Gastronomy

Flanders

The northern part of Belgium is known as Flanders. All Flemish towns are brimming with quaint medieval squares, tree-lined canals, gorgeous architectural facades, world class museums, trendy fashion and designer boutiques, and friendly outdoor cafés perfect for sipping on one of the many hundreds of different local beers. And – not to forget – the best chocolate in the world...Travelling to Flanders is an unforgettable experience!

Flanders is a gourmet's paradise, boasting many Michelin star-rated restaurants with skilled master chefs serving mouth-watering local produce.

Flanders is particularly famous its â never say French!â fries. Belgian fries are often eaten with mayonnaise or served with mussels fresh from the North Sea, or with Flemish beef stew that is actually cooked with beer.

Chicory or Belgian endive is a popular vegetable, as are, of course, Brussels sprouts. Seafood is plentiful and trout is fished in the rivers. And a local specialty like waterzooi is in fact a soup which is more like a stew.

Sweet tooth? Belgian waffles are not to be missed...

Not to Miss

Fries

Fries are part of Belgian culinary and cultural heritage. Even if they are sometimes referred to as French Fries there is nothing French about them. A favorite place to sample our fries is at a "frietkot" or "fritures", which are outdoor vendors who sell – you guessed it – Belgian fries. There are more than 4000 "frietkotten" throughout Belgium and many carry a selection of over 50 dipping sauces to choose from. And – you never guessed – there's even a fries museum!

Mussels

Mussels and fries is a classic dish, famous throughout the world, and there’s nowhere better to experience it than in one of the many fishing villages and towns along the Flemish coast. Fresh from the North Sea, mussels are traditionally served in a black cooking pot, and are boiled to taste with a light seasoning of fresh greens.

Grey Shrimp

Another unique Flemish seafood product is the Flemish grey shrimp. Often described as the ‘queen of seafood’, they have a greyish-pink colour, and are far smaller and have a more pronounced taste than the more common, larger, pink shrimps. A traditional way of eating these shrimps is to have them stuffed in tomatoes with lemon juice and mayonnaise, also known as "Tomaat Garnaal". Or freshly boiled, accompanied by a draft of Rodenbach, a barrel-aged sour beer in the Flemish red style. Mmm...

Beef Stew

Beef stew cooked in beer has long been part of the culinary heritage of Flanders, and it is still one of the most popular stews.

Paling in’t Groen

"Paling in’t Groen" or eel in green sauce is a traditional Flemish dish of international renown. The dish developed as many fisherman caught eels in the river Scheldt, with folklore stating that the dish should be prepared with whatever fresh herbs were found on the riverside, such as parsley, mint, spinach, sorrel and watercress. To connoisseurs, the sauce is what makes this dish unique.

Waterzooi

Waterzooi is a local speciality from Ghent. In the Middle Ages this traditional soup was usually prepared with fish from the rivers Lys or Scheldt. Later housewives opted to use chicken instead of fish. Nowadays you just choose what you like best!

Flemish Asparagus

The typical Flemish asparagus is white, and tastes a little sweeter and much tenderer than the green asparagus. It is generally harvested from late April to early June. In Flanders, due to the short growing season and high demand for local produce, asparagus commands a premium and is often nicknamed "white gold".

Mustard

A trip to Ghent’s most famous mustard purveyor, Tierenteyn Verlent, is a pleasant and surprising experience. Housed in a listed building, this famous speciality of Ghent has been trading the powerful condiment to the public since 1790.