Cheap eats guide to Bruges
Eating and drinking in Bruges, as you will discover , is not the cheapest compared to other European cities but there some of my favourite cheap eats in Bruges, to help your budget stretch a little further.
1. Carrefour
Carrefour supermarket was my best friend when visiting Bruges. ( Throughout Bruges city centre there are bunch of Carrefour Expresses ) Given how steep the price of beers were in bars, I bought a few beers and had a fantastic picnic in front of the beautiful Sint Janshuismolen windmill. Another day, we did a simple lunch of bread rolls { €3.09 for a pack of 4 multigrain rolls ), ham ( Pack of Serrano Ham-€2.09 ) ,olives and some chips in the main square. Sometimes these simple meals are the ones you remember.
2. Bruges Beer Experience
Address: Breidelstraat 3, 8000 Brugge, Belgium.
This is a museum where visitors can learn about the history of beer making and sample different brews. Skip the tour and go straight to the bar to sample 4 Belgian beers for €12 -best deal in town
Hours: Mon-Sun 10AM-6.30PM
3. Chocolatier Dumon
Address: Eiermarkt 6, 8000 Brugge, Belgium.
This is just the place to get your chocolate fix, when in Bruges. This award winning chocolatier is the best place for tasting and buying chocolates. Enjoy either the melt in the mouth truffles with a hard chocolate shell and buttercream interior or pralines – a hard chocolate shell with a variety of centres. Whatever you choose, the fine chocolates made by Madame Dumon and her children daily, are a treat.
Hours: Tues Closed, Wed-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 10AM-5PM
4. Vlissinghe
Address: Blekersstraat 2, 8000 Brugge, Belgium.
The oldest cafe and one of the oldest pubs in the world! This inn serves great food, beer and also has a nice terrace and outdoor pétanque area.
In the winter and autumn, there is a warming stove, where you can enjoy a bite to eat with a draft of beer. This 500 year old establishment in the Saint-Anne quarter is an oasis of calm and tranquility.
To give you an idea of prices, a bowl of soup with bread is €7, Spaghetti with pesto is €15 and Meat stew with fries is €22- not cheap but these are the prices in Bruges.
Hours: Mon-Tues Closed, Wed-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun 11AM-7PM
5. Bocca
Address: Dweersstraat 13, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Bocca is a home grown success story dating back to 2007 when Sabine Vermeesch launched the first store in Bruges ( now in Ghent and 4 more locations ) with her grandmother’s recipes, the basis of the menu. You can expect a variety of filling and delicious pasta dishes, ranging from Spaghetti Bolognese ( €13.50 ) to Arribiata and lasagna to huge salad bowls ( €14.90 ) soups of the day (€6) The beers here start from €3.50 ( Vedett ) to €7 for an Aperol Spritz- bargain for Bruges!
6. Tasty Bruges Sandwich Shop
Address: Sint-Jakobsstraat 2, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
If you love a good sandwich, then this is the place to go. I had the Chicken Curry Sandwich while Sabrina had the ham cheese panini. Not just affordable but an outstanding meal! Sandwiches start from €4.50
7. Ribs and Beer
Address: Ezelstraat 50, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
I am not a Ribs fan but friends visiting Bruges swear by this place where you can enjoy all-you-can-eat ribs, prepared in two ways: super-tender slow–cooked ribs or classic grilled ribs. Guests can enjoy their ribs with a range of their signature sauces that range from sweet beer and chocolate sauce to smoky barbeque to the intriguing wasabi and apple sauce. The all you can ribs buffet starts at €26.90 so bring your appetite, skip lunch maybe 🙂
Where to stay in Bruges
1. Hotel Albert 1
If you are looking for something central and cosy then the Hotel Albert 1, housed in a typical historic Bruges town house , is perfect if albeit a little expensive. Due to the great effort devoted to redirecting traffic away from the historic centre, this area is a relatively pedestrian friendly zone, reasonably quiet. The interiors are comfortably furnished in an English-cottage style with all sorts of modern conveniences. The rooms here are very cosy, great beds and a filling breakfast buffet.
Address: Koenig Albert 1-laan 2-4, 8000 Brugge, Belgium.
Rates start from €80 a night via Booking.com
2. Snuffel Hostel
This hip design hostel is located centrally in the old part of Bruges. It is only 500 meters from Market Square and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. With a nice onsite bar and regular program of live music, a fully equipped kitchen and no curfew, this is the place to stay in order to discover the city. With a free breakfast included in the price of a night’s stay, Snuffel Hostel is perfect for the budget-conscious traveller.
Address: Ezelstraat 42, 8000 Brugge, Belgium.
Rates start from a fantastic €50 for a private and €22 for a bed in a 4 bed dorm, booked via Hostelworld.com
3. Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce
Not budget or even mid range by any means but the Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce deserves a mention in any guide about Bruges given its starring role in the movie ‘In Bruges’. It is situated in the heart of Bruges, with the Groeningemuseum just a 2 minute walk away. Many other key historic landmarks of the city are within easy walking distance of the property, including the Market Square, The Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Church of Our Lady.
Address: Wollestraat 41, 8000 Brugge, Belgium.
Rates start from an eye watering €180 a night booked via Booking.com
Checkout my earlier guide to the best things to do in Bruges.
