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Some favorites in Bruges

This is by no means a complete list. We’ve eaten in many restaurants in Bruges, but these are some of our favorites and “must sees” like De Garre, Vlissinghe, and Le Trappist. There are plenty more. Wander the cobblestone streets, get lost, try a place out if you like the looks of it. I’ve never had a bad meal in Bruges. I liken Belgian cooking to the best of French cuisine, but without any of the heavy sauces. You must try the mussels while you’re here. Also recommend Waterzooi, a traditional Belgian dish. Lots of game meats available too… including hare tenderloin. Plenty of rabbit, boar and even some kangaroo. Paul is an herbivore, so he will have suggestions for the vegetarians among us.

Of course, the beer in Belgium is why we go. Some of the best in the world.  Get adventurous. They have sours, lambics, heavy malty dark beers, golden sweet complex tripels and so much more. If you’re in a beer bar (any of the ones on my list) tell the bartender what you like and let him pick a beer for you. It’s hard to not get spoiled here.

Some cool museums too. Duvelorium (owned by Duvel/De Koninck brewery), Groeninge Museum (Extensive collections of Flemish primitive artworks, 18th & 19th-century works & modern pieces). The Memling Museum located in a converted 12th century hospital. There’s even a beer museum and a chocolate museum. And there’s a very good permanent Dali exhibit in the ground floor of the Bell Tower in the main square. 

 And of course the chocolate. Dumon, The Chocolate Line, Pralinette and on and on…

De Garre – . Open 7 days. quaint little place off an alley on the street between Market & Burg squares. Alley is on right heading from Market to Burg. Easy to miss. The alley just looks like a doorway.  No food. Awesome beer selection. Have to try the world famous De Garre Tripel.

‘t Beertje (otherwise known as the Beer Jet) Kemelstraat 5 – very close to our hotel. Very cozy and friendly. Beer only. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday opens at 4pm

Vlissinghe Blekersstraat 2.  closed Monday & Tuesday. Opened in 1515. Celebrated 500 years in 2015 this pub can’t be missed. Great atmosphere. Solid food. The lasagna is surprisingly good… better than good. Great for lunch or dinner. Nice walk along the canal to get there.

Le Trappiste Kuipersstraat 33 Underground. Closed Mondays opens at 5. A visit is a must, just to see the place.  The walls are stone, the 800 year old vaulted ceiling is brick supported with stone arches and columns. Fantastic beer selection.

Rose Red Café - Cordoeaniersstraat 16. open 7 days. Great beer bar. Food looks good but I’ve never eaten here.

Bierbrasserie Cambrinus - Philipstockstraat 19. Open 7 days. Always busy. You will probably have to wait to be seated or sit at the bar. It serves a full food menu, and many items are cooked with beer.

De Bierboom – Langestraat 73, 8000 Brugge, Belgium. A little out of the way but worth a visit to this great little bar and Bottle shop. Tell owner Rudy Vossen that Larry sent you (and I’m not even kidding). Ask for some Gluh Bier, a high alcohol hot spiced dark beer similar to German hot mulled Gluhwein, though it may not be available in May.. Rudy has also recently opened the De Vier Monniken brewery. Their tripel is very unique. 

The In’t Nieuw Museum. Hooistraat 42, Bruges 8000, Belgium. Strange name for a restaurant and definitely off the beaten track but worth it. Not far fr.om De Bierboom, would make a nice combined visit.  Reservations highly recommended. They cook everything on an open fire right in the dining room. No vegetarians!

De Vlaamsche Pot - Helmstraat 3, 8000 Brugge, Belgium. Very close to our hotel. Excellent food. This is a nice evening out. Reservations recommended for larger parties. 

De Halve Maan Brewery – check the map- it’s close by. They give a good tour and the food is pretty good too. They recently constructed an underground beer pipeline to transport their beer outside the city to their new bottling facility. Good beer. Straffe Hendrik tripel or quad.

Bourgogne de Flanders - Kartuizerinnenstraat 6, 8000 Brugge, Belgium– It’s actually an old brewery that used to be in Bruges but moved out years ago and now they’re back. They Make a Flemish Red called Bourgogne de Flanders.(Not to be confused with Duchess de Bourgogne) They have a restaurant too. Right in the heart of the city.

Belgian Pigeon House - Sint-Jansplein 12, Bruges 8000, Belgium. Very good reviews. I can vouch it’s excellent. Full service restaurant. Their specialty is squab, of course.

Vino Vino -  15 Grauwerkersstraat, 8000 Bruges, Belgium. For wine lovers as the name suggests. The food is supposed to be excellent. – Haven’t eaten here personally.

The Beer Wall or 2be - Wollestraat 53, 8000, Bruges. Great draft selection. The back of the place is right on the canal. Great first stop – they open at 10am!

There’s tons to see and do on our day in Brussels too. Must see The Grand Place, Brussels enormous main square, an easy 5 minute walk from our hotel through “the Gallery” street mall. Nearby is Mort Subite, the Manekin Pis, Delirium Café. Cantillon is within walking distance. 

There’s a well known beer bar called Au Bon Vieux Temps just off the Grand Place , but right next door is a favorite… L’Imaige Nostre-Dame. 

If you’re looking for a particularly excellent meal, I suggest Brasserie Nuetnigenough, specializing in pairing beers with local fare. It was incredible!

Have fun. Explore!