Where can you enjoy single-product pastries in Brussels?

In recent years, single-product gastronomy has become rather trendy. But what is it exactly? Allow us to elaborate!

It‘s definitely not a new concept: just think of Bordeaux patisserie Baillardran’s cannelé since 1988 or the iconic waffle from Méert, the famous establishment in Lille that was founded in 1849. More generally, there have been pizzerias, sandwich shops, chip shops and ice cream shops. However, the single-product concept has been popular for the last ten years or so, with the expansion of shops in large cities. Whether in cooking or pastry-making, it all comes down to a chef specialising in a single product by offering it in multiple flavours and textures. Strawberry doughnut, mango cheesecake éclair, salted macarons, charcoal ice cream...an abundance of choice and an endless imagination are necessary. The challenge is to constantly renew your range, centred around a flagship product, by always offering new creations.

In Brussels, shops are open for business and some offer you various sweet delights in addition to their speciality. Here is our selection of the ones you simply have to visit.

At Gaufres & Waffles, you’ll discover the Brussels waffle as you have never tasted it before! Michelin-starred chef Yves Mattagne (Villa Lorraine restaurant) revisits the capital’s culinary speciality by offering both sweet waffles (of course) but also savoury ones. From beef tartare to chicken, from foie gras to shrimp, the waffle is now a dish in its own right. You can even opt for a veggie waffle. Prefer the sweet version? If so, you can obviously choose the traditional waffle, but why not try one with pineapple, apple, blueberry or banana filling? Yves Mattagne created all the recipes. The waffle dough is based on the traditional recipe and is made in-house every day. To enjoy one of chef Mattagne’s waffles, head to the Bois de la Cambre.

As you can tell, Coco Donuts is all about doughnuts, a true American specialty. As Belgium’s first doughnut shop, their goal is to offer high-quality versions of the delicacy: fresh & home-made with local, organic and seasonal products, all according to a traditional method. The idea is to innovate by revisiting the traditional doughnut recipe and giving it a Belgian twist. The doughnut dough can also become a brioche dough. In terms of varieties and flavours, how about violet, cuberdon and lavender; rose; pistachio and white chocolate; marshmallow; oreo; petit beurre; or speculoos? Head to their Saint-Gilles or Sablon shops.

Lilicup, stands for Leila and cupcake. Leila Strebelle is the pastry chef of this shop and tea room and her speciality is the cupcake, although she also offers other Anglo-Saxon pastries such as cookies and scones. Born in the pastry chef’s home kitchen, this place was the first Belgian store to specialise in cupcakes. Treat yourself to one (or more!) of the many versions of cupcakes made by hand, on the same day. Over time, discover new varieties and new flavours. Cupcakes with a peanut butter centre, vanilla, violet icing, decorated with toasted and caramelised pecans, etc. There’s something for everyone here. Some recipes are even gluten-free and butter-free. And if you’re only a little bit peckish, they also serve mini cupcakes. So, do yourself a favour and visit their stores in Uccle or Ixelles!