Restaurant suggestions in Brussels and Bruge

Can only give recommendations for Bruges. Had a nice evening meal at Tom's Diner, just a few minutes walk from the city/tourist center but felt like we were far away from the crowds and just spending time with the locals. We always try pizza in whichever country we are visiting. This trip was at Carlito's, and we enjoyed it. We were there 2 years ago.
Ron

Thanks Ron! We’ll add them to our list.

In Bruges, friterie 1900 is right at the grot markt on a corner. It has about 12 different sauces for dipping your fries. It’s nothing special to look at, but the fries were good. For dinners, we ate at Matinee near the rodenhoedkaai, and Brasserie Raymond, just off the grote markt. Both were very good. Brasserie Raymond is a higher end restaurant, so not for those on a budget. In Brussels, a waffle place that seems to be the place to go is Maison Dandoy. The waffles were good, but I didn’t feel they were worth the wait or price. Even the atmosphere wasn’t all that great.

I will give another "big thumb's up" for Tom's Diner! My wife and I just ate there last week based on a recommendation from our B&B hostess. If we ever get to Bruge again, we'll definitely go back to this restaurant. On a quiet street, away from the crowded areas.......filled with locals.........and the food is fantastic! My wife (who loves to cook) even tried to get the chef's recipe for the meat loaf dish, but was unsuccessful (smart chef).

Yes Tom's..... we were there in 2016 on a Rick Steves tour (Bruges). In Brussels, our local TI guide recommended LeLombard on Lombard street..

Kim

Not sure what happened to my post, unless it was the links, so here are some places in Brussels that I like - sans links:
Lunch - Balls & Glory - locally sourced imaginative meatballs & stoemp it's a small chain. Plus - the name!
Dinner - La Taverne du Passage - very traditional foods and service if you're looking for Moules Frites, Steak Americaine, and sweetbreads, also for dessert, the Dame Blanche. Mei & Pei - modern take on the classics. Very tasty.

Frites are everywhere, with every meal. There is a touristy friterie not too far from the Grand Place, but they are fast and sell a lot, so they are fresh.

For beer - La Mort Subite has been around a long time. Have whatever lambic is on. I'm very fond of the Kriek - which is sour cherry.
For macarons - Pierre Marcolini
For Chocolate - Pierre Marcolini and Passion (in the Sablon)
For Croissant - Wittamer. The have these chocolate twists that are insanely good. There is also a restaurant that is good for lunch.
Cocktails? Life is Beautiful - imaginative cocktails, run by a lovely couple Karoline & Harouma. Also La Phamacie Anglaise - mostly gin and the space is beautiful.

If I think of more, I'll add them

Wow! Thanks for all of these wonderful suggestions. We will certainly eat well! I already know what I'm ordering at Tom's Diner!

Since Jodi brought up chocolate, Mary’s chocolate in Brussels is fantastic (chocolatier to the royal family) as are Neuhaus and Galler. Leonidas is their every day chocolate and not of the same quality, but still good.

My husband and I enjoyed the Belgian Pigeon House for dinner in Bruges. We were seated near the kitchen and it was a little warm, but the meal was lovely.
http://belgianpigeonhouse.com/

Our RS tour took us to this chocolate shop in Bruges and we loved the truffles, they melt in your mouth. There was a waffle place a few doors down that did sit down or take away which we also enjoyed. Frites are literally everywhere and were never bad. American fries pale in comparison.
https://www.pralinette.be/en/

Thanks everyone. I know we will eat and drink well on this trip!

I have a couple of places for Ghent, they may actually be Rick recommendations, but I'll add my recommendation.
For lunch, Pakhuis. The 3 course lunch I had was very good. For chocolate, another Rick recommendation, but oh so good - Van Hoorebeke. There are two locations. When I went to the location run by Cederic, I also happened upon a shop/tasting room called Proof. They have liquor from all over that you can taste. I'm always interested in trying locally made spirits, so I tried several gins. I actually purchased a couple of them.

In Bruges, try Panier d'Or on the square across from the Bell Tower.
Chocolate at the Chocolate Line, Van Hoorbeke and Neuhaus.
Gollar is also excellent.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!

One more in Bruges: Hof van Rembrandt. Grab a seat outside for lunch on a sunny day as it's on a fun corner for people watching. Nice interior as well. Casual.

http://www.thofvanrembrandt.be/en

Menu:
http://www.thofvanrembrandt.be/uploads/artikels/winterkaart.pdf