Must-Try Dishes: Frites (Belgian fries) with various sauces served as street food or restaurant sides. Moules-Frites (mussels with fries) - iconic Belgian dish. Flemish stew - slow-cooked meat in beer. Waffles - both breakfast and dessert versions available. Cheese croquettes - fried delicacies. Carbonade Flamande - beef braised in dark beer.
Belgian Specialties: Belgium's chocolate is world-renowned - visit artisan chocolateries for pralines and confections. Belgian beer offers 1,000+ varieties from abbey breweries to microbreweries. Trappist beers from nearby monasteries are exceptional.
Dining Tips: Reserve restaurants for evening dining, especially weekends. Many traditional restaurants close Mondays and Tuesdays. Tipping 10-15% customary but not required (service charge often included). Menu of the day (plat du jour) offers excellent value at lunch. Casual cafés perfect for informal meals and coffee culture.
Restaurant Districts: Grand Place surrounds with tourist-friendly dining; side streets offer authentic local restaurants with better value. Rue de la Chaussée has diverse dining options. Evening passeggiata (strolling) before dinner is local tradition.