Belgian raw beef tartare prepared brasserie-style: hand-chopped raw sirloin or rump mixed with mayonnaise, capers, gherkins, mustard, parsley and onion, served as a topping on bread or with fries.
Filet americain is the Belgian (rather than American) take on steak tartare, codified in the early 20th century in Brussels brasseries. The dish differs from French tartare in that mayonnaise is the structural binder rather than raw egg yolk, giving a creamier, more spread-like texture; the Belgian version is also served on bread (broodje filet americain) far more commonly than as a stand-alone plate. By the 1950s every Belgian brasserie ran a version. Bruges spots like Bistro Refter, Den Amand and Cantine Copine serve the canonical preparation, often as a starter with fries and a glass of strong Belgian ale. Some Brussels rooms still mix it tableside in front of the diner.
4 editor picks for Filet Americain in Bruges, ranked by editorial score. All Bruges signature dishes · Filet Americain across every city.
Also in: Brussels.
Bistro Refter ★ 4.7
sint-anna · Molenmeers 2, 8000 Brugge
Bistro Refter in Bruges is Geert Van Hecke's contemporary bistro on Molenmeers, the relaxed counterpart to his fine-dining room. Good food at fair prices.
Den Amand ★ 4.5
markt · Sint-Amandsstraat 4, 8000 Brugge
Den Amand is a small family bistro off the Markt in Bruges, on car-free Sint-Amandsstraat, where Ann Vissers cooks seasonal vegetable, fish and meat dishes.
Cantine Copine ★ 4.3
sint-pieters · Steenkaai 34, 8000 Brugge
Cantine Copine on Steenkaai in Bruges is Karen Keygnaert's relaxed gastronomic room, opened after she left a starred format to cook no-nonsense food.
Gran Kaffee De Passage ★ 3.9
t-zand · Dweersstraat 26, 8000 Brugge
Gran Kaffee De Passage on Dweersstraat in Bruges is a candle-lit Belgian brasserie by a hostel, with cheap, generous stoofvlees and beer-braised classics.