History
Fries are very popular in Belgium, where they are thought to have originated: a 1781 book describes people around the Meuse eating fried potatoes since about 1680. Belgian fries are fried twice, and they are sold from friteries called frietkot or frituur, traditionally in a paper cone, usually with mayonnaise. In Bruges the Frietmuseum is open daily, FritBar sells a cone for €6.50 with over 20 toppings, and Frituur De Gentpoorte fries in plant-based fat and serves take-away only.
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Common allergens: Egg
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 1.2kg floury potatoes, such as Bintje
- Beef dripping or neutral oil for deep frying
- Sea salt
- Mayonnaise to serve
Method
- Peel the potatoes and cut into chips around 1cm thick. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Heat the fat to 140C and blanch the chips in batches for 6 to 8 minutes until soft but pale.
- Lift out and rest on a rack for at least 30 minutes, or longer.
- Heat the fat to 175C and fry the chips again in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until deep golden and crisp.
- Drain briefly, salt at once and serve in a cone or bowl with mayonnaise.
Tip from the editors. The rest between fries is essential; it dries the surface so the second fry shatters. Beef dripping gives the authentic flavour.
Where to eat belgian frites
Belgian frites in Bruges
FritBar ★ 4.2
FritBar at Katelijnestraat 3 serves fresh Belgian fries with over 20 toppings, plus gourmet burgers and light bites, with Belgian draft beer to wash it down.
TryTraditional Belgian stew fries: large Belgian fries topped with a homemade pork stew based on brown beer.
TipFritBar does not take table reservations; upgrading to parmesan or sweet potato fries costs €1,80 extra.
Frituur De Gentpoorte ★ 4.0
Frituur De Gentpoorte on Gentpoortstraat is a take-away frituur open Thursday to Sunday, serving fries and snacks fried in plant-based fat, with no eating in.
TryJulientje: fries with stewed meat sauce, mayonnaise or joppie sauce and satay spices.
TipEating on the spot is not possible: order by phone, online or directly at the counter.
More places near FritBar and Frituur De Gentpoorte
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- Yarn Brunch, about 100 m away
- Tanuki Japanese, about 250 m away
- Bar Lowie Café, about 300 m away
- Terra Promessa Italian, about 300 m away
- 't Nieuw Walnutje Spanish tapas, about 350 m away
- Bistrobar Boreas Bistro, about 350 m away
More cities are in research. Want belgian frites covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.