TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Flanders Foods
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Carbonnade is a traditional stew made with beef and dark beer. Often referred to as carbonade flamande or stoverij, it features simple ingredients, but results in a rich and hearty dish. Although beef is the main ingredient in carbonnade, the crucial element for the dish is traditional Belgian dark beer.
It gives the dish certain sour and earthy flavors that perfectly complement the sweet onions and tender beef. Thyme, garlic, and bay leaves are added for extra flavor, while slices of mustard bread are sometimes added in order to thicken the sauce.
In Ghent, the dish often contains kidneys and liver.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
A typical dessert of the East Flanders, mattentaart is a small puff pastry pie with a tender, almond-flavored cheese curd filling called mattenbrij. These delicious Flemish pies are traditionally made in the city of Geraardsbergen and the neighboring village of Lierde, and their production depends heavily on the Geraardsbergen area's dairy produce, since genuine mattentaarts are prepared using only fresh milk, butter, and buttermilk from the local farms.
Although the origins of mattentaart can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the oldest known recipe was found in Een Notabel Boecxken van Cokeryen, the first cookbook in Dutch, written and published in 1514 by Thomas van Der Noot. Later on, the famed mattentaarts were even depicted by the Flemish Renaissance painter and printmaker Pieter Bruegel the Elder in his 1567 painting The Peasant Wedding.
Traditionally produced using an age-old Flemish method, ganda ham is a dry-salted meat specialty hailing from Belgium. The meat product consists only of high-quality Belgian pork and dry sea salt (La Baleine) from Montpellier.
Entirely natural and free of any additives, the ham is typically dry-salted twice over a period of several weeks, then allowed to age for 8 weeks, and it is finally left to dry in special drying lockers for 10 or 16 months, a period during which it acquires its outstanding flavor, color, and aroma.
To retain their tenderness and avoid crust on their surface, the hams are typically thinly covered with lard, which is rinsed off after the natural drying process. Ganda ham is sold in a variety of forms, including whole hams, half hams, de-boned hams, or bone-in hams.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Asparagus a la Flamande is a Flemish dish consisting of cooked white asparagus topped with a combination of mashed hard-boiled eggs, butter, lemon juice, and parsley. There are other variations on the dish, so some cooks like to add ham, salmon, or shrimps as toppings.
It is recommended to additionally flavor this elegant dish with a sprinkle of smoked coarse salt on top.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Flemish waffle is a traditional product consisting of flour, yeast, butter, milk, eggs, salt, and vanilla sugar. Unlike Brussels and Liège waffle, the Flemish variety is usually consumed without any toppings after it has cooled down. It is recommended to prepare the waffles in large batches as they can be preserved for a few weeks if stored properly.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Gaufre
Named after the eponymous village where it originated, Passendale is a semi-soft Belgian cheese made from cow’s milk. It is characterized by a soft and creamy texture, sweet aroma, and mild flavor. Typically round in shape, it has a natural brown rind which is lightly dusted with white mold so it looks visually reminiscent of a bread loaf.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Tomate crevette is a Belgian specialty dish consisting of an uncooked tomato stuffed with a combination of shrimps, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, and tomato juice. It is believed that this appetizer is best when overflowing with shrimp, with the tomato tops acting as little decorative lids.
When served, tomate crevette can be accompanied by fries or freshly chopped vegetables.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Waterzooi is a traditional seafood stew with a creamy consistency. It incorporates julienne-sliced vegetables, an egg, and a cream-based soup. The dish originated in the city of Ghent, and according to the most popular belief, the rivers around the city were abundant in fish, so the dish was invented as a new way to incorporate fish into traditional Belgian cuisine.
However, the decrease in fish population and pollution have caused this dish to be reinvented once again, and today it is commonly prepared with chicken. Although it can be found in other Belgian regions and cities, Ghent has specialized in the preparation of the dish, and there are numerous restaurants across the city which offer waterzooi as their signature dish.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Antwerpse handjes are traditional Belgian hand-shaped cookies originating from Antwerp. The cookies date back to 1934 and they're made with a combination of flour, eggs, butter, sugar, and almonds. The dough is shaped into small hands and the cookies are then baked until golden.
Antwerpse handjes are a symbol of Antwerp and they're sold in bakeries across the city. The shape of a hand refers to the legend of Brabo, a Roman soldier who cut off the hand of the giant Antigoon who imposed a tax for each ship that wanted to enter the port.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Flemish leek soup is one of Belgium's national dishes and a favorite during the cold and rainy winter months. To make this thick, nutritious and heartwarming dish, leeks are cooked with potatoes in a flavorful beef broth. Preisoep is most often prepared as a mere soup, but it can also be elevated to quite a meal when meaty beef bones are added to the pot, cooked until tender and reserved for the second course.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Flanders Food Producers
Little Cheese Farm is a family-owned artisanal cheese producer located in Belgium. They focus on creating high-quality, handcrafted cheeses using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients. Their range of products includes a variety of cheeses made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, all crafted with a passion for sustainability and authenticity.
Known for their dedication to preserving the unique flavors of the region, Little Cheese Farm emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity, delivering exceptional cheeses that reflect the rich culinary heritage of Belgium.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2022, 2021
BEST Little Cheese Farm Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022, 2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Kaasmakerij Passendale Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Baliehof Kaas En Zuivelboerderij Jabbeke Cheeses
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2024
BEST Brouwerij Haeseveld Beers
Centho-Chocolates is a Belgian chocolate producer based in Duisburg, near Brussels. The company is known for crafting high-quality, artisan chocolates using traditional Belgian techniques. They source their cacao from select regions, ensuring a rich and diverse flavor profile in their products.
Centho-Chocolates has also gained recognition for its unique pairings and flavor combinations.
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
BEST Secro 29 Liqueurs
AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold
2023

European Beer Star - Gold
2022
BEST Brasserie Caulier Beers
AWARDS

International Beer Challenge - Best Wheat Beer
2023
BEST AB-Inbev Hoegaarden Beers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Flanders Food Products
Postel Mi-vieux Belegen is a semi-aged Belgian cheese, known for its smooth and creamy texture. It has a rich, slightly nutty flavor, which intensifies as it matures. Typically enjoyed with bread or on a cheese platter, Postel Belegen is a versatile cheese that pairs well with both light red wines and stronger beers.
It is a popular choice for those who enjoy semi-matured cheeses with a balanced taste.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
Gentenaer by Little Cheese Farm is a handcrafted Belgian cheese that embodies the essence of traditional cheese-making. This artisanal cheese is made from the fresh, high-quality milk of cows that graze on lush pastures in the picturesque region of Meetjesland.
The cheese showcases a unique flavor profile influenced by the rich terroir and the natural diet of the cows, which directly impacts the taste of the milk.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022, 2021
Maigre Des Flandres is a traditional Belgian cheese renowned for its rich flavor and unique texture. Originating from the Flanders region, this cheese is typically made from cow's milk and is characterized by its semi-soft consistency. The cheese has a pale yellow rind, which is often natural and slightly wrinkled, and a creamy, smooth interior that melts in the mouth.
Its flavor profile is pleasantly mild with subtle nutty and buttery notes, making it versatile for various culinary uses.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
Postel Reserve is a premium Belgian cheese, characterized by its firm texture and rich, complex flavors that develop as it matures. This cheese boasts a slightly crumbly consistency and a well-balanced, nutty taste. Ideal for cheese platters, it pairs excellently with robust wines and artisanal breads.
Postel Reserve is a great choice for those seeking a high-quality, flavorful cheese experience.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
Kaasboerderij 't Groendal produces a cheese called Og Goat, which is made from the milk of goats. This cheese offers a distinctive flavor profile, often characterized by earthy and slightly tangy notes. Og Goat is known for its creamy texture that complements the richness of the goat milk used in its production.
It is typically aged to develop a more complex flavor, making it a favorite among cheese enthusiasts.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2024
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.