Our Favorite Restaurants in Belgium: Where to Eat in Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges (in 2025)

Wondering where to eat in Belgium? Honestly, Belgium isn’t a typical foodie paradise, but if you’re into beef stew, beer, and fries, you might beg to differ. Kidding aside, we found many great restaurants in Belgium to enjoy a wide variety of dishes at, though I admit, most of them did come with fries.  

And yes, the beer helped too. They pair it with everything like you’d expect with wine! Brilliant.  

Pro tip: One thing I noticed is that online ratings for restaurants in Belgium can’t be trusted. I went into a few places that certainly didn’t live up to the hype. Bad service, overpriced food… Luckily, since I base all of my travel blog articles on my real life experiences, you’ll know exactly which restaurants were my favorites in Belgium and which ones you shouldn’t waste your money in.  

In this article, you’ll find my tips for the best restaurants in Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges. And a few warnings about flops. I’ll talk about the setting, service, food quality, and value.

Read more from my Belgium travel blog.

 

When in Belgium… don’t skip the waffles. This sweet overload is a must-try Belgian classic (if you know where to buy them)

 

 

Quick overview: Where (and how) to eat in Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges

Eating in Brussels: Hits and misses in Belgium’s capital

• Popular restaurants like Nüetnigenough fill up fast, especially for dinner. Reservations are smart, walk-ins are a gamble.

• The beer culture is on another level. At better restaurants in Belgium, zitologues (beer sommeliers) will pair your meal with the right brew like it’s an art form. Because it is.

• If you’re short on time (or patience), go to Wolf Food Market. Sixteen kitchens ready to feed you. Order on a tablet, eat well, and move on with your itinerary (see my 3-day Brussels trip plan).

• Le Rendez-Vous des Artistes delivered decent beef tartare and mussels, but it won’t change your life.  

• Avoid Au Brasseur. It's a tourist magnet with lousy service and a worse attitude. Even the beer can’t save it.

 

Eating in Ghent: Some of the best restaurants in all of Belgium

• ‘t Koningshuis served up one of the best burgers I’ve ever had—not exaggerating. Fries in a paper bag, bullheads on the walls, and just damn good meat. Get a beer, obviously.

• Bridge was a great surprise. The food is good, the service is on point, and it doesn’t feel like a tourist trap despite its location (and view!).

• Most good spots are small and book out, even for lunch. Don’t assume you can just show up—make reservations.

• Ghent old town is compact and walkable. You know what that means… more time to eat! Here’s my 1-day Ghent itinerary where I’ve planned it all out for you.

 

Eating in Bruges: The best steak and waffles in Belgium

• Some places still only take cash. Ask before you order if you’re not sure.

• Waffles are everywhere, but they’re mostly the crappy tourist kind. Otto Waffle Atelier is a rare exception. Family-owned, made from scratch, and SO GOOD I even added as a stop in my itinerary for one perfect day in Bruges.

• For steak, go to Christophe. It’s not just good by Bruges standards—it’s one of the best steak restaurants in Belgium.

• De Gastro is another great find. The food comes out way fancier than the prices suggest, but it’s not a trap. They’re just great at making food.

 

Here’s my detailed look at my top restaurant picks in Belgium, city by city:

 

 

The best restaurants in Brussels, Belgium

Explore major sights and easily spot great dining options in Brussels

 

We absolutely loved our time in Brussels!
 

Belgium’s capital, Brussels, turned out to be my unexpected favorite place in the country. I mean I love the EU, so I was all about visiting the EU Parliament, but then quickly realized there is so much more to Brussels than just political institutions.  

Some of the best museums in Belgium, fun places like Mini-Europe and Atomium and just the sheer beauty of Grand Place make Brussels a top travel destination for me.  

But a human’s gotta eat!

My hotel recommendation for your trip to Brussels: Radisson Red

 

Brussels restaurant tip: Nüetnigenough, the best place for Belgian stew and beer pairing

A little lunch has never hurt nobody @ Nüetnigenough

 

Highlights from the menu @ Nüetnigenough

• Beef stew with Chimay Blue
• Pear sauce meatballs
• Shrimp croquettes
• 100+ Belgian beers with zitologue pairing

Be sure to make a reservation at Nüetnigenough if you find yourself in Brussels. Karin made the best choice possible when she ordered steak here, as you can notice by the pure happiness on her face. It was incredibly tasty in every way.  

As you can see, every dish came with a side of fries. You’d think that you’d eventually get sick of all the fries in Belgium, but no. Happy to oblige. 

The service was excellent, and we had a good time and a fantastic meal.

Pro tip: Their beef stew with Chimay Blue is a must—but it sells out fast. We got the last portion at 7:30 pm one night, and the table next to us spent five minutes begging the waiter to check the kitchen again.

Bonus! They have beer sommeliers

Do you know what else makes this restaurant stand out as exceptional? At Nüetnigenough, beer experts known as zitologues are ready to assist you in pairing the perfect beer with your meal. They will even tell you about the best microbreweries in the area. 

Again, a reservation is highly recommended.

 

Hearty, rich, and unmistakably Belgian—big flavors in a cozy, old-school Belgian restaurant

 

Brussels restaurant tip: Wolf Sharing Food Market: where to eat fast, good food in central Brussels

The Wolf Food Market

 

Highlights from the menu @ Wolf Food Market

• Belgian classics (vol-au-vent, bouillabaisse)
• Fish burgers, poke bowls, falafel, truffle pasta, ramen, Syrian bread—you name it, they’ve got it

This is a very cool concept that I hated the idea of at first. Wolf Food Market is a huge food court in a historic building in the center of Brussels. There are 16 restaurants of all types that can handle a total of 755 people, a bar, a brewery, and a chocolatier.

The design is uber cool and the variety of food is extensive—I dare you not to find something you’re craving. 

The strange thing here is that there are no servers taking orders. There are tablets. There are humans who cook your food, and they also bring you your food. But you’re in charge of ordering it and then also paying for it online.

Pretty cool, huh? I also appreciated that it’s fast, and there’s no language barrier and no stress. Perfect for introverts and those on a busy Brussels itinerary!

We ended up eating at Wolf Food Market twice. Once, because we didn’t have time to enjoy one of the proper top restaurants in Brussels and opted for a rushed lunch between museums, and once because every decent restaurant in Brussels was booked (or so it seemed) and we were hangry. The hummus and falafel stall was a standout for me. If you don’t want to eat at 5 pm like a retiree, this place is your emergency plan.

 

Wolf Food Market is Brussels’ go-to eatery for variety, flavor, and vibes. Try the hummus!

 

Behind the scenes at Wolf Food Market, where global street food meets stylish industrial vibes

 

Brussels restaurant tip: Le Rendez-Vous des Artistes—Belgian mussels and tartare near city center

The artsy design @  Le Rendez-Vous des Artistes

 

Highlights from the menu @ Le Rendez-Vous des Artistes

• Mussels in cream or wine sauce
• Beef tartare with fries
• Fillet steak or salmon
• Local and rare beer on tap 

Le Rendez-Vous des Artistes is a nice restaurant with Belgian cuisine. When we arrived, it was really crowded, but the waiters were friendly despite the rush. When service is on point, I’m the first one to notice and tell my readers about it—it makes all the difference.

That said, expect a language barrier Le Rendez-Vous. Our server knew maybe five words of English and I knew about three in French, but we still got exactly what we wanted, so I have zero reservations about recommending it highly on my best restaurants in Belgium list. 

Karin enjoyed her mussels, I was satisfied with my beef tartare and fries, and we both indulged in lots of Belgian Leffe beer. The food was great. I wouldn’t say fantastic, but solidly great. We have to stay real!

The only drawback of this restaurant during our visit is that although the food was served fast enough, the bill took a long time. It’s like they didn’t want to get paid. 

Pro tip: I don’t know who needs to hear this, but don’t expect ketchup with your fries. You’ll get mustard or mayo and you’ll be grateful.

 

Le Rendez-Vous des Artistes serves solid Belgian classics in a local atmosphere. I hate mussels, but my travel partner vouched for them

 

Pace yourself: Don’t overdo it with the beer!

Don’t try to keep up with the locals in beer consumption; they’re somehow immune (and you’re very likely not). My advice to you is that three Leffe beers are quite enough. Anything more and you’ll have to take a nap before trying to sightsee any further, and you’ll barely remember the amazing food you’ll eat in Brussels if you’re always downing the next pint.

 

SKIP this popular Brussels restaurant: Au Brasseur—An overrated tourist bar?

No shortage of alcohol at Au Brasseur
 

Au Brasseur is a busy bar that is riding the wave of some good reviews, but I’m here to rebel. The good reviews have to be from tourists that don’t know any better and have fun getting a tasting of beers on a wooden plank with no higher expectations.  

Sure, you get beer, but the service is awful. They are rude and look annoyed that customers want to order anything—especially if it’s not alcohol. It’s the kind of place that assumes you’ll never come back because you’re a tourist anyway, and I just felt it.  

No matter what time of day or night you visit, Au Brasseur is always packed. The inside is pretty small and feels sort of dodgy. But really, it’s mainly the personnel that make it feel like you should go elsewhere.

 

Au Brasseur serves fun beer flights, but the service felt annoyed, and it all just felt like a tourist trap

 

Bring cash, they don’t want your card

One other thing we felt annoyed about—and kind of trapped—was that they told us that they accept only cash after we made our order. Isn’t that something that should be made clear up front so that one of you doesn’t have to go running around looking for an ATM, while your travel partner sits there waiting? It was weird, and the annoyed server didn’t make it much better.

  

The best restaurants in Ghent, Belgium

A map showing where the highlights are—for sightseeing and eating in Ghent

 

I liked Ghent more than Bruges

 

Ghent is a medium-sized city with a very small city center, so you’ll see it easily in a day. The canals and cool, old buildings that line them, especially in the area called Graslei, give Ghent a very pleasant atmosphere.  

Check out my guide to the best things to see in Ghent for the full rundown.. You’ll need tickets in advance to visit some of the sights, so read up or else be left out of some attractions like we were.

My favorite hotel in Ghent: Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof

 

Ghent restaurant tip: Bridge—Classic Belgian dishes with cathedral views

Sitting right by St. Bavo’s Cathedral @ Bridge

 

Highlights from the menu @ Bridge

• Vol-au-vent
• Lasagna, shrimp pasta
• Stew (beef and rabbit), beef tartare
• Mussels
• Homemade desserts like moelleux and crème brûlée

Because of its amazing location next to Saint Bavo's Cathedral, all the food tasted even better at Bridge restaurant… or is that just a strange theory of mine? Never mind, it was awesome—I’m glad I got to experience it and can put it on this list of top restaurants in Belgium. I will say that hearing the church bells while eating added to the culinary experience.

The waiters at Bridge were extremely helpful and polite. The selection on the menu was satisfying without being overwhelming. Don’t expect a list of 30 mains, but a well-curated selection of everything from Belgian stew to pasta to dessert.

What the food was like

Classic Belgian stew with crispy fries at Bridge

 

Our food (stew and beef tartare) was freshly prepared and served in well-sized portions that made the slightly higher price still feel like good value. The fries we got with both main courses were to die for. The dessert was amazing, clearly made from scratch and not something they defrosted overnight.

I always scope out what people at other tables are getting, and I saw some gorgeous-looking lasagna that made me get FOMO for a hot second. It felt like you couldn’t go wrong with anything on the menu at Bridge—this is a top restaurant in Ghent for sure.

Pro tip: Try the rabbit stew—surprisingly tender, and one of the few places I’ve been to that served it properly de-boned. 

 

Ghent restaurant tip: ‘t Koningshuis—Best burgers in Belgium

Get your burgers on @ ‘t Koningshuis
 

Highlights from the menu @ ‘t Koningshuis

• Signature beef and veggie burgers
• Barbecue ribs
• Steak, pork chops
• Paper-bag fries fried in beef fat

Some people even say they had their best burger in their lives at ‘t Koningshuis, and I can’t fault them. At the very least, it’s the best burger I had in a restaurant in Belgium, and I strongly recommend a visit during your day in Ghent.

The burger I got was seasoned exceptionally well and came with a literal paper bag of fries. When I got them, I felt like our server was handing over state secrets—and honestly, judging by how good and still crispy they still were 15 minutes later, she probably was.

 

Juicy burger, perfect fries, classy sauces—‘t Koningshuis knows the vibe

 

Was the service as good as the burgers?

Yes! Service was fast and super friendly but not in an obnoxious way, and they know their meat. Our server talked me through the burger menu like she grilled them herself.

Get beer with your meat, obviously.

This standout restaurant in Ghent is surprisingly small and gets full especially on weekends, so make sure to book ahead if you want to guarantee yourself a table (they take online reservations).  

I genuinely have nothing bad to say about the place—and you know I try. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ghent, and it has the words “beef” and “burgers” right in the logo, so you know you’re in for a big, juicy plate of exactly what you came for—no salads in sight. Add the dark red interior and bullheads on the walls and you’ve got yourself a restaurant perfect for those looking for something extra mighty and meaty in Ghent.

 

The best restaurants in Bruges, Belgium

Your go-to map for things to do in Bruges—with must-see sights and top restaurant picks highlighted. Get my 1-day Bruges itinerary here

 

Bruges is the place I ate the best waffles in Belgium

 

My favorite thing about Bruges is the beer education (and tastings!) I got on the De Halve Maan brewery tour and the spectacular Bruges Beer Experience. One of those even topped my Best Museums in Belgium list! It’s a must-do in Bruges and it elevates your Belgian restaurant experiences in a way I can’t even describe.

Of course, Bruges is better-known for its Venice-like atmosphere with numerous canals chopping through the narrow alleys—make sure to do the canal boat tour. Oh, and expect lots of tourist crowds on a day trip from Brussels.

My hotel tip for Bruges if you want more than a day trip: Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce

 

A visit to De Halve Maan Brewery is a must for beer lovers

 

Bruges restaurant tip: De Gastro—Best traditional Belgian food without the crowds

"Things worth having are worth waiting for." – Hungry us waiting for the order @ De Gastro

 

Highlights from the menu @ De Gastro

• Filet mignon, steak tartare
• Beef carbonnade
• Fish stew, coq au vin
• Mussels
• Fantastic tasting menus

De Gastro is a family-owned restaurant in Bruges that specializes in traditional Belgian and French dishes, notably authentic beef carbonnade—a rich stew made with Belgian beer. I know what you’re thinking, “Another stew?!” But they just make them so good in Belgium! I couldn’t miss out.

 

 

While we were out and about in Bruges, we happened to check TripAdvisor and came across this cozy place. Don’t you just love it when you find a great restaurant at the exact moment you start feeling hungry?

 

@ De Gastro—beef stew and sweet finale

 

I liked that the staff was welcoming and attentive, and there was a feeling of togetherness throughout our entire visit. We felt right at home and got a great (though kind of small) table by the window, so we got a side of people-watching with our meal.

Was the food worth the price?

Our food—the filet mignon and a beef stew—was presented exceptionally beautifully and tasted great. The price we paid (about EUR 25 per main) was more than justified by the quality of the meal.

 

Bruges restaurant tip: Otto Waffle Atelier—Best handmade waffles in Bruges

These waffles are some kind of wonderful

 

Highlights from the menu @ Otto Waffle Atelier

• Fresh butter waffles made to order
• Seasonal fruit specials
• Made with only real ingredients

Otto Waffle Atelier is one of the best waffle shops in Belgium! And you can’t make a list of Belgium’s top restaurants without including at least one waffle joint.

Made from scratch with just the freshest ingredients, Otto’s waffles are to die for. Or at least to get fat for. You’ll realize you can find crappy waffles all over Bruges, but it’s finding the good ones that’s the challenge.

Otto’s is just a small café-type place with minimal seating, so be ready to walk and waffle.  

Otto and his wife ensure that everything is made to the highest standard. I could see the joy making waffles brought them when I was ordering. It’s like they just opened, that kind of positive, buzzing energy.

They make classic waffles, as well as seasonal creations. The girl who ordered in front of us wanted a Nutella waffle. The server just smiled and made her a gorgeous waffle with melted Belgian chocolate. Oh, those tourists… We got fruit as a topping and it was perfect.

 

Fresh strawberries and pomegranate on a delicious waffle from Otto Waffle Atelier

 

Pro tip: In the kitchen that is open to the public, you can watch how they prepare their famous waffle mix. 

 

Bruges restaurant tip: Christophe—The best steak in Bruges

The best steaks in Belgium are served @ Bistro Christophe

 

Highlights from the menu @ Bistro Christophe

• Filet steak
• Shrimp croquettes
• Rabbit bourguignon
• Crème brûlée and seasonal desserts

Bistro Christophe was recommended to me by a travel buddy as a superb restaurant, and the advice was absolutely justified—thanks Johnny! The food was fantastic! As a bonus, the service was professional, and the prices were very reasonable.  

We nearly walked past it because the exterior looks more like a wine bar than a fine-dining spot. Inside, it’s relaxed but proper. You don’t want to be wearing a hoodie or flip-flops at the restaurant in Bruges.

 

Classic steak and croquette combo at Bistro Christophe in Bruges

 

We shared the degustation menu and ordered the best steak in Belgium. Seriously, the moment I smelled that thing I knew Bistro Christophe was going on my best restaurants in Belgium list.

The créme brulée was also very nice.  The chef actually came out to chat after dessert and even gave us a recommendation for a nearby jazz bar. To be honest, it felt more like a private dinner party than a restaurant. 

 

Sweet finale at Bistro Christophe: chocolate mousse and a flaming crème brûlée

 

Final thoughts on restaurants in Belgium

Belgium might not shout about its food like Italy or France, but it absolutely knows what it’s doing. This is comfort food nation, so you’re predestined to leave every good restaurant in Belgium feeling happy and full.

I found that the best restaurants in Belgium are the ones that don’t try too hard—just fresh ingredients, local pride, and staff who clearly know what they serve and how to sell it to the customer.

If you want to dig deeper into what makes Belgian food worth the calories, check out my full guide to what to eat and drink in Belgium.

 

You might also be interested in reading:

• Belgium Itinerary: 7 Days in the Heart of Europe!
• Belgium Travel Tips: 19 Things That Will Make Your Trip Easier
• The Top 15 Museums in Belgium: From Comics to Beer
• 7 Best Day Trips from Brussels (Includes Train Details)

 

 

Mini-Europe in Brussels is full of fun details

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