- Bruges
- /
- drinking
- (44)
-
Belgium
Beautiful and historic Bruges packs in plenty of sites, but is compact enough to see on foot.
To eat, try waffles bought and eaten on the street, or one of the many small and friendly restaurants serving local dishes. If you a fancy a drink, take a walk down Kemelstraat and visit a bar serving a selection of 300 different blonde, brun and fruit beers.
If you get the opportunity, visit over the festive period and additionally enjoy the Christmas markets, nativity parade and see in the New Year in market square with dancing and fireworks.
Restaurant In den Wittenkop run by a truly enthusiastic couple. Not an encyclopaedic range of beers but great advice and what they do have is worth trying.
Work up through the Rocheforts over some great food. Talk whisky after dinner and weave a merry way home. For chocs go to Pralinette, you can watch them being made in the back of the shop. Get the orange peel in chocolate!
Lovely big rooms in Hotel De Tuilereën, super spa facilities and winner of best breakfast in Benelux! Nice people, nice place. Oh, it’s got canals and museums as well.
In my vocabulary, Bruges means beer!
Start with a morning brewery tour, there are two within walking distance of the centre with free tastings! Then, head for lunch at one of the swanky restaurants by the fish market (go on splash out - you only live once) where you get a different beer with each course and even your own beer waiter!
Then head for one of the taverns near the Cathedral to try a Kwak or two, just for the glass it comes in (think chemical warfare and you'll get the idea). Then if you dare, try climbing the Belfort Bell tower for comic effect or sober up with a walk around the city walls or by sampling a chocolate or waffle or a chocolate waffle!
Finally, end the day sipping your favourite beer while eating mussels and watching the world go by at one of the many restaurants in the Markt Square. Perfect!
Research the strengths of trappist beers before you imbibe!
Don’t miss a trip to the Half Moon brewery in the centre where you can take a tour and learn of the traditional brewing methods.
There are quite a few very steep steps so take the tour before sampling the beer but the added bonus is the fantastic panoramic view of the city from the rooftop. Included in the modest price (around €4) is a glass of the wonderful Zot beer. There is also a good café/bar. A Votre Santé!
If you're going outside of the summer months, try a glass of Jenever, a spirit similar to gin and guaranteed to warm you up!
In a city famed for beer, you'll not find a friendlier bar than 't Brugs Beertje on Kemelstraat 5. Especially if you order a 'Kwak' and ask about its distinctive glass.
You will get a literal high while touring the Brewery De Halve Maan. And that's not even from drinking the strong brew!
Before your tour begins, the friendly chap at the ticket counter will tell you gleefully that you need to climb more than 200 steep steps to the top after you hand him your 3.90 Euro for your tour.
Well, that's not such a bad deal, after all, the view of Bruges is indeed panoramic and more scenic than the one at the Belfry Tower.
Also, a cool beer (included in the price of your tour ticket ) is a rich reward if you do manage to climb down alive on those steep steps.
Brewery De Halve Maan is at Walplein 26 8000 Brugge.
Visit the bell tower with its carillon before you do the tour of the Half Moon brewery.
Bruges has a quieter side with many friendly local bars. Worth checking out is the welcoming Cafe de Hollandse Vismijn.
Approached from the Burg down Blind Donkey Alley, the Hollandse is on the far side of the Vismarkt (fishmarket). There is a large heated terrace and six beers are served Van t' Vat (on draught).
If you are after food head one block down to the relaxed L'Estaminet bar opposite the charming Astrid Park. Again with a large terrace where a varied bar food menu is served to locals and visitors alike.
2BE Beer Shop, Wollestraat. Classy bottled beer shop. Massive selection of beers, glasses etc. You can even buy a chocolate version of chips and mayo!
Den Djiver restaurant serves food as good as anything I've had in London, England or anywhere else. I had a four-course meal with a gorgeous well matched Belgian beer for each and at normal prices.
I'd go again just to go back to this place (and for the chocolates and lovely beer obviously).
Brugs Beertje - a dazzling array of fine Belgian beers
Try the Den Dyver Restaurant. Forget the tasting menu with wine: this is Bruges and beer rules the roost. Seven courses are each served with a different beer. Good food, good beer and you might just learn something about the beers as well!
The path right of the church in the main square leads to a fantastic section of bars and even better a cheesy club where you put your coats on a communal rotating rack big enough to sit in.
Don't stay in Bruges the whole weekend - Ghent has just as many fun things to do, beautiful things to see, a superb modern art museum and a pub with a Barbie doll chandelier. Much more fun!
Buy Around Bruges in 80 Beers. An excellent book featuring 80 different places to buy beer in Bruges, ranging from local taverns to posh restaurants to beer shops, even a boat; with a different beer suggested for each!
It's superbly produced in full colour with lengthy descriptions of each featured location. It's available from the bars featured, or you can buy it in advance direct from the author, Podge.
by emailing podgehome@blueyonder.co.uk www.booksaboutbeer.com
Travel by Eurostar to Bruges in December to enjoy the wonderful Christmas market in the Burg.
Stay at the quaint Azalea Hotel in Wurfhagestraat overlooking a small canal, enjoying an excellent breakfast in the elegant dining room.
Eat mussels and eels at the Breidel - De Coninc restaurant on Breidelstraat. So romantic!
Visit the micro brewery in the city centre. Special offers available to 'taste' all their products.
It is worth visiting the cafes around the market square for the playfulness of the waiters alone.
Sit with a test tube shaped glass of Kwak (a beautiful, but strong amber beer) and enjoy the fun.
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
Search Been there
Your tips about Bruges