Ghent (waterzooi and cuberdon) ★ 4.5
Famous for: Gentse waterzooi and purple cuberdon sweets
Ghent, half an hour east of Bruges, is the home of waterzooi, the creamy chicken-or-fish stew, and the purple cone-shaped cuberdon sweet sold from carts.
Food destinations within easy reach of Bruges, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Bruges. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous for: Gentse waterzooi and purple cuberdon sweets
Ghent, half an hour east of Bruges, is the home of waterzooi, the creamy chicken-or-fish stew, and the purple cone-shaped cuberdon sweet sold from carts.
Famous for: Vistrap fish market and Ostend grey shrimp
Ostend, a quarter-hour by train from Bruges, lands the North Sea catch at its open-air Vistrap quay market, where fishermen sell fish and grey shrimp.
Famous for: Canal-side lunches and the Michelin-starred De Zuidkant
Damme, 6km north of Bruges along the Damse Vaart, is a quiet canal village reached by boat or bike, with canal-side restaurants and a starred kitchen.
Famous for: North Sea grey shrimp and harbour fish restaurants
Zeebrugge, the working sea port of Bruges, lands the grey shrimp and North Sea fish that fill the city's kitchens, with harbour seafood rooms nearby.
Famous for: Praline houses, beer cafes and Brussels waffles
Brussels, an hour from Bruges by train, is where Neuhaus invented the praline in 1912, and where grand beer cafes and Brussels waffles reward a day trip.