The Best restaurants in Bruges are not always the ones surrounding the busy terraces of Markt Square.
Some of the city’s most memorable meals are found along quieter streets, inside cosy Flemish bistros, modern dining rooms and historic cafés that you might easily walk past.
Choosing where to eat can still feel difficult when every restaurant promises traditional Belgian flavours or an unforgettable dinner.
This guide narrows the options to nine carefully selected places, covering everything from Flemish classics and Belgian beer to vegan brunches, creative sharing plates and special occasion tasting menus.
Whether you are searching for an affordable lunch, a romantic evening or your first traditional Belgian meal, these best restaurants in Bruges offer something for different budgets and travel styles.
9 Best Restaurants in Bruges: Where to Eat
The best restaurants in Bruges suit very different occasions, so begin by deciding whether you want Belgian classics, a relaxed lunch or a longer tasting-menu experience.
Best Restaurants in Bruges at a Glance
| Restaurant | Best for | Price level | Area |
| Onslow | Modern Sharing plates | €36-€50 | Sint-Anna |
| De Gastro | Belgian classics | €25-€55 | Historic centre |
| Bistro Refter | Refined lunch | €35 lunch / €65 seasonal menu | Molenmeers |
| Assiette Blanche | Central fine dining | €33 lunch / €60 three-course menu | Near Burg |
| BRUUT | Creative tasting menu | 89 lunch / €145 dinner | Historic centre |
| Zet’Joe | Special occasions | €107-€193 | Langestraat |
| Blackbird | Vegan breakfast and lunch | €13.50-€26.50 | Jan van Eyckplein |
| Cambrinus | Flemish food and beer | €25-€42.50 | Near Markt |
| Café Vlissinghe | Historic pub atmosphere | €8-€16 | Sint-Anna |
- Prices were checked in July 2026 and exclude drinks unless stated otherwise. À-la-carte spending ranges are estimates because the final cost depends on the dishes and number of courses ordered.
- These restaurants were selected to cover different budgets, dining styles and occasions rather than simply listing the city’s most expensive places. We considered current menus, location, atmosphere, dietary options, professional recognition and practical value for travellers.
Onslow – Best for Modern sharing plates
Onslow is the place to choose when you want something more adventurous than the usual Flemish stew and fries.
Hidden in the quieter Sint-Anna neighbourhood, it serves internationally influenced sharing plates with Asian and Mediterranean inspiration.
The atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal, and the garden terrace makes it particularly appealing during warmer weather.
Onslow is currently recognised as a Bib Gourmand restaurant and is also listed by Visit Bruges for its vegetarian, vegan and world-cuisine options.
Best for: Couples and friends who enjoy sharing several dishes.
Price: €36 – €50, excluding drinks
Reservation: Strongly recommended.
Good to know: It sits outside the busiest dining area, so allow time to walk into Sint-Anna.
De Gastro-Best for Traditional Belgian Food
De Gastro is a dependable choice when you want familiar Belgian or French cooking without committing to a long tasting menu.
This family-owned restaurant sits in the historic centre and combines a warm interior with classics built around meat, fish and seasonal ingredients.
It serves lunch and dinner most days, although it currently closes on Tuesdays.
Tables operate in two-hour reservation periods, so this is better for a well-paced meal than a long evening spent lingering over drinks.
Best for: First-time visitors looking for a traditional dinner.
Price: €25 – €55, excluding drinks
Reservation: Recommended, especially at weekends.
Honest drawback: The two-hour table limit may feel restrictive when you prefer a slow meal.
Bistro Refter – Best for a Refined Lunch
Bistro Refter offers polished cooking in a setting that still feels like a comfortable bistro rather than a formal dining room.
Its current weekday and Saturday lunch costs €35, making it one of the most appealing ways to try refined cooking without paying evening tasting-menu prices.
A seasonal menu is listed at €65, while the à-la-carte selection includes Belgian and French dishes such as beef tartare, roast chicken, fish and dame blanche.
The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Best for: A quality lunch that still leaves room in the travel budget.
Price: €35 lunch / €65 seasonal menu, excluding drinks
Reservation: Recommended.
tip: Choose lunch over dinner when value matters most.
Assiette Blanche – Best Restaurant Near Burg Square
Assiette Blanche is only a short walk from Burg and Markt, making it convenient when you want a polished meal without travelling away from the historic centre.
The kitchen focuses on classical French cooking with contemporary touches.
Its official website currently lists a €33 lunch and a €60 three-course menu.
The menu changes regularly, giving returning diners a reason to visit again.
Best for: Couples and travellers wanting a refined central lunch or dinner.
Price: €33 lunch / €60 three-course menu, excluding drinks
Reservation: Recommended.
Honest drawback: It is less suitable when you want a quick or inexpensive meal between attractions.
BRUUT – Best Creative Tasting Menu in Bruges
BRUUT is for the evening when food becomes the main event rather than something fitted between sightseeing stops.
The restaurant uses a fixed menu built around seasonal ingredients and products connected to the Bruges region.
Its current six-part menu costs €89, with additional courses available for €20 each. The historic building feels romantic from outside, while the interior and cooking take a more daring, modern direction.
Best for: Adventurous diners and memorable date nights.
Price: €89 lunch / €145 dinner, excluding drinks
Reservation: Essential.
Honest drawback: A fixed menu offers less flexibility for selective eaters or travellers with limited time.
Zet’Joe – Best Special Occasion Restaurant in Bruges
Zet’Joe is the splurge restaurant on this list. Led by chef Geert Van Hecke, it offers sophisticated French-influenced cooking in an elegant but welcoming setting.
Current menus range from €107 for the shorter “Flat Land” menu to €193 for the longer “Brugge die Scone” experience.
À-la-carte dishes are also available, although prices make this a restaurant to plan for rather than enter spontaneously. Zet’Joe closes on Sundays and Mondays.
Best for: Anniversaries, celebrations and serious food lovers.
Price: €107 – €193, excluding drinks
Reservation: Essential.
Honest drawback: It will take a large share of most travellers’ Bruges budget.
Blackbird – Best Plant-Based Brunch in Bruges
Blackbird brings a lighter, more relaxed choice to a city known for rich stews, beer and chocolate.
Overlooking Jan van Eyckplein, this welcoming café specialises in plant-focused breakfast, lunch and coffee.
It currently opens from Wednesday to Saturday, with shorter Sunday hours, and reservations are particularly encouraged during weekends.
The location also fits naturally into a Bruges walking itinerary. Stop here before exploring Jan van Eyck Square and the quieter canals nearby.
Best for: Vegan travellers, brunch and a relaxed midday break.
Price: €13.50-€26.50, excluding drinks
Reservation: Recommended at weekends.
Honest drawback: It closes relatively early and is not a dinner restaurant.
Cambrinus – Best for Flemish Food and Belgian Beer
Cambrinus is one of the easiest recommendations for a first visit to Bruges because it brings two Belgian pleasures together: hearty food and an enormous beer selection.
The menu focuses on Flemish dishes such as beer-braised stew and shrimp croquettes, with staff able to suggest suitable beer pairings.
Vegetarian choices and beer-tasting sets are available, while children and dogs are also welcome.
Cambrinus currently opens seven days a week and sits only a short walk from Markt.
Best for: Traditional food, beer lovers and first-time visitors.
Price: €25 – €42.50, excluding drinks.
Reservation: Recommended for weekends and holidays.
Honest drawback: Its popularity and central location mean it can feel busy.
Café Vlissinghe – Best Historic Café and Pub in Bruges
Café Vlissinghe is not a formal restaurant, but leaving it off a Bruges food guide would mean missing one of the city’s most atmospheric places for a casual meal or beer.
Records of the café date back to 1515, earning it recognition as the oldest café in Bruges.
It hides along a quiet street in Sint-Anna and serves pub-style food in a historic interior, with a garden and pétanque area adding to its relaxed character in summer.
Best for: History, local beer and a casual lunch away from Markt.
Price: €8 – €16, excluding drinks.
Reservation: Only accepted for groups of 10 or more; smaller groups can visit as walk-ins.
Honest drawback: Choose it for atmosphere rather than a refined culinary experience.
Which Bruges Restaurant Should You Choose?
For a first traditional Belgian meal, Cambrinus or De Gastro are the easiest choices.
Pick Bistro Refter when you want refined cooking at a more approachable lunch price. Assiette Blanche works well for a polished meal close to the main sights, while Onslow is better when sharing plates and a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere sound more appealing.
Choose BRUUT for creative dining and Zet’Joe when the trip includes a serious celebration. Blackbird is the clear plant-based breakfast or lunch option, while Café Vlissinghe offers the strongest sense of historic Bruges.
Tips for Eating at Restaurants in Bruges
Book dinner ahead when visiting on a Friday or Saturday. Popular dining rooms are often small, and the best time slots can disappear quickly.
Restaurants around Markt are convenient, but do not assume a central terrace automatically provides the best food.
Sint-Anna and the streets beyond the busiest squares offer several of the most interesting choices on this list.
Check closing days carefully. Some fine-dining restaurants close on Sundays and Mondays, while Blackbird focuses on breakfast and lunch rather than evening service.
Finally, decide what kind of meal you want before comparing ratings.
A historic beer café, vegan brunch spot and tasting-menu restaurant cannot be judged by the same standards.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bruges Restaurants
What food is Bruges famous for?
Bruges is known for Flemish stew, mussels with fries, shrimp croquettes, Belgian chocolate, waffles and an extensive beer culture.
Do you need restaurant reservations in Bruges?
The best restaurants in Bruges are often small, so weekend dinner tables can fill several days in advance.
Is eating in Bruges expensive?
Dining beside the main squares can be expensive, but lunch menus, cafés and restaurants outside Markt offer better-value possibilities. A fixed weekday lunch is often the easiest way to experience a refined restaurant for less.
Where can you eat traditional Belgian food in Bruges?
Cambrinus and De Gastro are strong central choices for Belgian and Flemish classics. Café Vlissinghe works better for casual food and historic pub atmosphere.
Are there vegan restaurants in Bruges?
Yes. Blackbird is a dedicated plant-focused breakfast and lunch café, while several other restaurants provide vegetarian or vegan choices.
Final Thoughts
The best restaurants in Bruges are not all built for the same occasion. Some invite you to settle in for several courses, while others are better for a relaxed lunch, local beer or breakfast beside a quiet square.
Choose one that fits your budget and the rhythm of your day.
A memorable Bruges meal should add to the trip, not make you rush through the city to reach it.