I am heading to Belgium for 6 nights over the Thanksgiving hols. I will be in Bruges for 4 nights and Brussels for two nights. Day trips to Ghent, Ieper and probably Antwerp, time permitting.
I know that beer and chocolate are must-haves (not at the same time, presumably). I also will have moules and frites of course. Any other delicacies? I'm not hugely into seafood but I like what I like (and I like moules!).
Of the above categories and locations, what are the "must seek out" places - whether it be a specific brewery, store, or restaurant?
I've had a number of different Belgian beers so I would like to seek out those which I won't easily find outside of Belgium. I like Chimay, Leffe, and Lambics if that gives anyone reading this an idea of what I do like. Historical breweries/interesting tours would be a bonus regardless of world-wide reknown.
For chocolate - those less easily found in the US would be good to know. I have had Leonidas, for instance. Most chocolate is good chocolate (milk chocolate and Hersheys notwithstanding - blech) so I am easy to please there. I'll bring home chocolates as gifts, too.
Many thanks. I hope this thread takes off and is helpful to others who are looking for good things to eat in Belgium!
One of my favorite places in Belgium is Wittamer. The pâtissier is in the Grand Sablon area and it was a little bit of a walk but not bad from the Grand'Place/Grote Markt. Excellent pastries. They also make chocolates but we did not try them. And while you are up there - you may want to check out this place - Pierre Marcolini. I have not had his chocolates but it looks interesting albeit pretty upscale. Chacolatier Manon has tours and it may be intersting. I usually ate Leonidas because they are everywhere and pretty cheap in Belgium. I also recommend visiting the Galeries Royales St Hubert. The Galery is beautiful and Neuhaus has a store there.
For mussels, I'd recommend Chez Leon. It is rather touristy but they still do a good job on mussels and fries. And you can get it with a nice glass of Leffe. I enjoyed walking around that area although it is very very touristy. I did love the displays at the tourist restaurants. For better seafood, I would check the area around Ste. Catherine and the Vismet.
You are going to have a wonderful selection of beer in Belgium. Actually - almost too much of a selection. I would recommend studying a bit on the different types and styles before tackling some of the major beer pubs. The ones you mention liking do give you a good foundation but you may find them different in Belgium. For example Chimay, came in smaller bottles and were red, white and blue. Same for Leffe (blond, bruin). I like Chemay Bleu but it is very strong (9%). If you have a chance, I'd recommend picking up a copy of Michael Jackson's Beers of Belgium or Good Beer Guide by Tim Webb. I also liked Duval which is not a trappist beer but a strong ale.
In Brussels, I would try to visit Cantillon Brewery especially since you like Lambics. They make great kriek and faro. A La Mort Subite is also interesting to visit and close to the Grand'Place. Here are two articles from the Observer which have some good suggestions.
The most indepth website with information on Belgium Beer is Belgium Beer Board. It takes a bit to search out the information and I'm not crazy about his layout but there is excellent information if you dig a bit.
For Bruges - I'd recommend visiting 't Brugs Beertje. Over 200 bottles on the menu from around the world. You can also visit the local brewery - De Halve Maan. I don't have any restaurant recommendations for Bruges but we always had good luck with the restaurants we picked. One other item you may want to try is waffles. We were cold and wet and dropped into a cafe delicious waffles and hot chocolate.
I can't wait to hear about your trip and see your photos. I loved the low countries.
Brugge is one of our favorites. For chocolate, its always Depla on Mariastraat 20. Pol Depla's chocolate is handmade. We have visited his "kitchen" on Eekhoutstraat 23/27. He does not have his own website yet.
Unforturnately, we have no plans to do a side trip to Brugge this time.
in Paris
Posts: 832 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: 22 April 2005
Just Travel...you are mean, just mean ! Here I am half way between lunch and supper and I look at those pictures. The REALLY mean thing is there is nowhere I can get anything that looks remotely like the above...oh well, one can dream...
Debrah, I don't know where you're located, but Le Pain Quotidien is a chain, and there are some in the US (NYC area, DC area, LA area), as well as elsewhere in the world. I don't know how they measure up to the Belgian ones which, in my experience, are reliably delicious.
As for the OP: Chocolate-wise in Belgium, there are countless shops, offering products running the gamut from affordable and mass-produced, but nonetheless quite good, like the ubiquitous Leonidas, up to extremely high-priced and handmade. Not having tried them all (unfortunately) and having a budget that doesn't run to Pierre Marcolini, etc., I wouldn't pretend to say which is The Best. One midrange chain that I like is Daskalides. In Ghent, where they originated, they have a shop on Henegouwenstraat, very close to Sint-Baafskathedraal. A bit more upscale, I've liked Galler. It's probably comparable to Neuhaus, and like Neuhaus, is available in some places in the US, so maybe that won't suit you. But, really, as long as you avoid the obviously tacky-touristy-cheesy-looking places, you'll probably find many choices to make you happy.
As a break from all that beer and chocolate, in the realm of actual food, a local Ghent dish is Gentse waterzooie (a/k/a waterzoooie van kip; "kip being Flemish for "chicken"), a hearty chicken soup with cream and veggies. Great in chilly November. There's also another version of waterzooie with fish instead of chicken.
Posts: 820 | Location: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 28 June 2006
Sorry, Debrah. Brugge is our favorite for anything chocolate. Now you are making me wish we have plans to make a sidetrip to Brugge from Paris. I suppose, we still can.
By the way, Wednesday is the weekly market on the main square.
in Paris
Posts: 832 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: 22 April 2005
oh yum yum! I thought I had posted again after the recent lovely food postings. Sorry it's taken so long!
Well, I leave in a few days now - I can't wait! I'm actually going to take photos of food, which I don't usually do when traveling (actual meals I mean).
Woodstock, I'm really looking forward to hearing all about your trip to Belgium and, of course, your photos. We will be following in your footsteps in June after Italy and before France. Unfortunately, we only have two days in Brussels and can only do a day trip to Brugge.
What a fun way to spend Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
Carole
Posts: 1375 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
Brugge is a delightful city at night - many of the major and some minor buildings are lit up quite nicely. Maybe your day trip should become a night trip.
Was in Brussels a month ago. Headed to a restaurant that I had read about called Les Brassins. Brussels is expensive but we ate here with locals very well at an excellent price.
This is exactly what I needed, I am heading to Brussels and Brugges this spring and needed some inside tips on where to go for chocolate and frites, etc. And the pictures are very tempting too. I am going to try the place where the chocolate is handmade first
This message has been edited. Last edited by: TourMama,
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