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It’s been a while since I wrote my travel guide to Bruges, Belgium and in that post, I promised I’d write about the best places to eat and drink in Bruges. Apologies for the delay, it seems I really am a terrible procrastinator!
But as they say, better late than never, right?!
Of course, when in Bruges you just have to try the famous beers, the mouth-watering chocolates and the crispy waffles. And as a girl who loves my food, I did all of the above in abundance! In the name of market research…of course!
So, here goes. From bars and restaurants to chocolatiers and waffle shops, here are my personal recommendations for the top places to eat and drink in Bruges!
Wijnbar Est
The. Cutest. Winebar. You’ll. Ever. See! We stumbled upon this gem by accident as we wandered around on our first night in Bruges. The live music oozing from the first-floor windows just drew us in! And we simply couldn’t resist stopping by for a quick drink. It’s incredibly small inside but that’s all part of the charm. We headed upstairs where there were about 6-7 tables and a couple guys playing live music. A quick drink turned into an hour as we sat and enjoyed the music by candlelight.
Gruuthuse Hof
As one of the oldest restaurants in Bruges, this beautiful eatery is steeped in history and dates back as far as the 18th century. The beautiful location means you can sit outside on the pavement and people watch, especially great in the summer on a warm evening! Food is not cheap in Bruges full stop, but we found this beautiful restaurant to be reasonably priced. We opted for the ‘tourist’ set menu, for which you get a soup of the day, a choice of steak, chicken or salmon and a dessert for a very attractive price.
‘t Minnewater
Set in a quaint square on the edge of Minnewater Park, this lovely restaurant offers great food and a warm atmosphere. Offering a three-course tourist menu for €19.95, the food is reasonably priced and comes in large portion sizes. A great all-rounder if you want a nice, relaxed meal, especially sitting outside in the summer.
Detavernier Bakery and Tearooms
Another accidental find, this great little patissier/bakery offers excellent waffles (although a little pricey, but totally worth the indulgent treat!) and intricately decorated pastries and cakes. Sit outside on the pavement tables and soak up the sun while eating your body’s weight in sweet treats!
The Old Chocolate House
Over-indulging in Belgian chocolate whilst in Bruges is practically a law. Or at least it should be! And The Old Chocolate House is one of the best places to do just that. As a self-confessed chocoholic, I was in heaven! With such a huge range it’s almost impossible to narrow it down, but I was just about able to choose a handful of the most decadent flavours to savour throughout the day. The Old Chocolate House also claims to have the best hot chocolate, but as it was 40*C when we visited I’ll have to take their word for it!
Restaurant Kasteel Minnewater
While I can’t comment on the food at Kasteel Minnewater (we didn’t eat here), I can comment on the beautiful surroundings that are ideal for a pitstop and a refreshing drink. As I’ve already mentioned, the weather was amazing while we were in Bruges, but as I’d forgotten to pack a summer dress, I was in desperate need of a cold drink and a sit down at regular intervals! This peaceful restaurant is set right on the lake in Minnewater Park and offers a serene atmosphere and the perfect place to kick back and chillax.
Been to Bruges? What are your favourite places to eat?
I’m visiting Bruges in March and I can’t be happier after discovering your blog post. I’ll definitely visit most of these places in my trip and will let you know if our experiences matched 🙂
I was born in Brugge and have been spending the majority of my life in my birth town, it seems to me that all of the ventures in this post are very close to each other 😉
You realy want to know Brugge, you should have reached out to a local and asked them where they enjoy dinner. You would have been amazed that just over the water in the suburbs what quality of food restaurants are giving, and best of all, away from the hassle and dazle of the overcrowded places.
Just a thought, greetings from Siem Reap – Cambodia
Pascal
Mmm. The waffles sound heavenly. I’m visiting Gouda this month and they’ve pencilled me in for a syrup waffle-making workshop. Needless to say, I can’t wait! 🙂
Oh my! That sounds delightful! Have fun!
Thanks for sharing! Heading to Bruge this weekend and will try a few of your recommendations!
Aw I’m so jealous! Have a great time and enjoy the wonderful food.
Mmmm chocolate and wine…my 2 favorite things! Great recommendations, I found the best spots are found by accident 🙂 pinning these images!!
I had such a hard time finding vegetarian food in Bruges but got by on french fries, waffles, and beer! What else does one need, really?
Oh yeah now I come to think of it, there weren’t many vegetarian options! But hey, waffles, French fries and beer sounds great…and some chocolate too!
These all look amazing! I need to visit Belgium again. Sooo much good stuff there!! The wine bar looks enchanting and I love the look of Gruuthuse Hof too!
Oh yes I loved that little wine bar. So much character
I even always fancied a weekend of eating and drinking in Bruges. You have confirmed it for me! The waffles looks incredible, and what a beautiful city to wander around between regular food and drink stops. Just stunning.
Yes! Perfect for a foodie holiday with a bit of wandering in between haha!
Your photos are simply stunning. Seems like you know what you are talking about in terms of Belgian food! Pinning for later!
Thank you! It helps that my hubby is a photographer lol. I have no excuse!