Belgium’s culinary reputation revolves around a few familiar specialties, notably waffles, frites, chocolate and beer. But my latest visit reminded me of what a pleasure it is to dine here, whether in atmospheric brasseries serving impeccable French classics or gourmet restaurants showcasing the heights of contemporary cuisine.

Throughout our stay, the food consistently exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed extraordinary meals in Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels and Ghent, all of a caliber you’d more expect to find in famous gastronomic capitals like Paris or Copenhagen. Belgium’s cuisine has a deep reverence for seafood — we rarely ate a meal without some kind of succulent, buttery crustacean harvested from the North Sea.

Perhaps most surprising of all were the prices (Belgium isn’t known as a budget destination). Even at the highest levels of dining, the value still felt extraordinary. We had few meals that exceeded $300 for two people, and those that did were unquestionably worth it. Below, I’ve rounded up my favorites, from gourmet hipster hangouts to one of the country’s only Michelin three-star restaurants.