Bruges was such a revelation when it came to food. For starters, did you know that Bruges has about 26 restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide? Whilst we only managed to dine in a few places over the course of our long weekend, it was enough to convince us that Bruges has a pretty awesome gastronomic scene. Below are some of the places we dined in and recommend.

FOOD

Chez Albert

You can’t go to Belgium and not get your waffle fix. Whilst Chez Albert was our chosen pit stop for waffles on this trip; other places that come recommended for best waffles in Brugge are : Fred’s, Lizzie’s, House of Waffles and Oyya. @chezalbert

Poules Moules

We had one of the best mussels experience at Poules Moules – a casual restaurant housed in a renovated building from the 17th century specialising in (you guessed it!) mussels. We started with shrimp croquettes before moving into their spectacular steaming bowls of mussels, served with frites. Portions are huge so recommend sharing one or not ordering anything else! We washed it all down with refreshing pints of cold local Belgian beer. The service was very friendly. If possible, ask to sit by the window on the first floor so you can admire the features and details of the historic building, as well as get a good view of Simon Stevinplein Square. Overall it was a winning lunch! @poulesmoules

Bistro Christophe

First dinner of our holiday was at Bistro Christophe – a charming and homely bistro popular with locals. We tucked into homemade shrimp croquettes followed by the chateaubriand for two with fries. Looking back now at our Bruges trip, we realised that our favourite order on repeat for nearly every meal was shrimp croquettes followed by steak. However, nowhere was it as brilliant as Bistro Christophe. It was an elevated meal; in a cozy yet chic restaurant full of casual date night vibes. @bistro_christophe

Au Petit Grand

Au Petit Grand definitely has that special occasion feels but minus the hefty price tag. We celebrated Kris’ birthday here and the staff went all out for us. The menu is typical Belgian fare and was pretty good. The candlelit tables and floral decor makes it a perfect venue choice for a romantic date night. @aupetitgrand

Brasserie Cambrinus

A must visit if you are ever in Bruges; Cambrinus is a buzzy and thriving brasserie with hundreds of Belgian beers on tap, as well as authentic Flemish food. You are guaranteed to have a good time here. The staff are pretty on the ball considering how busy and popular this place gets. An excellent place for group dining and drinking.

Assiette Blanche

Whilst a hastily booked long weekend trip wasn’t enough time to explore the gastronomic delights of this city in its full glory; we managed to secure a last minute booking at Assiette Blanche – an elegant and upscale bistro with a warm and welcoming atmosphere and refined plates of food. The cuisine is Franco-Belgian with contemporary and seasonal touches. Service was very personable with the kind of attention to detail that you would expect from such a place. Highlights from the menu included Veal ‘à la française’, Sirloin Steak, Marinated Sea Bass and the Brown shrimps. For dessert, a classic Dame Blanche and a Crémeux milk chocolate. It was our best dining experience in Bruges (also the most expensive) and lived up to its Michelin Bib Gourmand status. 

DRINK

Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan

Translated as the ‘The Half Moon’, this famous brewery is a must visit during your trip to Brugge. You can go for a guided tour of the brewery or grab a table in the bistro and taproom to indulge in Belgian dishes, homemade beer pate and freshly brewed beer. This is the only place where you can taste an unfiltered Brugse Zot straight from the brewing tank! @brouwerijdehalvemaan

Brewery Bourgogne des Flandres  

Another fantastic brewery experience in Brugge that we stumbled upon by accident. If you are not in the mood for a tour, head straight to their garden terrace where you can watch the boats go past whilst sampling their deeper richer beers. The Tasting flight is a great way to explore their selection of beers on offer. @bourgogne_des_flandres

Le Trappiste

A cool beer pub inside an atmospheric, subterranean 13th century crypt… need I say more! @leTrappistebrugge

Brasserie Cambrinus

The real reason you want to visit Brasserie Cambrinus: their impressive selection of over 400 different kinds of beers at a reasonable price.

Blend Wijnbar Wijnwinkel

If you need a break from beer guzzling, Blend offers a lovely alternative. A stylish and sophisticated wine bar, with good selection of wines, ideal for a pre-dinner drink or a night cap.

Some useful tips!

• English is widely spoken.
• The hospitality staff are lovely and it was great service all round.
• A lot of restaurants and bars are closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, so pick your travel dates accordingly.
• Advance booking recommended in most places.
• All bakeries shut on Monday.

If you have made it this far on the blog, firstly thanks for reading but most importantly you can now understand why Brugge/Bruges has become such a favourite city of ours. The food and drinks experience here has inspired us to explore more and we cannot wait to return soon.