We try Belgian waffles in Belgium

You can't be in Belgium without trying Belgian waffles, right? So, how should you eat waffles in Belgium, and which waffles are the best? We've tried waffles both the Belgian way and the classic tourist way. Which waffles do you crave the most?

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Belgian waffles 'for real'

There are basically two types of waffles in Belgium: 'Brussels waffle with sugar' and 'Gaufre de Liege'. The first variant is square with icing sugar on top, and the second variant is more oval, with no visible sugar on top.

These two types of waffles can be bought natural everywhere and cost €2 or €2.50 (at least here in the centre of Brussels). According to the Belgians themselves, this is exactly how waffles should be eaten - natural. The ones you see with lots of toppings - those are the tourist ones.

Belgiska våfflor i Belgien — Brussels waffle with sugar and Gaufre de Liege

belgiska våfflor — Belgians queue up to buy natural Belgian waffles here.

READ MORE: Belgian beer - and Belgian breweries
READ MORE: 18 things to do in Brussels as a tourist

Tourist waffles in Belgium

What you might see most in the centre of Brussels, and in other Belgian tourist destinations such as Bruges, are the 'tourist waffles' with lots of different toppings. These are basically classic Belgian waffles, either "Brussels waffle with sugar" or "Gaufre de Liege".

You can then choose one or more toppings, such as cream, ice cream in different flavours, different fruits, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or even nutella. These waffles cost considerably more than the natural ones, perhaps around EUR 5.50.

Våfflor Bryssel — Tourist waffles in Brussels with different toppings

Våfflor med topping — Even more topping variations!

Everywhere and in different ways

Waffles are indeed sold everywhere and in different ways. In the centre of Brussels there are lots of small shops and stalls selling waffles. There are also cute little "waffle cars". And maybe you want your waffle in a different way? Well, you can choose to eat it in a cone!

Våffelbil — Waffle truck in the centre of Brussels

våfflor i strut — Pieces of Belgian waffles served in a cone

READ MORE: 4 great restaurants in Brussels
READ MORE: Local specialities in restaurants in Ghent

We try waffles in Belgium

Of course we wanted to try waffles in Belgium! Peter tried a "tourist waffle" with strawberries and ice cream. I (Helena) tried a classic "Gaufre de Liege" without topping. We found the waffles on Rue de l'Etuve/Stoof straat, near the Grand Place/Grote Markt.

What we thought? Ice cream and strawberries were a really good topping and the waffle felt a bit more "luxurious". On the other hand, a warm, crispy and natural waffle was also delicious. The advantage of the natural waffle (in addition to being significantly cheaper) is that you can hold it in your hand more easily and that you get something warm when the weather is rough.

Våfflor i Belgien — Peter tests waffle with vanilla ice cream and strawberries

klassisk belgisk våffla — Helena tests a traditional natural waffle.

How do the waffles fit?

The waffles are big, so how do you fit them in your stomach? Well, you run around and tour a lot! We have not only hung out at bars in Brussels, but we have also walked around a lot ...

The pedometer (available as an app on the iPhone) is proof of this! Last Saturday, for example, we walked 17.6 kilometres, took 24,700 steps and climbed 41 floors. So a waffle is a good thing! What have we seen? We'll tell you more soon!

11 December 2018 6:00

Belgium, Food and drink

cafes, exotic food, Food and drink, sweets, metropolis

Helena

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32 Comments

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Kenneth Risberg says:

There was plenty of exercise. Then a waffle is a bit of a reward. Should have done like Peter, ice cream with strawberries?

11 December 2018 - 6:09

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  You walk a lot without thinking about it when travelling in the city 😉.
  
  11 December 2018 - 13:34
  
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Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Of course you should try local delicacies! I would definitely prefer your natural version.
Travelling in cities requires well-worn shoes and a regular supply of carbohydrates.
A bit of fun with pedometers: One day we managed 21 km in Berlin, even though we had a ticket for a Hop-on Hop-off bus. (Then we missed the last bus to the hotel).

11 December 2018 - 6:15

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Agree that comfortable shoes, and clothes for the weather, are important when travelling in the city! And by all means a little replenishment from time to time 😉 21 km was not bad!!!!
  
  11 December 2018 - 13:36
  
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Reiselinda says:

You were definitely worth a waffle after all that movement! I like chocolate/nutella and strawberries on my waffle when I'm in Belgium, but I might try the natural version next time too. I had never reflected that it was tourist waffles that have topping.

11 December 2018 - 7:43

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We end up learning that the waffles with topping are "tourist waffles", but there's nothing wrong with eating them for that 😉.
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:10
  
  Reply
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Oh, Belgian waffles are one of my favourite things. There should be no topping but just plain Gaufre de Liege. When I've been to Brussels, I've usually just bought them from a stall down in the metro and eaten them on the way to the next stop 🙂 .

11 December 2018 - 8:28

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  Helena says:
  
  Perfect on the road snacks 🙂
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:11
  
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Ama de casa says:

I think those types of waffles are too thick. No, they should be the ones my grandmother made when I was little, thin and with queen's jam and cream 🙂 ).
I don't even think those waffles look good... Haha! Maybe it's a good thing that there is something I avoid eating 😀.

11 December 2018 - 8:45

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  Helena says:
  
  Thin waffles are also good, I agree! But I liked that waffle as well 🙂 ðŸ™'
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:12
  
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Emma, Sol som sol? says:

Here in Spain you can also order Belgian style waffles, goufres. I shared one with a girl friend of my son and it was the right choice. Brought Nutella and we had to scrape off, it was too much. Next time I'll ask for it on the side. The son brought jam and cream, soaked it with. In the shops you can buy them in bags, I tried them and put them in the toaster. Works great to crisp up regular Swedish waffles that way, by the way! Also, we bought a waffle iron (or it was part of the sandwich iron, interchangeable plates) for Belgian.

We now know that we like the thin Swedish ones better.

But of course, buying on the spot as you did, walking around and enjoying and munching on - then it is certainly a completely different thing and tastier!

11 December 2018 - 8:50

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, interesting with the toaster! 😉 An advantage of the natural ones I thought was that they keep the crispy feeling 😉.
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:14
  
  Reply
  - Emma, Sol som sol? says:
    
    Often you make so many waffles that you can't do it all and then they lie there like some flabby soles on the plate. Bloody boring ...
    
    I tried putting them in the toaster mostly out of curiosity and yep! The toaster is great for heating and crisping waffles! Just make sure they don't get too "crispy" from the fat.
    
    Some people cook fish fingers in the toaster. I would not recommend waffles as a dessert in that case. But it's great with creme fraiche and onion roe on waffles! And preferably some onions too! Guuuu so good!
    
    14 December 2018 - 17:14
    
    Reply
Steve says:

The tourist waffles look undeniably delicious, but if you're travelling for a long time, you'll probably have to cut down on your walks to the same extent as your Saturday walk.
Manneken Pis also pees on waffles, I see.

11 December 2018 - 11:25

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  Helena says:
  
  The Manneken Pis was very popular to depict everywhere 😉.
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:15
  
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Ditte says:

Belgium and different waffles belong together. Thank you for the tasty samples through nice photos.

11 December 2018 - 12:31

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, very Belgian! 😉
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:15
  
  Reply
JoY says:

I can't remember buying a Belgian waffle, I think they are a bit too thick for my taste. If it were to happen, it would probably be one like Peter took with cream and biscuits. Do not like when it is dry hahaha
Hugs to you

11 December 2018 - 16:47

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  Helena says:
  
  Cream or ice cream and strawberries go well 🙂 .
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:16
  
  Reply
Rolle o Carina says:

Surely waffles are good, and there are many different accessories!
But we have never tried the Belgian language yet 🙂 .

Take care.....

11 December 2018 - 19:23

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Take the opportunity if you are travelling to Belgium! 🙂
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:16
  
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BP says:

To be honest, I didn't really want any of the waffles, maybe Gaufre de Liège, if you force me, that is. I'm more of a Moules frites person;-)
God, you have walked so much! Impressive, I must say. Talk about voluntary exercise and training.

11 December 2018 - 20:28

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Luckily there are moules frites too 😉 And yes, we walked a lot! Also managed to see some, so there will be more posts 😉
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:17
  
  Reply
Matts Torebring says:

I write down that I would have liked the waffles....

11 December 2018 - 20:49

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I'm sure it does 🙂 .
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:17
  
  Reply
znogge says:

It was a real exercise session so you can treat yourself to a waffle or two 😀 Personally, I'm not particularly fond of them.

11 December 2018 - 21:07

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  There were long walks! 😉
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:18
  
  Reply
Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

I'll take the same as Helena plus the public bus, thanks! ??

11 December 2018 - 21:15

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  Helena says:
  
  The Folkabus is cute 🙂
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:18
  
  Reply
Lena - gott för själen says:

My God, what waffles! I would have preferred the natural one I think. Or a few bites of the other one 🙂

Hug Lena

12 December 2018 - 6:03

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I think we think pretty much the same here 😉
  
  12 December 2018 - 7:19
  
  Reply
Erika says:

Is there a place to order gluten-free Belgian waffles?

26 March 2023 - 11:17

Reply

We try Belgian waffles in Belgium

Belgian waffles 'for real'

Tourist waffles in Belgium

Everywhere and in different ways

We try waffles in Belgium

How do the waffles fit?

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32 Comments

Kenneth Risberg says:

Helena says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

Reiselinda says:

Helena says:

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Emma, Sol som sol? says:

Helena says:

Emma, Sol som sol? says:

Steve says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

JoY says:

Helena says:

Rolle o Carina says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Matts Torebring says:

Helena says:

znogge says:

Helena says:

Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

Helena says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

Helena says:

Erika says:

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