like numerous cities, a few of the extremely finest locations to eat in Bruges are tricks only understood to those who online here. thanks to our buddy on the ground as well as from our own explorations, we’ve pulled together a listing of where to eat in Bruges, Belgium.
Bruges is not a huge Belgian city, however it is deep. Within the limits of the old moat that confines the warren-like passages as well as canals of the old town, a world of eateries, bistros, bars as well as frietkoten plays hide as well as seek with its visitors.
It’s so simple to walk past the very best location to eat in Bruges without even knowing, so here’s a listing from a regional on where to eat in this gorgeous bit city.
Even worse, as we discovered on our very first night in Bruges, you may discover yourself traipsing from one quite bit street to the next trying to pick a location to eat from all the choices you’ve found along the way.
Where to eat in Bruges, Belgium
There are couple of things we ought to point out that will not only enhance your dining experiences in Bruges, however likewise make sure you don’t miss any type of of the great bits!
Firstly:
Never – particularly on Friday as well as Saturday nights – expect a table if you haven’t booked. This is a little city as well as people from around come into town for dinner. restaurants are typically rather small, so capability is always an issue.
So phone call ahead or book on the internet to make a reservation. as well as just so you know, many locations are closed on Sundays as well as practically all over shuts around 10pm.
Secondly:
Everyone understands Belgium for its waffles, chocolates as well as beer (we’ll come to that) however there are some other dishes as well as components worth looking out for when you’re in Bruges.
In particular, make sure you try ‘stoverij’ while you’re here. special to Bruges, this rich chunky beef stew is slowly cooked for a number of hours in a dark beer, which makes up the basis of the stew’s delicious, wonderful gravy.
Places like ‘t Bagientje, passage as well as half Moon Brewery do a especially stoverij.
If you don’t get a possibility to try stoverij, at least have a few of the regional beef. The cattle breed specific to the region is a type of mutant for want of a much better word. thanks to a missing gene, the cows right here don’t stop growing as well as can ended up being extremely muscular.
The meat from these cows is really tasty as well as well worth looking out for. The majority of restaurants in Bruges are heavy on the meat, so this beef is never as well difficult to find.
And finally:
On your travels around Bruges, make sure you stop in at a few bars for some true Belgian beer.
There are numerous bars around as well as quite much all over right here offers beer, however here’s a listing of our preferred beer bars where you’ll get an authentic experience as well as the very best brews.
Belgian bistros
‘t Bagientje
Tues to sun 10:30 – 22:00
The finest location in town for stoverij beef stew, ‘t Bagientje is part of a hotel as well as has seating outside as well as inside. The steak tartare is likewise superb.
Lokkedize
Thurs – Mon 18:00 – midnight
Cosy, homely as well as obviously when a pub, this bistro has been going for over 40 years. The menu right here is Greek/Mediterranean – as well as for that reason rather lamb-focussed.
Grillkasteeltje Brugge
Tues – Sat 18:00 – 22:00 as well as lunch Tues – Fri from midday
Cosy two-storey bistro with an outstanding variety of beautifully cooked steaks as well as seafood. certainly not a vegetarian option.
Gran Kaffee Passage
Tues – Thurs & sun 17:30 – 22:00 Fri 17:30 – 23:00 Sat 12:00 – 23:00
Expect fast, friendly service as well as common Belgian cuisine – particularly for stoverij. This is part of a hotel in the peaceful backstreets of the hectic southwestern quarter of town.
L’Estaminet
Tues – sun 12:00 – 22:00 Thurs 17:00 – 22:00
Unlike many eateries in Bruges, L’Estaminet doesn’t take reservations, so it’s ideal for a walk-in! Their Lasagne Diabolo (spicy lasagne with goat’s cheese, olives as well as sun-dried tomatoes) comes extremely recommended.
De Halve Maan – half Moon Brewery
Mon – sun 11:30 – 15:00 & Thurs – Sat 18:00 – 21:00
Typical Belgian cuisine with home beers on tap as you’d expect. You can likewise have a trip of the brewery or check out the museum of this household brewery that’s been in company for numerous years.
Ribs n Beer
Mon to sun 18:00 – 22:00 Fri & Sat – 23:00
Perhaps the best-known restaurant in Bruges, numerous buddies who were right here before us suggested Ribs n Beer. We couldn’t get a table here, which shows exactly how prominent it is. As you’d expect, vegetarians will discover their options restricted here.
Belgian restaurants
A bit much more up-market as well as with a wider menu than the bistros, these restaurants can offer a much more traditional, formal dining experience.
Eetkroeg In’t Nieuw Museum
Mon & Tues – Fri – sun 18:00 till 22:00
A extremely meat-forward grill restaurant with a charcoal grill in the centre of the restaurant, Nieuw museum prides itself on its Belgian beef as well as beer, as well as even has an optional beer-pairing menu.
Au Petit Grand
Tues to sun 18:00 till 22:00
Great for top-quality steak however likewise has a great grilled fish as well as seafood menu too. A quite exterior as well as cosy restaurant floor.
De Verloren Hoek
Wed – Sat 12:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 21:00, Tue 18:00 – 21:00, sun 12:00 – 14:00
Perfect food with a extremely cosy interior as well as a concise menu. This bit restaurant is rather off the ‘eaten path’ however worth the walk.
Spinola
Tues – Sat 12:00 onwards for lunch as well as 18:00 onwards for dinner
A beautiful canal-side restaurant set in thick sandstone walls as well as al fresco seating in the piazza by the water. Spinola has an remarkable red wine cellar as well as fine-dining menus.
Braserie Brugges die Scone
Seven days a week, 365 days a year 11:00 – 23:00
In a extremely central place without feeling as well touristy. beautiful veranda as well as views of the Belfry look on to peaceful streets. The menu has plenty to select from, including regional dishes, while the unwinded dining environment reminds you wholeheartedly that you’re in Europe.
Other dinner as well as lunch venues of note are Tom’s Diner, Bistro Raymond, Lieven, De Mangerie as well as Reliva.
Zwarte Huis
Wed – Fri 12:00 – 14:00 & 17:30 – 22:30 Sat – sun midday – midnight
The cosy interior of this large, historic building makes for an atmospheric meal venue. The top floor is stated to be much better as service downstairs might be better. expect online music as well as beautifully plated food.
Where to purchase Belgian chocolate
Braserie Brugges die Scone
Owner of The chocolate Line,Dominique Persoone, is a national star as well as a bit of a food genius. He works in Heston Blumenthal’s think-tank for The Fat Duck as well as collaborates routinely with Albert Adria, owner of El Bulli.
Persoone makes experimental chocolate: rice-wine, fried onions, wasabi, hemp, saffron curry – you never understand what you’ll discover here.
Spegelaere
This is a preferred chocolate shop for locals with excellent high quality as well as reasonable prices.
Olivier’s Chocolate
Beautifully made pralines, which are a Belgian creation. hot chocolate with speculoos – a wonderful cinnamon biscuit – a firm preferred for locals here.
Belgian waffles
Belgian waffles are available in two styles – wonderful as well as savoury. In truth, waffles from Bruges as well as the Flemish area are typically savoury. The wonderful style is from the French-speaking region, from Liege in particular.
Read much more about waffles as well as their history in our story here.
The Old chocolate House
Probably the very best wonderful waffle experience in Bruges with an remarkable hot chocolate on the side. Heaven!
John’s Waffle Van on the Burg
Waffles made on the spot, not reheated like in any type of other location that does waffles to take away.
House of Waffles
The airiest Brussels waffles around, you’ll discover both kinds of waffle right here with some tasty savoury options. home of Waffles is directly behind as well as above the Bruges abuse Museum, which is likewise worth a look.
Oyya
This location has great waffles as well as even much more tasty ice cream. Their pistachio is phenomenal.
Ice cream as well as other wonderful spots
Gelateria Da Vinci
A true Italian ice cream extravaganza that’s been bringing smiles to locals’ faces for over 20 years. A tasty variety of gelato flavours made the conventional Italian way.
The Gulliver Tree
Very cosy location to get a tea with a slice of pie by the fireplace, this is the ideal pitstop as you walk around Bruges. The Gulliver Tree is likewise open for breakfast.
Véro Café
A tasty variety of hot chocolate recipes as well as pastry offerings. They likewise have a special vegan menu on Thursdays.
You want fries with that? the very best Belgian snack
Believe it or not, however French fries are a Belgian invention. Admittedly from the French-speaking part of the country, in the Dinant as well as Liege areas, this fast-food preferred was much more a implies to an end originally.
People would catch fish from the Lesse as well as Maes Rivers as well as fry the smallest in their catch like whitebait as a warming snack. In winter, the rivers would freeze over though, so some smart chap swapped out the fish for slices of spud instead.
Now ‘frietkoten’ – or fry-shacks – are much sought-after snack stops throughout Belgium.
Frituur de Gentpoorte
Thurs – Mon 11:30 – 14:00 & 17:00 – 22:00
Bruges’ preferred fry shack, run by Kurt as well as Valerie, makes the very best fries in town. parts are big – perhaps even as well big, even for 2 adults! I’d like to provide it a shot though.
Bruges is an amazing city for food– as well as even much more so when you understand what you’re looking for. We hope this guide assists you on your search for delicious!