Just weeks after visiting Brussels, terrorist attacks in the airport and a nearby metro station killed 32 people and injured several others. Nate and I were heartbroken to learn this news, and we pray for the families of everyone affected. I wrote this post before the tragedy, and now it seems just as important to show the city beyond the attacks; one that’s rich in culture, full of warm, charismatic people.

When Godiva offered about a dozen U.S. journalists the chance to explore its factory in Brussels, Belgium, I felt like Charlie Bucket the moment he found a golden ticket. I jumped at the chance to see how the 90-year-old brand makes its chocolates (more on that coming soon to Delish.com) — and the opportunity to explore the city.

I started scouring Belgian fashion and lifestyle blogs (one of my favorite sources for insider-y places to hit up), and while I didn’t have time to visit two shops that intrigued me — Cook & Book and God Save the Cream — I did have an incredible time. Here are some of my favorites:

FOOD:

Chez Leon
Yup, it’s super-touristy (and right in the heart of the tourist district, downtown), but the mussels are so worth it. I don’t even like seafood and I found myself trading steak for more of Nate’s parm-and-garlic-encrusted bivalves.

Fritland
Hands down, these are the best fries we tried in Brussels. And we found a way to have fries at pretty much every meal. You get a towering cone of fries — roughly the size of a supersize fry and a half — smothered with the sauce of your choice. In Belgium, the standard isn’t ketchup; it’s mayo.

Gaufres Chaudes Waffle Truck
These basic waffles are loaded with such light, caramelized sugar flavor that you don’t even need syrup of toppings. Find the truck just outside of Brussels’ South Station.

Delirium Cafe
This bar holds the Guinness World Record for serving largest variety of beers (more than 3,000!) and even sells its menu — which is more like a slim phonebook — for 5 Euro. It’s incredibly spacious and the drinks are reasonably priced.

FUN:

Free Walking Tours
One of Nate’s favorite experiences in Brussels was when he stumbled upon a free walking tour. You learn a lot about the city, all within an hour or so, and get to meet people along the way. Since he joined mid-tour, we’re not sure if this is the same tour service, but it’s worth checking out.

Manneken Pis
Yup, that’s exactly what it looks like: A bronze sculpture of a cherubic little boy urinating. Various rumors surround the statue, but the one I heard most often in Belgium was that it commemorated a young boy who saw a group planting an explosive near a building, and he peed on the fuse, saving the city from destruction.

 

 

ALL of the Chocolate Shops
Don’t miss a single one in the downtown area (many give out free samples!): Mary, Neuhaus, Elisabeth, La Belgique Gourmande, Godiva.

FULFILLMENT:

Grand Palace
This central square of Brussels features cobblestone streets and historic buildings even the most uninterested-in-arcitecture types can appreciate. In short, it’s gorgeous. (Also, there’s a Starbucks on one corner that sells the best chocolate chip cookies you’ve ever tasted; they’re totally unlike the kind in the States.)

Choco-Story, Museum of Chocolate
Learn how chocolate is made, and uncover the history of chocolate in Belgium (from chocolate molds to drinking chocolate). Oh, and the tour concludes with being handed Speculoos cookies — a cinnamon-spice treat — and dipping them in a fountain of chocolate. I repeat: Fountain of Chocolate.

 

Basically, don’t leave this country until you’ve had your fill of chocolate, Belgian beer, fries and waffles. You won’t be disappointed (although you may not be as thrilled about your waistline afterward).

 

Love to travel? Here are some other Frontiers posts you might enjoy:

• New Orleans, LA
• Austin, TX
• Dallas, TX
• Nashville, TN
• Portland, ME
• Sydney, Australia