Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Crisp breadcrumbed croquettes filled with a hot bechamel studded with North Sea grey shrimp, fried golden and served with deep-fried parsley and a lemon wedge. The defining Flemish coast starter.
Garnaalkroketten are rooted in Belgium's North Sea fishing culture, built around the tiny grey shrimp, Crangon crangon, that have long been caught off the West Flemish coast and even harvested by fishermen on horseback at Oostduinkerke. Hand-peeling the shrimp is slow work, which is why a good kroket is prized. In Bruges the dish lands fresh from the Zeebrugge boats and the Vismarkt stalls, and it anchors the starter list at classic rooms across the city.
3 editor picks for Garnaalkroketten in Bruges, ranked by editorial score. All Bruges signature dishes · Garnaalkroketten across every city.
Also in: Antwerp.
De Stove in Bruges has cooked fresh Zeebrugge fish since 1998, a few steps off the Markt. The room seats barely twenty, so the kitchen stays personal.
OrderThe fish of the day off the Zeebrugge boats; sea bass, cod and grey shrimp recur.
TipTiny room, book ahead. Closed Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; lunch sittings are short.
Assiette Blanche near the Burg in Bruges is a classic restaurant under Stefaan Timmerman, running Franco-Belgian dishes and regional grey-shrimp plates.
OrderThe hand-peeled grey shrimp, the regional speciality this room built its name on over the years.
TipJust off the Burg square, so handy between sights. Book ahead at weekends.
Breydel-De Coninck on Breidelstraat in Bruges is the mussel and eel house with the strongest reputation in town. Seven mussel preparations, all with frites.
OrderA casserole of mussels with frites, or paling in 't groen when eel is in season.
TipOn the busy Breidelstraat tourist run, but locals rate the mussels. Cash and card both fine.
Garnaalkroketten makes more sense with someone from Bruges explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
1.5 hours
Join a hands-on chocolate truffle workshop in Bruges to learn how to make your own delicious Belgian chocolate truffles. Take home your own chocolates and taste some d...
2.5 hours
Become a chocolate maker and create your own Belgian chocolates in a guided workshop. Master the tips and tricks required to make delicious praline and mendiant chocol...
Entry ticket · 1 hour
Visit the Choco Story chocolate museum in Bruges and learn how to prepare your own sweet treats with a chocolate-making workshop for adults and children aged 7 years a...