Brugge, or Bruges in English, is my hometown and a city I love dearly, not in the least because of it’s very interesting restaurant and hotel scene…On this page, I will try to share some insights and secrets with you to make your trip to ‘my town’ extra special…

So…if you ever opened a Michelin Guide you will have noticed, despite it’s relatively modest size, Bruges is blessed with a wide offering of good eateries and fine dining restaurants. It is not my ambition or objective to list all of them here, Michelin and Gault Millau already do a fine job doing exactly that. Instead, let me give you my favorite places for sleeping, eating and drinking…because, as in all touristic places, you don’t want to be disappointed or get the feeling that you’ve been ripped off. Oh yes, I’ll also tell you a bit more about the things you HAVE to do when coming to Bruges

SLEEPING

• Hotel Heritage: the only Relais & Châteaux property in Bruges. Conveniently situated boutique hotel in the heart of the old town, only steps from the ‘grand place’ or Markt, where you can find many historical buildings and off course…the Belfry. Let the hotel staff park your car in their underground garage and be ready to enjoy the beautiful city center on foo.t (www.hotel–heritage.com)
• Flanders Hotel: Located in one of the most interesting ‘gastronomic’ streets of Bruges, de Langestraat…in this street you find a 3*, a 1* and a couple of other very interesting restaurants…Near to the ring road of Bruges so well situated if you are stopping over for one night or if you plan to move around in the region during your stay. (www.hotelflanders.com)

EATING

Mmmm…where to start? There are soooo many good places in Bruges, I cannot list them all here so I’ll just give you a few of my favorites…However, even though I might not be able to list ’em all, I can warn you for the many places, mostly situated around the places that draw a lot of ‘tourist attention’, where you will get ripped off and eat mediocre or bad food…stay away!!!!

Every year, the city of Bruges and three local chefs organise KOOKEET, a food festival where you can try over 30 restaurants…the participants here are certainly worth a visit (www.kookeet.be)

Fine dining

Hertog Jan, 3*, world class restaurant of Gert De Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens , focus on vegetables from their own garden, seemingly simple preparations, festival of textures and flavors. Situated in a spectacular refurbished old farm complex just outside Bruges. (www.hertog–jan.com/en/)

De Jonkman, 2*, Gault Millau Chef of the Year 2015: probably Bruges finest fine dining restaurant. Chef Filip Claeys is specialized in preparations of North Sea fish. (www.dejonkman.be)

Sans Cravate, 1*, in the Langestraat…my street ;-). Very good cooking by chef Henk Van Oudenhove…they have their own beautiful B&B opposite the restaurant (www.sanscravate.be)

Bruut, benefiting from one of the most romantic views, situated on one of Bruges beautiful canals. Fixed menu, seasonal cooking using the best produce our region has to offer. Run by culinary whizzkid Bruno Timperman and his cousin Bas Timperman (www.bistrobruut.be)

Goffin, literally on the edge of the center of Bruges, you find the little restaurant of Timothy Goffin and his wife. Very creative cooking and technically advanced dishes. (website)

Deliciously Trendy

Rock-Fort/Barsalon, also in the Langestraat, this trendy combo of a delicious restaurant and a hip, cool wine bar/tapasbar is one of my favorites in Bruges…come in for a nice selected glass of wine or a perfect G&T with some yummie tapas or take a seat at one of the restaurant tables (make sure to book to avoid certain disappointment) and experience what chef Hermes and sommelier Peter have up their sleeve (www.rock-fort.be)

Classic

Brasserie Grand Cru, magnificent interior, straight out of a castle-farm. Nice selection of traditional ‘brasserie’ dishes, fabulous wine list (website)

GETTING AROUND TOWN

Why not see the town from a different perspective? You will discover that taking a tour of the beautiful city center in a horse and carriage or with a boat on the canals will give you a completely different view. You will see things that you wouldn’t notice otherwise, especially when taking the tour with the boats as you see the town from a fundamentally different viewpoint…it also allows you to get a good overview of what the town has to offer and you can plan your visit efficiently…