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Restaurant for Birthday Dinner in Bruges

Posted by (Calgary) on

Hi,

I'm seeking restaurant suggestions for dinner on my husband's birthday in Bruges this coming June.

I'm looking for a place that serves traditional Flemish foods, such as the beef stew. I prefer the option to eat outdoors, weather permitting, because we will be going to Rwanda from Belgium, and we will not be permitted to do the primate treks we've reserved if we are sick, and those are the main reason for the trip.

If the restaurant has an interesting, traditional, or beautiful decor and/or canal views, that would be a welcome bonus.

I'm not really interested in pricey Michelin-star places, but we would be willing to relax the purse strings for a special occasion.

Note that I do not like beer. My husband does, but is unlikely to drink more than one or two, so we aren't particularly interested in a place that focuses on beer, unless the food and atmosphere are also great.

Prefer a place that takes reservations, because of the time of year, preferably online (vs having to telephone).

It will be a Wednesday evening.

I did look into Gruuthuse Hof, if you see this, Mardee, but that restaurant is no longer operating.

If anyone has personal experience with any of the following, those are some places I'm considering, but other suggestions are most welcome:

  • Maximiliaan Van Oostenrijk
  • Christophe
  • Vlaminck’14
  • 't Huidevettershuis

Thanks!

Posted by
8 posts

Hi, don’t know if you’re on Facebook but it’s worth visiting “Brugge Culinair”. It’s a private group of local foodies reviewing local restaurants. Lots of pictures and restaurant names to help make up your mind. If you ask for permission to join in, you’ll probably get it.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/BruggeCulinair/?locale=nl_NL
Have fun and enjoy this beautiful city!

Posted by
351 posts

In my opinion, you’ll find the best beef stew in Bruges at Restaurant De Middenstand. They do have outdoor seating, but unfortunately no canal view; you also have to book by phone, not online.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gknnEQjTDfJm8Mab8
https://www.demiddenstand.com/en/home

Incidentally, you won’t find beef stew in the more upmarket restaurants, unless they’re tourist traps.
The average Belgian eats their beef stew at home, with the recipe passed down from mother to daughter, and they also eat it in brasseries or average restaurants. In an upmarket restaurant, they opt for more complex dishes, something you don't eat at home ;-)

Posted by
2059 posts

gentenaar3 Thanks! I'll check it out.

Windyram Thanks. I'll look into that one. I'm not set on going to an "upmarket" restaurant. We just like to try local dishes when we travel.

:)

Posted by
351 posts

Just one comment: restaurant De Middenstand changed hands on 1 April 2025, after 34 years of loyal service. They have kept the menu from the previous owners, but with higher prices.
If you’re reading the reviews, you should also check out those from the last year.

It’s probably just a matter of habit, but personally I thought it used to be better.

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