Moules-frites is a signature dish of Belgium; we have verified places to eat it in Bruges and Brussels. Mussels cooked with aromatics such as celery, leek or white wine, served with frites.
Moules-frites · Bruges
Mussels cooked with aromatics such as celery, leek or white wine, served with frites. Moules-frites is often called the national dish of Belgium.
Moules-frites probably began when cheap mussels, eaten around the Flemish coast, met fried potatoes, a winter staple. Much of the mussel supply comes from farms in Zeeland, and the usual recipes are marinière, nature, à la crème and à la bière. At Breydel-De Coninck on Breidelstraat the mussels come plain, with garlic butter, in white wine sauce or with ginger, coriander and chili, and main courses come with frites or rice. 't Nieuw Walnutje lists Zeeuwse mosselen with frietjes in seven preparations.
Where to eat in Bruges:
- Breydel-De Coninck
- 't Nieuw Walnutje
Where to eat Moules-frites in Bruges: the editor picks
Moules-frites · Brussels
Mussels steamed in a pot with celery, onion, white wine, butter or cream and served with a side of fries. Moules-frites is counted as Belgium's national dish.
Moules-frites is thought to have begun on the Flemish coast, where mussels were cheap and fried potatoes were a common winter food; much of the Belgian supply comes from Zeeland farms. Chez Leon says Leon Vanlancker moved to 18 Rue des Bouchers in 1893 and that after the 1958 World Fair Brussels became the capital of moules-frites. Aux Armes de Bruxelles says it had Yerseke mussels sent to Brussels and served in individual pots in the 1920s.
Where to eat in Brussels:
- Chez Leon
- Aux Armes de Bruxelles
- Au Stekerlapatte
Where to eat Moules-frites in Brussels: the editor picks
