Belgian cuisine is widely varied among regions, while also reflecting the cuisines of neighbouring France, Germany and the Netherlands. It is sometimes said that Belgian food is served in the quantity of German cuisine but with the quality of French food. Outside the country, Belgium is best known for its chocolate, waffles, fries and beer.
Moules-frites/Mosselen met friet, one of Belgium's national dishes
Carbonade flamande/Stoofvlees, another of Belgium's national dishes
Chicons au gratin/Gegratineerd witloof
Varieties of coiled boudin/pens (blood sausage) on sale at a Belgian Christmas market
Beer in Belgium includes pale ales, lambics, Flemish red ales, sour brown ales, strong ales and stouts. In 2018, there were 304 breweries in Belgium, including international companies, such as AB InBev, and traditional breweries, such as Trappist monasteries. On average, Belgians drink 68 litres of beer each year, down from around 200 each year in 1900. Most beers are bought or served in bottles, rather than cans, and almost every beer has its own branded, sometimes uniquely shaped, glass. In 2016, UNESCO inscribed Belgian beer culture on their list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
A Chimay tripel beer with its branded glass
Beers from recognised Trappist breweries: Achel, Chimay, Engelszell, La Trappe, Orval, Spencer, Rochefort, Tre Fontane, Westmalle, Westvleteren, and Zundert
Augustijn [nl] and Augustijn Grand Cru, brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Vlaamsche Bandiet ("Flemish Bandit") is a popular Belgian wheat beer.