Belga Cafe
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Category: Brunch Spots, Belgian, Neighborhood Bars
Neighborhood: Barracks Row
Price: $$$
Address: 514 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
✨ Vibe
A charming and cozy Belgian brasserie led by Top Chef alum Bart Vandaele, offering an authentic European sidewalk cafe experience in the heart of Barracks Row.
🍸 Best For
Weekend brunch, authentic Belgian cuisine, al fresco dining, and neighborhood happy hours.
🔥 Highlights
- Renowned for signature Belgian staples including legendary moules frites, lobster waffles, and Flemish beef stew.
- An extensive waffle menu featuring both sweet and savory authentic creations, such as the herb-pesto "Beruchte" Groene Eieren and fruit-loaded Belgian waffles.
- Exceptional outdoor seating options, highlighted by a vibrant sidewalk patio and cozy alfresco greenhouses perfect for year-round dining.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Reservations are highly recommended for their popular weekend brunch and exclusive wine dinner events.
- Sign up for their loyalty program to earn rewards and stay updated on seasonal specials and happy hour offerings.
📅 Upcoming Events & Specials
🍷 Grill and Wine Dinner
Thursday, August 6thA special four-course dinner featuring Chef Bart Vandaele's favorite grilled creations paired with four exceptional wines. The menu includes Grilled Tomato Gazpacho, Spicy Garlic Skillet-Grilled Shrimp, BBQ Baby Back Ribs, and Fire-Roasted Virginia Peach. Price is $120++ per person.
Grill and Wine is Fine 🍷🔥
Thursday, August 6thJoin Chef Bart for an evening featuring his favorite grilled creations, perfectly paired with four exceptional wines. Includes four courses and four wine pairings for $120++ per person.
🍷 Wine Dinner with Chef Bart
Thursday, August 6thAn evening featuring Chef Bart Vandaele's favorite grilled creations, perfectly paired with four exceptional wines. The four-course menu includes Grilled tomato gazpacho, Spicy Garlic Skillet-Grilled Shrimp, BBQ Baby Back Ribs, and Fire-Roasted Virginia Peach. $120++ per person.
DC Summer Restaurant Week 🇧🇪🍴
Monday, August 24thEnjoy chef-crafted prix fixe menus featuring the best of the season. Dinner (3 courses for $55), Lunch (3 courses for $35), and Brunch (3 courses for $35) are available with special menus featuring items like Kroketten Van Zwezerik, Braised Pork Cheeks, and Rhubarb Almond Cake.
🔄 Weekly Events
🧇 Authentic Belgian Brunch
A phenomenal weekend brunch featuring authentic Belgian waffles, specialty dishes like Tartiflette, and a wide selection of sparkling wine drinks and innovative cocktails.
🇧🇪 Belgian Restaurant Week Special Dinner
A special 3-course Belgian dinner featuring classic Belgian flavors for $55 per person, celebrating Belgian National Day and the culinary team.
🐚 Mussels Tuesday
A weekly tradition featuring fresh mussels served with crispy Belgian frites for just $25.
🍴 Weekday Lunch Specials
Specials change weekly. Two courses for $31 or three courses for $37.
World Cup Game Watch Specials ⚽
Cheer for the Red Devils with specials: Zotte Burger & Draft ($25), Devil's Fries & Duvel ($6.66), Petite Mussels & Stella ($18), and Sportzot N/A & Vol-au-Vent ($20).
Happy Hour
Join us for happy hour featuring an extensive craft beer selection and beautiful wine options in a vibrant, casual atmosphere.
📰 In the News
DC police arrest 4 accused of assaulting workers at Southeast cafe
Belga Cafe was the site of an incident where Metropolitan Police arrested four individuals for allegedly assaulting staff members at the Southeast Washington location. The arrests followed a physical confrontation at the restaurant situated on the 500 block of 8th Street SE.
DC restaurateur says several employees were attacked
Belga Cafe owner Bart Vandaele reported that several of his employees were victims of violent attacks near the Capitol Hill restaurant. The incidents have led the restaurateur to advocate for improved public safety and security measures in the surrounding neighborhood.
Belga Café and The Betsy DC: A Culinary Masterpiece in Capitol Hill
Belga Café offers a sophisticated Belgian culinary experience on Capitol Hill, featuring a menu of classics like mussels, steak tartare, and waffles curated by award-winning Chef Bart Vandaele. The venue also hosts an exclusive monthly Wine Dinner Series and features a hidden rooftop sister bar, The Betsy DC, known for its refined gin-focused cocktail program.
Best Places to Dine Outdoors in Washington DC
Belga Cafe is featured as one of the top destinations for outdoor dining in Washington, D.C. The venue is highlighted for its inviting al fresco atmosphere on Barracks Row, providing a classic European sidewalk cafe experience for guests to enjoy Belgian cuisine and craft beers.
The Best Places to Eat on Capitol Hill
Belga Cafe is a prominent Belgian restaurant on Capitol Hill's Barracks Row, led by chef Bart Vandaele. The venue is highlighted as a top destination for brunch, featuring a menu of classic omelets, mussel pots, and authentic Belgian waffles.
Recent Reviews from Google
Went here for brunch with a few friends on their recommendation and it was very delicious. It is a true Belgian cafe with a full waffle menu! I got the Fresh and Simple waffle which was LOADED with...
Had a light brunch? We both only ordered one dish. And the total came out to be $50 quite high, but understandable for area. The skillet I ordered was quite nice, with the meat, sauce, eggs and...
Everything is great! The dishes and coffee were super delicious! Great atmosphere and great food here. We definitely will back and try more other dishes.
Great service, very friendly staff. Knew nothing about Belgium cuisine so I kept it safe by just getting mussels, which were delicious. Friend got salmon which she loved. Will be back to try other...
Yum! The chocolate mousse was amazing. The other food was great too. The cod was cooked perfect and the sauces were much better than I thought they would be.
