eating in Brussels and Brugge

Frites(french fries) and mayonnaise or gauffre (belgian waffle) from a street-side vendor. Pam

I have just been to both and I have to say that asking a question like this is like asking what the "must drink" beers or wines would be when there are hundreds of choices in all price ranges. Why would you trust a total stranger like me, who has no idea what your tastes and preferences are, to suggest where you should eat?

Simply walk through a neighborhood, away from the tourist spots and look for the places that are crowded with Belgians dining happily. There, you will find good food and a great atmosphere. I think I would try the mussels though, if you want a local favorite. You can get great fries with mayo anywhere, including Germany. They certainly don't taste any different or better than the ones in Belgium.

Thank you so much for all the advice everyone.

Evan I woud also recommend the De Halve Maan in Bruges and particualrly Bruges Zot beer(brewed there). Umm wish I had some right now! Enjoy Mike
DC

The best place we ate in Brugge was a little neighborhood place just up the road from our B&B. I LOVED the food there. A nice cut of steak with a fabulous sauce on it, and a big salad bowl of fries in the middle of the table. This place was recommended by our hosts. I'd ask at wherever you're staying, but ask where they would eat, not where they send the tourists to eat.

The best meal I had in Bruges during my visit last month was at this place: http://www.aupetitgrand.be/index-en.php It's only open for dinner, a bit pricey, but the food was fabulous. We arrived just after it opened at 6pm, and they seated up right away. But I noticed lot of locals walking in and making reservations for later in the evening. So it might be smart to reserve.

There's a few ways to tell a touristy from non-touristy restaurant in Belgium. If it's decorated with all sorts of bric-a-brac, and has a "cozy" feel about it, its primary business is probably serving tourists. If the interior looks more modern and stylish, probably serves mostly Belgians. If it advertises how many different beers they offer, probably meant for tourists. If mussels are on the menu during a month with an "R" in it, it's for tourists (the exception being that waterzooi that contains mussels). If beer list is more extensive than the wine list, probably for tourists. If you want to splurge on one of Belgium's best restaurants and one that tourists seem to avoid, check out "De Karmeliet". It sits inconspicuously outside of the most heavily touristed area. Has 3 Michelin stars and having eaten here, I can say that the food was absolutely extra-ordinary. Men must wear a shirt and tie and women must wear appropriate evening clothing. It's expensive, but worth it.

http://www.cambrinus.eu/ Yum if you like delicious beer. Has good food to go with the good beer. Fun atmosphere. Beer ion is a bit insane as there are 400 different types. So hard to choose from. But don't drink too many. It is very easy to drink many beers as the beer does taste good. The problem is that they are very strong beers.

Chowhound is a really good resource.

I second Kelly's recommendation of Cambrinus. We ate there last year and still talk about the HUGE beer menu (helpfully organized by type..ale, lager, wheat, etc, but still
overwhelming!). I had mussels (of course) with frites and two sauces and my husband had rabbit with prunes. I tasted that and found it delicious too. It's the oldest bier brasserie in Brugges.

I second the suggestion to just walk away from the big tourist squares and you'll find some great local places. I ate a small cafe out by the canal where the windmills are one evening and really enjoyed it. BTW I had a very nice lunch in a rather touristy place, the Zot beer garden. After my tour, I sat down with some people I met on the tour and just had a wonderful afternoon drinking Zot and talking. Pam

I can recommend La Grande Porte in Brussels - 9 rue Notre Seigneur in the Marolles area. Very nice Belgian cuisine.

Evan, I had a great meal at this place. If they still make it have a wheat-beer Kir Royale. http://www.spinnekopke.be/baseAN.html

Our favorite place to eat in Bruges was Gouden Karplen located adjacent to the outdoor fish market. We had dinner there-don't know if they do lunch. Another dinner was at a small restaurant, De Torre. My husband left his jacket there and it was still there the next morning. Lunches were at Jan Eyck Tea Room and Carpe Diem. We loved Bruges and hope to return.

But......but...... Eating really cuts into the beer space in one's tummy ;-) Ok, ok, I'll play...Gambrinus, De Halve Maan, and Stay Away From the Main Square in Bruges, but Be Sure to Have Drinks and Simple Foods ON the Main Square (Grand Place) in Brussels.

Evan, I stayed in Bruges for 4 nights, and day tripped to Brussels. I enjoyed Petit Maxim the best in Bruges for a budget friendly meal. It's a small yet chic bar that serves food. The owner is also the bartender, host, waiter, and from my attempt to peak in the kitchen I believe it was his mom or another fmaily member doing the cooking. I had a tasty and hugely portioned lasagna with local beer of course. My travel buddy had a great chicken dinner (always with asparagus) and he loved it. The place is named after the owner's son, Maxim. There were a few pictures of his family on the wall, it was great. We also had a fancy pants dinner one night with the locals, and it was to die for good! I took small book home with the list of restaurants and can provide you the name of this place later. We also went to a REALLY old brew house type restaurant that had over 400 beers available... we had GREAT food here and had some interesting people watching. (I can get you the name of this one also). Also, you have to go to the brewery called Da Halve Maan. They have a wonderful, cheaply priced tour that includes beer tasting (woohoo!) and the beer itself is great! (Brugze Zot which means Bruges fool). I could go on forever, let me know if you want more names! Have fun! I'm so jealous you are going, I really loved Bruges.

In Bruges:
At the suggestion of our B&B we walked outside the main area and found a great place we enjoyed, Bistro Christophe on Garenmarkt. All locals with their dogs sitting at the tables with them. I ordered the beef bourguignon and it came out as 4 big thick cut fillets in a fantastic bourguignon sauce. AH! My mouth is watering remembering it. I think it was supposed to be for 2 people but I ate it ALL. We had just came from Paris and this was the best meal of the whole trip. We also enjoyed all you can eat ribs at In't Nieuw Museum, a rustic and friendly place I wouldn't call touristy. Also outside the center. We had a great beer soaked night at Cambrinus. Truthfully don't remember much about the food. I remember it was a saucy chicken dish with Potato Dauphinoise, but had too much fun taste testing our way through the HUGE beer menu.

In Brussels we enjoyed Mort Subite and in Bruges "t Brugs Beertje" which is a "beer house". Neither fancy or touristy but both had good Croque Monsieurs.

I would actually vote against mayonnaise with fries... mainly because you can do this easily enough in the US, if you want. Rather, you will notice that most frituurs carry a dozen or so different sauces, most of which you will not find in the US. My favorite is probably the pindersaus (peanut satay sauce), which is rarer in Belgium than it is in the Netherlands. But I also like zigeunersaus (gypsy sauce), pepersaus, and samuraisaus, and these are pretty commonly available. Don't be afraid to try any of the various deep-fried mystery meats you will see on display.