The Sweetest City on Earth: A Love Letter to Brussels, the Chocolate Capital of the World

A love letter to my favorite city on earth, Brussels, Belgium. The city of chocolate, the capital of Europe and the birthplace of Tintin and Hergé. The most beautiful, fun and interesting city I’ve ever been to with culture like you wouldn’t believe… and one of the best places in the world to eat chocolate! I absolutely fell in love with this city when I first visited it and I have returned over half a dozen times since then… and there are few cities in the world that I have visited as often as Brussels.

Things to do in Brussels

53 Fun Things to Do in Brussels, Belgium - TourScanner
  1. Indulge in some world-famous Belgian waffles.
  2. Sample traditional Belgian dishes like waterzooi and stoemp.
  3. Get a taste of the city’s chocolate culture with a visit to a local chocolatier or chocolate museum.
  4. Sip on some delicious Belgian beer.
  5. Visit one of Brussels’ many famous food markets, like the Vlaamse Markt or Marche aux Poissons. 6. Take a day trip to Bruges or Antwerp to explore more of Belgium’s food culture. Traditional foods in these areas include sausages (kroketten), French fries (frites), crepes (wafels), and patates frites. If you’re feeling adventurous, try vlaamsch moes, which is tripe stew served with potatoes that have been sliced into strips. In Antwerp, be sure to stop by La Friterie Belge for fresh French fries loaded up with toppings such as sauce moutarde and merguez sausages.

Where to eat in Brussels

14 Best Restaurants In Brussels 2022 For Hardcore Foodies

When it comes to food, Brussels has a lot to offer. From tasty food trucks to world-renowned restaurants, there’s something for everyone. And of course, let’s not forget the chocolate. The city is home to some of the best chocolatiers in the world, and you can find a taste of chocolate everywhere you go.

Here are some of our favorite places to eat in Brussels -L’Auberge Du Quartier Latin: Serving up traditional French cuisine with a twist, this place is great for dinner or lunch. You’ll want to order one of their famous cheese fondues for an appetizer, but make sure you save room for dessert too!
-Rue Antoine Dansaert Street: You’ll feel like you’re in Europe as soon as you walk down this street filled with bakeries and cafes. It’s the perfect place to enjoy coffee or fresh pastries during your morning stroll around town!
-Chez Léon de Bruxelles: Open since 1867, Chez Léon is famous for its delicious Belgian dishes that come at an affordable price. It doesn’t get more authentic than this!
-Benelux Brasserie: With three locations throughout the city, Benelux is known for being a little bit posh. Their menu includes such mouthwatering items as pan seared scallops and duck confit risotto.

What’s special about Belgian chocolate?

Why Belgian Chocolate Is SO Good? | Totally Chocolate

Belgian chocolate is some of the best in the world for a few reasons.
First, Belgium has a long history of chocolate-making, dating back to the early 1800s.
Second, Belgian chocolate is made with high-quality ingredients like cocoa butter and fresh milk.
Third, Belgian chocolate makers use traditional methods and recipes that have been passed down for generations.
Fourth, Belgian chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa than most other types of chocolate.
Fifth, many Belgian chocolatiers are small family-run businesses that take pride in their craftsmanship. Sixth, Belgium is home to some of the world’s most famous chocolate brands, such as Lindt, Godiva, and Neuhaus.
Seventh, Belgium exports over half of its chocolate.
Eighth, there are more than 400 varieties of Belgian chocolates to choose from!
Ninth, there are annual festivals celebrating all things chocolatey!
And tenth, Belgians eat about 12 kg (26 lbs) of chocolate per person each year – more than any other country in the world! What does this mean? It means we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to delicious treats in Brussels. Here are just a few examples of what you can find around town if you’re looking for something sweet:
A wide variety of delicious pastries at Pierre Marcolini and Plaisir Sucré
Chocolate-covered strawberries at Fauchon Chocolaterie Artisanale
Handmade bonbons filled with homemade ganache at Willaert & Dandoy
Traditional pralines at Jean Neuhaus or Van Haaren’s.

Finding a good cafe and beer

Very good beer bar - Reviews, Photos - The Beer Cafe - Tripadvisor

There’s nothing quite like finding the perfect cafe in a new city. A place where you can sit back, relax, and people watch. And in Brussels, there are plenty of great cafes to choose from. But what makes a cafe perfect? For me, it has to have good coffee and beer. And luckily, Brussels has no shortage of either. In fact, this city is known for its great beer and chocolate. So if you’re looking for the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee or a pint of beer, Brussels is the place to be. Here are some suggestions that might suit your taste buds.

There’s Le Grand Chocolatier, which specializes in both chocolates and Belgian beers-not surprising considering their name! The menu is filled with great pastries and desserts as well as beers with flavors like banana and honey, apple gingerbread, blueberry pie…the list goes on! I also really liked Pourquoi Pas, which specializes in (you guessed it) Belgian beers.

They have over 100 different types of beer available at any given time. If you don’t know what type of Belgian beer to order, they even offer tasting flights so you can try out several types before making a decision! My personal favorite was La Ferme du Mont Noir, which specializes in organic beers made with ingredients grown locally. On top of all that, their food looked amazing and tasted delicious too! As someone who likes to stay active while traveling, Brussels is a city that offers plenty of options for outdoor activities. One popular option is called Walloon Tiki Trail and it takes you through one of the many forest parks in Brussels. It includes 14 km of biking trails and 9 km of walking trails; all told, it covers about 30 acres total. When I wasn’t busy exploring the outdoors though, I loved going to Musée Magritte – an art museum dedicated entirely to the works of René Magritte – or visiting Palais de Justice – home to Belgium’s Supreme Court.

cuisine

Belgian Food: 5 Must-Try Dishes in Brussels

When it comes to food, Brussels is best known for its chocolate. The city is home to some of the world’s most iconic chocolate brands, including Godiva, Leonidas, and Neuhaus. But there’s more to the city’s cuisine than just sweets. Traditional Belgian dishes like waterzooi (a chicken and vegetable stew) and stoemp (mashed potatoes with vegetables) are also popular. And of course, no visit to Brussels would be complete without trying a Belgian waffle or two.

You can find them at practically every street corner in the city, along with sweet toppings such as whipped cream, strawberries, and syrup. You may even want to pair your waffles with a hot cup of coffee or tea from one of Brussels’ many cafés. From restaurants in the touristy areas near Grand Place to cafés in Ixelles and Molenbeek, there’s no shortage of places to try Belgian food during your stay in this Sweetest City on Earth. To help you get started, here are five of our favorite dishes to order in Brussels

  1. Moules-frites – Mussels steamed in white wine and garlic, served with fries
  2. La Carbonnade Flamande – Braised beef with root vegetables cooked in beer sauce served over a crispy French bread slice
  3. Crepes suzette – Crêpes made from egg batter poured into a hot pan, cooked until browned on both sides, then covered with lemon juice, sugar, and butter before being set alight
  4. Waterzooi – Soup made from meat broth that usually includes poultry or fish and often has cabbage added as well; traditional accompaniments include French fries and small boiled eggs

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