Few things in life can beat the feeling of warmth, holding a hot cup of tea, coffee or mulled wine on the freezing streets of Brussels around Christmas! Since it does not snow too frequently here, you can enjoy all the food, fun and frolic outdoors almost all winter. We have compiled a little list and recommendations for you to try the winter special food around the city.
Plaisirs d’hiver / Winter Wonders
The Christmas market is in its 22nd edition this year and has opened its stalls in the form of small chalets from 25th November and it will continue to serve you till 1st January 2023.
Did you know? There are around 250 chalets this year within a radius of 3 km!
This market is a great place to taste Belgian winter specialities that might not be available as street food for the rest of the year. How about a plate of stoemp (a dish of pureed potato and other vegetables) with a shot of the Belgian drink Jenever (made from Juniper berries)?
While there is hot and savoury food like moules-frites (mussels and fries), I would say that the market is biassed towards visitors with a sweet tooth! There are endless Belgian sweet treats, from hot waffles to handmade chocolates and cuberdons (nose-shaped candies from Ghent). There is always mulled and spiced hot wine to warm up after all that food.
I bet you would feel like a child lost in wonderland! Check our special story to learn all you need to know about the Brussels Christmas market!
Gare Maritime Food Market
The intricately beautiful Gare Maritime has been revamped into a food market in 2021 and 10 Belgian chefs have set up their pop up stalls to entice you with amazing food! From Korean to fish-n-chips, Belgian and French cuisine to exotic meat burgers – these chefs know and serve the best, for sure. Accompanied by beer, lots of space to hang around and meet different people, this food market can be a great place to visit if it snows outside.
Location: Rue Picard 9, 1000 Bruxelles
WOLF BXL
‘Sharing is caring,’ – that’s the mantra of WOLF food market in Brussels, where you can find 17 restaurants and 2 bars under one roof. It is an ideal place to hang out with a large group of friends and share all the food you can.
From pizza to sushi, Thai to vegan, there are quite a few options. Powered with their own micro-brewery, WOLF makes sure you never return thirsty.
Pro-tip – WOLF is holding an advent calendar contest on their Instagram where you can win food vouchers every day until Christmas!
Location: Rue du Fossé aux Loups 50, 1000 Bruxelles
GREAT – Mediterranean Food Market
Houmous, tabouleh, falafel, tajine, couscous – don’t they sound music to the foodies’ ears? Possibly the only Mediterranean food market in Brussels, GREAT market offers all these under one roof along with a special holiday menu. Besides the food, there are also fresh vegetables and herbs sold at the market everyday.
Location: Chaussée de Louvain 650-652, 1030 Brussels
Don’t forget to take pictures and tag us on Instagram if you visit any of these spots. Have fun!
