11 key insights for your journey to Belgium

Belgium is small. If you doze off on a train from Paris to Amsterdam, you might miss it entirely—unless you’re a really deep sleeper.

Yet, this intriguing little country boasts some of Europe’s finest medieval towns (like Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp), the EU’s capital, Brussels, and three official languages.

Delicious chocolates, exceptional beers, and quirky bureaucracy are all part of the experience, highlighting a range of cultural and practical nuances worth knowing before your visit.

1. Don't expect to find Brussels sprouts on local menus

You might expect Brussels sprouts to be a staple on Belgian menus, but while they originated in 13th-century Flanders, Belgians often regard endives as their true national vegetable.

Referred to as witloof in Dutch and chicons in Belgian French, a traditional dish features them wrapped in ham and covered in white sauce. However, interest in this labor-intensive cultivation has dwindled, causing a decline in Belgian endive production over the past three decades.

There are concerns that this vegetable could face near extinction in the coming generation, but scientists are diligently working to preserve it.

2. You’ll be charged for water, but tipping isn’t necessary

Belgium boasts excellent public health standards and a socialized healthcare system admired by its neighbors, and despite occasional concerns, most tap water is safe to drink.

However, you might be surprised to find that if you dare to ask for eau du robinet at a restaurant, you’re likely to be met with resistance. Restaurants may provide free bread, and there’s no obligation to tip, yet for water, you’re expected to pay for bottled mineral water—sometimes even less expensive than a beer.

3. Keep some coins handy: you may need them for restroom access

Cash use is declining in Belgium, with many establishments preferring cards or mobile payments. However, it’s wise to carry a few euro coins, especially for older public restrooms that might still require payment.

Yes, sadly, some motorway rest stops still require a fee for restroom access. Even larger restaurants may charge you to use their facilities. Whether you consider McDonald's a “restaurant” or not, you’ll need to pay at its central Ghent location.

4. Cash transactions are rounded to the nearest €0.05

Unlike in neighboring Netherlands, the €0.01 and €0.02 coins are still considered legal tender in Belgium. However, you probably won’t encounter them, as since 2019, Belgian merchants have been required to round all in-person cash payments to the nearest €0.05.

5. Finding ATMs can be a challenge

As cash use declines, so too does the number of available ATMs. A rise in brazen robberies has made banks hesitant to install cash machines in their exteriors. Thus, in many Belgian cities, if you need cash, you’ll likely have to seek out a Bancontact location, which features “bank-neutral” cash machines.

6. Enjoy frites, not French fries

You might have heard about people in Holland putting mayonnaise on their fries from the movie Pulp Fiction, but this practice goes beyond those borders.

In Belgium, this tradition thrives, offering a variety of mayo-based sauces to accompany your order of friets/frites from a frituur (fry shop). If you’re unsure, opt for the mildly spicy Andalouse on the side instead of smothering your deliciously triple-fried fries.

Above all, avoid calling them “French fries” – the one thing that unites both Flemish and Francophone Belgians is that Belgium, not France, truly masters the art of frying potatoes.

7. Cafes lean more towards beer than coffee

Belgium embraces the global third-wave coffee trend: skilled baristas can be found throughout, along with some excellent urban roasteries. However, in a traditional Belgian cafe, while you can expect a good coffee (usually served with a piece of chocolate or a speculaas biscuit), don’t anticipate a flat white or cold-drip coffee.

Belgium's traditional cafes resemble pubs more than coffee shops, featuring hardwood chairs, wooden paneling, brass fixtures, and mirrors, but in a more understated style than a French brasserie. The primary focus in these cafes is beer. Simply ordering a bière (French) or pintje (Flemish) will get you a nicely poured 25cl lager.

However, any reputable cafe will also have a selection of alternative brews, often available in bottles, with alcohol content that can rival that of wine.

Some beer bars boast an extensive menu, with each beer served in its designated glass. Among the finest options are the various Trappist beers, still crafted by monks, known for their rich, balanced flavors. Some enthusiasts particularly enjoy the sour, spontaneously-fermented lambics.

If you don’t mind standing out as a tourist, give the Kwak a try; it’s typically served in a striking round-bottomed glass on a wooden stand, resembling a piece of laboratory equipment.

8. Driving under the influence is strictly unacceptable

When in a Belgian cafe, if someone asks, “Are you Bob?” don’t assume they recognize you. In Belgium, ‘Bob’ refers to the designated driver—the person in the group who abstains from the tempting array of beers.

In the early 2000s, drink driving was often treated as a minor offense, with police sometimes urging intoxicated individuals to head home instead of arresting them. However, attitudes have shifted dramatically in the past decade, and the old Belgian saying “if I wasn’t drunk, I’d be too scared to drive” is no longer taken lightly.

Like much of Europe, the legal blood alcohol limit is 50 milligrams per 100 milliliters (0.05%), which can easily be reached after consuming just one strong beer.

9. When unsure, opt for English

It’s generally courteous to speak the local language while traveling, right? Yes, but defining “local” in central Belgium can be a challenge.

The bureaucratic divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flanders, French-speaking Wallonia, and officially bilingual Brussels are largely imperceptible. There’s also a German-speaking community in Wallonia.

Generally, using the wrong local language—like speaking French in parts of Flanders—can be viewed as more inconsiderate than simply using English, or you might just not be understood. In larger cities, it’s often best to stick with English.

10. Fluent in languages? Be aware that French, Belgian French, and Walloon are distinct from each other

Wallonia is the French-speaking region of Belgium, but the French spoken here has its quirks. If you’re fluent in the language of Voltaire, be ready to say “septante” for 70 and “nonante” for 90—but don’t use “octante” for 80, as that’s considered too Swiss.

Don’t confuse this with speaking Walloon, which is essentially a separate language with various dialects. Nowadays, Walloon is mostly heard at folkloric events (like the Les Macralles night of witches in Vielsalm) or puppet shows, particularly featuring Tchanchès, the mascot of Liège.

For added humor, you can sprinkle your Belgian French with words from Bruxellois, the street dialect of the capital, which blends French with some wonderfully unique Dutch-derived terms. For instance, un zieverer refers to a wind-up artist known for telling exaggerated tales.

Similarly, en stoemelings means doing something secretly, often referring to cash transactions driven by the age-old Belgian enthusiasm for tax avoidance. Both expressions carry a humorous, not negative, connotation.

11. Road signs can make place names confusing

The language divide is likely to be most confusing when you’re driving. Many Flemish towns have completely different names in French, and vice versa, with regional road signs often displaying their own versions. Tourists might find it particularly perplexing with places like Bergen (Mons), Louvain (Leuven), and Luik (Liège).

If you approach Jodoigne from the north, you’ll see it marked as Geldenaken. Even foreign cities aren’t exempt: in Flanders, signs for Lille (France) may show Rijsel, while in Wallonia, Aachen appears as Aix-la-Chapelle.