Flemish cream-and-broth stew with chicken (or fish, the older version), root vegetables and an egg-yolk liaison. Light, comforting, served with bread to mop the bowl.
Waterzooi originated in Flanders in the 18th century as a fish stew, with the name 'zooien' meaning to simmer. As fish became scarce in the inland rivers, the dish evolved through the 16th and 17th centuries into the chicken-based version that became the standard. The Brussels brasseries serve it as waterzooi de poulet, with the chicken poached then bound into an egg-yolk cream broth with leeks and carrots.
4 editor picks for Waterzooi in Brussels, ranked by editorial score. All Brussels signature dishes · Waterzooi across every city.
Aux Armes de Bruxelles ★ 4.2
sainte-catherine · Rue des Bouchers 13, 1000 Brussels
Aux Armes de Bruxelles on Rue des Bouchers has been running since 1921, with Calixte Veulemans opening as a brasserie. Rudy Vanlancker of Chez Leon bought the house in 2018.
Brasserie Ploegmans ★ 4.1
marolles · Rue Haute 148, 1000 Brussels
Brasserie Ploegmans in Brussels' Marolles is the wood-panelled local that runs Belgian standards: meatballs, shrimp croquettes, choucroute garnie. Half a block from Place du Jeu de Balle.
Chez Leon ★ 4.0
sainte-catherine · Rue des Bouchers 18, 1000 Brussels
Chez Leon in Brussels has run on Rue des Bouchers since 1893, when Leon Vanlancker opened five tables. Five generations later the family still serves moules-frites from the same kitchen.
Volle Gas ★ 3.9
ixelles · Place Fernand Cocq 21, 1050 Ixelles
Volle Gas in Brussels' Ixelles is a 1924 Art Deco brasserie on Place Fernand Cocq. The kitchen runs nearly 30 mussel preparations and a Belgian carte of meatballs and steak.