I’m a big waffle fan in general, but to visit a country that’s known for their delicious waffles? I was ecstatic. Visiting Brussels, I had one major goal in mind: to find the best waffles in Brussels!
Did I eat an ungodly amount of waffles? Yes.
Did I succeed in my mission? Mostly no.
Try to keep from drooling over these babies….
Trust me, my mission failure was NOT due to a lack of trying. I just didn’t expect there to be SO MANY waffle places in Brussels! Seriously, I’d venture to say there are 1 or 2 waffle places on every street in the city! While I visited many, many waffle shops, I did not visit nearly enough to claim one shop as the best among all.
What I did learn though? Brussels has some durn good waffles. It didn’t matter if I spent €1 or €5, I was never disappointed. If you want good waffles in Brussels, it is not hard to find them.
But, through my over eating of carby goodness extensive research, I have been able to compile this guide to help you through your Brussels waffle-eating ambitions.
The one time it’s okay to take food from a van…
A Brief History
The Belgian Waffle dates all the way back to the Middle Ages. However, it was not the same sweet treat that we know today. Waffles were very similar to crackers, made with grain flour and water, and typically eaten with soups. As people began to add sweeteners and yeast to their batter, the waffle as we know it came to be. In the 19th century, the popularity of waffles exploded and people began to add small waffle shops to their homes. Waffles became popular throughout the world when a Belgian man named Maurice Vermersch sold the traditional Brussels waffle during the 1964 World’sFair in New York City.
A Brussels Waffle in historic Grand Place
A Tale of Two Waffles
What you may not know is that there are actually two different types of waffles in Brussels. The first is the Brussels Waffle (pictured above). They are made with a batter to create a perfectly rectangular shape. The Brussels Waffle is very light and airy, with a delicious crunch to the outside. They are also typically less sweet in flavor.
The second type of waffle is the Lieges Waffle. These are more popular around Belgium and will usually be what you’re served in waffle shops. The Liege Waffle is typically more of an oval shape and dense. It is made with a dough that has large sugar crystals mixed within. When these sugar crystals meet the hot waffle iron, they carmelize and harden, giving the Liege Waffle a sweet, slightly sticky exterior.
What About Toppings?
Today, the waffle is usually thought of as a sugary and syrup-drenched breakfast item. However, a true Belgian waffle can be eaten at any time, and does not require any toppings for it to be delicious. In fact, most Belgians will eat their waffles plain, or with a sprinkling of powdered sugar only. But this does not mean you should eat all your waffles this way. I recommend a healthy balance of plain waffles with heavily topped waffles.
When searching for waffles in Brussels, you will find the combinations of toppings to be seemingly endless. From chocolate, caramel, or nutella, to delicious fresh fruits and whipped cream, you will want to try new toppings with each waffle you eat. If you are trying a Brussels waffle, I recommend getting some kind of topping to help sweeten the waffle. Liege waffles are genuinely best plain and hot, but feel free to add toppings as you desire. Just know that more toppings = more money. My favorite toppings? Either just fresh cream, or nutella with banana.
Toppings on toppings on toppings
My Recommendations
While I may not have been able to say where to find the best waffles in Brussels, I did visit many places where I found the waffles to be very satisfactory. Here are just a few of the places I recommend, but please don’t let them deter you from trying other places too!
Le Funambule
I walked past Le Funambule during my first hour in Brussels. There was a huge crowd gathered around the open window, and it looked like a tour guide was telling the crowd all about the shop and Belgian waffles. I made a mental note to return when the crowds weren’t around. Fast forward to the last day of my trip, when I was hangry and had a mad case of the grumps. I remembered Le Funambule and immediately headed to the shop. With a liege waffle covered in nutella and banana slices, I immediately felt better. Le Funambule is very close to Grand Place and has lots of options for toppings.
They’ve also opened a new location near the Mannekin Pis. Of course I had to make sure this one was good too, and went with a strawberries and cream liege waffle!
Maison Dandoy
Most people will tell you Maison Dandoy is where you can get the best waffles in Belgium. For me, I didn’t find them any better or worse than other waffles I had. There are a few different locations within Brussels, but the main one is on Rue Charles Buls (very close to Grand Place). They have a lovely tea room on the top floor where you can sit and try many different waffles. It is cheaper, however, to take your waffle on the go.
The Place Next Door to Maison Dandoy
I did not catch the name of this little hole in the wall next to Maison Dandoy. It’s easy to spot due to the sign advertising waffles for only €1,50. I was curious to see how the cheap waffle compared to the pricier ones of the next door shop, so I have it a try. You’ll have to note that the cheap waffles advertised are only for plain ones. Additional toppings will cost more.
Waffle Planet
This is another place to get your super cheap waffle fix. Located on Rue de l’Etuve, near the Manneken Pis statue, you’ll find a plain waffle advertised for just €1. Again, you’ll find that the more toppings you add, the more that price goes up. Don’t be afraid of the plain Liege waffle!
Waffle Factory
The Waffle Factory is a chain that can be found in Belgium, France, and even Dubai! But just because it’s not specifically unique to Brussels doesn’t mean it’s any less delicious. In addition to your typical choice between a lieges waffle and a Brussels waffle, The Waffle Factory has stepped up its creativity game and created the Lunchwaf. These are waffles that have been stuffed with your favorite lunch meats and veggies. If you’re looking for a waffle with a little something new, check out the Waffle Factory! Or, if you’re more of a waffle-traditionalist, their plain lieges waffles are quite tasty too.
Vitalgaufre
This place is taking the waffle scene in a whole new direction. Rather than adding toppings on top of the waffle, the folks at Vitalgaufre are baking new flavors right into the dough! You can choose from vanilla, cinnamon, raspberry, chocolate, or apple cinnamon flavors, and have a deluxe waffle experience without the extra mess of toppings. Vitalgaufre is probably not the location to visit for your first Belgian waffle experience, as the flavors are a bit different, but if you’re an advanced Belgian waffle connoisseur like me, it’s worth a try!
The Technique
Traditionally, Belgian waffles are meant to be eaten with just your hands. Busting out the cutlery to eat your waffle will make you stand out as a waffle-noob. Don’t even try to ask for a knife. Most places, however, will give you a small fork (and I mean teeny) with which you can eat your waffle. Now you’ve seen these pictures with just mountains of toppings on your waffle, so you may be wondering- how the heck do I eat a waffle with an itty bitty fork? Well: I have invented a great waffle eating technique so you can eat your waffle without making a mess.
When you get your waffle, you’ll probably want to find somewhere to sit. It’s best to have full concentration on your waffle. Next, examine your waffle and determine what size bite you want to take. Then, visually locate the perimeter of your first bite. Take your mini fork and employ the technique: I call it, The Stab ‘n Twist (patent pending…).
Basically, you work your way along the perimeter of your bite, stabbing into the waffle and twisting the fork to pull your bite away from the rest of the waffle. Do this until your bite is completely separated from the waffle and shove it into your mouth. Repeat until waffle disappears.
Eating waffles in Brussels is one of the most delicious ways to explore the city. Make sure to try many different kinds of waffles from many different places. And remember…calories don’t count when you’re abroad!
Spending a few days hunting down the best waffles in Brussels? Here’s my budget-friendly Brussels guide!
Are you a waffle fanatic? What are some of your favorite toppings?
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39 Comments
Wow. Waffle overload. You really dived into this culinary adventure. I’m sad to say I didn’t try the waffles in Brussels. They look pretty delicious though and I applaud your efforts while you were there.
this post has got me drooling! i didn’t know there were more than one type of waffle but thats probably because i usually just stuff my face as soon as i get one without even looking at it!
I didn’t know waffles were such a big deal here! I’ve never seen waffles with so many toppings on them. Now I really want one…
OMG I LOVE THIS! living in Germany we visited Belgium so many times and just stuffed our face full of waffles! I love that you tasted so many and gosh so many toppings, more than I have ever seen! My kids would love it!
Uff! Belgium is indeed heaven for waffle lovers. I remember eating some during my trip, they were amazing. I wished I had your guide to make most of my trip though! And your pics are amazing 🙂
These all look amazing! Although I would be looking for a savory version if I could find it. I’m impressed w/the prices. I thought they’d be more.
OMG, I love these waffles. It look good and I want chew it now. How many waffles did you enjoy?
Brussels is not to far from where my parents live so I’ll have to keep this in mind. Although you can probably also get good waffles in other Belgium city’s. Did you count how many waffles you tried?
Brussels is waffle central, ain’t it? When I was there, I was SO tempted by all of the one euro shops, but as waffles normally contain egg, I wasn’t able to indulge. I searched high and low for a vegan waffle store/stand/van, but couldn’t find any.
It looks like you had a great time doing your research! This is a helpful guide for any non-vegan visiting the city, as there truly are so many different varieties of the waffle! I just indulged on the beer. 😉
Oh dear goodness…did I ever enjoy this post! I was in Belgium for only a few hours layover this spring and got to try one of these amazing waffles. I had the chocolate dipped one and for me, it tasted just like donut dip in the United States. It was heavenly!! I would much prefer the one you show with the strawberry sauce filling up all the little inside squares. 😉
Some great waffle info there. Who knew there was more than one kind!? Waffles are tasty and I would definitely be up for sampling some if we were in Brussels. I think I would probably stick to what the locals eat, so plain or with some powdered sugar. I mean for €1 a waffle you can’t go wrong! Thanks for sharing a great post and for making me hungry, I’ll be sure to watch out for these and others if/when we make it there. Love C and D x
All of those toppings have me drooling!!! You have me wanting to go to Belgium just for the waffles! And I had no idea there were two different kinds, that’s good to know!
Yes, yes, yes to all of this!! I studied abroad in Brussels and have since visited like four or five times and I couldn’t agree more with your choice of waffle places! Great waffles, great beer and amazing chocolate… it’s basically my dream country hahaha.
I love waffles! i need to make some tomorrow after reading this post. Thanks for sharing!
Brussels is on my bucketlist. Love all your pictures!
It was fascinating reading about the history of Belgian waffles. Also, the information about waffles is really very interesting. Waffles are really a boon to the palate, would love to get my hands on some waffles in Brussels, hopefully, some day soon.
100% YES! Maison Dandoy is incredible! We couldn’t get enough of the waffles!
So many nice places! I didn’t know waffles were so legendary in Belgium. In France they have a cult following too, but I always end up making them at home =)
Great info — I’m dying to make it to Brussels! I love the backstory on waffles, too 🙂 Thanks for sharing (and making me really hungry)!
Oh, now I need to go to Belgium or buy a Belgian Waffle maker. I pick Belgium, really. Thank you for the guide.
What??!! One to two shops on every street? OMG I’m dying imagining the heaven I’d be in. And I must admit I’d love to see a video of your patent pending waffle eating technique. Thanks for the great food review here. Belgium just skyrocketed to the top of my European travel list.
OMG I need to try ALL of those waffles! I didn’t realize all the magnificent ways to enjoy them. So glad I found this post!
OMG, I am literally craving waffles right now and provided it’s midnight over here, I’ll have to do with the scrumptious pictures on your blog only 😀
Brussels has found a reason to be on my list now! Thanks for the tempting blog!
Ha Ha. Before I went to Brussels I never knew there would be so many varieties of waffles. I was never a waffle fan but I guess I still had more than my share out there. If you have been to Bruxelles and not had waffles then you have not been to bruxelles!
I want to go to there and eat that… YUM! We have an authentic Belgian waffle place here and it’s delicious!
Glad to see you talk about the two waffle types, I think that’s such a key thing to know when going waffle hunting in Brussels. You totally managed to try way more samples than I did, I’m so impressed. I need to go back and waffle me a bit more!!!!
Take me with you!! I could always try more 😉
Eating waffles in Brussels is still on my bucket list – I ate really good ones in Poland though! Thanks for great recommendations and yummy pics!
Girlfriend… I feel like we would hit it off so well. Just want to say thanks for the most entertaining, detailed article I ever could have asked for about waffles in Brussels. Didn’t think this quality of article existed yet I am soooo thankful I found yours! Thanks a million, let me know if you ever make it to Granada Spain.
HECK YES! Let’s hang out and eat waffles!! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Haha! I, too, ate so many waffles during one week in Brussels, it was ridiculous. I don’t own a scale, but my jeans were much tighter on the way home! Oddly enough, I ended up at the Churro & Waffle place more than once! Convenience, I guess!
I have to say, I hadn’t been sold on Brussells before but all these waffles looks so good that it’s going on the bucket list!
Yes! Eat ALL the waffles!
LOL I love that you made an entire post out of this!! When I was in Belgium for 48 with three of my friends, we made it our mission to eat at least 20 waffles (we ate 21, five of them were in the airport LOL).
Well done! 20 waffles is quite ambitious!
I am from Belgium and I eat my Brussels waffles only with sugar. But when I am in a tearoom, I almost always get a waffle mikado. This is with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce. Delicious. The same goes for the pancakes served this way 😉
Well it looks like I’ve still got research to do. That Mikado waffle definitely sounds like something I need to….investigate…
Yummmm. I definitely am craving a waffle now! And I need to visit Brussels – the only place I’ve visited in Belgium so far is Bruges!
Nooo! Bruges is pretty, but not as amazing as Ghent!