Bruges

Filip Claeys is one of those young rock’n roll chefs who has re-written the kitchen rule book. His fare is original, authentic and anything but mainstream. Provocative but with a sense of fun, as he likes to keep things into perspective. According to Filip, being a chef is the best job in the world. As simple as that. Passion that is reflected in two Michelin stars and a 18/20 score from Gault&Millau.

It comes as no surprise that Auberge De Herborist has its own garden full of well-known, unknown, healing and edible herbs. And thanks to the abundant harvest the garden provides, Chef Alex Hanbuckers manages to put together an inspirational menu each and every time. Feeling moreish? Then book a place for a cooking lesson or a guided tour of the garden.

Bar Bulot, run by chef Gert De Mangeleer from the concept restaurant L.E.S.S., opened in 2019 as a pop-up and quickly grew into a fully fledged luxury brasserie. The menu features contemporary takes on classics from Belgium's rich culinary tradition. The exceptional quality, impeccable service and hard work for which the establishment has become known are now paying off, as Bar Bulot has since been awarded its first Michelin star. A bright and tasty future awaits!

Situated by the idyllic Meebrug, this culinary newcomer is a ray of sunshine. An upper crust bistro, which equates to delicious food without all the fuss – relaxed and casual yet still excellent. Bistro Bruut has recently launched its own house gin. Chef Bruno Timperman.

Any fan of Hertog Jan could have told you that L.E.S.S would not have to wait long for its Michelin star. This brand-new, contemporary Michelin-starred restaurant is run by a team who have previously held an impressive three stars under their belts between them. In other words, this is a quality establishment. Top-level gastronomy with décor ranging from New York to Tokyo, right on ’t Zand. Make sure to book in advance.

To say you can eat well in Bruges is the understatement of the year. If you don’t feel like or cannot afford a Michelin-starred restaurant but still want a taste of the good life, then De Refter is the place for you. A contemporary restaurant owned by the Michelin three-star chef Geert Van Hecke, where you can get great food in a pleasant setting at reasonable prices. You couldn’t ask for more.

Bonte B offers pure and straightforward food and does so with style. That means cowhides, Swedish design and wooden floors, because simplicity is a virtue. But that doesn’t mean your meal will look simple, and on the contrary — every order looks like a painting that is almost too beautiful to eat. Chef Bernard Bonte.

Franco Belge is located on one of the liveliest streets in Bruges and has been able to attract fans of gastro food from near and far from its very start. It is inspired by Franco-Belgian cuisine, but adds a special contemporary interpretation. You can also see this in its interior that has a comfortably warm, yet sleek feeling. In other words, a delicious story that sounds perfect.

Tanuki is a little slice of Japan in the middle of Bruges. In its open kitchen chef Ivan Verhelle juggles with sushi and sashimi and seven-course meals are steamed in a quiet and serene setting. The delicatessen is located in a corner of the restaurant, where you can buy all sorts of sushi necessities and excellent soya sauces as well as Japanese tableware. The tableware is made up of five items, not six, as the Japanese believe that even numbers are bad luck.

Jan Supply has worked in many Michelin-starred kitchens and is now doing his own thing at Goesepitte 43. It’s not exactly a bistro or a brasserie; Goesepitte43 offers great contemporary fare, much of it cooked on a Mibrasa — a charcoal oven which brings out all the natural flavours of the ingredients used. In other words, a barbecue for gourmets!

Bowls full of happiness — that’s what you can expect at Komtuveu, where you will be served the very best produce from the Bruges area, sourced from local farmers and the North Sea. Pure, seasonal cooking, brought to you in three, four, or five bowls. Who knew food in a bowl could be so elegantly presented?

Tucked away in one of those little Bruges streets, La Buena Vista really stands out. It looks like an old-fashioned Bruges bar, adorned with a southern touch. The fiery chef will present his dishes with great passion and then you can indulge in top-quality Spanish tapas. Sharing is caring. An experience on all fronts.

Right out of the city centre, on the road that leads to Blankenberge, the art-deco villa — which houses La Tâche — stands in all its splendour. Chef Olivier Monbailliu creates French cuisine with Mediterranean influences. French classics with a Southern touch are the order of the day and this thanks to the house tapenades, high quality olive oils and herbs from the property's garden. The chef also cherishes a passion for wine, which is reflected in an extensive wine list, a mix of budget-friendly discoveries and the famous grand crus. The correct price-quality ratio is never lost sight of.

A 16th century building with great decor and simple, pure dishes with a special touch — that’s Tom’s Diner in a nutshell. From patatas bravas, Vietnamese spring rolls, house-marinated salmon and baked white tripe to meat loaf and prawn croquettes – at Tom’s Diner you can taste the whole world under one roof.

You can find Tou.Gou right on the Smedenstraat, one of Bruges’ major shopping streets. It is a place where you can go at lunchtime to enjoy a delicious and top-class lunch. In addition to the menu there are also the chef's daily suggestions and the display case where you can immediately stock up on many of these gourmet treats. These are treats to savour long after your visit.

Half of Bruges regularly makes a pilgrimage to Zeebrugge to spend an afternoon or an evening in ‘t Werftje. In itself, this is a sufficient reason to take a trip to the seaside. Here you can eat outstanding classic fish dishes. These range from home-made shrimp croquette with a salad or quick bites, to huge seafood platters. Your fellow diners will include fishermen, dock workers, tourists and gourmets.

Hermes Vanliefde and Peter Laloo, the young ambitious men behind Rock Fort, do not like half-hearted attempts or watered-down versions of culinary creations. They resolutely set their own rocking culinary course and present innovative dishes with a sharp edge. Just a bit more dangerous than traditional cuisine. Both their cool approach and their unique interior are surprisingly informal, but they are anything but casual in the kitchen, and the proof is in the eating.

Kwizien Divien impresses with a contemporary, fair and affordable quality cuisine, ranging from pastas and salads, carpaccio of scallops, right through to pure fillet steak or glazed fillet of plaice. Shrimp croquettes, beef and brown beer stew and lemon sole make up the Flemish menu. And all that in a quiet street just off the Market Square. In the summer, you can even enjoy views of the Bruges Belfry Tower from your table!

Focus — that’s what it’s all about at Locàle by Kok au Vin. Every day they aim for the perfect balance on and off the plate. This translates into innovative creations and the true, pure flavours of local produce — wonderful simplicity you can taste. Chef Jürgen Aerts

If you’re wavering between a small or giant helping, the Hotel Weinebrugge’s restaurant is perfect for you. You can have a snack at the bar or go the whole hog and check out the market or monthly menus. But one thing is certain: you’ll love the French-Belgian dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients. Chef Benny De Bruyn