Menu
If you’re traveling to Brussels, or Belgium in general, you”re probably keen on trying a Belgian waffle. As a Belgian, I can honestly say that Belgian waffles are the best waffles in the world! and I traveled quite a bit, so you can trust my judgment. Ha! Belgian waffles are a thing for tourists in Brussels but a lot of travelers don’t know anything about the origin of the Belgian waffle or the fact that there are a variety of waffles in Belgium each with their distinct waffle recipe and method of preparation. In this post, I’ll let you in on a few secrets about Belgian waffles and where you can find the three best (and only) places to try vegan waffles in Brussels. Here we go!
Jardin du Mont des Arts, Brussels
When you arrive in Brussels at La Grand Place, you can’t look past them. The side streets around Brussels’ most famous square are filled with waffle joint and chocolate stores. The waffles look delicious, with a variety of toppings like fresh strawberries, chocolate, and whipped cream.
Unfortunately, none of these waffle places, not even the most famous ones like Maison Dandoy, offer vegan alternatives for this Belgian food treasure.
However, two vegan waffle places are close by! I’ll first get into the different waffles you can find in Brussels before getting into the best three places for vegan waffles in Brussels.
Belgian waffles are known for their light, fluffy texture, and deep square pockets. While there are various regional variations, here are the three most popular types of Belgian waffles:
The Brussels waffle, known as the “Belgian waffle,” is the most common type of waffle in Brussels. The Brussels waffle has a crisp exterior and a light, airy interior. It is rectangular in shape and has deep square pockets.
Most of the waffles with the large array of toppings you’ll see at the stalls around La Grand Place are Brussels waffles. A Brussels waffle is not super sweet so it is okay to add a variety of sauces, fruit or ice cream on top.
Named after the city of Liège in Belgium, this waffle is denser and sweeter than the Brussels waffle. It is made from a dough-like batter with chunks of pearl sugar that caramelize during cooking, resulting in a rich, chewy texture.
Unlike the Brussels waffle, this waffle doesn’t need much topping since it already tastes very sweet due to the caramelized sugar inside. If I’m honest, I prefer the Liege waffle to the Brussels waffle.
This type of waffle originates from the region of Hainaut in Belgium. It is thinner and crisper than the Brussels waffle and often has a rectangular shape with rounded edges.
You can find these waffles packaged for sale at tourist shops or in restaurants garnished with sweet toppings as well as savory toppings like mushrooms, salmon and cream.
The batter of waffles contains flour, eggs, milk, butter and sugar and is therefore not vegan. Here are the three only places in Brussels that serve vegan waffles. They distinct greatly in what they offer, s if you have little time on your hands, choose wisely or you try all three of them if you are spending a few days in Brussels.
Vegan traditional Brussels waffle @ Pardon Brussels
For a true artisan experience of a Belgian waffle, away from the tourist crowds of the center of Brussels, make your way to Pardon Brussels in Saint-Gilles in the Hallepoort Area.
Here, you can order a classic Brussels waffle that is 100% vegan and baked to perfection. Toppings can be added and vary from the touristy places. Here you can top your waffles with homemade speculoos, grated coconut, or high-quality roasted nuts like almonds and pistachios.
During the weekend, they offer a savory vegan brunch plate, including a waffle. Side dishes vary according to the season.
Vegan brunch plate @ Pardon Brussels
Aside from these delicious food options, Pardon Brussels also does its part for the environment. They are not a vegan café but all the ingredients and products sourced are of outstanding quality, artisan and organic.
Moreover, the containers and supplies they use are eco-friendly. They are made from recycled materials and, if they can’t be reused, they will be recycled again. They also give a discount to customers who bring their own cups and containers for takeaway.
Website: Pardon Brussels
Where: Directions
Vegan waffles Brussels: Veganwaf
Conveniently located in the Agora gallery, next to La Grand-Place this is the ideal place to try a vegan version of the famous Belgian waffle. The waffles they bake are not typically a Brussels-style waffle or a Liege waffle but resemble a Liege waffle with less sugar added.
If you have little time on your hands and can’t make it to Pardon Brussels, this fully-vegan little place is your best bet. The waffles are delicious!
With only 5 places to sit the place is tiny, so it’s rather a take-out than a restaurant. Order your waffle and choose one of the many vegan toppings, ranging from ice cream to fresh fruit. You won’t be disappointed!
Website: Vegan Waf
Where: Directions
Vegan healthy waffle @ The Sister
The Sister is an organic restaurant and health food bar located in a side street at La Grand Place. It is not my first choice for eating a waffle if you want to experience the traditional taste of a Belgian waffle. But I wanted to mention them because their waffles are vegan and they also cater to gluten-free diets.
The waffles here are made from chickpea flour and banana so are the perfect choice for gluten-intolerant travelers. Also, if you are a vegan who is into health food, then the Sister is the best restaurant for waffles you can find in the city.
They have an extensive waffle menu ranging from sweet to savory and half of the options are completely vegan. Vegan sweet options include vegan chocolate, fruit and vegan vanilla ice cream while they use vegan mozzarella and vegan bacon for the savory dishes.
Website: The Sister
Where: Directions
Looking for a great vegan lunch or dinner spot in Brussels? I have written another guide containing my favorite vegan restaurants in Brussels but to help you out quickly, here are my top 5 choices!
Vegan noodle bowl @ Liu Lin
Liu Lin is a Taiwan-inspired food bar in the Marollen neighborhood in Brussels. It is my favorite place in Brussels for a quick and delicious lunch. Be sure to also try out their second food bar, Lil Bao, which, as the name suggests, offers a variety of vegan bao buns and side dishes.
Website: Liu Lin
Where: Directions
Vegan cheesecake @ Lucifer Lives
Chosen by the Belgian vegan awards as “Best vegan lunch spot”, Lucifer lives is a tiny no-nonsense café located in Rue Haute in the Marollen area of Brussels.
Here you can enjoy a daily lunch in a quirky atmosphere. The lunch is always delicious and can vary from “Boudins with apple sauce” to vegan “vol-au-vent”, two typically Belgian dishes. They also serve delicious cakes.
Website: Lucifer Lives
Where: Directions
If you’re traveling to Belgium as a foreigner, you’ll probably want to try Belgian fries! The best place to try these are Patatak, an artisan “friterie” near La Bourse in the center of Brussels.
Vegan ball in tomato sauce on delicious fries at Patatak
Patatak is not a fully vegan frituur but the fact that dishes are artisanally prepared makes them the best choice in Brussels for vegan fries and they offer several vegan side dishes and sauces like meatballs in tomato sauce.
Vegan gastronomy in Brussels: Humus x Hortense
For a vegan gastronomic experience, look no further than Humus x Hortense in Ixelles. This restaurant received a Green Michelin Star in 2021 and received its first Red Michelin Star this year.
On offer are vegan tasting menus focused on “Botanical Gastronomy”. Check out their website to learn more about this unique concept!
Website: Humus x Hortense
Where: Directions
Vegan brunch: The Judgy Vegan
If you are looking for a great brunch spot in Brussels, then the Judgy Vegan is your best bet. Brunch included a platter of vegan cheeses and charcuterie, vegan scramble, yogurt, and homemade jam at the time of my last visit but the menu changes regularly.
Website: The judgy vegan
Where: Directions
La Grand Place, Brussels
As you can see, you won’t be disappointed as a vegan traveler in Brussels. You will surely be able to taste vegan Belgian waffles and there are also a lot of great restaurants for vegan for lunch and dinner!
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
Latest Posts
15 Best Things to Do in Nong Khiaw, Laos (2024)
Santa Rita, Salento: All You Need to Know
La Playa de Belen, Colombia: An Easy Travel guide!
How to Visit the Pescaderito in Curiti (Near San Gil)
Do you want to receive my latest finds on conscious and sustainable travel directly to your inbox? Subscribe here!
© COPYRIGHT TRAVELERS&DREAMERS, 2023.