Where to Find the Best Fries in Belgium

Belgium is a country that takes pride in its fries, or frites, which are often considered the best in the world. Frites are thick-cut potatoes that are double-fried in beef fat or vegetable oil, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft interior. Frites are usually served in a paper cone with a variety of sauces, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, or Andalouse (a spicy tomato-based sauce). Frites are a popular snack and street food in Belgium, and you can find them in many places, from fritkots (fries kiosks) to restaurants. Here are some of the places where you can find the best fries in Belgium.

Café Georgette

Café Georgette is a traditional Belgian restaurant near the Grand Place in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. It also has a fritkot where you can get delicious frites to go or to eat at the indoor or outdoor seating area. Café Georgette offers a wide range of homemade sauces for your frites, such as Samurai (a spicy mayonnaise) and American (a barbecue sauce). The frites are fried in three types of oil at different temperatures, giving them a unique flavor and texture.

Frit Flagey

Frit Flagey is one of the most famous and popular fritkots in Brussels, located at the Place Flagey square. It attracts long queues of locals and tourists who want to taste its golden and crunchy frites. Frit Flagey uses fresh potatoes that are peeled and cut on-site, and fries them in beef fat oil. You can choose from over 20 sauces for your frites, such as Tartare (a creamy sauce with herbs) and Brazil (a sweet and sour sauce).

Friterie de la Barrière

Friterie de la Barrière is a fritkot in Saint-Gilles, a municipality of Brussels. It is open until late at night, making it a perfect spot for a late-night snack after partying. Friterie de la Barrière serves generous portions of frites that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. You can also order other snacks, such as burgers, hot dogs, and meatballs.

Maison Antoine

Maison Antoine is another famous fritkot in Brussels, located at the Place Jourdan square. It has been serving frites since 1948 and has won several awards for its quality and taste. Maison Antoine uses fresh potatoes that are cut by hand and fried twice in vegetable oil. You can choose from over 30 sauces for your frites, such as Curry Ketchup (a spicy ketchup) and Pili Pili (a hot sauce). The best part is that you can eat your frites at one of the nearby bars that allow you to bring your own food.

Master Frites

Master Frites is a fritkot in Schaerbeek, a municipality of Brussels. It is known for its fresh and tasty frites that are fried in vegetable oil. You can also order other dishes, such as salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Master Frites has a friendly service and a cozy atmosphere.

Belgian Frites Papy

Belgian Frites Papy is a fritkot in Brussels that has been serving frites since 1987. It is located near the Grand Place and the Manneken Pis statue, making it a convenient stop for sightseeing. Belgian Frites Papy uses fresh potatoes that are peeled and cut daily, and fries them in beef fat oil. You can choose from over 10 sauces for your frites, such as Cocktail (a mayonnaise with ketchup) and Bicky (a yellow sauce with onions).

Five Guys

Five Guys is an American burger chain that also serves frites in Belgium. It has several locations across the country, including Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Leuven. Five Guys uses fresh potatoes that are hand-cut and fried in peanut oil. You can order your frites plain or with Cajun seasoning for an extra kick.

What are Some Other Popular Belgian Foods?

Belgium is not only famous for its frites, but also for many other delicious dishes that reflect its rich and diverse culinary heritage. Belgium has been influenced by its neighboring countries, such as France, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as by its own regional traditions and specialties. Here are some of the other popular Belgian foods that you should try.

Waffles

Waffles are one of the most iconic Belgian foods, and there are two main varieties: Brussels waffles and Liège waffles. Brussels waffles are rectangular, light, and crispy, with large holes on the surface. They are usually served with powdered sugar, whipped cream, chocolate, or fruits. Liège waffles are oval, dense, and chewy, with small pieces of pearl sugar embedded in the dough. They are caramelized on the outside and sweet enough to be eaten plain or with a simple topping.

Chocolate

Belgium is renowned for its high-quality chocolate, which is made with pure cocoa butter and natural ingredients. Belgian chocolate makers have a long tradition of craftsmanship and innovation, creating a wide range of products, such as pralines (chocolate shells filled with ganache, cream, or nuts), truffles (soft chocolate balls coated with cocoa powder or nuts), tablets (chocolate bars), and figurines (chocolate shapes). Some of the most famous Belgian chocolate brands are Neuhaus, Godiva, Leonidas, Côte d'Or, and Galler.

Moules-frites

Moules-frites is a classic Belgian dish that consists of mussels cooked in a broth of white wine, garlic, onion, butter, and herbs, served with frites on the side. The dish is usually eaten with a fork and an empty mussel shell to scoop out the meat from the other shells. Moules-frites is a popular comfort food that can be found in many restaurants and fritkots across Belgium. The condiment of choice for the frites is mayonnaise, which adds a creamy richness to the dish.

Carbonnade flamande

Carbonnade flamande is a hearty stew of beef chunks braised in dark beer, onions, brown sugar, vinegar, bay leaves, thyme, and mustard. The beer gives the stew a deep flavor and a tender texture, while the sugar and vinegar balance the bitterness. Carbonnade flamande is usually served with bread or frites to soak up the sauce. It is a typical dish of Flanders, the northern region of Belgium where beer is widely produced and consumed.

Waterzooi

Waterzooi is a creamy soup that originated in Ghent, a city in East Flanders. It is made with chicken or fish (usually cod or turbot), vegetables (such as carrots, leeks, celery, and potatoes), butter, cream, egg yolks, and herbs (such as parsley and tarragon). The soup is thickened with a roux (a mixture of flour and butter) or cornstarch. Waterzooi is a comforting and filling dish that can be eaten as a main course with bread.

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