Brussels

Antwerp

Ghent

Bruges

Bruges-Restaurant recommendations

Bruges main page

Main Belgium page

Inexpensive

Taverne Oud Handbogenhof, Baliestraat 6, simple but succulent dishes.

Gran Kaffee de Passage, Dweerstraat 26, all Flemish specialties, superb choice of beers.

Medium priced

Breydel-De Coninck, Breidelstraat 24. I shouldn’t give you this address I found in a FRENCH guide! The Bruges citizens like to keep it for themselves and not to unveil openly on Internet. They don't want this restaurant by tourist hoards. But I want to make you happy ;-). The facade is common and interior nothing special. But when they bring you the "Moule Casserole" (1.3 kg a person!), when the little dry wine they serve with it glides down very easily, when all the fish are of an irreproachable freshness and finally when the bill is all except exaggerated, you will do as everybody: mention this address only to your good friends.

De Mosselkelder,Vismarkt 8, as the name says, one of the temples of the Belgian national dish, mussels! No hesitation, quality guaranteed, fish market is at the door.

 
More chic

Escada, Simon Stevinplein 9, Mussels again but they prepare it in 15 different ways.

Den Dyver, Dyver 5. The beer cuisine in his entire gastronomic dimension!
Rather expensive carte.  

In Blankenberge at the sea side:

't Podium, Visserstraat 51 tel (050)417141 in Blankenberge
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday (in wintertime).This restaurant, "'t Podium" is a very good, sometimes even a gastronomic restaurant in the centre of the sea resort Blankenberge. 
The interior decor puts you in the mood to really enjoy the inventive and colourful culinary preparations, combined with the international winelist. 
The perfect harmony between wine and food is therefore attainable. All of the wines have been skilfully selected by the the owner , including prestigious international wines, all of which are available from the cellar at perfect temperature. Saumon en papilotte with fine herbs, the best shrimp croquettes of the sea shore, North sea fish soup, a marriage of salmon and sole rolls, pate de gibier, magret de canard aux chanterelles. Taste it - and be convinced ! 

Very chic

De Witte Poorte, Jan van Eyckplein 6. On a cute square in the Hanseatic Bruges (see my article) here is one of the great Bruges restaurants. Several menus: "Waterzooi de langoustines", the turbot, the ragout d'écrevisses and the generous dessert chariot are marvellous.. Great wines, and the hostess supervises with discretion a perfect service.

The creme de la creme, for me the best but rather expensive is:

De Karmeliet, Langestraat 19, the new generation of Belgian chefs, equalling the French. Three stars Michelin. 19/20 Gault/Millau This one has a real talent. If you can spend money, try it. Prices go on menu from 3000-4500 Bfr. The top of the tops! A la carte count 5000 Bfr. a person.

De Snippe, Niewe Gentweg, 53. Superb house. Small and perfect in an 18th century building on a quiet side street. The restaurant has three red crossed knives and forks and a star in the Michelin guide.  Innovative and delicious. . A high skilled classic technique in preparing the cuisine, bold inventions perfectly mastered, and subtle preparations.. But some people reported inept service Set meals 1950-2650 Bfr.  Carte 3500 Bfr. The place is difficult to find. Ask for a map.

A little outside Bruges is the fantastic Weinebrugge, Koning Albertlaan 242. This old manor serves an astonishing original cuisine with rare savours. For the connoisseurs, a must address!!!