Maison Antoine

Maison Antoine is a fries kiosk on the Place Jourdan in Etterbeek, and it is one of the oldest and most famous friteries in Brussels. It has been frying for more than six decades, and its reputation is such that the queue on the square is part of the experience. If you want to understand why Belgians take their fries so seriously, this is a good place to start.

The fries are cut thick and double-fried in beef fat, which gives them a crisp outside and a soft centre. Choosing a sauce is the main decision, with around 30 to pick from. Portions are large, so a small cone is often enough for one person.

What makes Maison Antoine special is the local custom around it. Many of the bars on the Place Jourdan allow you to eat your fries inside as long as you buy a drink, so you can sit down with a Belgian beer and a cone of fries on a cold evening. Look for the signs in the windows. This arrangement makes it a great, cheap option for students, families and budget travellers, and an easy stop for anyone working in the nearby European Quarter.

The queue can be long at lunchtime and in the evening, but it moves quickly. Bring cash in case the card machine is busy, and do not be afraid to ask the staff to recommend a sauce. It is a kiosk, so on a fine day many people simply eat outside on the square.

The Place Jourdan is in Etterbeek, a short walk from Parc Léopold and the European Parliament, and within walking distance of Schuman metro station. Combine your fries with a visit to the House of European History or a walk in the Parc du Cinquantenaire, both nearby.

Fries in Brussels are traditionally eaten from a paper cone with a small wooden or plastic fork, and the sauce goes on top. If you cannot decide, ask for a classic mayonnaise first and try a second sauce another time. For the full experience, visit on a cool evening, order a cone and a Belgian beer in one of the cafés around the square, and watch the queue form outside.