Brussels non-profit organisation BXLove has awarded the title of the best Belgian beef stew in the city to Brasserie Ommegang. Both the public and a panel had their say in the competition.
Belgian beef stew, also known as carbonnade, is a dish you will find on many a menu in Belgium. Traditionally, it includes beef roast and beer, which are then cooked and brought to taste with a wide range of additions, which greatly depend on who’s cooking. Carrots and onions are a sure bet, but bread and Dijon mustard can often be found on the ingredients list as well. The longer the carbonnade gets to stew and the thicker the sauce gets, the better. Serve with fries and you’ve got yourself the perfect comfort food, a recipe ideal for those cold and rainy Autumn evenings.
Because carbonnade is a Belgian staple, BXLove hosted a unique Belgian beef stew competition. The goal? Finding the best carbonnade in Brussels while celebrating Belgian traditions and putting Brussels talent in the spotlight. Thirty restaurants participated in the contest (which concluded on August 30th), and votes were cast both by a panel and customers of participating restaurants via a QR code system.
The criteria involved asking people for their opinion about the dish’s balance of flavours, the meat’s tenderness, and the recipe’s originality. In the end, a top five was chosen, and there was room for a few special mentions. Mayor Philippe Close shared the final results at the Grand Place in Brussels on September 7th.
Top 5 best carbonnade in Brussels
- Brasserie Ommegang
- Les Petits Oignons (Rue de la Régence 25)
- La Taverne du Passage (Galerie de la Reine 30)
- Au Stekerlapatte (Rue des Prêtres 4)
- Het Kelderke (Grand Place 15)
Manneken Pis Café (Rue des Grands Carmes 31) received the public’s award and the Revisit prize, a special award recognising an innovative interpretation of the traditional recipe. Patatak Bourse (Rue de la Bourse 34) received the Coup de Coeur award for best value, while Au Vieux Saint Martin (Place du Grand Sablon 38) received another Coup de Coeur prize for best fries accompanying the stew.
