Brussels Beer & Chocolate Tasting Tour: Grand-Place, Galleries

Summary

Belgian Beer and Chocolate Walking Experience in Brussels

If you want to taste real Belgian beer and chocolate while seeing Brussels’ best sights, this tour is for you. You’ll walk historic streets, learn from a local guide, and try flavors you won’t find anywhere else—all in one relaxed afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell—fresh waffles from a street cart mixing with the malty air drifting out of a nearby tavern. We met our Brazilian guide right by the cobblestones of Grand-Place, where gold-tipped buildings towered over us. Our small group (there were eight of us that day) started weaving through the city center, dodging cyclists and hearing snippets of French and Dutch as we went. Honestly, I’d never realized how lively Brussels could feel on a weekday afternoon.

We ducked into a bar just off the main square—one of those places with wooden benches polished smooth by years of elbows and laughter. The bartender poured us our first round: a crisp blonde ale, followed by something darker with hints of caramel. Our guide explained how each beer style had its own story—some brewed by monks, others by family-run breweries outside town. Between sips, we nibbled on cubes of cheese and thin slices of cured meat set out for the group. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re swapping stories over good drinks.

Chocolate came next. We wandered through the Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert, sunlight glinting off glass ceilings overhead. Inside one chocolatier’s shop, the air was thick with cocoa and sugar. We sampled everything from pralines filled with raspberry to dark chocolate spiked with chili—ten types in all, if I counted right. The staff even shared tips on pairing certain chocolates with local beers (surprisingly good!). Plus, there was this little discount card for city center chocolate shops—I used mine later for some gifts to take home.

Our last stop was near Manneken Pis—the famous little statue everyone photographs but rarely spends more than a minute at. Here, we tried two more beers (one fruity lambic that tasted almost like cider), snapped photos, and watched as locals hurried past on their way to work or errands. By then, my backpack smelled faintly of hops and chocolate—a pretty good souvenir if you ask me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Brussels Beer and Chocolate Tour

• Walking tour and tasting at city center bars
• Visit Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert
• See Manneken Pis and taste beer and chocolate

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for people who don’t drink much alcohol?

Yes! While beer is featured, tastings are small pours meant for sampling flavors—not heavy drinking. There’s also plenty of chocolate to enjoy along the way.

Are there vegetarian options during the tasting?

The cheese plate is vegetarian-friendly; however, cured meats are included for the group. Let your guide know about dietary needs—they’ll do their best to help.

How much walking is involved?

The route covers central Brussels at an easy pace with regular stops—about 2 hours total walking time across flat city streets.

What’s included

You’ll get guided tastings of at least six Belgian beers and ten different chocolates at specialist shops around central Brussels. Cheese and cured meats are served for sharing within your group. There’s also a handy 10% discount at selected city center chocolatiers—perfect if you want to bring some treats home.