Our journey to Brussels, Belgium brought us face-to-face with childhood nostalgia, culinary delights, and the charming character of Europe's unofficial capital. From revisiting beloved blue characters that defined our youth to savoring Belgium's most iconic dishes, Brussels proved to be a city that honors both whimsy and gastronomy with equal passion.

Brussels: Where Nostalgia Meets Flavor

Brussels is a city of delightful contradictions—grand European institutions coexist with comic book art, medieval squares sit alongside Art Nouveau masterpieces, and serious culinary traditions embrace playful creativity. We discovered a capital city that never takes itself too seriously, where a visit to a Smurfs museum feels just as culturally significant as admiring Renaissance architecture, and where food is treated with reverence worthy of any art form.

"Brussels celebrates both the profound and the playful, where childhood memories come alive in museum halls and every meal is a celebration of Belgian excellence."

Our Brussels Experience

Each moment in Brussels connected us to different pleasures—the joy of rediscovered childhood wonder and the sophisticated satisfaction of Belgium's world-renowned cuisine.

• The Smurfs Museum: Walking into the Smurfs museum was like stepping through a portal into our childhood. These tiny blue characters, created by Belgian artist Peyo, were a huge part of our youth—we remember spending countless hours collecting over 100 Smurf figurines, each one a treasured addition to our growing village. Seeing the original artwork, learning about Peyo's creative process, and being surrounded by Smurfs of every profession and personality brought all those memories flooding back. We found ourselves grinning like children again, pointing out favorites and remembering the stories we'd imagined for each character. The museum celebrated not just the Smurfs themselves but the golden age of Belgian comics, showcasing why Belgium is considered the heart of European comic art. Standing among these beloved blue characters, we were reminded that the best parts of childhood never truly leave us—they just wait for the right moment to resurface and make us smile.
• Moules-Frites (Mussels of Brussels): No visit to Brussels would be complete without trying the city's signature dish—moules-frites. We settled into a traditional brasserie and were presented with a massive pot of steaming mussels cooked in white wine, garlic, and herbs, accompanied by a mountain of perfectly crispy golden fries. The ritual of eating mussels—using an empty shell as tweezers to pluck the tender meat from each one—was as enjoyable as the flavors themselves. The mussels were plump, fresh, and perfectly seasoned, while the frites (never call them "french fries" in Belgium!) were crispy outside and fluffy inside, exactly as they should be. Paired with a Belgian beer, this simple yet perfectly executed meal embodied everything we love about Belgian cuisine—quality ingredients, traditional preparation, and unpretentious excellence.
• Belgian Waffles: We'd had "Belgian waffles" before, but nothing prepared us for the real thing from a Brussels street vendor. The authentic Brussels waffle—lighter and crispier than its Liège cousin—was served warm, with a perfectly golden exterior and an airy interior. We topped ours with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, though the waffle itself was so delicious it barely needed embellishment. Standing on a Brussels street corner, warm waffle in hand, powdered sugar dusting our fingers, we understood why Belgium's waffles have achieved worldwide fame. This wasn't just a snack—it was a masterclass in how simple ingredients, when treated with care and expertise, become something transcendent.

Brussels surprised and delighted us at every turn. We came for the Smurfs and stayed for the soul of a city that knows how to honor both heritage and joy. From reconnecting with childhood memories among blue figurines to savoring the culinary traditions that make Belgian food legendary, we discovered a capital that wears its heart on its sleeve. Brussels taught us that sophistication and playfulness aren't opposites—they're perfect companions, just like mussels and frites, just like childhood nostalgia and adult appreciation, just like the Smurfs and world-class waffles.