Eating and drinking

Bruges has a large number of restaurants and cafes which cater for every taste and pocket. You can enjoy the best of Belgian cuisine or simply refuel at one of the many simple and inexpensive establishments aimed at the tourist or day tripper. What ever you choose most places are cosy and welcoming and aim to give the best service and food irrespective of price.

Belgium actually has more Michelin rated restaurants per head than France and, Belgian cuisine, based on the country's regional traditions, is now considered to be some of the best in Europe . And Bruges has more than its fair share of top-quality restaurants. Flemish specialities are always available particularly if you venture away from the touristy centre to find the more distinctively Flemish-style restaurants in the quieter back streets which cater less for the tourist and more for the discerning locals.

Belgian food is northern European in style (hearty, tasty and filling) and in some cases linked to French cuisine. However their attitude to food is a little more robust than the haute cuisine of France and this is demonstrated in their most famous Flemish dishes. Dishes such as karbonaden made from cubes of beef marinated in beer and cooked with herbs and onions and waterzooi a traditional fish (or more often these days chicken) soup like stew cooked with cream and vegetables. Belgians also love mussels served in a big pot with a side order of chips and mayonnaise. Belgian chips (freitjes) are like no other. Unlike English chips they are thin, crispy, golden brown and served piping hot and you do not even have to go to a restaurant to enjoy the delights of a portion of freitjes. Simply find a frituur van on any street in Bruges and order a cone of chips with the obligatory dollop of Belgian mayonnaise. This will keep you going until you savour the delights of another firm Belgian favourite, steak and chips. The steak is always excellent and the chips are unrivalled.

For those with a sweet taste, try a Belgian biscuit. Speculoos (often served with a cup of coffee) are hard and spicy and are a speciality of Flanders . Brugge Kletskoppen (lace cookies) are made to look like the local lace and are a speciality of Bruges . If you are still hungry you should try a freshly cooked wafel (gaufre in French) from one of the many street cafes serving directly on to the street.

There are numerous cafes and restaurants to choose from in Bruges most of which serve excellent food at competitive prices catering for every taste from international cuisine to local Flemish fare.

 

 

 

 

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Bruges & Belgium City Breaks

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