Gastronomic Experiences in Bruges

The capital of Western Flanders in Belgium, Bruges is an international tourist hotspot, with over 8 million visitors every year. Striking medieval architecture and charming streets are just some of the main attractions of this multicultural hub, as well as its culinary scene.

There are a wide range of gastronomic experiences in Bruges to choose from. Whether you want to try every delicacy the city has to offer on a food tour or simply hop between bars indulging in Belgian beers, there’s an excursion to suit you.

Chocolate tastings

Bruges is widely known for its decadent pralines and creamy truffles, expertly crafted by artisanal chocolatiers. You can discover these mouthwatering morsels for yourself through a chocolate tasting in Bruges.

One way to experience this sugary snack is by learning its roots at the Choco-Story museum, which digs into multiple civilizations around the world and how each uses the cocoa bean, including the Maya people, who created a drink that was used ritualistically. You’ll also discover the health properties of this bean before sampling some of Bruges’ finest chocolate products.

Alternatively, you can let a local guide you to the most incredible chocolatiers in the city on a walking tour of Bruges. This will enable you to see some of the destination’s medieval monuments, such as the 13th-century Belfort bell tower and Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, while sipping on refreshing beers which perfectly complement the chocolate you taste.

Beer tastings

One of the first places in Europe to adopt beer-brewing, the drink was first introduced to the nation by monks, who kept the craft within their monasteries for quite some time before it was unleashed to the general population. Over the centuries, the recipes have been perfected and today, visitors of the city who participate in a beer tasting in Bruges can indulge in a wide range of beverages made from hops.

Among the city’s finest brews is Lambic — a blend that is fermented using wild yeasts from the Zenne Valley, which runs through Brussels. This process gives the beer its distinctive dry and tart flavor. Other beers on offer include several types of ale, such as Flemish red-brown and blonde ale.

There are numerous different ways to wet your whistle in the city, including a traditional tour, which leads you to several of the most renowned pubs and bars in Bruges to try a handful of beers. Alternatively, if you’d like to dig a little deeper into the processes and history behind the beverage, you can take part in a self-guided trip to the Bruges Beer Experience. Here, you’ll discover the ingredients used and learn how wheat is transformed into a delicious liquid before sampling up to 16 tipples in the on-site bar.

If you’ve got longer to spare, you can instead opt for a combination beer tasting with another activity, such as waffle making. Try out your culinary skills as you create your sweet treat from scratch with the help of an expert before feasting on your masterpiece and trying a range of local beers alongside your friendly group.

Food tours

While tourists travel to Bruges primarily for its medieval charm and dazzling monuments, the city’s culinary scene is not to be missed. Fluffy waffles fresh from the press, dripping with cream and chocolate sauce are an obvious favorite for visitors to the city, alongside deliciously sweet pralines served by professional chocolatiers.

However, those on a food tour in Bruges can also treat their taste buds to more unusual delicacies, unique to this part of Europe. These include bitterballen, which are hearty Belgian meatballs that are often served alongside a frosty beer, as well as croquettes made from grey shrimp, fresh from the North Sea. All of these national dishes and more can be sampled on one of these walking excursions through the city. You’ll be able to see how the culinary scene of Bruges has been shaped over the centuries and try the local fast food — double-cooked fries dripping in Andalouse sauce.

Whether you want to connect with other foodies on a group tour or enjoy a personalized service from a local professional on a private excursion, you have plenty of experiences to choose between. Most of these tours feed you tidbits of information about Bruges' history as you wander between food outlets, passing by some of the most spectacular landmarks in the Old Town, such as Grosmarkt and Burg Square, also known as the “political heart” of the city.