Brussels: Beer & Chocolate Walking Tour with Tastings

Summary

Brussels chocolate and beer tour city stories tastings laughs

You’ll taste real Belgian chocolate (not the touristy stuff) in Brussels’ best shops, sip six kinds of beer in cozy bars around Grand Place, swap stories with fellow travelers, and hear city tales from a local guide. Expect laughter, some surprises, and flavors that stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Is it possible to eat too much chocolate in Brussels? I asked myself that about halfway through this walking tour, somewhere between the third and fourth stop. Our guide Marie had just handed me a square of dark chocolate that tasted like someone melted winter into sugar — so rich it almost felt illegal. The Royal Galleries were buzzing with people, but all I could really focus on was the smell of cocoa drifting from the shop doors. Marie explained how these weren’t commercial brands, just family names she’d grown up hearing. I tried to pronounce one — Li laughed when I tried to say it in French. Probably butchered it.

We wandered past Grand Place (it’s even bigger than photos make it look) and paused by Manneken Pis, who’s apparently more famous than most politicians here. There was a group of Italian tourists taking selfies; one of them offered us a piece of candied orange peel from his pocket, which was oddly sweet after all the chocolate. Then came the beer part — honestly, I thought I knew Belgian beer before this day trip in Brussels, but six tastings later (Trappist, lambic… something else malty I can’t recall), my notes got fuzzy. The first bar was an old puppet theater; you could still see dusty marionettes above the taps if you looked up.

I liked how nothing felt rushed. When we circled back to Grand Place for more beer and some cheese and cured meats (plus fries to soak things up), our group had started swapping travel stories like we’d known each other longer than two hours. Marie told us about her favorite spot for late-night frites — “but only after three beers,” she winked. The last stop was tucked down an alley near the Bourse: oldest bar in Brussels, creaky floors and all. The Trappist beer there tasted earthy and sharp at once; maybe it was just the wood smoke in the air or how everyone got quieter for a minute.

I didn’t expect to leave thinking about city squares or how chocolate can taste different depending on who hands it to you. But yeah — sometimes a day trip is mostly about what lingers after you walk home in the drizzle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Brussels city and tasting tour

• Meet at Fontaine Charles Buls
• Visit Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert
• See Manneken Pis statue
• Explore Grand-Place and chocolate stop
• Check old puppet theater and start beer tasting
• Return to Grand Place for beer and nibbles
• Taste Trappist beers at oldest Brussels bar

Top questions

How long is the Hungry Mary's Beer & Chocolate Tour?

The tour starts at 1PM and lasts several hours as you walk through central Brussels with multiple stops for tastings.

What does the Brussels beer and chocolate tour include?

The tour includes at least 12 chocolates from exclusive makers, 6 Belgian beers, cheese and meat nibbles plus fries, water, discounts at select shops, and a guided walk.

Where does the food tour start in Brussels?

The meeting point is Fontaine Charles Buls near Grand Place—look for the statue of a man with a dog or search Hungry Mary Food Tours on Google Maps.

Is lunch included on this Brussels walking tour?

The tour includes plenty of chocolate tastings plus cheese, cured meats, fries to share, and water—enough for a light meal alongside drinks.

Are there vegetarian options on this tour?

The main focus is on chocolates (vegetarian) but savory nibbles include cheese and cured meats; check with your guide for alternatives if needed.

Can children join Hungry Mary's Beer & Chocolate Tour?

Yes—infants and small children can join in strollers; minimum drinking age for alcohol is 16 years old.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup—the meeting point is central but easy to reach by public transportation or on foot from most hotels downtown.

What languages is this food tour offered in?

Tours are led in English by default; other languages may be available on request—ask ahead if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through central Brussels with stops at top chocolatiers (at least 12 tastings), six Belgian beers sampled across historic bars near Grand Place, savory nibbles like cheese, cured meats, fries to share along the way, bottled water to keep you going between sips and bites, plus exclusive discounts at select chocolate and beer shops before you wander off into your evening.