Foodie Guide: 9 Best Bruges Restaurants + What to eat

Bruges is a popular destination in Belgium for art, architecture and charming streets. Of course, it’s the ultimate place to go if you want to try some authentic Belgian chocolate and beer. And if you want to explore the delicious gastronomy of this country without going to the capital, this complete foodie guide will tell you all about the best Bruges restaurants!

Below you will find my own selection of the 9 best restaurants in Bruges that I have tried and tested myself, as well as a bonus list of good restaurants that are super popular among both tourists and locals but that I didn’t get to visit during my trip. Still, all of them are worth checking out if you have the time for both Belgian and international traditions and dishes! 

At the end of the article, you will also find a list of must-try dishes while you’re in Belgium and Bruges, make sure to check that out as well!

Now let’s get started, shall we?

9 Best places to eat in Bruges – tested & approved!

1 – That’s Toast

That's Toast Bruges

That’s Toast is your go-to if you are looking for a twist on your breakfast favourites – and tons of toast dishes. We actually came here twice as the food is delicious and reasonably priced, so you can brunch without breaking your budget! The coffee comes with little mini waffles (perfect for dunking) and the portions are generous, making this one of the best Brugge restaurants. Make sure you try the delicious homemade desserts as well!

Address: Dweersstraat 4, 8000 Brugge
Website: www.thatstoast.com

2 – Nomad

Nomad Bruges
Nomad Bruges

Popular with both tourists and locals, Nomad is a good option for either brunch or lunch. Located in the large square near Bruges train station, Nomad is a trendy, bright space offering an international menu and a relaxed atmosphere, as well as stellar coffee. They have plenty of fresh and healthy choices and they also offer some great vegan options.

Address: ‘t Zand 12, 8000 Brugge
Website: www.nomadbrugge.be

3 – House of Waffles

House of Waffles Bruges

What could be better than a freshly baked waffle on a gloomy day? Literally nothing! And if you want to visit only ONE waffle shop during your Belgian trip, trust me, it should be this one. 

The House of Waffles is my personal favourite place to get authentic Belgian waffles in Bruges. With both sweet or savory waffles, you can come here for a meal or a sweet treat and you will definitely enjoy the warm and relaxed backdrop. Personally, the sweet waffles with chocolate and strawberry are my favourite – simple… yet satisfying!

Address: Wollestraat 31, 8000 Brugge
Website: Facebook Page

RELATED READ: Complete Guide: 7 Unmissable Things to Do in Bruges, Belgium

4 – Lizzies Wafels

Lizzies Wafels Bruges

Located just a three-minute walk from Markt, Lizzies Wafels is perfect for tea and waffles. The waffles are massive and dusted with a sprinkling of icing sugar. Super tasty, fluffy and light, and served with a rich chocolate sauce – need I say more?!

Address: Sint-Jakobsstraat 16, 8000 Brugge
Website: www.lizzieswafelsbrugge.be

5 – Chocolatier Dumon

chocolatier Dumon

Okay, maybe this one is not a proper restaurant, but a place where you’ll feel like an excited kid again. This quaint little store could easily be mistaken for a cute Bruges cottage, but inside you’ll find chocolates made by the famous chocolatier Dumon. This chocolate is out of this world, trust me!

Address: Simon Stevinplein 11, 8000 Brugge
Website: www.chocolatierdumon.be

6 – La Belgique Gourmande

La Belgique Gourmande Bruges

Yep, here’s another chocolate store. The experts at La Belgique Gourmande are known for making the best artisanal chocolates, and they make it right in front of you. They had me hooked on their truffles and pralines (which are filled with caramelised nuts) and I left with a belly full of chocolate and a wallet light in cash – but it was so worth it!

Address: Breidelstraat 14, 8000 Brugge
Website: www.labelgiquegourmande.com/en/

7 – The Potato Bar

the potato bar belgium

Another amazing Belgian speciality, The Potato Bar serves up Belgian Frites! Perfectly crispy on the outside with a fluffy centre, lightly salted and with a big dollop of mayo on the side; this is the place to try them for an utterly Belgian gastronomic experience. It gets crowded during peak hours, so be prepared to wait for a table.

Address: Sint-Amandsstraat 31, 8000 Brugge
Website: www.thepotatobar.be

8 – In The Mood

In the mood Bruges

You need to try a local meal when you visit Bruges and In the Mood is the perfect Belgian café for it! The space is small and cosy, the food is delicious and they cater for veggies and vegans as well – which is not that common in a place where beef stews are a national dish. In short, it is one of Bruges’ coolest eating spots!

Address: ‘t Zand 24, 8000 Brugge
Website: www.moodfoodcafe.be/en/

9 – ‘t Bagientje

TBagientje Bruges

The restaurant ‘t Bagientje is homely, traditional and has great value local food. The menu only comes in Flemish which makes it a bit trickier to order, but I think it adds to the experience. Just make sure you have a translator app at the ready or ask the waiter to help with suggestions. All in all, this is one of the best restaurants around if you want to eat like the locals and it’s a place where all the meals are super delicious!

Address: Oostmeers 130, 8000 Brugge
Website: www.bagientje.be

8 More amazing restaurants in Bruges, Belgium

amazing restaurants in Bruges Belgium

If the 9 options above are simply not enough for the foodie in you, worry not, as I have prepared another list of amazing restaurants in Bruges! All the options below have stellar reviews and incredible dishes on their menus; frankly, I’m a bit sad that I didn’t get to visit them during my time in the city. But I’ll keep this list close by for my next trip to Belgium and I will definitely check them out and come back with my impressions!

Meanwhile, you can visit them yourself and let me know your opinion. Now let’s find out about some additional best restaurants in Bruges:

restaurants in Bruges Belgium

What to eat in Bruges, Belgium – 7 dishes to try

Bruges (and Belgium in general) is known for fries, waffles, chocolate and beer, as well as some super filling and delicious dishes like stews or fresh fish recipes. In case you feel a bit lost about the list of unmissable dishes, the list below will surely elucidate the mystery and it will definitely be useful, especially if you only have one day in Bruges Belgium:

1 – FRITES / POMMES FRITES

Here’s the paradox: the best fries are not found in France but in Belgium. There, I said it. What makes them special is the fact that they’re made with Bintje potatoes (best for frying!) and they’re TWICE fried in beef tallow (read: not vegan-friendly!). But they’re oh-so-delicious, especially with mayo on top – the traditional way, of course!

Belgium ghent frites atelier

2 – WAFFLES

I’ve already given you plenty of waffle shops to try out, but I never told you that waffles are actually an iconic element of Belgian gastronomy. They’re like fluffy pancakes, but better, because they’re also a bit crunchy on the sides. If you want to taste the real deal for the first time, make sure you’re ordering simple waffles with powdered sugar only. Then you can explore the more decadent versions – with strawberry jam, for example. And while you’re there, make sure you try the liege waffles as well.

Waffles at Maison Dandoy in Brussels

3 – CHOCOLATE

Need I say more? Everyone knows that Belgian chocolate is some of the best chocolate in the world, so you must try it while you’re here, especially if you’re one with a sweet tooth. It’s rich, it’s decadent and it can be found everywhere you look around the city, all with the same great quality. You can find truffles, pralines, chocolate bars and even chocolate tours and workshops if you want an authentic experience.

Oh, by the way, Bruges is also the place to try some real hot chocolate… just note that you may never go back to packaged hot chocolate powder ever again!

belgian chocolate

4 – MOULES-FRITES / MUSSELS AND FRIES

I think I mentioned before that Bruges is all about yummy fish and seafood, so a fresh portion of moules-frites should definitely be on your wishlist. This is one of the best dishes served during summer, with a great beer on the side; the dish consists of mussels cooked in white wine, with a portion of French fries on the side. 

Mussels and Fries at Chez Leon

5 – CARBONNADE FLAMANDE / STOVERIJ

When in Bruges, you must try a Flemish beef stew, that’s for sure! And the most popular (and most delicious) option is definitely the Carbonade Flamande (also called Stoverij), which is, in short, a slow-cooked beef stew made with beer.

Carbonade Flamande dish in Bruges

6 – WATERZOOI

Here’s another stew for you – waterzooi is a creamy stew made with seafood and veggies. Although the dish first originated and is traditional to the city of Ghent, Bruges is an excellent place to try it as well!

waterzooi dish in bruges

7 – BELGIAN BEER

Beer lovers, Bruges is THE place for you! Okay, okay, beer may not be food, but Belgian beers are known to be like no other in the world and you can find them in most restaurants in Bruges. It’s a great drink to have next to a hot stew or some fries and there are so many options, it will be hard to choose! This is why I recommend a Belgian beer tasting in Bruges.

pints of beer lined up on a bar, bruges

This was my complete foodie guide for everyone visiting Bruges for the first time! In the article above I have told you all about Bruges’ best restaurants in my opinion as well as the best food in Bruges. You’ll find everything here: traditional, delicious things to eat in Bruges (from waffles to chocolate and some famous stews paired with the best beer), where to eat waffles, where to find some incredible fine dining experiences and everything in-between.

So in case you were wondering where to eat in Bruges Belgium, all my lists above will surely answer your questions! You can pick any of my selected restaurants in Bruges and I promise you’ll have a great experience.

In case you need more help with planning your upcoming trip to Bruges, I recommend clicking here to find all my articles about this beautiful city. And if you’re planning on visiting more destinations in the country such as Brussels or Ghent, click here to find all my articles and adventures around Belgium.

xoxo,

Melissa

Want to know more about travelling to Belgium?

Pin me for later!

Foodies Guide to Bruges Belgium
places to eat bruges

Sign up for my newsletter!

Want to stay in the loop? Join my exclusive mailing list, plus you’ll gain access to my ever-growing free resource library!