Where To Get The Best Fries in Brussels

Belgium is known for its amazing fries, and Brussels has some amazing little friteries serving up these cones of goodness. This guide to finding the best fries in Brussels will take you through a little bit of the history of Belgian fries, and what makes them so special. Then, of course, I’ll talk you through my favourite options for the best fries in Brussels. These Brussels friteries are not only serving up some of the best Belgian fries in Brussels but some of the best fries in Belgium!

You can’t visit Belgium and not try the traditional fries, so this guide will ensure you’re tasting the very best that’s on offer.

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Are French Fries Actually Belgian?

If you’re looking for the ‘best french fries in Brussels’ you might need to brush up on your history, because french fries are actually Belgian! There’s a lot of debate as to the true origins of the humble fry but it’s now widely believed that American soldiers mislabeled the snack as French Fries, thinking they were in France rather than Belgium.

Fries can be traced back to Belgium in the 1600s. Those who lived along the Meuse river survived mainly on fish, but when the river froze over in winter, they’d turn to potatoes. They prepared them in the same way they did the fish, and the humble fry was born.

How strange is it to think if they hadn’t been named incorrectly, we’d go into McDonald’s and order Belgian fries, not French fries! But for now, promise me that you won’t refer to Belgian fries in Brussels as french fries!

What Makes Belgian Fries Different?

Although we’ve discovered that french fries actually have Belgian origins, the fries you get in fast food outlets are miles from the traditional Belgian fries found at friteries across the country.

There are some rules about size and shape, but the most defining feature of Belgian fries is that they are fried twice. Most of the time the second fry happens just before serving, ensuring that they are nice and crispy on the outside but fluffy and soft on the inside. The best way to eat Belgian fries is from a paper cone, and that’s how they’re always served at the friteries in Brussels.

It would be strange to have your frites without sauce, and almost every frites stand you come across will have a huge array of sauces to choose from. The most common sauce to eat with fries is mayonnaise, but over the years countless different ones have been created. People even mix different sauces together, constantly on the lookout for more flavour combinations.

Are Belgian Fries Vegetarian?

Unfortunately, due to the traditional method of cooking, Belgian fries are not vegetarian. They are cooked in lard or beef fat, and it’s a really important part of the flavour of traditional fries.

If you are vegetarian and don’t want to miss out on these Belgian delicacies, read to the end where I’ve found a great vegetarian option for frites in Brussels.

Read Next: Where to Get the Best Belgian Waffles in Brussels

The Best Fries in Brussels

Now let’s get down to the important part – the best Belgian fries in Brussels. I’ve done extensive research (eating a lot of Brussels frites) to whittle down this list to the very best fries in Brussels. The crispiest fries, the tastiest sauces, the most generous portions – they’re all here.

Each of the Brussels friteries has its own charm and attraction, so I’d say it’s worth trying as many as you can to pick your favourite of the best fries in Brussels. Check out the best things to do in Brussels if you’re looking for things to do around the city whilst you eat your Belgian fries.

Café Georgette

We’re starting off strong because Café Georgette is actually my favourite spot for fries in Brussels, Belgium, and probably the world! I hadn’t heard of Café Georgette before coming to Brussels so I think it’s an underrated spot and I have to spread the word.

Café Georgette does 3 things right. Firstly, their cornets of fries are wrapped in newspaper which makes them look cute. Secondly, they leave the skin on their fries, which I absolutely love and I think it makes them crispier. Thirdly, their sauces are the best, and they come in little tubs so you can evenly distribute them on the fries.

A cornet of fries with sauce from Café Georgette costs just over €4. I always make sure to have cash, although I’m fairly certain you can pay by card, as it makes it easier at the busy frites stand. There is a good range of sauces, I recommend trying the Tartufata (truffle) or Georgette sauce.

Address: Rue de la Fourche 37, 1000 Bruxelles

What3Words Code (Exact Spot of the Friterie): //vipers.loads.helpful

Opening Hours: Daily 12 pm-10 pm (11 pm Fri and Sat)

Maison Antoine

Maison Antoine serves up the best frites in Brussels in the European Quarter. This frites stand lies in the middle of the lively place Jourdan, and you can even enjoy your fries at many of the surrounding bars as long as you buy a drink!

These guys have been around since the 1940s, so it’s safe to say they’ve perfected their recipes by this point. It’s one of the most popular spots too – I’ve never seen Maison Antoine without a queue. You get generous portions, a huge variety of sauces, and loads of other snack options so you can delve even further into the Belgian street food scene.

A small fries with sauce from Maison Antoine costs just €3,60, and a large €4 exactly. At this spot, I love the Andalouse sauce or the Curry Ketchup. Make sure you have cash as they don’t accept cards.

Address: Place Jourdan 1, 1040 Etterbeek

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the friterie): //help.nearing.spot

Opening Hours: Daily 11 am-1 am

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Friterie Tabora

I was already an expert on the best fries in Brussels when I tried Friterie Tabora, so the fact it has made it into this exclusive list speaks wonders of the quality of Belgian frites here! One of the many Brussels friteries found right in the centre, Friterie Tabora is rarely seen without a queue – but the tiny store offers a little shelter from the typical Belgian rain.

Friterie Tabora has some of the crispiest fries in Brussels, and it’s a true gem. Fries with sauce range from €3,30 to €4,30, and the portions are more than generous!

Fritland

Fritland is right in the centre of Brussels, just a stone’s throw from Grand Place. This makes it the perfect place to grab some fries when you’re exploring on the go. It’s really close to the Tintin mural, so if you’re doing the Brussels Comic Book Route, you’ll want to stop at fritland to recharge with some of the best fries in Brussels.

Being right in the centre, they’re not a hidden gem by any means but that doesn’t mean they aren’t amazing! The speciality at Fritland is Mitraillette – essentially, a fries sandwich. Whilst those from the U.K. will be well versed in all things chip butty, this one’s a little bit different as it’s on french baguette and filled with meat, sauce, onions and other salad.

The Mitraillette costs €5,50, and a regular cornet of fries with sauce from Fritland costs €4.

Address: Rue Henri Maus 49, 1000 Bruxelles

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the friterie): //ticking.path.slap

Opening Hours: Daily 11 am-1 am (3 am Thurs/Fri/Sat)

Frit Flagey

Whilst Frit Flagey lies a little bit out of town (about a 35-minute walk from the centre), there are few places in Brussels more known than this unassuming green frites stand. The trip is more than worth it, and the Ixelles area is lovely to explore whilst you enjoy your fries, especially if you have a wander around Ixelles Ponds.

You can expect long queues at Frit Flagey, but that’s what you get when you’re trying some of the best Belgian fries in Brussels, at one of the most popular spots! What makes up for it is that these fries are pretty cheap compared to their competitors. A small cornet of Belgian fries with sauce is around €3,20 and a large is just a little more.

Address: Place Eugène Flagey, 1050 Ixelles

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the friterie): //cape.oatmeal.rummage

Opening Hours: Tues-Sun 11 am-12 am (2 am Fri/Sat)

Patatak – The Best Fries in Brussels for Vegetarians and Vegans

As I noted earlier, almost all Belgian frites are made using beef fat. Since this is the traditional way to cook them, it can be difficult for vegetarians to find traditional Belgian frites in Brussels.

Many restaurants will make their fries in oil and so will be vegetarian and vegan friendly, but if you want to get as close to the true friterie experience as possible, try Patatak. It’s a tiny shop that serves Belgian fries and other Belgian staples. They’re not exclusively vegetarian, but you can choose how you want your fries cooked, with veggie and vegan options.

A small fries with sauce is just €3, and a large with sauce is €5. They even have sweet potato fries! Since this is a shop rather than a frites stand, they accept cards and cash.

Address: Parvis de Saint-Gilles 31, 1060 Saint-Gilles

What3Words Code (Exact location of the friterie): //junction.avoid.train

Opening Hours: Mon/Tues 5 pm-10 pm; Wed/Sun 12 pm-10 pm; Thurs/Fri/Sat 12 pm-11 pm

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If you liked this post about the best Belgian fries in Brussels, you might like some of my other Belgium content, like The Best Instagram Spots in Bruges, or the best things to do in Brussels.

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