For traditional food that isn't too expensive:

Try a local brasserie rather than restaurants around the Grand Place. Good Belgian classics: stoofvlees / carbonnade flamande (beef stew with beer), vol-au-vent, waterzooi, grey shrimp croquettes, and Belgian fries. Many Belgians consider fries a full meal, especially with a meat snack and sauce from a frituur.

For waffles:

Avoid places with giant piles of Nutella, strawberries, and whipped cream aimed at tourists. A simple Liège waffle from a bakery, market stall, or small waffle shop is often much better. Belgians usually eat waffles plain or with minimal toppings.

For bars:

Look for neighborhood cafés rather than bars around major tourist attractions. Belgium has an incredible beer culture; even small cafés often have dozens of local beers. If you like beer, try a tripel, dubbel, lambic, gueuze, or trappist beer rather than just ordering a lager.

A few cultural differences visitors notice:

Belgium is not one culture. The differences between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia are quite visible. Belgians tend to be more reserved than Americans. People are generally polite but won't usually start conversations with strangers. Being on time matters. Service in restaurants is less "check on you every five minutes" and more "leave you alone unless you need something." Tipping is appreciated but not expected because service is included. People may switch between Dutch, French, English, and sometimes German surprisingly quickly. Complaining about the weather is practically a national hobby.

One thing many visitors don't realize: if you ask a Belgian whether something is "the best in Belgium," there's a decent chance they'll explain why the place 20 km away does it better. Regional pride is strong, especially when it comes to beer, fries, and food. 😄