The best ice cream shops Belgium

Specialities: handmade chocolates (grand cru, Matcha tea, blackcurrant...), spreads, sticks, caraques... La Maison des Desserts is in fact the workshop of the De Hucorne - Fronville chocolate factory. Free visits are organized on request and reservation of the production area, with tasting. The place also includes a tea room with a terrace in a private garden. Probably one of the most popular shops in Namur, with an old-fashioned charm that fits perfectly with the atmosphere of this pedestrian street.

Fresh from his ^39th place (^1st Belgian) at the Gelato World Festival, Mathieu Eyckmans pays daily tribute to Italian gelato. In his store, you'll find flavors that transport you to Rome or Florence (almond-pistachio, baccio, amarena, Piedmont hazelnuts...). Just the sight of their silky appearance in their tubs is enough to make your mouth water. Because gelati are a little lighter than their French cousins, they melt deliciously in the mouth and explode with flavor. A moment of pure bliss. Vegan, yoghurt and waffle options.

Perhaps the competition is too great towards the Grand-Place, so it's next to the Parc du Cinquantenaire that you come for your ice cream! Original flavors and creations will reassure even the most demanding. The good news is that everyone can enjoy it, as some flavors are available without sugar or with rice milk. Well worth a stroll in the park with a few ice creams to savor! Capoue is now a well-developed chain, with numerous locations in Brussels (tasting rooms and takeaway counters) and Wallonia.

Is it still necessary to introduce Zizi? This inescapable ice cream maker never ceases to make us lose our minds: toasted sesame, croccantino, straciatella, or depending on the season, chestnut, mint tea, peanut butter, raspberry, melon, pineapple... It's hard to make a choice! All these flavours are a must. The sale in the shop is pleasantly extended by the one in the "truck", where you can also find the pancakes and waffles which are - also - the success of the brand. Be careful, the line is long at Zizi's, so take precautions.

Located in Wépion, near Namur in Belgium, the Lodge Wépion is a French restaurant run by Grégory Jorion. Opened in 2010, it offers breathtaking views over the Meuse, making it an idyllic spot for lovers of the Mosan valley. The Lodge Wépion offers both a brasserie where you can relax with a drink in hand, and a restaurant where you can enjoy quality dishes.

A little ice cream is always a pleasure and here they are made with quality products (pistachio from Iran, strawberries from Wépion, hazelnuts from Piedmont, good cream from the Ardennes and fresh fruit for the sorbets). All this can be found at Gaston, the baby of Turan and Lucy Ucar. The long queue as soon as the sun is shining is proof of this: the ice creams are delicious. Alongside the classic flavours, there are more daring creations (pineapple-Sichuan pepper, berriolette - a mix of blueberry, raspberry and violet). Milk shakes and pastries are also available.

It is the art of gelato à la florentine that is celebrated at Bargello. In fact, it was in the great Tuscan city that ice cream was born at the court of the Medicis. Here, only noble ingredients (pistachio of Bronte AOC, vanilla of Madagascar, hazelnuts of Piedmont IGP, wine Santo... The list already makes you salivate. In addition to the classics, we recommend the crema, a mixture of tasty ingredients: crema toscana with pistachio and almonds, crema fiorentina with eggs and lemon or crema bargello with mascarpone and coffee. Be patient, the line is long in summer!

In his workshop, Frédéric Blondeel pushes the boundaries of chocolate. More discreet than most, he is one of Brussels' finest chocolatiers. A roaster himself, he makes sure his cocoa is of the highest quality, thanks in particular to the machine he inherited from his grandfather. His trademark? The herbs and spices that enhance his creations. In the boutique, you'll find his chocolates and champagnes from small producers. In the tea room: pralines, cookies and pastries, hot chocolate and ice creams made by Frédéric himself.

The Lanni ice cream parlour is well known in Brussels, with its pink and blue coloured truck. Now he has also set up shop in Uccle, right next to the town hall. He offers a wide range of home-made ice creams and sorbets and a large assortment of ice cream cakes and pastries. The ice-cream maker gets up at dawn to select his fruit at the morning market (Charentais melon, kiwi, mango, lemon, banana, pear, apple, pineapple or fresh mint and basil). For other hungers, Lanni also offers milkshakes, sandwiches and pasta cones.

L'Atelier de Pacitti Al reflects the respect of traditions in a wonderful way. The assortment revolves around 250 flavours, including eighteen ice creams offered daily. The recipes are authentic and artisanal, the products are fresh and creative, and the setting is 100% family friendly! In short, a reference! That of a true craftsman who does not hesitate to offer flavours off the beaten track. Examples, among the craziest: foie gras, olive oil (or argan oil and toasted pine nuts!), balsamic vinegar or wasabi... Yes, yes, this is an ice cream parlour!

On the way between Place Royale and Porte de Namur, you can easily find Jat'Café. After two hours of shopping, we happily settle into one of these comfortable, vintage(and harmoniously out of tune) armchairs. We enjoy this moment of serenity after ordering a small coffee with a mascarpone-sanded apple-cinnamon. At lunchtime, the soft, well-stuffed bagel or the chicken and peach salad with tabbouleh and pine nuts will help to satisfy your hunger. Other address: 116, ch. de Charleroi in Saint-Gilles.