You might picture waffles and fries when you think of Belgian cuisine, but there’s so much more to discover! Belgium is a melting pot of flavors and traditions that packs a punch.
Sure, the brasserie started in France, but we’ve turned it into something uniquely ours, serving up hearty meals and some of the best beers you can find.
In this blog, we’ll explore how Belgian classics have been given an American twist and how some of our favorite American dishes have been infused with Belgian flair. So get ready for a delicious journey!
What is Belgian Cuisine?
Belgian cuisine is a fusion influenced by Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Its roots reach back to ancient times, when tribes relied on nature, foraging wild berries and cooking simple stews. With the Roman Empire’s expansion into Belgium came olives, grapes, and new baking and brewing techniques.
During the medieval period, monasteries were vital in shaping cheese and beer traditions that are cherished today. In the 16th century, Spanish rule introduced ingredients like chocolate and potatoes.
Belgian frites are more than just fries—they’re a culinary institution and a source of national pride. Distinguished by their double-fry technique, these golden delights boast a crisp exterior and fluffy interior, setting them apart from ordinary French fries. The secret lies not only in the method but in the ingredient: beef tallow.
At Taste of Belgium, we uphold this authentic tradition. Our frites are twice-cooked in rendered beef fat, a practice that has endured in most Belgian friteries to this day. Beef tallow lends a rich, deep flavor to the fries while achieving the perfect crunch. Plus, it’s a healthier choice than you might think—free of trans fats and packed with fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, K, and B12.
Historically, beef tallow was questioned for its health impact, but modern research has debunked these concerns, showing it to be a clean and natural cooking fat. As more restaurants embrace this timeless ingredient, it’s clear why Belgians have been devoted to it for centuries. Whether paired with our signature mussels or enjoyed on their own, our frites are a testament to this enduring culinary tradition.
In the 20th century, foods like waffles and mussels with fries took over the global culinary scene. Moules-frites (mussels and fries) became a classic dish, Brussels waffles acquired international acclaim and our beer culture continued to boom.
Today, we are still a fusion of this initial mash-of cultures. We celebrate tradition with innovation. Dishes like waterzooi (a creamy stew) and carbonnade flamande (beer-braised beef stew) have been transformed to suit different palates. Ultimately, Belgian cuisine is all about embracing fresh, bold, and hearty flavors, using locally sourced ingredients, and serving healthy portions of delicious food with an equally awesome glass of beer.
From Waffles to Mussels: A Taste of Belgium’s Diverse Menu
Belgian food is far more than just crispy waffles—it’s a diverse culinary experience. Our menu captures this range, from the light, delicate crisp of waffles to the hearty richness of traditional mussels, each dish showcases a taste of Belgium with a unique American twist.
Crêpes
We’re particular about our crêpes. Our buckwheat flour comes directly from Brittany, France, where they mill buckwheat better than anyone else. While we love poking fun at the French, nobody mills flour like they do. In North America, buckwheat often tastes gritty, and frankly speaking – it’s not so good. It all boils down to the milling process. Here, the whole grain is ground and the husk is sifted out afterwards. In France, they first crack the husk, remove it with a centrifuge, and then mill only the inner part of the grain. The result is a clean, smooth flour with no trace of husk.
Our savory crêpes use French buckwheat flour, combined with just three ingredients: buckwheat flour, water, and salt. Though simple, this recipe is challenging to perfect. Each crêpe is cooked on a special cast-iron plate imported from France, ensuring the exact flavor and texture we aim to achieve.
We offer a variety of unique crêpes: Our Ham and Gruyère features savory ham melted Gruyère cheese, with a sunny-side farm egg. For a sweet and savory blend, the Fig and Pig pair prosciutto, creamy Brie, fig jam, and fresh arugula. Another favorite is the Mushroom crêpe, filled with roasted cremini mushrooms, caramelized onions, and herbed farmer’s cheese.
Sandwiches
Our sandwiches are another must-try. Among the sandwiches is the Fish Sandwich consisting of Kwaremont beer battered haddock, kale slaw, brioche bun, tartar sauce, frites, and Grilled Ham and Cheese consisting of Parmesan butter, ham, Gruyère cheese, arugula, lemon vinaigrette, shredded carrots served with crispy frites.
Burgers
Our menu also features a delightful and unique range of burgers including the Belgian Burger, Bistro Burger, and the Black Bean Burger. What is even better is that the options of the handhelds are available for both lunch and dinner. When paired with your choice of drinks, our handhelds are nothing less than heaven.
Salads
Now these are not just any ordinary salads, ours are uniquely curated salads that use fresh and seasonal ingredients. The Niçoise salad is a vibrant salad featuring a mix of fresh local greens, tender haricots verts, and roasted fingerling potatoes.
Sweet baby peppers and juicy grape tomatoes add a burst of color and flavor, while briny Niçoise olives enhance the dish. All of this is drizzled with a zesty red wine vinaigrette and crowned with perfectly rare-seared yellowfin tuna, bringing a touch of sophistication to this delightful combination.
The OG Belgian Dishes
To prepare our Mussels Gratin we steam fresh mussels in a flavorful broth, then let them cool before topping them with a blend of seasoned breadcrumbs and rich Gruyère cheese. Finally, we finish them under the broiler until golden and bubbling, creating a delectable, comforting dish
Are you looking for something healthier and lighter? The Buddha Bowl is yet another unique option that consists of Sweet potatoes, pickled onions, roasted mushrooms, shredded carrots, farro, avocado, kimchi, arugula, and lemon vinaigrette. Under each salad, you have the option to select the ingredient you wish to add such as grilled or fried chicken, salmon, tofu, or eggs.
If you’re in the mood for something more filling our Steak and Frites is yet another Belgian must-try where steak is paired with french fries. Served with 8 oz flank steak with a choice of garlic butter or Au Poivre, a cognac-based peppercorn cream sauce. With a side salad with blue cheese, carrots, cucumber, and lemon vinaigrette.
Time For The Drinks Folks!
Here comes the classics, the Belgian Beers! Beers are an essential element in Belgian cuisine. Some of the most famous beers of Belgium include pale ales, lambics, Flemish red ales, sour brown ales, strong ales, and witbeer (aka wheat beer). A heavenly combination when rightly paired with some of the signature dishes we serve across our outlets.
Our beers range from all categories such as sour, fruity, earthy, crisp, malt, etc. Among the highly recommended is the Taste of Belgium IPA which is exclusive. This IPA is refreshing and easily drinkable with a smooth, fruity, creamy taste and a spicy hop finish that is not so overpowering.
In the beer section, you have the Chimay Grand Réserve (Blue) stands out among the various other options as this is the strongest of the Chimay beers, originally brewed to celebrate Christmas of 1948 with dried dark fruit notes & a warming alcohol finish.
In the sour section, you got the Duchesse Red which is matured in wine oak casks for 18 months and macerated with real cherries. This is a complex, higher-gravity beer.
Lastly, among the yeasty and spicy options, the Taste of Belgium Tripel is recommended as it is exclusive to Taste of Belgium, made with unique yeast and hops varieties, the primary taste is fruity & floral with flavors of citrus, coriander, clove, and grapefruit.
For the nonbeer folks, we’ve got your back too! As the trend for NA beers grows, we’re proud to offer options from Athletic Brewing Co. and NA Chouffe, straight from the Belgian Ardennes. We also serve a variety of mocktails, cocktails, and other beverages to go with your orders. Check out our drink menu across all our locations.
Here’s What Our Customers Say
The love that the crowd has for Taste of Belgium can be clearly seen through their testimonials, reviews, and ratings across the internet.
“One of the best meals we had while in Cincy this last weekend. The staff was wonderful, food was out of this world and the waffle-to-go bags were perfect! Portions were perfect. The aesthetic of the place was charming and so clean! Loved this place!” says Olivia from Clarksville after her visit in July this year.
Another customer said “Perfect place for dinner on a spring or summer evening. Lovely service, and excellent food. My husband had the waffle with strawberries, I had a salad and Brussels sprouts, absolutely delicious. Beautiful evening to sit outside and relax and enjoy dinner. Couldn’t have been better.”
Many more such reviews of our restaurant can be found on Yelp.
So What Are You Waiting For?
So drop by today and we will try to prove ourselves worthy of your energy and dollars! Right from the crisp freshly made waffles to the Belgianized American dishes and of course, the OG Belgian signatures paired with Belgian beers and other refreshing beverages, we have everything to satisfy all your cravings right from breakfast to dinner.
So come soon and come hungry!
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