Bruges is an amazing city! Romantic and chic, oozing medieval flair, with beautiful nature and history, the Belgian town lures millions of visitors every year. But where to eat when you get hungry after all the sightseeing? Here you have the best restaurants in Bruges! Belgian and international cuisine, fancy and cozy places alike!
For more visiting tips and practical info on Bruges, check my post, Top things to do in charming Bruges!
Despite its relatively small size, Bruges boasts lots of stunning restaurants within all ranges and pockets. My goal is to focus on the great food, good service, and pleasant atmosphere.
Best restaurants in Bruges
Waffle places that we tried
Average restaurant prices – best restaurants in Bruges 2023
Useful eating and drinking tips
Best restaurants in Bruges
Boho Brunch is a brunch place (obviously!) that I discovered on Tiktok. Because our accommodation did not include breakfast, and because it is always cool to mingle breakfast and lunch (gives vacay vibes), we opted for this place where food looks surreal. And it is!
Their menu focuses on breakfast all day, açai bowls, sandwiches and American pancakes, all of them being given lots of attention. Pricewise, breakfast at Boho Brunch is not a cheap option, but spectacular. I particularly liked the colors in the bowl! And the taste!
You can also find some vegetarian/vegan options.
Insider tip!: Book ahead! The number of seats is limited, and the place is closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Olive Tree is a Greek restaurant in Bruges. I wanted to try as many places as possible, but honestly, it is that type of place where I would have liked to return every day. Why? Because the food is unbelievable, the staff friendly, but above all, the place exudes authentic Greek hospitality.
We made a reservation (mandatory!), but something went wrong, and it was not confirmed. So, there we were with neither table nor another option, but the waiter figured things out and within 15 minutes we were seated. Mediterranean cuisine is always delicious. We had a platter with mixed dips, potato balls, cheesy spice dip and some stuffed meat and we weren’t disappointed at all! Not to add that we got cake on the house!
Bistro Zwart Huis is a lively place where good food blends with good music in a spectacular building. The tavern organizes several times a month live concerts with important artists. They are famous for the Flemish beef carbonate (kind of a stew) which is outrageously good. It is kind of pricey, but it is worth it!
Insider tip!: it is worth booking in advance! For the Sunday live music, you will be charged 7.50 euro/person.
Het Rand is a South African restaurant in downtown Bruges. I was attracted by the menu and the photos that looked so good! But as they say, it wasn’t just a pretty face! The dishes were as delicious as they looked! The atmosphere was cozy and the staff friendly! And we got some South African yellow-green soup as a starter (on the house) made of ginger and turnip that tasted pretty interesting! Before I forget, their fries are stunning!
Estaminet is a traditional Belgian local pub where you can drink the traditional beer of Bruges. A few minutes away from the crowded city centre, l’Estaminet is a place loved by Belgians as well. The portions are large and the atmosphere casual. They are mainly famous for their oven-baked spaghetti with crispy cheese on top. To try!
Brasserie Cambrinus is a stone’s throw away from Grote Markt. It was recommended by a Belgian as the coronation of the best of Bruges: yummy food, good atmosphere and above all, lots of beer specialties. The service is good, the atmosphere vibrant, and the place crowded. These are the main signs that the place deserves a try!
De Stoepa is a casual Belgian eatery, one of the first places in the city center as you walk from the train station. We loved the Asian design and food, and the wait was worth it. They specialize in street food, curries and wok dishes, and the portions are large. As for the hungry traveller. You can also find some vegetarian options.
Waffle places that we tried
Belgian waffles are an absolute must. And no, you should not diet in Belgium.
There are several places that serve waffles. We tested two of them: one as an inspiration, the other as a major recommendation.
Otto is a waffle atelier that manufactures premium oat waffles. They are not only guilt-free and lighter than the classic ones, but they feature an unusual lace-like shape. Of course, they come with lots of sweet toppings. And are just yummy!
House of Waffles sells only waffles, which means they are damn good at! Of course, they have Liège style waffles (irregular shaped, rich and crispy) and Brussels style waffles (rectangular shaped), sweet and savory. Our absolute winner is the sweet Liege style. These waffles are so fabulous that you won’t want to try any other waffles after! Not to mention that besides their menu, you can customize your own waffle!
Average restaurant prices – best restaurants in Bruges 2023
These are the average prices for one portion of food in Bruges (summer of 2023):
| Plain waffles | 3-4 euro |
| Waffles with topping (specialized place) | 10-12 euro |
| French fries | 4-5 euro |
| Brunch | 20 euro |
| Sandwich/acai bowl | 16-18/12.50 euro |
| Starters | 15-19 euro |
| Main course (pasta) | 11-17 euro |
| Main dish (meat) | 24-30 |
| Beer (0,33) | 4-5 euro |
Useful eating and drinking tips
- Bruges is not a cheap city and, in the center, all prices are higher.
- For cheaper eateries, check Walplein, a square with restaurants where the prices are slightly lower than in the main squares and other touristy areas.
- Other eating recommendations are De Verbeelding or Republiek.
- Fancy a drink? Try one of these nice bars: Patersgat, Brugs Beertje, Garre, Bar des Amis or Bar N.
- Bruges has two major highlights: chocolate and beer.
- In Bruges you will find the chocolate of your wildest dreams. Never have I been to a place with so many chocolateries selling all shapes, tastes and flavours.
- In Bruges, there is a guild of chocolate manufacturers who have achieved recognition for producing excellent chocolate from first quality ingredients.
- Beer is a must here, as Bruges is famous for its own beer and brewery, named de Halve Maan, home to some important beers. Another stop for beer lovers is the Bourgogne de Flandres Brewery.
- Belgian beer (be it white, blonde, dark or fruity) can go up to 12%.
Have you been to Bruges before? How did you like it? Do you have any further tips for places or restaurants? I look forward to reading your experiences!
