Wallonia, with its abundance of deep rivers, game-filled forests and vast orchards, offers a varied culinary palette of quality produce.
History has played a part in it too. Occupiers from all over Europe (Gauls, Romans, Spaniards, Burgundians, Germans etc), along with immigrant labourers who mostly came to work in the mines, have all left their mark on the region. Their traditional dishes and drinks, adapted to suit the local terrain, have been incorporated into Belgian cuisine and reinvented.
To taste the food and drink of Wallonia is to gain a deeper understanding of the region, its roots and origins.
A journey through the flavours of Wallonia
Here’s a selection of regional products that will take you on a journey through the flavours of Wallonia:
- Beer - because Wallonia is one of the regions of the world which has the widest variety of beers.
- Cheeses - each more tasty than the last, with varieties to rival those produced in France.
- Chocolate - with the great chocolatiers who became ambassadors abroad such as Galler and Darcis.
- Cured meats from the Ardennes, such as the Ardennes ham, have a long-established reputation.
- Frites – our legendary frites stalls come with many different sauces: a must-try for any visitor
- Liquors - our brandies include Peket, Eau de Villée. But now have our very own whisky too.
- Sweet treats – from macaroons to couque biscuits, we have something for anyone with a sweet tooth.
- Tarts – sweet or savoury, they’re given pride of place in the windows of our delightful patisseries.
- Water - known and appreciated for its health benefits, sourced and bottled in Spa and Chaudfontaine.
- Wine - the pride of the many rising vineyards estates, several of which have no received prestigious awards abroad.
- Waffles - represented by the famous Liège waffle (not to be confused with the Brussels waffle).
