I have to say, I really didn’t give Brussels much credit. My plan for the weekend was to stop in Belgium for a day before heading to Amsterdam. What I really wanted to do was train to the city of Brugges which is an hour away from Brussels, but with just 24 hours, there wasn’t enough time. Before I got to Brussels, the perception I had of this city revolved around its food. I figured if there was a city known for the best chocolate and french fries in the world, then maybe this place was worth checking out.
My first real impression of Brussels shocked me. I was taken back by how magical it was. Maybe it was the uneven cobblestone streets or the uniquely different brick buildings, or even the chilling breeze of winter sweeping through the city, but what ever it was, it made it beautiful. Another plus was all the specialty chocolate shops that were on every street corner between the one euro waffle shops. Seriously… How could you not love it here?
As soon as we got to our hostel, we wasted no time in finding the best waffles in town. We went to a place called the Waffle Factory which was right in the heart of the city. You had the option to choose from three different types of waffles. The Belgian (lighter and crispier), the Leige (more biscuit like with sugar crystals baked into it), or the Waffine (thin waffle with the toppings baked inside). I had to try the Leige waffle with melted Belgian chocolate and whipped cream. This waffle blew any ordinary waffle that I have ever eaten out of the water. Nothing even compares, it was on its own level.
After feeling 10 pounds heavier, we decided the perfect thing to do was to join a free walking tour around the city to burn off a few extra calories. We found out about this tour through our hostel and it took about two hours. This was honestly the best decision we could have made considering we were so restricted on time. In two hours we got to see the Grand Place, churches, parks, historical monuments, the Manneken Pis (which was not dressed in a costume) and most importantly where we could find the cheapest beers and the best french fries in all of Brussels (which we of course went to later that evening).
Before dinner, the majority of my friends wanted to rest for a few hours but for me there was no way I would be wasting my time when we still hadn’t visited a chocolate shop! I dragged Hunter with me to a shop called Leonidas that is known for their handcrafted chocolate pralines (truffles and bon bons). The woman working offered us each a sample of their newest creation which seemed to be a dark chocolate with a raspberry filling truffle. This small truffle was by far the best chocolate I had ever put in my mouth. I ended up buying a few of those and a few others that she recommended. Even Hunter couldn’t resist buying himself a couple for the road.
Although I could have spent the rest of my time in Leonidas sampling chocolate, we had to go swing by the hostel to get the rest of the group for dinner. Our tour guide recommended an area near the Grand Place that was lined with restaurants. Back in the day this area was the towns meat market. Now visitors come to this spot to sample Brussels well known mussels and french fries. We found a spot that offered a bucket of briny mussels, a plate of french fries and a beer for just 10 euros. This was once again a great meal! Brussels cuisine just continued to amaze me.
After Dinner we headed to a few bars to sample some local beers. Even I, who just recently started liking beers, had to have a few samples. One of the most popular bars in Brussels is the Delirium Cafe. This bar holds the record for having the biggest beer selection in the entire world and attracts a busy crowd late each night.
Our last stop for the night was Fritland. Fritland is known for there incredibly fresh french fries. They also have a large selection of dipping sauces from sweet to spicy to more traditional which in Europe is mayonnaise. We paired our fries with a spicy wasabi sauce and it was down right perfection. After our last late night snack, we had officially eaten our way through Brussels.
I would go back to this city in a heartbeat. I fell in love with Brussels for its charm. I felt like I was in the middle of a quaint village in some areas but would then be reminded I was in a large city when in the center of the lavish Grand Place. Whether you consider yourself a foodie or not, there are endless things to eat and places to see in this hidden gem of a city. I can now give Brussels the credit that it truly deserves. This city should never be underestimated, for it is unforgettable.
No Comments