Travel

A Jonathon Hawes Luxury Guide to Belgium

Belgium is effortlessly chic, indulgent, and completely underrated. Whether you come for the food, the design, or the sheer elegance of the architecture, it’s a place that stays with you. And if you leave already planning your next visit? Welcome to the club.

A 7-Day Itinerary for Food, Style & Understated Elegance

There’s something about Belgium that effortlessly blends old-world charm with modern refinement. It’s where grand architecture meets quiet luxury, where you can spend the morning admiring Gothic cathedrals and the afternoon shopping for hand-stitched linens in a perfectly curated home boutique. It’s a country of hidden gems, elegant hotels, and food so good you’ll wonder why people don’t talk about it more often.

I’ve been lucky enough to experience Belgium in spring, summer, and winter, and honestly? Each season brings its own magic. Spring is fresh and romantic, with flower markets and perfect terrace weather. Summer feels buzzy and alive, when the cities spill onto cobblestone patios. And winter? Cozy, atmospheric, and full of holiday magic, with Christmas markets that rival any in Europe.This itinerary is all about understated indulgence—the best hotels, the most delicious meals, and the kind of places Ina Garten herself would adore.

Let’s do Belgium right.

Where to Stay: The Best Luxury Hotels in Belgium

Belgium’s hotels know how to do charm—whether it’s a 19th-century mansion in Antwerp or a boutique hideaway in the heart of Bruges, these are my absolute favorite places to stay.

Brussels: Grand & Elegant

Hotel Amigo (Brussels) – Effortlessly luxurious, refined, and discreet. Steps from the Grand Place, with Rocco Forte’s signature mix of history and modernity.
Juliana Hotel Brussels – A small, perfectly designed boutique hotel in a neoclassical mansion. The kind of place where Ina Garten would sip tea in the lounge while discussing Flemish tapestries.
The Dominican (Brussels) – A serene retreat with plush interiors, hidden just off the city’s most bustling squares.

Antwerp: Chic & Design-Forward

Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp – A five-star urban retreat housed in a former monastery, now a wellness and design sanctuary. One of those rare hotels that feels like a destination in itself.
Hotel Julien (Antwerp) – A minimalist dream with soft linen beds, stunning city views, and a rooftop terrace perfect for a morning coffee.

Bruges: Romantic & Timeless

Dukes’ Palace Bruges – A grand, castle-like hotel, perfect for indulging in lazy breakfasts and long walks along the canals.
Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce (Bruges) – An utterly romantic boutique stay, housed in a 16th-century canal-side building with antique-filled interiors.

Countryside Retreats: Secluded & Magical

La Butte aux Bois (Lanaken) – A countryside escape near Maastricht, with Michelin-starred dining and an incredible spa.
1898 The Post (Ghent) – A stunningly restored historic post office turned into a boutique hotel, full of old-world charm.

Where to Eat: The Best Restaurants in Belgium

Belgium’s food scene is one of the best in Europe. Think Michelin-starred fine dining, cozy brasseries, and incredible street food.

Michelin-Starred Elegance

Hertog Jan at Botanic Sanctuary (Antwerp) – The kind of meal that stays with you. Hyper-local, hyper-refined, and worth every euro.
Comme Chez Soi (Brussels) – A Brussels institution since 1926. Classic French-Belgian cuisine with an impeccably elegant atmosphere.
Zilte (Antwerp) – Three Michelin stars. A dining experience that’s as much about artistry as it is about flavor.
L’Air du Temps (Éghezée, near Namur) – A serene, countryside dining destination, with a focus on farm-to-table elegance.
The Jane (Antwerp) – An ultra-modern, design-forward restaurant housed in a former chapel, with some of the most creative plates in Belgium.

Chic but Relaxed

Chez Léon (Brussels) – If you’re having moules-frites in Brussels, this is the place to do it. Order a bowl of mussels in white wine with a side of crispy fries and a glass of Belgian beer.
De Graslei (Ghent) – A gorgeous, canal-side brasserie, ideal for a long, wine-filled lunch.
De Vitrine (Ghent) – A stylish, intimate modern bistro where the menu is seasonal and always perfect.
Frites Atelier (Antwerp & Brussels) – Yes, fries deserve their own mention. A high-end reinterpretation of Belgium’s iconic frites, with sauces that make all the difference.
Den Dyver (Bruges) – If you love beer pairings as much as wine pairings, this is the place to be.

Must-Try Belgian Street Foods & Local Delights

Frites with Mayonnaise – The Belgian national dish (practically). Go to Maison Antoine in Brussels or Frites Atelier for the best.
Belgian Waffles – There are two kinds: Liège waffles (thicker, caramelized, richer) and Brussels waffles (lighter, crispier). Try both. Obviously.
Chocolate from Pierre Marcolini – The chocolate shop to end all chocolate shops.
Speculoos Cookies – The best come from Maison Dandoy in Brussels.
Carbonnade Flamande – A rich, slow-cooked beer stew, best enjoyed in a cozy brasserie with a glass of local beer.
Waterzooi – A creamy, delicate seafood stew that feels both comforting and elegant.