Belga Cafe
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.
🔄 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.
Happy Hour
Enjoy $8 fine wines (including Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux, and Côtes du Rhône), $7 simple beers (Stella Artois, Vedette), and $9 signature cocktails. All 'Bites to Share' are $3 off, including Gougeres Waffles, Lamb Kofta, and Small Pots of Mussels.
📰 In the News
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.
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.
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.
