When you think of Belgian food, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Belgian waffles! It’s a popular food that you’ll find with street vendors, in cafes and even in fine restaurants. What is this national obsession with the waffle?

I first noticed it when I started working in Brussels. In the U.S., snack machines have soft drinks, candies and potato chips. Here there are packaged waffles — and so many options. Huh? It certainly surprised me. You can find these sweet treats plain or coated in chocolate. I thought they were just for kids, but people of all ages gravitate to them.

What to Know about Waffles

There are two types of waffles in Belgium: the Brussels waffle and the Liege waffle. The Brussels waffle is closest to what I know from the U.S. It is rectangular, but has deeper pockets than the waffles I had at home. They are light, crispy and airy and generally served with a bit of powdered sugar, fruit, whipped cream, or chocolate. A specific batter, similar to our pancake batter, but lighter, is used.  

The Liege waffle is smaller, denser, chewier and super sweet. To create this culinary treat, a brioche-like dough is used. The waffles are round or irregular shaped, and you don’t put whipped cream or other toppings on them. The pearl sugar used in the recipe caramelizes, leaving a a crunchy coating. They are too sweet for me, but super popular.

Top It Off

Here in Belgium, we don’t eat our waffles dripping with butter and maple syrup. And we don’t eat them for breakfast! The locals may add a smidge of butter with some powdered sugar, but we aren’t fixated with all the fancy toppings that Americans crave. Well, if someone twists my arm, I’ll go for a Belgian waffle with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Yummy, or as we say in Dutch, “lekker.”

When to Eat Waffles

Waffles are generally a mid-afternoon snack or dessert, although you may find them at Sunday brunches, especially in international hotels. And expats will have them for breakfast. The frozen Belgian waffles found in the supermarket make that simple and convenient.

Waffle History

Belgian waffles have been around for centuries. In fact, they date back to medieval days! Back in the 16th century, you could find them as a street snack at fairs or events, often tied to religious celebrations.  

They didn’t gain popularity in the U.S. until the 1960s. Their first appearance was at the Expo in Seattle in 1962. Two years later, entrepreneur Maurice Vermersch set up a waffle stand at the New York City World’s Fair, and voila, they became a sensation. 

Where to Get Your Waffles

There are so many places to get your waffles in Belgium. My favorite spots are in Bruges. Okay, it’s touristy, but there is nothing like seeing the smiles of friends discovering their first Belgian waffle surrounded by breathtaking, historic buildings.

Brussels also has countless waffle spots. My recommendation is to wander through the area around Grand Place, a not-to-be-missed UNESCO site. You’ll find plenty of options there.

When I have visitors, we stop by street vendors to pick up a waffle. One popular spot is just outside the Palace de Justice, the world’s largest courthouse. Located on the Mont de Potences, it’s also a fabulous spot to get a panoramic view of lower Brussels. You can even see the Atomium in the distance. 

The Atomium itself is worth a visit. Built for Expo 58, it was renovated in the early 2000s and is the city’s most popular tourist attraction with more of the city with more than 800,000 visitors annually. Of course, there are waffle street vendors there, too. And the main panorama in the Atomium is said to be the best place to go for views of Brussels.  If you are lucky, you can even see Antwerp on a clear day.

Supermarkets

Of course, I can’t talk about waffles without mentioning supermarkets. I always love visiting supermarkets when I travel to see what the local fare is. In Belgium, there are entire aisles devoted to waffles. While most of the waffles are mass-produced, some stores offer artisan waffles, which are worth a try. Or you can sample them at one of the weekly markets throughout the country.

Whatever you choose, enjoy your sweet, high-calorie treat with a smile. Belgian waffles rock, but if you are watching your waistline, don’t feast on too many.