Last Updated on June 1, 2019
Where to Eat Well in Bruges – The Best Restaurants in Bruges:
Just as for many people, London means Fish and Chips, Curry and a Cup of Tea, anywhere in Belgium is obviously the place to drink beer and eat waffles… You might push the boat out and try some moules or indulge in some of the best chocolate in the world. But, you probably wouldn’t expect a fine dining experience in Bruges.
Or would you? Around fifteen years ago I spent nine months working in Brussels. At the time I believe it was a culinary capital of Europe, a crown now often claimed by the London restaurant scene. Not only could you eat a wide variety of world cuisines, you could also enjoy fine dining Belgian style – food that was as good as anything you’d find in France but with larger portions. Some of the places I frequented are still world famous – Comme Chez Soi which now has two Michelin stars rather than the three it held then and the Sea Grill which is actually part of the Radisson Blu hotel. Others are less well known unless you are local. My own favourite quickly became La Manufacture, a quirky restaurant housed in a former handbag factory which pre-dated that ‘warehouse’ style of restaurant now all too common in East London.
I had no doubt that Bruges would have its own share of excellent restaurants, hidden away from the tourist traps. But, without the help of the local tourist board, I wouldn’t have known where to start other than perhaps with the Michelin Guide. Had I checked there, I would have found Sans Cravate – a one Michelin starred restaurant on Langestraat.
The husband and wife team here, Henk and Veronique Van Oudenhove-Bogaert got their first Michelin star a year after opening, twelve years ago. At that point, the restaurant took up one of the small terraced houses along the street. Now, three have been knocked through to create a larger fine dining restaurant with an informal wine bar, Hubert, to the front. They also have a small, contemporary styled bed and breakfast across the road.
My destination for the first evening in Bruges, Sans Cravate was designed by Veronique herself with a quirky modern interior that somehow matches the plating of the food perfectly. There’s a semi-open kitchen on one side of the restaurant and comfy chairs set around small tables. The menu is simple – there’s a traditional menu with a la carte option and a modern set menu where you can choose from four, five, six or seven courses of deliciousness. Each small plateful is artfully constructed both in terms of flavour combinations and visual appeal.
Wines are paired – again with the option of a moderate priced list and a more expensive option. And plates are brought to the table by a small and efficient team including Veronique and Henk themselves who explain each of the dishes.
I loved my tiny amuse bouche dishes of naan with confit lamb and champagne cep with sherry jelly.
And the work of art offered as Neiupoort Rouget with light bouillabaisse served with a rouille crisp made from a bell pepper and a single mussel garnish would have been my favourite dish had it not been followed by a delicious hare black pudding with quince, cabbage, charred leek and dehydrated beetroot.
On my second evening, I wandered along the same street to Franco Belge, a newish opening in what used to be a supermarket, though that seemed hard to believe from the stylish decor. There’s an open kitchen, an elegant bar and cosy seating. It could so easily be uprooted and moved to Shoreditch, where the design alone would get rave reviews in the Standard and City AM.
It’s the brainchild of two young chefs, Dries Cracco and Tomas Puype who first met over ten years ago. After studying at Ter Groene Poorte Bruges, they both pursued careers as chefs until more recently, they got back together to open Franco Belge less than two years ago. Traditional French-Belgian food with a contemporary twist, these are updated versions of the kind of dishes I remember from Brussels.
And, I had a very fine meal indeed. It’s hard to pick just one standout dish. I loved the Simmental beef tartare with pickles and charred lettuce. But I also really enjoyed the wild seabass with buttercup squash, shitake mushrooms and dashi mousseline.
If you are looking for a contemporary European fine dining experience while you are in Bruges, you won’t go wrong with either of these restaurants. And, if you have time I’d highly recommend trying both.
But, what if you just don’t have an inclination for fine dining? Well, you could try the gastrobar to the front of Sans Cravate, Hubert, where you’ll find charcuterie, cheeses, pizza and a selection of daily specials on the board. Although I didn’t have time (or space in my stomach) to spend there, it looks like the kind of place where if you weary of the tourists and heritage sites you could go to chill for the evening.
I also ate lunch one day at Nomad, a lively bar/restaurant which serves a wide range of cafe dishes including the delicious scampi laksa that I enjoyed. Somewhere to go if you don’t want to eat a hotel breakfast or if you happen to be visiting the Concertgebouw, which is just around the corner.
And, on my first day in Bruges, a chance visit to ‘D’ or Deldycke Traiteurs – a delicatessen just off the main square. I somehow managed to sample a whole range of local cheese and charcuterie and to walk away with a jar of Wostyn mustard, upsold by the charming team who told me that it was the only mustard that was used at El Bulli.
This is the kind of place where you can buy things to take away or if you prefer, pay a few Euros as a cover charge and then sample from the counters. You can order tasting plates of the meats and cheeses or have the appetisers and quiches heated up and served with salad. The staff are very knowledgeable and if you want to learn more about local specialities this is a great place to start.
Looking for places to eat in Bruges? Why not pin this post for later
Fact Box
I travelled to Bruges as a Guest of Visit Bruges. For more about that visit, do check my article about what to do on a short break in Bruges
I stayed at Pand Hotel (Pandreitje 16) a member of the Small Luxury Hotels Group – check my review of this luxe boutique hotel for more about that
I travelled with Eurostar to Bruges via Brussels. Tickets start at £29 one way and the journey takes around 3 hours.
Great post. Last time we went to Bruges I loved the city but was at a loss where to go for really good food. Lots of tourist places which are mmmOK. Now we have booked to go back armed with your recommendations. Thanks!!
A wonderful place to visit for a weekend break.
have been quite a few times for a few days each time, great place to wander around, wide range of hostelries and some delicious chocolate shops!
We’ve never been to Bruges, but we plan on visiting soon, The restaurants you presented seem like great choices – frankly, I couldn’t choose between them, rather I’d do like you did: go to both of them, different night. The dishes look simply amazing – and, while I know it’s the chef’s work, I have to also admire your talent for taking photos!
Thanks Lori – I love doing food shots – because the chefs in the kind of restaurant I was visiting in Bruges make such works of art
These all look like some great restaurants of Burges. The presentation of food is lovely and your pictures too. I wont feel like disturbing any of these. Will bookmark your post to enjoy all these once around.
I actually never made it to Bruges myself, having fallen in love with Ghent and staying there. I do love Belgian waffles and frites too, but sometimes I just need something different. I’d love to try those meat and cheese boards. I also really like family-owned places, so Sans Cravate would be on my list to check out.
Funnily enough Ghent is on my own list of places to visit. We found a great veggie food scene there, but it wasn’t me who went from London-Unattached.
Your food shots are making me drool! I’m not usually a fan of fine dining, unless it is on a special occasion, mostly because of how tiny the helpings are! For example, the food looks AMAZING in Langestraat but the portions are so tiny, I’d be left asking for more. Nevertheless, there are some great recommendations and the kind of places I’d surely bookmark, for at least one meal on my trip, if not more.
I have never been to Bruges, but it has always been on my wishlist. I hope this year to meet it. Surely I will keep in mind the places you mentioned. I think my favorite is Franco Belge.
Your photos have me drooling and its only 9:45 am where I am! I’m not surprised at all that Bruges has great dining options, I think the Belgians really know how to enjoy life and food (and beer!). Bruges is still really high on my list so I would definitely be checking back on this list when I visit!
I love creative food and Belgium has loads of choice. I really like the look of o ‘D’ or Deldycke Traiteurs – I could happily spend a fortune there! Love the pics as well.
Food is absolutely important for us, we love to discover new cultures through their traditional dishes. In this case it’d be a pleasure, those pictures!
I was in Belgium last summer and this post would have came in handy as all I ate was waffles and had beer lol.
All the food looks delicious and I love variety. The scampi laksa would have been my lunch option as well.
Everything looks so delicious! I do remember Bruges being excellent for fine dining, when I organised a group photography trip for a photo club I was a member of, several years ago. As we were quite a few people, I selected restaurants and booked us in ahead of the trip, which worked very well but it was hard to choose as so many great options. On that trip we were travelling mid-budget but I want to go back and try some of the high level places.
Whoa such stunning presentation of food. I would be scared to disturb it yet would want to eat them all. Culinary art is a talent, looks like they have mastered it well. Wish I knew of this when I was in Brugges.
Thanks for the post… Most probably i will be going to Belgium this year..and would definitely keep this post in mind…my husband likes to try out new places in the cities we travel 🙂
Cheers for the tip, hun – defo will keep in mind whilst I plan a quick city break!