stupac2
Well-Known Member
I've traveled to Belgium a couple times now, so I thought I'd give this a whirl. It'll be pretty incomplete, but I've been happy with the results...
A couple pointers for those traveling from the US to Belgium for the first time:
1) If you're driving, check out the road rules. Highways often have unsigned speed limits, which seems to mean 120. There's no right on red. Etc. Also note that Belgians are fanatical about returning to the right after passing. Do that too. In fact, do that in the US, because people who don't are terrible people.
2) If you're not familiar with European restaurants, they can be a bit weird. First, they're way understaffed compared to the US. That means way less face time. Which is fine, except that they hardly ever come to your table for any reason. Get good at making eye contact and flagging waiters down to place orders, get another beer, or get the check.
Brussels:
Cantillon: You knew this already. It's kind of in a worse part of town, but if you ignore the men loitering around you'll be fine. Take the tour, but you knew that already too. Everything is absurdly cheap here, but you have to get lucky to find the limited stuff.
Moeder Lambic: There are two locations, one is closer to the center (Fontinas) the other farther away (Chez Moeder). I've heard that the rare stuff has all moved to Fontinas but can't confirm. The rare stuff is expensive, but hey, at least you can order it.
Bier Circus: Weird location and weirder decor, but a great menu rivaled by few other places, and for reasonable prices. Has food, can't vouch for its quality.
Bier Temple: A chain in Belgium, worth checking out, might find something you like (especially if you like glassware).
Outside of Brussels:
De Heeren: You knew this one too. Probably the best lambic selection in the country (at least of places I know of...). Good food too. Sells to go, but only with cash.
In De Verzekering Tegen De Grote Dorst: Insurance against the great thirst, in case you're wondering. Very restricted hours, but worth going for sure. E-mail the proprietor to ask about their B&B (bed and beer) if you'll have a car.
3 Fonteinen restaurant/store: Good food, vintage 3F on the menu. Store has really limited hours, can't vouch for the selection as it's always been closed for me.
Antwerp:
Kulminator: You knew this one. Go there. In fact, go there every single night you're in Antwerp. I guarantee you won't run out of awesome stuff to order at ridiculously low prices.
't Antwaerps Beerhuiske: It's fine, but with Kulminator in town it's pretty unimpressive. Unless you want some overpriced "Loons" (yes they really did have them labeled as "Loons").
Gollem: Decent food (though the locals I met didn't think much of it), decent beer selection.
Brugge:
Rose Red: Small hotel bar. Cantillon on draft, great bottle list, good prices.
Cambrinus: Restaurant with good food and a decent bottle list, including Westy.
De Kelk: Seems to be affiliated with Struise somehow, but maybe they're just big fans. Good selection, including some vintage stuff. Ask the bartender/owner for more, not everything's on the list.
Brugs Beertje, Staminee de Garre, Comptoir des Arts: Listed together because they're all pretty similar. It's worth seeking out each one if you have time, but if you don't, the other places are more interesting (IMO).
Struise Beershop: Sells some Struise stuff. It's right next to the town hall so you may as well stop by.
Bier Temple: A chain in Belgium, worth checking out, might find something you like (especially if you like glassware).
Gent:
Het Waterhuis: Fun little bar on the water, fine selection.
Dranken Geers: Awesome bottleshop. This is what I expected Belgian bottleshops to be like, but it was the only one like it. Huge selection, tons of lambic, including lambic baskets.
(I have more Gent but it's been longer since I've been there so I can't vouch for my comments.)
A couple pointers for those traveling from the US to Belgium for the first time:
1) If you're driving, check out the road rules. Highways often have unsigned speed limits, which seems to mean 120. There's no right on red. Etc. Also note that Belgians are fanatical about returning to the right after passing. Do that too. In fact, do that in the US, because people who don't are terrible people.
2) If you're not familiar with European restaurants, they can be a bit weird. First, they're way understaffed compared to the US. That means way less face time. Which is fine, except that they hardly ever come to your table for any reason. Get good at making eye contact and flagging waiters down to place orders, get another beer, or get the check.
Brussels:
Cantillon: You knew this already. It's kind of in a worse part of town, but if you ignore the men loitering around you'll be fine. Take the tour, but you knew that already too. Everything is absurdly cheap here, but you have to get lucky to find the limited stuff.
Moeder Lambic: There are two locations, one is closer to the center (Fontinas) the other farther away (Chez Moeder). I've heard that the rare stuff has all moved to Fontinas but can't confirm. The rare stuff is expensive, but hey, at least you can order it.
Bier Circus: Weird location and weirder decor, but a great menu rivaled by few other places, and for reasonable prices. Has food, can't vouch for its quality.
Bier Temple: A chain in Belgium, worth checking out, might find something you like (especially if you like glassware).
Outside of Brussels:
De Heeren: You knew this one too. Probably the best lambic selection in the country (at least of places I know of...). Good food too. Sells to go, but only with cash.
In De Verzekering Tegen De Grote Dorst: Insurance against the great thirst, in case you're wondering. Very restricted hours, but worth going for sure. E-mail the proprietor to ask about their B&B (bed and beer) if you'll have a car.
3 Fonteinen restaurant/store: Good food, vintage 3F on the menu. Store has really limited hours, can't vouch for the selection as it's always been closed for me.
Antwerp:
Kulminator: You knew this one. Go there. In fact, go there every single night you're in Antwerp. I guarantee you won't run out of awesome stuff to order at ridiculously low prices.
't Antwaerps Beerhuiske: It's fine, but with Kulminator in town it's pretty unimpressive. Unless you want some overpriced "Loons" (yes they really did have them labeled as "Loons").
Gollem: Decent food (though the locals I met didn't think much of it), decent beer selection.
Brugge:
Rose Red: Small hotel bar. Cantillon on draft, great bottle list, good prices.
Cambrinus: Restaurant with good food and a decent bottle list, including Westy.
De Kelk: Seems to be affiliated with Struise somehow, but maybe they're just big fans. Good selection, including some vintage stuff. Ask the bartender/owner for more, not everything's on the list.
Brugs Beertje, Staminee de Garre, Comptoir des Arts: Listed together because they're all pretty similar. It's worth seeking out each one if you have time, but if you don't, the other places are more interesting (IMO).
Struise Beershop: Sells some Struise stuff. It's right next to the town hall so you may as well stop by.
Bier Temple: A chain in Belgium, worth checking out, might find something you like (especially if you like glassware).
Gent:
Het Waterhuis: Fun little bar on the water, fine selection.
Dranken Geers: Awesome bottleshop. This is what I expected Belgian bottleshops to be like, but it was the only one like it. Huge selection, tons of lambic, including lambic baskets.
(I have more Gent but it's been longer since I've been there so I can't vouch for my comments.)