What to eat in Bruges? Our top 10 culinary specialties of the city.

1. Bruges Chocolate

Oh my! Ryo couldn't start this ranking without first telling you about Bruges chocolate, one of the best in the world (and we weigh our words). After all, this is the city that is nicknamed "the chocolate capital", isn't it? Do you like white chocolate? With hazelnut? Maybe dark chocolate that pairs perfectly with coffee? There's something for everyone: praline, crispy, crunchy, with fruit flavors, filled with truffles, with cream... It's time to treat yourself. Visit the "Jeff de Bruges" shop, for a tasting of what is the best on earth.

2. Beer

You simply cannot make a stop in Bruges without going to a bistro or bar to sip one of its beers. Did you know? The city has at least 350 different varieties of beers: needless to say, you'll have plenty of choice to choose THE right beer, which will delight your taste buds. Welcome to the land of malt flavors, where the nectar from pubs and craft breweries allows you to explore new flavors, previously unknown. Also discover more about the manufacturing process, as well as brewing, up to tasting.

3. Tomatoes with shrimp

Here's a Belgian specialty that really, but really, deserves the detour. Tomatoes with shrimp are among the unique dishes that remain, for that matter, long engraved in minds. Just the "presentation of the dish" is original. It's actually a hollowed-out tomato, which is then filled with small shrimp, with a good layer of mayonnaise. The dish is fresh, and has an absolutely "topissime" taste: it's cooked when tomato season comes (from May to September), then gray shrimp season (from September to November).

4. Rabbit Flemish style

If it's not your habit to eat rabbit, know that in Bruges, one of the most renowned dishes "rabbit Flemish style", is enough to convince many tourists. Its little extra? The meat is marinated in abbey beer stock, hence the so intoxicating smell, that you'll soon have the opportunity to smell, once in the streets of Bruges. Everything is then served covered with a few prunes. It can be accompanied by rice, or mashed potatoes, without forgetting to add the spices you want. This candied dish, cooked with legendary precision, makes stomachs swoon.

5. Mussels and fries

Here's another dish that is eaten according to the season. In this case, mussel season, from July to February. Mussels and fries are part of the culinary specialties of many countries certainly, but it's in Belgium that you'll really have the opportunity to taste these ultra-fresh little sea pearls, marinated in white wine or beer. It will be easy for you to find a restaurant serving this steamed specialty as "dish of the day". In addition, this mollusk has many benefits: rich in vitamins, source of zinc, selenium, iodine, phosphorus... They are also known to promote healing.

6. Waffles

After having tasted the excellent Belgian fries, nothing better than crowning it all with a delicious homemade waffle. Here's an essential sweet specialty, which makes Belgium's worldwide reputation, right? Wherever you set foot, in any street you have the opportunity to visit, you'll be irremediably attracted by the smell of waffles coming straight from cooking. Accompanied by honey, nutella, powdered sugar, red fruits... Let your greed take over. Dear waffles, here we come!

7. Hochepot

The one nicknamed "Flemish pot-au-feu" is a specialty of the city of Bruges, which also exists in northern France, but in a somewhat different version. Very simple to prepare, it's a bit like a classic pot-au-feu. Much appreciated in winter, it's cooked with seasonal vegetables such as leeks, turnips, and potatoes, all simmered with pieces of meat. The broth is then served hot. What meat to put? The ones you like! Rabbits, pork ribs, smoked sausages, bacon... You can vary the recipe infinitely.

8. Waterzooi (cooked in water)

In any city in Belgium, it will be possible for you to taste this refined dish, with enhanced taste, which is waterzooi. It's, just like hochepot, a vegetable broth. However, if you're pescatarian, it can be cooked with fish (this version is delicious by the way). We use rather thin pieces of meat, with small vegetables. Similar to a big hearty soup, everything is served sometimes with an egg yolk. It's a delicious dish, which is also enjoyed in winter period. Imagine yourself a little by the fire, your bowl of soup in hand, tasting everything, watching the crackling of fire in the fireplace.

9. Pork loin Bruges style

Pork loin is one of the most tender parts of the pig to eat. It actually comes from a little-used muscle (in the upper part of the back), and is therefore naturally tender. Thus, the pork fillet is simmered in beer (yes, it really goes with everything), accompanied by spices, and vegetables. We most often find carrots, peas, and of course, our good old potatoes. It's typically the kind of dish that pleases meat lovers, who take their time to taste every last crumb of the pork loin.

10. Cod Flemish style

Let's finish this ranking with a good piece of fish, on its bed of tomato sauce. What we appreciate most? It's its crispy crust, sprinkled with lemons and fresh herbs, which perfume everything. Not to mention that cod is part (with salmon), of the fish richest in omega 3, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids. Its health benefits have been demonstrated several times. Here's a balanced dish, served with tomatoes or potatoes, which will seduce your taste buds.