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Wherever I go I love to eat where the locals eat. I love to find these local eateries away from the main tourist grid serving local food for the right price. Places packed with locals speaking an exotic foreign language. Bars where people come after a hard days work to unwind with family or friends. Small bistros where the service is informal, the price correct, the food freshly prepared. I love to blend in with the locals, trying local specialities, tasting the local drinks, served without compromises to the difficult taste of tourists. Places where the owners are proud of their work and the public appreciates the fare. Where I get the satisfaction of finding this really special place experiencing the real soul of the city, the real feel of local culture.

For those visitors of Bruges that are like me looking for the real local deal when it comes to quenching your hunger for local culture and food at the same time, I have made a non restrictive guide to some of the best eateries in Bruges. This list will be updated whenever I find a new place that deserves the label “Best local eatery in Bruges”. Because there is nothing  worse than a disappointing lunch or dinner after a perfect day in Bruges!

The list has something for everyone, for every budget and taste. The one thing they all share is happy customers! Bruges used to be a desert for those who are looking for vegetarian or vegan dishes, but no more, many places offer vegetarian and vegan dishes now. I marked each place serving vegetarian (V) or vegan (VG) dishes and put a direct link to their menu.

Belle Histoire is the successor or our favorite bar ’t Risico that closed its doors last year after 20 years. The new pub/bistro is located at the edge of the centre of Bruges, and has a beautiful terrace at the edge of a little park. It immediately strung a cord with us since it boasts much of the furniture and decoration of the old café and even the menu is for the most part paste-copy. The perfect spot for a simple but tasteful lunch or dinner and a beer in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. If you are looking for some local Bruges’ vibe, this is where you should be heading to.

The Rose Red, is a hotel pub/tavern. Hotel pubs are often quite stuffy and dead but this one is an exception. It is a real beer pub, with a very large choice of Belgian beers, their speciality are the Trappist beers. It is the place to taste different Belgian beers which you can now also enjoy along some really nice novelty sharing dishes (vegetarian and non-vegetarian selection). Until recently I listed this place only under my blog of best pubs, bars and coffee places, but since this year they also serve food, and the food is really good! For that reason it is becoming increasingly popular as a dinner spot, so best make reservations in advance! This is your typical brown bar, with roses hanging from the ceiling, making it a very cosy place.

Amuni (V and VG) is a recent addition to the scene of Italian restaurants. Not the cheapest place, but they serve decent, fresh, honest, authentic slow Italian food. The restaurant features a modern relaxed interior and is located close to the main square. The menu focuses on pizza’s and pasta. They have several vegetarian choices and a vegan pizza on the menu. Reservations are a good idea.

’t Brugs Pitahuis, (V and VG) wins in the category of tasty, fast en cheap while not being a ‘frietkot’. In Belgium pita is often categorized as low quality fast food but ’t Brugs Pitahuis is an exception to this rule where good quality kebab is served with a smile. You can eat meat (pork, chicken or lamb) vegetarian or vegan, they also serve vegan wine, and choose between small or large portions. A great place if you are looking for a cheap decent eatery, just around the corner of the main square. Best bring cash, because you cannot pay by card.

Le Pain Quotidien (V and VG) is an old time favourite in any city in Belgium. Here you get freshly made dishes using fresh organic bread, lots of vegetables and fruits, making for a guilt free and tasty breakfast or lunch. And if you need to stock up at home, take some bread and pastries when checking out. Drinks are delicious and it is a great stop for coffee and cake. Do try their fabulous cheese cake or lemon tart. They have several vegetarian and vegan choices on their menu. The Pain Quotidien features a great garden terrace in the back and a more lively terrace in front on the Simon Stevinsquare. Only for breakfast (open at 7 AM) and lunch, they close at 7 PM.

Ellis Gourmet Burger ( V and VG) is the place for fancy burgers. It is a chain restaurant, that is loved by many for combining a fancy interior wit high class meat burgers. I must admit that I find the location in Bruges a bit less cosy than in some other cities, but the food is the same. They have several vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. Not the cheapest place, but the quality is guaranteed.

Sanseveria Bagelsalon (V and VG) if you are looking for a light lunch. They serve breakfast, lunch and cake. The bagels are filled with lots of great ingredients. They serve great homemade lemonade and ice-tea. The decor is vintage, hip, and comfortable. Perfect place to have a chat with your best friend over something to eat. They have several vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. The price is a bit higher than a sandwich somewhere else, but you get better quality for it. They also have salads and quiches.

Cafe De Republiek, (V and VG) is actually a bar that also serves food. It can rightly claim to be the most popular bar with young and old alike in Bruges. It is located in the same building as the art-house movie-theatre, so many visitors of the cinema automatically end up here after a movie. In summer they have a large green shady outdoor garden, a great place to unwind with friends on a warm evening. They renovated the interior not so long ago and with it their menu, which is now even better than it used to be. They serve a 16 euro lunch every day. Better be on time on busy evenings because it fills up quickly. Open every day!

Marco Polo Noodlebar, (V and VG) another favourite in the category, yummy, light, cheap and healthy food. This is the place we go when we suddenly decide we do not want to cook, do not want to get fries but want to eat something quick and healthy. It is a small place, perfect for a quick bite. They serve very delicious noodle soup, and I can highly recommend their wonton soup. They offer several vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu. The owners are very friendly and prepare your noodle soup freshly while you wait. They also have a take away service.

Pizzeria Sforno, (V) is without a doubt one of the places with the best Italian pizza’s in Bruges. The restaurant is a bit out of the centre, but after a visit to Damme a good spot to stop on your way back to Bruges. Do make reservations in advance, the restaurant is small and always fully booked. Their pizza’s are more expensive than the ones from the fast food chains, but they are the real deal, with thin and very crispy dough. They have vegetarian pizza’s. They also do take-away.

Sale e Pepe, for Italian food that is not a pizza. They serve Sicilian food, using the best ingredients, many imported from Italy. The cook is Sicilian, and she cooks with passion. Be aware that they will serve you ‘authentic’ Italian dishes. Expect simple dishes using the best fresh ingredients. Only for lovers of real Italian cuisine!

De Stoepa, (V) is another old time favourite of locals in Bruges. It is located close to  the train station, the lake of love and the beguinage. They have this beautiful garden where it is great to sit on a sunny afternoon. They serve Asian fusion comfort food. It is a place that is perfect for an informal lunch or dinner with friends or family. In summer and on weekends you better make a reservation to avoid any disappointment.

Narai Thai, (V) one of the best Thai restaurant in Bruges. That means; Thai cooks in the kitchen. (Only Thai can cook like Thai, believe me, even I who lived in Asia for eight years cannot live up to the expectation of the Thai when it comes to their food) They tend to prepare their dishes less spicy for Western customers, but if you ask they will spice it up for you. Just do not ask for spicy ‘Thai style’, they will put extra chilli in just to test you…. Try some other dishes than the usual suspects, you will be surprised by the variety of aromas! They have a take away service and a vegetarian selection on the menu.

Nous, a small high end restaurant using the new style of food sharing. The food is gastronomic, classic with modern and often Asian influences. The service is good and informal. The atmosphere is classic with good music. A place for a special dinner, in a classy small scale restaurant. They have a fixed 2 course lunch on weekdays for 25,5 euro.

Rock Fort, for a special dinner. Rock Fort is a classy restaurant, serving great food, in a classy high end interior. Come here for a special occasion. They have really original dishes using fantastic ingredients, and they serve it in a very original way. One of the classic high end restaurants in Bruges. Book a table for fine dining on the first floor or a more informal table in the ground floor for sharing dishes and tapas. Closed on Saturday and Sunday. They also do take-away!

L’Estaminet, (V) one of the older bar-bistro’s of Bruges (it exists for more than 45 years). Located in front of the Astridpark, one of the beautiful green spots in Bruges, but also very close to the central square. The authentic brown pub interior is very cosy, and invites to sit inside on a cold winter day. In Summer they have a covered terrace in the front, with views over the park. Their spaghetti is famous, great for a cheap quick lunch or dinner and a good Belgian beer. They also do take-away.

De Wijngaert, a grill restaurant, the place to be for a barbecued steak with classic Belgian fries. It is a family business and especially in winter a great warm cosy place to eat. Close to one of the famous tourist spots; the beguinage and the Minnewater (Lake of love).

Tanuki, definitely the best Japanese restaurant in Bruges. The chef used to live in Japan, after which, together with a Japanese sous-chef opened this Japanese restaurant in Bruges. But save up a little first because quality has its price. A restaurant for a special occasion.

Sans Cravate, one of the Michelin star restaurants in Bruges. Located just inside the ring-road in Bruges, at the Kruispoort in the shadow of our famous wind-mills. The restaurant has a grill, and serves modern dishes. Since the coronacrisis they reinvented themselves and expanded with a Bar a Vins and a shop.

Tête Pressée, located outside central Bruges, close to one of the main entrance roads. This original small restaurant serves gastronomy, with a focus on local produced products, using traditional cooking styles, aiming for nostalgic experiences. A great place for an out of the ordinary lunch or dinner. In the shop you can buy their dishes to warm up at home. (An idea for those who stay in a holiday home)

Bruut, located in the centre of the city, is a small but very refined restaurant, in a romantic setting next to one of the canals. They serve dishes that focus on the traditional Flemish kitchen, using high quality local ingredients prepared with respect for the authentic taste of the product. They offer wine that team perfectly with the served dishes. The restaurant is tastefully decorated, the service friendly and very attentive. You have to make advance reservations, do not count on luck to find a table when walking in. (you can reserve your table online) They have a fixed menu comprising of 6 small courses for lunch and 9 small courses for dinner. The restaurant is open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner.

Locàle is a real gem of a restaurant. I don’t know why for someone living in Bruges it took us so long to find this restaurant. We ate here for my birthday at the time it still ran under the name Kok au Vin. They have since rethought their concept and now serve funky food with attention to its local origin. They have a lunch formula (lunch experience) from 12 to 3 PM where you can choose three or four bites and an appetizer on the house to share for 36 and 45 euro pp. The tasty dishes are made with fresh ingredients, served on beautiful ceramic ware and the sourdough bread is soo good. Open Wednesday to Saturday 12 AM to 10:30 PM.

Zushi: (V) if you are an aficionado of sushi, this is about the only spot in Bruges to have good reasonably priced sushi. But it is take-away only. Good idea for a stylish picnic in one of the parks in Bruges on a nice summer day. (but make sure you leave no trash behind!) The sushi is really good, and they have vegetarian options. They prepare them fresh as you order!

Réliva, (V) if you want to eat natural and healthy using the freshest ingredients, following the seasons, using fresh herbs and organic products, produced locally and served in a classy restaurant, this is where you are heading. The welcome in this family restaurant is warm, seats are comfortable, the tables dressed with style, and the food is served on beautiful plates. You can choose between a seasonal or a vegetarian 3, 4 or 5 course menu. They have a very interesting wine menu including natural wines and a sommelier to advise you in making the right choice. You can choose a bottle or by the glass. If you want to celebrate something in a cosy place with style, this is it. In summer you can also dine outside. Make reservations ahead, you can make reservations online. They don’t accept parties of more than four people, so you will never be bothered by a loud group, great for couples!

We had already tried several times to get a table at Le Lion Belge, without making reservations ahead and had never been lucky until last week. We dropped in after visiting the Christmas market in Bruges, and they still had two free tables. We took a seat in the cosy restaurant, and the waiter pointed out the dishes on the blackboard. All dishes are meat or fish dishes, so if you are a vegetarian, this is not the right place for you. We both chose the leg of rabbit. We received some small appetizers and a basket of bread. The dishes arrived timely, and were royal, with lots of veggies on the side. The meat was cooked to perfection. All other dishes looked just as tasty and royal in portions. No surprise that the place is packed every evening. This restaurant is another great place in the Langestraat, close to the windmills of Bruges. It is run by father and son, the father cooks in the open kitchen. They serve lunch and dinner. They only take reservations by phone.

The Belgian Pigeon House is a relatively new kid on the block, and a great addition to the already diverse range of great places to eat in Bruges. It has a real Belgian feel to it. Pigeon races are a typical and very old sport in Belgium. Belgium has world fame not only for its well bred race horses but also for its top of the world bred race pigeons! Pigeons have been a delicacy since medieval times. This a (grilled) meat restaurant, so if you are a vegetarian, this place is not for you, although they do have some vegetarian dishes. And if pigeon is not really your thing they have enough other mouthwatering choices. Most of the meat is grilled on the josper charcoal grill. The quality of artisanal shrimp croquettes are a good test for any restaurant serving local Belgian dishes. So we ordered two croquettes to share as a starter, and they definitely were up to standard, crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside with enough shrimp in the filling! The main dishes we ordered were rabbit the Flemish way and grilled chateaubriand which were really very tasty, served with enough vegetables and roasted potatoes. This is not the cheapest place but you get real quality on your plate, while the restaurant is really cosy, especially the 14th century cellar downstairs. Not suitable for large parties, also best make reservations ahead.

For my birthday last week my husband had invited me and our children for dinner in restaurant ‘Den Amand‘ (V) in the centre of Bruges. The small restaurant is located in a the small side street of the central square ‘Markt’, in the Sint-Amandsstraat. The restaurant is run by a couple, she cooks in the open kitchen, he serves the guests. They serve traditional dishes using local ingredienst, with a strong focus on vegetables and they have quite some vegetarian dishes on the menu. Everything is freshly prepared, the welcome is warm, the interior stylishly decorated. Next to the normal sized desserts you can also choose a mini dessert. The restaurant has smartly been refurbished to comply with strictest corona measures. We were really pleasantly surprised and will certainly go back in the future.

It has been a while, due to Corona, since we tried a new restaurant in Bruges. We decided to have our Valentine dinner, the weekend after Valentine, to avoid the Valentine rush. In the Mood Foodcafé located in the romantic Minnewater park (Lake of Love park), had been on our list for some time, and since friends had been really positive about it we booked a table at 6 PM on a Saturday. They work in two evening shifts, the tables booked at 6 PM have to free their table at 7:45 PM, but you can have an after dinner drink in the adjoining outside bar, in winter under a tent with heaters. We arrived at 6 PM sharp and had asked for a table inside. Some tables are under a kind of covered semi outside area where heaters keep the place warm. In fact you hardly notice the difference between the two areas. The food isn’t cheap but really perfectly cooked and served. The service is impeccable, the interior is classy but classic, as is the menu. They don’t really cater for vegetarians, there is only one vegetarian main dish, and two vegetarian tapas. We ordered two tapas to share, and they had the size of a starter. The rather large portion of the main dish left no place for dessert, so we finished off with coffee and tea. This is the kind of restaurant you would book for a special occasion, since the bill isn’t on the cheap side. 

Onesto (V) is a newcomer just outside the Kruispoort (Cross gate), and technically outside of the city centre. But if you are in the area of the Kruispoort or the windmills, you only have to cross the bridge to get to this pizzeria. And this is not your ordinary pizzeria, this is pizza like you expect to eat it in Napels in Italy. The pizza’s are baked in a stone woodoven, made with the best ingredients, tasty tomatoes and the best mozzarella, into really tasty pizzas. They have several vegetarian pizza’s on the menu. The service is super friendly and efficient, the atmosphere homely, the interior cosy and in summer they have a terrace and garden to eat outside on warm evenings. Best make reservations because many have already discovered the place!

Nomad, (V and VG) a new kid on the block on ’t Zand, turns out to be a good breakfast and lunch spot with decent vegetarian an vegan choices on the menu. They use organic vegetables sourced from their parents farm. The service is swift and friendly, the prices reasonable, and they have a nice shade terrace on hot days. A good place for a last minute decision where you can just walk in. It is popular breakfast spot on Saturday mornings when locals are coming to the fresh market on the square in front. Closed on Sundays.

Mas, (V) a new young concept in Bruges since this year (2022). The owner of cocktailbar Bar Ran opened a Mexican streetfood restaurant where taco’s are at the centre of the menu. They have taco’s with different fillings, also vegetarian choices, snacks, sides and desserts. And cocktails from the tap! I really liked their non-alcoholic cocktail based on a lemon slush! At the front of the restaurant you find a loungy area where one can wait for a table while enjoying a drink and a snack. The restaurant is not very large, and fills up quickly with a hip and mainly young public. Everything is freshly  prepared in an open kitchen at the end of the room. It is not a place where I will eat weekly, but it is a great addition to the restaurant scene of Bruges. They have vegetarian options (menu). You find Mas next to the hip coffee bar Cafuné in the Academiestraat. 

Goesepitte 43, a recently discovered restaurant, close to the Zand square, the Old Saint John’s hospital and the church of our Lady. A cosy small restaurant, a relaxed atmosphere with great service and food. They serve a lunch on weekdays and Saturdays for 32 euro, consisting of a first and second course and an appetizer on the house. I love the special attention to veggies on your plate and the balanced and refreshing taste palette. The coffee and tea came with homemade macarons. They can serve vegetarian dishes when you mention this when making your reservation. 

Laissez-Faire, is a restaurant in the same category as Goesepitte 43, located just outside the Ezelpoort (Donkey Gate), but within walking distance of the city centre. They also serve a weekday lunch menu at 40 euro pp. consisting of a first and second course and two appetizers on the house. The tea and coffee came with two mini boules the Berlin, one of my husbands favourite pastries. The service is warm en welcoming, the food original and refined. And I love the beautiful ceramic ware they use to serve your dishes. It really adds to the experience. 

Het paradijs, (The Paradise) (V) is a lunchbar close to the Fish market. This place is a bit out of the ordinary in this list. This restaurant is a social project where everybody can have a lunch at 13,5 euro for a main course. The restaurant offers employment to those who have trouble finding a job on the regular job market. And people on social welfare pay less for the same meal. They offer a daily changing lunch of fresh soup and a main course next to the menu of Flemish stew with fries, a pasta or a vegetarian dish. The house specialty is salmon croquettes. The restaurant is not as posh as the others but nicely decorated and the food is freshly prepared with local and seasonal products. The website, menu and service are only in Dutch. A real local initiative! 

Atelier Flori (100 % VG) is our latest find, and what a find it is! First off all to all vegans: this is the only 100% vegan restaurant in Bruges where you can have dinner! (Blackbird is the only 100% vegan breakfast and lunchspot in Bruges). The place in the centre, on a cute side street, is really cosy, the owners are super friendly and welcoming and the food, consisting of a range of warm and cold small dishes, is served on an etagere, really original. The food is really yummy, so you can take your non-vegan friends with you, they will enjoy it just as much! They also serve vegan pastries and vegan wines. On the walls local artists can exhibit their work, and they host live music on some days. Make sure you book in advance, the chance is really small to still find a table when just walking in. 

Kaffee Kamiel is a new breakfast, brunch and lunch spot in the middle between the two shopping streets. The place is large and can also seat larger groups, and in summer boasts a large outside terrace inside the shopping gallery Zilverpand, where you can enjoy your plate away from traffic. The menu boasts many healthy choices and several veggie and vegan choices. We did not try the pastries or pancakes but they looked really yummy. The service is pleasant and very efficient and prompt! We will surely return!

Benedict Cafe is one of the many newcomers in the Langestraat, the longest street of Bruges. It is a cosy spot where you can have breakfast, lunch, a small bite or a drink. The interior is beautifully decorated, I really loved the ceramic Italian lamps they have! We stopped there for a quick lunch and where pleasantly surprised by the quality and taste. They also have vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. Not the cheapest place but they offer great quality. Open from 8 AM till 6 PM.