If you’re visiting Brussels and looking for something a little different (and delicious), sign up for a waffle-making workshop. It’s one of those rare activities that doubles as breakfast, entertainment, and a souvenir skill you can actually use when you get home. That’s what I call a win-win.

The workshop is conveniently located about a half-mile from the Grand Place, making it an easy walk through the heart of the city. We arrived about 10 minutes early, just as instructed, and were welcomed by the friendly staff. The building also hosts a chocolate-making workshop upstairs, so if the smell of fresh waffles wasn’t tempting enough, the aroma of chocolate certainly sealed the deal.

After claiming a workstation, it was time to channel our inner Belgian baker. Following easy step-by-step instructions, we measured, weighed, cracked eggs, and mixed everything from scratch. Since there were only two of us, we made a batch of four large Brussels waffles, but the recipes are adjusted based on group size. I also appreciated that gluten-free guests aren’t left out—the workshop provides a separate recipe and dedicated waffle iron to avoid cross-contamination. One fun surprise? We learned about vanilla sugar, a staple in Belgian baking that isn’t nearly as common back home in the U.S. Thankfully, it’s easy to make yourself once you get home. (see recipe here)

While our batter rested, we learned the difference between Belgium’s two famous waffles. The richer, denser Liège waffle is packed with pearl sugar, making it perfect for grabbing from a street vendor and eating plain. The lighter Brussels waffle—the one we made—is crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and basically a blank canvas for every topping imaginable.

And when I say toppings, I mean ALL the toppings. Chocolate sauce, Nutella, cookie butter, caramel, whipped cream, fresh fruit, sprinkles, jams, peanut butter… if you could dream it, it was probably sitting on the topping bar. I tend to lean toward the less-is-more approach, so my first masterpiece featured bananas, strawberry sauce, and just enough whipped cream to make it feel like vacation. My friend embraced the “go big or go home” philosophy with chocolate sauce, bananas, chocolate chips, and whipped cream. There were no wrong answers here.

Naturally, my second waffle became my experimental one. I couldn’t decide between toppings, so I treated each half like its own culinary adventure. It wasn’t exactly Instagram-worthy by the end, but it disappeared just as quickly as the prettier first one. Funny how that works.

This workshop turned out to be one of my favorite ways to kick off our first morning in Brussels. It was relaxed, interactive, and gave us a better appreciation for one of Belgium’s most famous treats—not to mention we left completely full. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or just looking for a fun break from museums and sightseeing, I’d happily recommend adding this to your Brussels itinerary.

Travel Warning: You may return home with an overwhelming desire to purchase a waffle iron. Ask me how I know.

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