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    Belga Cafe

    3.6 (1.3k reviews)
    PriceyBelgian, French
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Belga Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    BELGA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Belga Cafe

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    Ines G.

    Great ambiance. Wonderful food! We went for restaurant week and were not disappointed! Highly recommend for great, delicious and healthy food.

    Strawberry Field Waffle
    Jordan N.

    A couple friends and I tried this spot for brunch on a whim, and it was quite enjoyable! We did go on a busier day so I'm sure that's why the service was a little hard to get a hold of but nothing too serious. The food was good, the waffle was great! I would definitely recommend trying their selection of waffles! I personally was not a huge fan of the cocktails, but anyone into very fragrant/intense flavors would be! Overall fun experience, I probably wouldn't go back, but absolutely worth the first try!

    Logan B.

    I felt like Europe packed up and moved to DC. This was by far one of the cutest brunch places I've ever been to. There is literally a ski lodge cabin you eat in! Outside of the setting, all the food seems to have some authenticity to it. Now this was the first time I've had Belgian food, so take that with a grain of salt. The drinks were delicious. I got the Belgian Coffee and it was creamy as can be. Not too strong, not too sweet. The waffles were FLUFFY. Obviously a must get I felt like Dr. Seuss with the green eggs. They were good! Flavors were complete with good seasoning. If you have the chance, try this place out

    Green eggs
    Sonya H.

    As one of DC's only Belgian restaurants, I was super excited when my Belgian friend (who is, naturally, a Belgian food expert) suggested we try out Belga Cafe for brunch. It was a lovely Saturday morning, so we ended up sitting upstairs in their outdoor bar area (lovingly named The Betsy and themed after chickens). The menu wasn't quite the authentic Belgian cuisine my friend was hoping for, but everything still looked delicious, so we deliberated for quite some time on what we wanted to order. Thankfully, our super friendly and endlessly patient server helped us to finally settle on a few of their signature items -- a plate of their famous green eggs for my friend, and the crispy egg on mushroom toast for me. The eggs were phenomenal; they were super fluffy and had a great earthy flavor from the pesto and creamed spinach. I'm sure they were dripping in butter, especially with the bacon and Gruyere, but they were green, so we could pretend that this was a "healthy" breakfast. The mushroom toast was equally decadent, with a thick, hearty loaf of country bread topped with earthy sauteed mushrooms. All of this was then topped with a ton of garlic, parsley, and fried kale (more green / veggies to help us pretend this was a healthy meal), as well as the star of the show -- a crispy fried poached egg. How they managed to give the egg a nice, deep-fried crust while still maintaining the soft, runny yolk is beyond me, but it was a phenomenal combination of textures. All in all, Belga Cafe / The Betsy is a delightful spot for a Belgian-ish brunch. They have a solid selection, friendly staff, and lovely atmosphere. I do think the dishes trend a bit expensive, as the portions are a tad small for the price point, but they do a great job balancing flavor profiles and textures.

    Blood orange Napoleon Mimosa
    Kelly M.

    I love Belga cafe, but I will only be going with a group of 6 or less in the future. The food is great and the employees are awesome, but they have pretty ridiculous billing policies imposed on groups of 8 or more. We got charged a 3% service fee, then they assessed 20% tip on top of the subtotal plus service fee, then they did tax on top of THAT total so we ended up paying close to 36% more beyond our base bill of items. The 20% gratuity is not imposed on smaller groups. Anyway, the seafood omelette was AMAZING at brunch and the waffles are always good. Really fun menu with items you won't find everywhere.

    L'Original Waffle Bommekes
    Candice H.

    Overall, the food at this restaurant is tasty. We tried two different types of waffles. One was the original waffle with whipped cream on the side because they do give you a generous portion and the chicken and waffles. The chicken and waffles were the star of the meal. I love the popcorn on top and the chicken was perfectly seasoned. For a cocktail, I recommend the Bellini! The only downside to this meal was the jerk turkey bacon. We were thinking that the entire pieces of Bacon we're going to be coated with jerk sauce. They were just drizzled on top. We recommend that the turkey bacon be brined in jerk sauce versus just drizzled on top because you really are just eating turkey bacon with sauce. Our waitress was also super generous and kind. We were very pleased with the service at this restaurant and the decor is also super cute and the entire restaurant is clean very spaced out for a table seating and Iwould definitely recommend for brunch.

    Menu
    Tania A.

    I went for brunch at Belga Cafe during DC's Winter Restaurant Week - and what it was quite the treat. From the minute we walked in to the restaurant for our 1:45pm reservation, it was clear that it is a very popular brunch spot in the Barracks Row area. It was busyyy... But, as we had a reservation we were seated within the first 5 mins of arriving. Overall, everyone loved what they had. My friends both ordered the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Thighs and Waffles - which they both enjoyed. I ordered the Omelette au Fromage Classique with the Bucket of Applewood Smoked Bacon, and it was great. We all devoured the Baba au Rhum for dessert - so, definitely make sure you give that a try if you're planning on going. Their cocktails were also good. We had the Aperol Spritz, Bart Simpson at Your Service and the Espresso Martini, and overall they were all ab fab. Overall, this would be a great place to grab brunch or dinner with family and/or friends.

    Strawberries
    Jamie A.

    So excited that we got to return to this restaurant. It was a big hit with everyone. All of the ingredients were very fresh and the small details went well with the dishes.

    Varkenskotelet Met Spruitjes
    Julian S.

    This was our first time eating here and we came on a Thursday night. The food was great and not over priced. I had the Varkenskotelet Met Spruitjes and my wife had the Mussels Mariniere the Classique. We also had French Baguette And Two Butters. They also have a great drink selection with some very good mixed drinks, wines, and beer. We left there with no room for dessert because we were full and very satisfied.

    Belga has the best mussels - if you are looking for a great happy hour every day! Saturday and Sunday included!!!
    Liz M.

    I love the Belga Cafe! The service is outstanding and the food is innovative and delicious. I highly recommend attending a chef's dinner - it's an intimate affair with the chef mingling with the guests and pouring more wine. This is my "go to" restaurant on The Hill - if Fabian is the host - tell him Liz sent you! I hope you lov

    Caitlin L.

    Yesterday for dinner, my partner and I visited Belga Cafe since I've been on a Euro cuisine kick recently. We indulged in beef stew, lobster and crab pasta, and baguette with butter. The lobster and crab pasta left us salivating for more as it was buttery, and the citrus from the lemon cut through the flavors. I like the unique plating. The beef stew was decent, but I felt like the beef was dry. The baguette tasted really delicious when we dipped into the stew. The seaweed butter was tastefully unique with our crispy baguette. We really enjoyed the Belgian fries with the mayo (?) dip too. Service was attentive. Overall, delightful dinner! It was an elevated dining experience and I appreciate the attention to detail in regards to the plating.

    STEAK TARTARE APP, delicious
    Nathalie H.

    Belga café is the place in Washington DC to eat and drink Belgium cuisine. Belga café is the place to go and eat phenomenal incredible Belgium food

    Stephanie V.

    Stopped in for some dinner and drinks and was impressed on the first visit. I loved the burger and the menu has a lot of options that will please everyone's taste from mussels to special three course meal events. The vibe is chill and upscale. Loveee the beer selection as this is a Belgian style restaurant so they have Duvel and Stella which can be hard to find. The service is great at the bar and Kaylie was so great! Will definitely be back.

    Farm cornbread, waffle with fried eggs and pulled pork

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    Page 1 of 32

    Ask the Community - Belga Cafe

    Like a true Belgian restaurant, do we need to pay to use the restrooms?

    Uhm no. Not in belga cafe. And having lived and visited Belgium numerous times I'm happy to say I've never had to pay to use the restrooms.

    Do you have heat lamps for outdoor seating?

    Hi Emily! Thanks for your question. yes we do!! We also have heated greenhouses available! :)

    The happy hour menu used to be half off, now it's only $3 off per item. What changed? I love the happy hour menu!

    Now they offering bottomless mimosa on rooftop bar , check it out !

    Do they allow you to bring your own wine? If so, corkage cost?

    Yes we do, on Mondays we don't charge a corkage fee (limit 2 bottles). For all other days we charge $25 per bottle.

    Bottomless brunch option?

    no there is bottomless at this restaurant

    View All 6 Questions

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    4.0(611 reviews)
    4.0 miGeorgetown
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    More of a 3.5, rounding up because I would have probably liked it a lot more if I ate meat…read more Which probably makes it clear that if you are vegetarian this is not the friendliest menu. The beer selection is incredible, vibes are solid - it is pretty old world and upscale for a beer joint - but if you are looking for a full meal vegetarians should go elsewhere. They *have* vegetarian options but it's one of those things where they do the bare minimum because they have to and your choices are like...the one thing. Which leads me to the one vegetarian entree, the risotto. It was fine. Not mindblowing. Small portion for the price - small portions all around, frankly. See my pic. Our server, who was impressively attentive/efficient given that he was the only person making the rounds to all of the tables in the upstairs room, which were packed because of the World Cup, recommended getting.the brussels sprouts small plate without bacon, so I did. I did not like it. It came with pomegranate seeds and a sauce that were sweet but then had parmesan and savory flavors that did not go. I suspect the salty, fatty bacon was important to balancing out these flavors. People I was with got house pickles, fries and meatballs which all appeared solid. The portions for the fries and meatballs were pretty teeny for the price IMO. Like I said, beer selection is out of this world. Not mad at the prices or portions there, especially given that it's largely imported. Is this personally a place I would make a go to? No. Only if I am taking out a friend who is super into beer tasting. But if I were super into French and Belgian beer and or really liked that kind of food (eg mussels and very meaty Northern European dishes) ? Maybe. So my personal recommendation is to come, have beer, enjoy the ambiance, and treat food as an afterthought for if you need something to eat.

    The Sovereign is alright. I went here for a work thing. It was PACKED on a wednesday night which is…read moreimpressive. Not sure what to make of DC crowds but there were a lot of people. I had a hard time making an order. I really don't like standing around at a bar aimlessly hoping for the bartender to call on me. That was the situation I was in here. Once I got the bartenders attention it was easy and quick to get my drink, it just took a while and its annoying when they go to other people who got there after you first. The bar is full of seating too, so you have to stand behind people who are already sat and drinking to try to flag them down which feels awkward. The drinks were good though and the atmosphere was decent.

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    Bottle room

    The Sovereign - Steak frites & eggs, saffron mussels (ig @fanaticdiner)

    Steak frites & eggs, saffron mussels (ig @fanaticdiner)

    The Sovereign - The bar

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    Cock and Bowl - Moules

    Cock and Bowl

    3.8(547 reviews)
    19.8 mi
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    I came on a Thursday afternoon and enjoyed this charming little restaurant. The French fries and…read moreBiscoff waffle was our favorite! We also tried the crab cake sandwich and French onion soup (also yummy). The ambiance is wonderful with French music playing and a darling patio. The service could improve a little, but I think that was an issue of being understaffed because I could tell he was trying very hard. This a great spot for a leisurely afternoon!

    Deliciousness - 4/5 Happiness - 5/5…read more I love Belgian beer, and Cock and Bowl is my favorite place to nab some of this great nectar. This place keeps the Belgian brews stocked across the spectrum. From fruity Lambics to Tripels (my personal fave) and Quadrupels, pales to darks. There's a lot to explore here. The food is pretty good too. The frites (fries) are excellent and pair well with the beer. They are thick without veering into steak fry territory, nicely crunchy, and packed with a pleasing amount of salt (and I believe a hint of vinegar). The waffles are also a standout, typically topped with light and airy cream. The merguez lamb sausage is also hearty and delicious. I wish the building itself was larger. There's only a few tables, meaning you may be in for a wait if you go during the colder months. And I recently had the chocolate mousse and didn't care for it. It was much more akin to pudding, and there wasn't a deep enough chocolate flavor to contrast with the whipped cream. There's no better place I've found in Occoquan to eat, drink, and be merry. I highly recommend you stop here when you visit.

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    4.0(356 reviews)
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    The food here is excellent and it is worth waiting for. That said, you will have to wait when it…read morecomes to take out. I have called and been put on hold so long that I drove to the restaurant and placed my order in person before they picked up the phone from being on hold and talked to me. In their defense it was a busy night and they looked understaffed. And again when I got the food it was worth the wait.

    Et Voila! presents itself as a charming French-Belgian bistro, known for its convivial European…read moreatmosphere and a menu rooted in classic brasserie traditions, complemented by an impressive selection of Belgian beers and wines. St. Patrick's Day special Irish red ale. The beer delivered a pleasantly full texture with a gentle sweetness, balanced enough to serve as a comfortable prelude to the richer dishes that followed. The French Onion Soup immediately set the tone. Beneath its bubbling cap of melted Gruyère, the broth achieved that elusive equilibrium between sweetness and depth, the caramelized onions fully developed without overwhelming the palate. It stands among the more refined renditions in town. A plate of escargots followed--classically prepared with garlic butter and toasted bread. While traditional and satisfying, the dish leaned more toward comforting familiarity than culinary revelation. Duck leg confit. Perfectly executed, the duck arrived with crisped skin and richly rendered fat, while the meat remained exceptionally tender. Each bite released a deep, savory aroma--earthy, succulent, and unmistakably French in spirit. It was a dish that quietly stole the show and lingered pleasantly in memory long after the meal concluded. 4/11/26 - The cod moussaka impresses with a crisp, golden top layer that delivers a bold, deeply savory cod flavor--rich, briny, and instantly satisfying. A touch of curry paste adds warmth and aromatic complexity, lifting the dish without overpowering it. Confident, balanced, and memorable--an easy re-order.

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    Et Voila
    Et Voila
    Et Voila

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    The Brewer's Art

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    35.5 miMidtown Belvedere
    $$

    What an incredible spot on so many levels. My friend brought me here to enjoy their varied…read morewhiskey selection, craft beers on tap, and cozy architecture. We split a flatbread which was on happy hour special. The dough was perfectly worked, cheese was flavorful, as were the mushrooms on top. The sauce was a bit too sweet, but it didn't interfere with the overall taste of the flatbread which was a win. My Abbey Ale was cold, effervescent, and had a toasted biscuit finish - delicious! The dining room is beautifully appointed, intelligently lit, and the menu has varied options. I'd definitely come back for a full meal. The staff was engaging and friendly, the music was jazzy-hipster in an ambient way, and the downstairs "speakeasy" looks like the place I want to be on a Friday night with some friends. Check this place out, you'll be glad you did.

    Before our flight home, we came here with a reservation so we could grab a meal before heading to…read morethe airport. When we arrived, we were seated right away, but it seemed like there were very few staff working--possibly only one waiter. It took about 10 minutes before we finally had to flag him down just to place our order. The food then took around 25-30 minutes to come out, which felt very long since we were on a tight schedule for our flight. When the food finally arrived, I ordered the macaroni and cheese, and unfortunately it was the worst mac and cheese I've ever had. I don't want to be mean, but it was very bland and really needed salt. My sister surprisingly liked it, but it just wasn't for me at all. The rest of my family did enjoy their meals, and I thought the fries were decent, just lightly seasoned. My mom especially liked the grilled cheese. The waiter himself was nice and kept our drinks refilled, so I don't think the long wait was entirely his fault. The restaurant is very cute inside with cozy, old-style vibes and festive Christmas decorations, which I really liked. However, between the long wait times, the limited menu, and my disappointing mac and cheese, I wouldn't recommend that dish. Overall, it's a charming place, but the service was too slow for us--especially when trying to catch a flight.

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    Dec 2007: Beacon, next to a few fallen Resurrections and St. Festivus

    The Brewer's Art - Dec 2007: rosemary garlic fries!

    Dec 2007: rosemary garlic fries!

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    4.5(2.4k reviews)
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    A wonderful experience! We loved coming here and getting to try lil bites of as much as we wanted…read more We sat outside which I wouldn't reccomend, the atmosphere wasn't as comfy as inside. But service was efficient and food was excellent! Def come hungry so you can try all the things. Flatbreads and lasagna were a 10/10

    I celebrated my birthday at Ambar on 8th Street SE in Washington, D.C., with a party of 13. The…read morerestaurant was clean, cute, and beautifully decorated, and the upstairs bar area was gorgeous. The bartender was also extremely friendly and provided excellent service. Unfortunately, the brunch experience was very disappointing. Our table was in a tight area near the kitchen, and the music was so loud that it was difficult to hear one another. The food service was extremely disorganized. Some guests never received their meals, while others received meals they didn't order. As the birthday girl, I had to intervene when an argument developed between the waitress and one of my guests over a bowl of potatoes. The waitress insisted my guest had already received them, but she had not. My guest was so hungry from waiting that she eventually began eating from another guest's plate. Honestly, who's going to lie about not receiving a bowl of potatoes during a Saturday brunch? My own omelette was not tasty, and I did not care for the white sauce, although the potatoes were good. The mimosas were good as well, except for the hibiscus flavor. We spent over $800 for our party of 13, yet several guests left without receiving their correct meals. We ultimately went next door to Matchbox so everyone could eat and continue the birthday celebration. I want to acknowledge the beautiful atmosphere and excellent bartender, but the overall service and organization were disappointing. Spending over $800 and leaving with hungry guests and incorrect or missing orders is unacceptable. I hope management takes this feedback seriously and improves how large parties are handled.

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