Snacks

Belgians are famous for their chocolate, you already know that. But like there are good bakeries and bad ones, praliniers come in good and less good quality. If you prefer some artisan prepared chocolate with a special eye for new tastes, Van Hecke in the Koestraat is where you should go.

Heck, my grandfather already went there when he was a little kid! The shop is not very big, but an intoxicating smell of fine chocolate lures me right in. White chocolate, brown or black with classic and surprising flavour combinations. Do ask when you are there if they have something new coming up. They will happily let you taste their creations.

With the holidays, you can buy stunning works of art to give to your family or friends. And in the summertime they have a nice little chariot standing outside, making artisan ice cream and waffles. Recently they also sell bakery goods like croissants. Eat up!

When I leave for a travel reportage, I now always make sure I bring a box of chocolates for my contact. It’s not good for the figure, but they still like to see me coming (even more).

Although the Subway bars are jumping out of holes under the ground, I have never been to one. I pass one a lot though, in the city centre, but by then my stomach is already satisfied. Often by a wrap with chicken or salmon.

I buy these delicious wraps at the corner of my old neighbourhood, the waving water of Portus Ganda which splits downtown centre from the Dampoort region. Noon Sandwicherie has been around for some years now I think and makes sandwiches and wraps with a healthy image. This year they introduced some new flavours like carrot tapenade and other cool stuff.

They sell Tao and fruity smoothies. The noon sun shines right on through, so if it is warm enough, you can sit on their small terrace or go sit by the Portus Ganda of course.

Hanging around in the Mosquito Coast always feels like travelling at the same time. Not just the decorating, but the whole atmosphere breathes: I am not at home! In Hoogpoort you will find this bare necessity of mine, next to the Connections store. You know, when you are all in the mood to go, you just walk in and buy your ticket. Not good for the wallet though.

Mosquito has two floors and two terraces for that matter. A lot of room to let people eat, yes, but do not be fooled. It can get quite busy and reservations are a must sometimes. But for a cheap glass of white wine in the afternoon sun I am sure you will be able to pick a spot.

Next to a lot of drinks, from cocktails, beers and coffees to absinth, there is a very good kitchen that I urge you to try. They have small plates like a modest croque monsieur, but also real delicacies like kangaroo or ostrich steak!

Talking about that kangaroo or ostrich. some people are offended when i say mmm that is delicious, but put a piece of meat in their mouth and see what happens My last dinner guest was like WAW, oh my god! That’s soooo good So, yeah, duh

It looks like a shed, but once I had tasted their fries and met these charming vendors, I kept coming back. It is a friterie that can be called a pearl in the city.

Around for over more than fifty years and with competition across the street, they managed to stay and staying successful at the same time. And be surprised by whom is behind the counter! No caucasian, but very nice Mediterranean people.

Once asked in an interview why they bake one of Belgian’s finest export products, they replied that it is not only the Italians who can make pizza, right?

The service is quick, always cheerful and they manage to stay open very late. Depending on the time, you could even have breakfast with pot roast sauce if you may! But perhaps that is not very healthy of us to promote…

French fries, French fries? No they are not from France! Belgian fries of course! But where to get them? Finding the right fry is like finding the right hairdresser: it is trial and error. Luckily for you, we know some spots. One of them is De Papegaai, the parrot.

It is called after its street, the Papegaaiestraat (actually not really, it’s already in the Annonciadestraat ). It is a fairly big place, with lots of space where I could sit and enjoy my meal comfortably. You can order your golden treasures from really tiny to a really big bag. Mostly I really have enough with a small, because the people behind the counter are really generous! Sometimes, when I only ask for a burger, I even get ten fries for free.

The pot roast sauce is critically acclaimed to be one of the best you can get, but it all depends on how you like it of course. But, if you have to eat Belgian fries only once, you’d better get them here.