Food destinations within easy reach of Bruges. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.

Worth the trip

Ghent (waterzooi and cuberdon) ★ 4.5

25 min by trainDirect train from Brugge station to Gent-Sint-Pieters

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.

Ostend (North Sea fish) ★ 4.3

15 min by trainDirect train from Brugge station to Oostende

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.

Damme (canal village) ★ 4.2

6 km by canal boat or bikeLamme Goedzak canal boat or cycle along the Damse Vaart

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.

Zeebrugge (the fishing port) ★ 4.0

15 min by trainTrain from Brugge station to Zeebrugge

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.

Brussels (chocolate and beer) ★ 4.2

1 hr by trainDirect train from Brugge station to Brussels

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.

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