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You are here: Home / Travel / Beyond Beer and Waffles in Bruges

Beyond Beer and Waffles in Bruges

January 26, 2018 by Fiona Maclean 18 Comments

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Last Updated on June 1, 2019

Where to Eat Well in Bruges – The Best Restaurants in Bruges:

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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.

Bruges View from Concertgeboewn

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.

Sans Cravate Bruges

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.

Henk and Veronique Sans Cravate

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.

Sans Cravate interior

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.

In Bruges, Fine dining at Sans Cravate - Ceps

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.

Sans Cravate naan with confit lamb

I loved my tiny amuse bouche dishes of naan with confit lamb and champagne cep with sherry jelly.

Sans Cravate - nieuwpoort Rouget with light Bouillabaisse

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.

Sans Cravate - iberico ham Hare black pudding

If this kind of fine dining works for you, then Langestraat is the place to head in Bruges

Franco Belge Brugge

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.

Franco Belge Plating

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.

Franco Belge Simmental Beef Tartare

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.

Franco Belge Wild Seabass

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.

Franco Belge Dame Blanche

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.

Nomad Bruges

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.

Nomad Scampi Laksa

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.

Cheese and Mustard Ds

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.

Charcuterie at Ds

After just three days and two nights in Bruges I was convinced that there was indeed much more that moules, beer and waffles in this stunning historic city.  Having focussed on contemporary Belgian cuisine, I’d now like to go back and see if I can find the best options if you are looking for traditional fare.  But, if that doesn’t exist I personally won’t be disappointed – I could happily spend a few more days hanging out in Langestraat, sampling the local fare at ‘D’ and relaxing on the terrace at Nomad.

Looking for places to eat in Bruges?  Why not pin this post for later

Best Restaurants Bruges Belgium

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Belgium, Travel Tagged With: Bruges, Fine Dining, Michelin Star

About Fiona Maclean

London based freelance writer and marketing consultant. I edit London-Unattached.com and write for a number of other publications. With a music degree and a background in marketing across many sectors, my passions include all types of music, food, restaurants, wine and travel

Comments

  1. Carolyn E says

    January 12, 2020 at 6:26 am

    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!!

    Reply
  2. Evette Williams says

    December 27, 2019 at 12:57 pm

    A wonderful place to visit for a weekend break.

    Reply
  3. pete c says

    December 26, 2019 at 9:20 pm

    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!

    Reply
  4. Lori says

    January 30, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      June 1, 2019 at 9:40 am

      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

      Reply
  5. Suruchi says

    January 30, 2018 at 3:29 pm

    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.

    Reply
  6. Skye Class says

    January 30, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      June 1, 2019 at 9:40 am

      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.

      Reply
  7. Medha Verma says

    January 29, 2018 at 2:23 pm

    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.

    Reply
  8. Bella WW says

    January 29, 2018 at 10:10 am

    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.

    Reply
  9. Gabby says

    January 29, 2018 at 8:45 am

    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!

    Reply
  10. Janine Thomas says

    January 28, 2018 at 8:00 pm

    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.

    Reply
  11. Danila Caputo says

    January 27, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    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!

    Reply
  12. Nathalie Caty says

    January 27, 2018 at 5:00 pm

    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.

    Reply
  13. Kavita Favelle says

    January 27, 2018 at 9:41 am

    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.

    Reply
  14. Indrani says

    January 27, 2018 at 9:36 am

    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.

    Reply
  15. Prajakta | Mind's Musings says

    January 26, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
  16. Honey @ The Girl Next Shore says

    January 26, 2018 at 7:27 pm

    Cheers for the tip, hun – defo will keep in mind whilst I plan a quick city break!

    Reply

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