La Belgique Gourmande

Belgium is well-known for its superior chocolate making. Chocolatiers line the streets with stores of all kinds, offering ornately designed chocolates and various pairings.  Last year, in Brussels, I stopped at the most amazing bakery and candy store, La Belgique Gourmande.  This store is a Belgian masterpiece!

Designed and decorated like a vintage candy store or apothecary, La Belgique Gourmande features confections one can only dream of.  The store envelopes you in delicious aromas.  Huge, open containers of cookies are center stage, ready for you to box your favorites in your selected metal tin.  Confections of all kinds line the tall shelves along the walls.  Tins and jars overflowed with colorful sweets. Chocolates line display cases in every variety and shape you can imagine. Whether you are looking for a treat for yourself or a pre-wrapped gift, La Belgique Gourmande has it all.

When I first walked in, I was amazed at the large, open, and decorative display of cookies/biscuits.  There were so many different flavors and shapes, I made myself a little sampling to take home.

I even brought the kids home some of the most delicious lollipops I’ve ever tasted.  They appeared to be handcrafted (because they didn’t have the traditional round shape) and didn’t taste the least bit artificial.  There were so many delicious flavors and they were so cleverly arranged. I felt like I was 8 again. I couldn’t get enough of all these goodies!

Other delicacies from La Belgique Gourmande include waffles, marzipan, chocolates of all kinds, nuts, candied fruits, caramels, biscuits/cookies, macaroons, gingerbread and more.  Both traditional and present day treats abound here.  While I was here, I learned about a candy called the cuberdon, a cone-shaped Belgian candy. It looks like a nose, but some say it’s a priest’s hat. The cuberdons are hard on the outside and gelatinous on the inside. These candies are not exported outside of Belgian because after three weeks, the gelatinous inside begins to crystallize. In so many flavors, it was hard to pick a favorite!

The staff at La Belgique Gourmande was incredibly friendly and helpful in guiding me through the displays. They did a lovely job keeping the store incredibly neat and all of the bins well stocked.

If you are ever in Brussels or Brugge, definitely make a stop here.  Indulge in all the heavenly delicacies that La Belgique Gourmande has to offer.

Happy Travels!

Julie