giving birth to new... And a symbol of serious commitment. And artists with vivid imaginations compared it to a unique female space 😄.
And for centuries, the Belgian coastline has provided an excellent environment for mussels.
If you happen to be in Belgium, I recommend repeating Kazanova's experience and having 5 mussels for breakfast, while enjoying some good advice after a week. »
So, when my friend Nikita told me we were heading to Brussels, I was over the moon, and all I could think about were those WAFFLES. I can honestly say I went there just for them 😂.
As for our stay in Brussels, I'll write a separate post about that, but let me mention that the waffles were a bit on the pricey side 🥺. Unfortunately, I don’t have many great photos from Brussels because it was dark when we arrived, and my photography skills were not up to par 😂. I'll have to dig through my archives and find some good shots.
But here’s an ordinary photo of a waffle for reference 😱.
To be fair, I really could not resist taking a bite of my waffle. I thought that after trying them, I wouldn't crave them anymore. But no, here I am, writing about them and wanting more 😂😋.
Now, the waffle in the photo might not be the most delicious-looking since it contains a lot of sweetness, which isn't entirely my thing. My ideal waffle is one with a scoop of ice cream and whipped cream. What about you? Which one would you choose? 😃 »
You absolutely have to check out the free walking tour – a fantastic tour around the golden zones, and of course, don’t forget your zone pass and warm clothing. It may rain quite a bit, but a warm chocolate and the festive lights on the central square will warm you up. That’s another story altogether! »