“Great things come from modest beginnings.”
Taste of Belgium is a not-so-hidden gem in the Queen City brunch scene. In 2007, our founder- Jean-François Flechet returned to Cincinnati from his native Belgium with a 120-pound cast iron waffle maker and a mission: to bring the beloved waffles of his childhood to his new home. After perfecting his recipe, he started baking waffles in the back of a produce store at Cincinnati’s historic Findlay Market. The irresistible aroma quickly drew crowds of waffle enthusiasts, and it wasn’t long before demand outgrew the space. From this humble beginning, Taste of Belgium was born, bringing authentic Belgian waffles to the heart of Cincinnati.
The Turning Point – Recognition by Metromix and CityBeat
In 2012, a local publication (now defunct) named Metromix surprised us by awarding Taste of Belgium the title of Best Sunday Brunch. Here’s the catch: we weren’t even open on Sundays at the time!
The recognition was a wake-up call. Sunday brunch was clearly in demand, so we opened our doors on Sundays. What happened next was extraordinary. The crowds poured in, making us the busiest brunch spot in town for years. Our popularity skyrocketed further when CityBeat crowned us Best Brunch multiple times, dethroning long-standing favorites like First Watch.
From being “discovered” while closed to becoming the brunch capital of Cincinnati, our journey has been fueled by our loyal customers, quality food, and innovative twists on Belgian classics.
For Cincinnati, brunch is more than a fad, it’s a weekend ritual that is a part of the city’s culture. For their favorite foods, brunch lovers will form lines outside their favorite restaurants, and thanks to our loyal customers, delicious food, and quality service we have risen to the top of the food chain. CityBeat has listed us as one of the best places to have brunch.
But the real turning point was you guys, our loyal customers. You found us through these write-ups and as the word spread, everyone listened and soon, we were fulfilling the foody souls of thousands of people!
What Makes Us the Best Brunch Spot in Cincinnati?
It starts with our signature dish- our waffles. All of our customers say that they have never eaten anything as good as the ones we serve. They ask us what we mix in them and it’s simple- we make them from scratch with honest ingredients. But the waffles are just the beginning You can also count out our Goetta Hash, Crepes, or our fluffy omelets. Each dish tells a story, a slice of culinary craftsmanship that we’re proud to serve.
Take a look at our brunch menu:
We are obsessed with freshness. No compromises, no shortcuts. Every single plate out of our kitchen shines through with the quality we put into the food. It’s a philosophy created on day one and a principle we will never abandon.
Introducing our bestselling waffle: Our Original Liège Waffles, crafted with Belgian pearl sugar which creates a crispy exterior while maintaining a soft, fluffy interior. This is heaven on a plate. Then for a touch of extra sweetness – our Strawberries & Cream Liège Waffles, will make your taste buds dance.
We’ve also introduced creative dishes like the Over the Top Waffle, a flavor-packed delight featuring our chewy Liège waffle, airy ricotta whipped cream, and crunchy black pepper nuts. It’s a true textural masterpiece that combines sweet and savory in every bite!
Cincinnati’s Role in Our Success
For us, it’s about community. We’re not just another business in Cincinnati; we are part of Cincinnati. We didn’t do this alone. Cincinnati has been our family every step of the way. Your support, your real feedback, your inspiration – that’s been our fuel. We have partnered with local farms, breweries, and artisans. We’re not just another restaurant in Cincinnati; we are part of it.
Our menu has evolved over the years. Today, our menu is something beautiful, it represents fusion and innovation. We have dishes that might confuse some local Belgians, but they will grow to love the flavors of Cincinnati. The local flavors are hardwired into our culinary DNA. Take our goetta: it’s a homage to Cincinnati’s unique food culture.
So, what’s next for Cincinnati’s best brunch spot? Well, we’re certainly not resting on our laurels. We’re always cooking up new ideas. New locations, events, and dishes.
To all our readers, we would like to extend an invitation to see us! Taste the waffles that started it all. Dive into a hearty McWaffle. Sip on a locally brewed beer. Experience for yourself why we’re called the best brunch in Cincinnati. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you.
From a lone waffle iron to Cincinnati’s favorite brunch spot, we’ve had our ups and downs, our burns and big breaks.
What are you waiting for? Come to Taste of Belgium. From our original waffles to our latest creations, there is always something new to discover.
Boozy Brunch
Brunch isn’t just about the food is it? —it’s about the drinks that make the experience complete. Our Boozy Brunch menu offers a wide variety of options to pair perfectly with your meal:
- Mimosa Flights: A bubbly adventure with four unique flavors to try.
- Bloody Marys: From the classic TOB Bloody Mary to the bold Beer-Mary.
- Beermosa: A refreshing twist blending beer and orange juice.
- Belgian Mule: A crisp cocktail featuring Belgium’s signature genever.
- Espresso Martini: A perfect pick-me-up any time of day.
What’s Next?
The future holds so much potential, and we could not be more excited to see what that means for us. We can assure you that quality will always be top-notch, flavors will always be real, and Cincinnati will always be the home base.
We’re also thinking of ways to share the Taste of Belgium with more people. We want everyone in Cincinnati to have a taste of the town’s best brunch – and one should be able to do that no matter where you are, however busy your schedule can get.
So thank you for taking this ride with us. Your continuous support, feedback, and enthusiasm made Taste of Belgium what it is today. We want to thank you so much for that and promise to keep on listening to you, improving, and serving up the best brunch in Cincinnati.
And to the many of you who have visited us already: thanks for hanging out. To those who have yet to come: what are you waiting for? Come on by Taste of Belgium and see for yourself why we’ve got magic. From waffle purists to adventurous foodies, there’s something to make those taste buds sing right here.
So whether you’re craving the perfect Liège waffle or a taste of something completely different, remember this: Taste of Belgium’s got your back to satisfy your brunch dreams. Join us, then, and let’s make some delicious memories together!
