Bruges has no shortage of restaurants and eating is part of the experience of a break in Bruges. Many restaurants and cafes have open- air terraces overlooking the canals. Restaurants tend to be quite expensive but of a high standard. Many of the bars and cafés also serve reasonable quality food, though the selection may be limited.

Don't forget to look out for the fixed price menus which offer a three, or four, course meal at very reasonable prices. These are usually only available at lunchtimes, but often put the smartest restaurants within the range of most pockets.

Famous local specialities are often found in the cuisine including dark beers from the local breweries in stews and the top quality local chocolate in some scrumptious deserts.

Many of the city's restaurants start winding down from about 9.30pm and if you want to beat the queues, you will do well to arrive early.

Something Special

De Karmeliet - one of Belgium's most outstanding restaurants; it was awarded three Michelin stars a few years ago. Langestraat 19. (00 32 (0)50 33 82 59). Closed Mondays.

Den Braamberg - elegant and quite formal restaurant set in an 18th century house with an award-winning chef . Pandreitje 11. (00 32 (0) 050 33 73 70).

Cafedraal - a fine restaurant set in a converted 15th century interior, with a pretty outdoor terrace in summer. Does great bouillabaisse. Zilverstraat 38. (00 32 (0) 050 34 08 45). www.cafedraal.be
Red - a cutting-edge restaurant for trend-conscious diners. Its menu changes monthly and is full of culinary surprises. Closed Thursdays. Vlamingstraat 53 (00 32 (0) 50 614006) www.restaurantred.com

De Visscherrie a classy fish restaurant, suitably located at the fish market. Closed Tuesdays. Vismarkt 8, (00 32 (0) 50 330 212).www.visscherie.be

Romantic

Jan Van Eyck – inventive food and puddings to die for. Jan Van Eyckplein 12.

Different

Saint Cantrois Fooding and Clubbing – for dining, afternoon tea, or cocktails. A great garden terrace and lavish interiors. They play some stirring French songs too. At the top of Sint Jacobstraat. (00 32 (0) 50-67 00 99) www.saintcantrois.be

Traditional

La Taverne Brugeoise - fantastic for mussels – try a potful in blonde beer. Markt 27.

Poules Moules – for mussels. www.poulesmoules.be Closed Mondays.
Simon Stevinplein 9, (00 32 (0) 50 346 119).

Chagall - this relaxed seafood restaurant enjoys an excellent reputation for its very fresh produce; the eels and mussels are especially good. Great for moules-frites (mussels and chips).
St Amandstraat 40. (00 32 (0) 50 33 61 12).

La Civiere d’Or - a local favourite. Serves dishes of game, rabbit or eel.
Markt 33.

t'Begijntje - tiny, family-run restaurant serving delicious local dishes. Walstraat 11. (00 32 (0) 50 33 00 89).

Den Wittenkop – good quality, typical Belgian food including waterzooi (chicken or fish stew), oysters, and Belgian sausage. St Jacobstraat, near the Markt.

De Stove - acharming little restaurant with antique décor and a good range of local favourites on the menu. Kleine St Amandstraat. (00 32 (0) 50 33 78 35).

Oud Handbogenhof – unchanged in decades – serves such fare as ham shanks and shrimp coquettes. Baliestraat 6.

Maria Van Bourgondië - hearty Belgian home cooking and a roaring fire in winter. Guido Gezellplein 1. (00 32 (0) 50 33 20 66).

De Republiek - a laid-back bar and diner near the top of Sint-Jacobstraat, away from the main tourist areas. The menu offers hearty soups, gazpacho, tagines and fajitas.

Cafes and Snacks

De Medici Sorbetière - a popular café with the locals, well-known for it’s selection of cakes and sweet delicacies. On Geldmuntstraat, near the Markt.

Craenenburg - a delightfully old-fashioned café where you can tuck into light dishes including French onion soup and tasty salads. Markt 16. (00 32 (0) 50 33 34 02).

Het Dagelijks Brood – a rustically decorated upmarket bakery and café - delicious sandwiches made with fresh bread, quiches, salads and lovely cakes.
Philipstockstraat 21 (00 32 (0) 050 33 60 50).

De Belgede Boterham - popular with locals for sandwiches or salads. On St Amandstraat.

Opus Latino - for coffee or cocktails by the canal. Burg 15, Galerij ter Steeghere, off Breidelstraat. (00 32 (0) 50 347 278, www.opuslatino.be)