Bruges and Ghent eateries

I really enjoyed the small pizza chain Otomat, which has a well-located branch in Bruges and is also in Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp. Really good value lunch specials and an amazing range of beers for those that partake. https://otomat.be/en#

I guess maybe there are other places with more Belgian “authenticity” but it was busy, friendly, tasty and good value.

In Brussels, the absolute best meal I had was at a place called Chandigarh. It’s an Indian restaurant with just one thing on the menu - vegetarian thali. It’s not super-cheap - €30 for the thali. But absolutely delicious and they brought me extras of some of the best bits. https://www.chandigarh.be/menu

Golden Girl, can you offer more information on the thali you so enjoyed please? It looks like there is a south Indian option, which we'd really enjoy....... as long as it's vegan. Thanks.

You’re doing it wrong if you don’t go to Van Hoorebeke for chocolate and hot chocolate, if raining, when you’re in Ghent. It’s right near St. Bavo’s, home of the Mystic Lamb.

Mr Waffle & Sandwich has nice liege waffles and both stands near the belfry offer nice fries.

None of these places are “healthy” but you must eat the Belgian delicacies while there. At least, that’s what I told myself.

Golden Girl, can you offer more information on the thali you so enjoyed please?

It was the traditional veggie one. I think from memory that the whole restaurant is vegetarian. I don’t think it was entirely vegan as it comes with raita. There was no choice - they just bring you the traditional tray with all the food on it.

The South Indian one is served at lunchtime.

They were very charming there and I wonder if they’d offer vegan if you ask. I know a lot of Southern Indian food is what’s described as “pure vegetarian” which I think means vegan so they could probably help.

I’m not vegan (or indeed even vegetarian) so I can’t confirm.

Okay, thanks. We can always simply refuse the raita so as not to waste it. Guess we'll just have to contact them ahead of time to see if they make our favorite masala dosa dish with ghee, which really upsets both of our stomachs.

Hmmm, extra of the best bits, lol, that would be another dosa! Or more rice.

Apparently no Ghent restaurant will serve a carafe of tap water with one's meal. The excuse seems to be that tap water in the city "isn't potable," which is of course a ridiculous statement. We're drinking tap water as usual in our AirBnB, and we've suffered neither digestive distress nor development of new body parts. But others visiting here should be prepared to engage in restaurateur revenue enhancement by buying bottled water for the table.

Secondary note: those who visit restaurant Panda here should not order paella if paella is in fact what they want. It's an Asian restaurant, whether or not it outwardly seems to be. An idiosyncratic Asian restaurant. Beautiful setting along the river, but approach with caution.

Yes it seems while in France it is a legal obligation to provide water, and do you can get a glass anywhere or choose a regular flat carafe in a restaurant, in both Belgium and Holland I’ve been told by staff they can’t serve tap water. I’ve asked a few waiters just to see. Got a glass in Brussels no problem though. Wondering whether there is any truth to restaurants not being “allowed” and what that’s rooted in, but for now I lug my yen tap wayer, and drink coffee and wine when out as it ends up costing only slightly more than a bottle of water, which I try to avoid.

Otomat. Ouch. Not good. Quantum step below Domino's.

I love me some paella but I’m not sure I would seek it out in Belgium. I don’t think I ate anything other than fries, waffles and chocolate while there.

We've now left Belgium and have traveled to Utrecht. Loved Ghent and Brussels, but I have to say I'd not visit Belgium for the food. I ate a waffle with ice cream and chocolate sauce and it was incredible, and had a wonderful omelet for lunch in Brussels, but overall the food was not especially to my taste. It's not easy to get a tasty, healthy restaurant meal there.

Lots of great little cafes in Utrecht! Just left…was at Elize or Elise and had a wonderous salad….and you can add items to it too and good pricing. Menu in Dutch but it was ok to decipher with the help of the waiting staff ;)z I imagine many of the numerous little cafés peppered all over would have been nice though too!