Chef Koen and his wife, Marijke, run ‘t Nieuw Museum in Bruges, one of the best and most special dining experiences in West Flanders (really, in all of Belgium). Marijke is responsible for front of house and sourcing the beer selection, while Koen cooks on the woodfire grill in the open kitchen, which is literally in the dining room. Upon entering the restaurant, travelers will feel like they are in the owners’ living room, and Koen and Marijke make excellent hosts. The steak is the star on the menu; Koen is known for his ribey, and be sure to take Marijke’s recommendation for beer pairings (though wine is available). The Camembert starter is a highlight—it arrives sizzling at the table and will literally melt in your mouth. Koen and Marijke only work with small farmers.

Chef Bruno Timperman brings Flemish tradition and terroir together in his contemporary dishes at Bruut. The restaurant is in a historic building with graffiti art covering the walls inside. Diners should be prepared to be surprised as Chef Bruno creatively plays with taste buds and works with unconventional pairings while using only local ingredients. Bruut is the best gastronomic restaurant in Bruges, and it offers only a tasting menu.

This bistro-style restaurant serves traditional Flemish-French cuisine with a contemporary twist, created by acclaimed chef Geert Van Hecke (who studied under Alain Ducasse and owned the three-Michelin-starred Bruges restaurant De Karmelit until it closed in 2016). Plates are elegant, with high-quality ingredients, and the atmosphere is relaxed but elevated, with stylish design touches like a colorful mosaic-tiled wall and a white-and-black marble bar. There is a lovely outdoor patio for seating in nice weather.

As one of the founders of NorthSeaChefs, which works with fish from the North Sea caught by Flemish fishermen, chef Filip Claeys has created a menu at De Jonkman that puts the freshest and most local seafood first. The menu changes based on the daily supply, but typically includes a starter, scallop, catch of the day, dessert and other varying courses. Lunch and dinner are served Wednesday through Saturday.

L.E.S.S. Eatery is part of the Hertzog Jan Restaurant Group and is recommended on the World’s 50 Best Restaurant List. The cuisine is mostly Asian and a little quirky; alongside dumplings and crispy sushi, diners will find a few more Flemish style dishes, such as croquettes. The best seats are at the chef’s table. L.E.S.S. Eatery is best for those seeking a cuisine alternative while in Bruges, but it will likely not compare to top Asian restaurants in other major cities.

In a cozy, intimate space, this tiny restaurant is owned and run by the chef Stefaan Cardinael. The romantic atmosphere is accentuated by an abundance of art, candles and decorative objects like crystal chandeliers. The menu is edited and frequently changes, reflecting the seasonal, local bounty of the week—as well as chef's inclinations. The cuisine is very high-quality and is French-Belgian focused. It's best to make a reservation in advance, as seating is limited; there is also patio seating available.

This restaurant was recommended by an Indagare member.

Park Restaurant prides itself on traditional menu items that go back to the basics of cooking. The four-course choice menu includes things like shrimp croquettes with aioli, butternut pumpkin and tomato “cappuccino,” dover sole in lemon butter sauce, ravioli with seasonal vegetables, chocolate mousse and crème brûlée.