Dining in Belgium

Many locals and tourists consider Belgian cuisine Europe's second finest cuisine (after the French). The main dishes are preferably based on meat and fish. Usually the food is livened up with herbs and spices. It goes without saying that it is very difficult to refuse trying Belgium food. The country is renowned for the variety of chocolate. Belgian became the main country-importer of chocolate. Main chocolate manufacturers are Neuhaus, Guylian, Godiva and Cote d'Or. Chocolate shops can be found throughout the country. One of the top deserts in restaurants is the Waffles with whipped cream and chocolate sauce on top. There are two types: the Brussels and the Liège waffle. The Brussels waffle is rectangular in shape, golden brown on the outside and eaten with a knife and fork. It is often served with sugar, whipped cream, ice-cream, strawberries and chocolate. The Liège waffle is denser in texture, has a burnt sugar coating on the outside and is sold by street vendors throughout the country.

Practically nobody knows that it were the Belgians who invented the French fry. Every second dish in the country is served with fries. Mussels with fries, steak and salad with fries – all these can be considered to be the representatives of Belgian cuisine. Belgian beer is another pride of the country. There are more than 500 different varieties of it. So, no other country in the world offers so many kinds of beer. The most famous manufacturer is Inbev, which has become the world number one brewer. Every region of the country is characterized by its own specialties. Among them Smoutebollen (a fried pastry), Waterzooi (soup with added chicken or fish), Choesels (traditional Flemish dish, which is cooked in Lambic beer) and many others.