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The concept of the Belgian waffle — a big, pillowy treat with loads of whipped cream and maple syrup — actually originated in the United States, but that’s not to say that waffles aren’t a national food in Belgium.
People love Belgian waffles for their light, fluffy texture, and deep grid squares, perfect for holding toppings like fresh fruit, whipped cream, and maple syrup. They’re a delightful indulgence for breakfast or dessert.
Belgians know our “Belgian waffle” as the Brussels waffle, which (shocker) is commonly found in Brussels. It’s light, fluffy, and typically eaten without a fork or knife. Many bakeries also serve Liege waffles, dense treats made with a brioche-like dough; they’re eaten by hand, and they’re rarely served with toppings. Neither waffle is ever served with syrup.
A third variety, stroopwafel, is popular in Belgium, but Danish in origin. Literally “syrup waffles,” these dense treats store well, so they’re great for taking on your plane ride home.
Now that you’ve got a basic understanding of Belgium’s waffle culture (and that’s not a sentence we thought we’d write today), you need to know where to find them. Here are a few of Belgium’s best bakeries, tea rooms, and cafes for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Where To Get The Best Waffles In Belgium
Be Waffle, Brussels
No trip to Brussels would be complete without a turn around the city’s historic Grand Place. There’s so much to see at this UNESCO World Heritage site, though, that you’re liable to get awfully hungry before you head back to your hotel. Luckily, Be Waffle on Rue de l’Etuve is just off the square.
Stop in for a plump, square waffle or a rounded, street-style Liege waffle, and then go crazy with the toppings. Load up your dough with chocolate, whipped cream, fruit, or anything your sweet tooth desires. That should fortify you for the rest of your exploration of Grand Place.
Maison Dandoy, Brussels
Maison Dandoy is a tea room and boutique with 10 locations across Belgium, so chances are you’ll spend some time near one of them. The shops serve both Liege and Brussels waffles every day, and the company’s website makes an impassioned plea to travelers to respect both varieties. That’s a culinary position that we can get behind.
You’ll also find a variety of cakes, cookies, and speculoos (spiced, crunchy Christmas biscuits), all of which are well worth a try. Speculoos, in particular, make great souvenirs.
Chez Albert, Bruges
Waffles are ultimately a street food, and while Chez Albert won’t win any awards for restaurant design, it sells some of the best Brussels-style waffles in Bruges. You’ll order takeaway from the small storefront, choosing from a variety of toppings and sauces.
Try to keep your first order fairly simple, since the sweet, light flavor of the batter is wonderful on its own. That said, if you can’t resist the urge to pile on strawberries, chocolate, and whipped cream, we won’t blame you.
Wafelhuis Van Hecke, Antwerp
People in Belgium tend to eat their waffles while they’re strolling down the street, but if you’re looking to sit down for a hearty brunch, head to Wafelhuis Van Hecke.
According to the chef, the waffles follow a recipe handed down for generations, and the toppings certainly don’t hurt — you can dress your waffle up with ice cream, shaved chocolate, whipped cream, and fruit, all of which are meticulously prepared for a gourmet experience.
Eight And Three, Brussels
Eight and Three is a sit-down restaurant, though as reviewers note, it’s often crowded, and the food is served on disposable plates. In other words, if you’re lucky enough to find a spot to sit, you’ll probably feel like moving on fairly quickly.
The Belgian waffles here are slightly thinner than those you’d get at other restaurants, but that’s not a negative; they’re delightfully crisp and perfectly sweet, ideal for topping with the various sweets that make up most of the menu.
The Smallest Waffle Shop In The World, Antwerp
Looking for a quick taste of an authentic Belgian waffle while you’re strolling the streets of Antwerp? As its name implies, The Smallest Waffle Shop in the World is a tiny single-countertop bakery in the Meir neighborhood.
The restaurant might be minuscule, but the Belgian waffles here pack plenty of sweetness into each sumptuous bite. You’ll find Liege waffles and Brussels waffles covered in chocolate and other toppings, and while you’ll have to eat your breakfast on the go, you’ll certainly leave satisfied.
Eugene Glutenvrije Bakkerij, Antwerp
Eugene Glutenvrije Bakkerij offers an incredible array of delightful gluten-free goodies, including (you guessed it) waffles. The baker has celiac disease, which Eugene’s website describes as a “big advantage.”
Given the bakery’s long list of five-star reviews, we’d say that they’ve got a fair point.
Vegan Waffle, Brussels
There are maybe one or two other places place in Brussels to get a vegan-friendly and gluten-free Belgian waffle, but Vegan Waffle’ is the best. Located close to the Grand Palace in the city center, Vegan Waffle specializes in plant-based waffles made from natural ingredients.
Vegan Waffle Belgian waffles retain a delightful texture and consistency despite being vegan and are accompanied by a wide array of vegan-friendly toppings to choose from. Moreover, Veganwaf offers plant-based ice creams, ensuring that vegans can indulge fully in Belgian waffles when visiting.
House of Waffles, Bruges
Known for consistent quality, sweet and savory options, and both a to-go window and a dine-in restaurant, House of Waffles is one of the best Belgian waffle shops in Bruges. Many waffle shops will constantly make waffles and then pile them up so they can immediately serve customers, but House of Waffles always makes your waffle fresh. This makes a world of difference.
If you dine in, you’ll have more sweet and savory options, but you should probably go for some savory Belgian waffle magic which they are famous for. Look up the Spicy Guacamole topped with spicy avocado cream with tomato salsa, or the Italiano Vero with buffalo mozzarella, arugula, tomato, pesto, and balsamic.
FAQs
What Are Belgian Waffles?
Belgian waffles are a variety of waffles with a lighter pancake batter, larger squares, and deeper pockets than American waffles. Belgian waffles originally used yeasted batter, but now often use baking powder. Also, the Belgian waffle iron has a deeper grid pattern than the regular waffle iron.
How Many Types of Belgian Waffles Are There?
Two types of Belgian waffles, the Brussels Waffles and the Liege Waffles. The Brussels Waffles were introduced to the United States at the 1964 World’s Fair in NYC as the ‘Belgian Waffle’. As most Americans had no idea where Brussels was, the name ‘Belgian Waffle’ stuck.
What Is the Most Popular Belgian Waffle Maker in the U.S.?
It’s Famous Belgian Waffles. After five productive years, Famous Belgian Waffles now boasts over 500 locations, with one recently opened in San Diego, California, and more on the horizon.
What Is the Difference Between Brussels and Liege Belgian Waffle?
Brussels style of a Belgian waffle is rectangular, has a thin batter, and is coated with powdered sugar. Liege Belgian waffle uses a thicker batter more like bread dough and has unevenly shaped edges. Toppings vary from whipped cream, chocolate, butter, vanilla ice cream, or fresh fruit.
Do Belgians Eat Their Waffles for Breakfast?
No, Belgians really wouldn’t eat waffles for breakfast. What people in the U.S. eat for breakfast is considered a dessert or snack in Europe, like French Toast. Eating waffles is reserved for tea time, long after lunch but too early for dinner.
