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.

Run by a husband and wife duo, this small, cozy bistro is in Bruges’s historic center, right off the city’s main square. Chef Ann Vissers helms the open kitchen, preparing traditional Belgian food with a focus on vegetables, as well as Asian-style dishes. The menu has a section for wok-prepared food and spring rolls. The chef’s husband, Arnout, manages the front.

A French and Belgian menu at Brasserie Raymond gives diners plenty to choose from. Shrimp and lobster croquettes, Burgundian-style snails, tapas with Iberico ham and duck liver, oysters, cod, steak tartare, lamb and more fill the menu. A lengthy wine list adds to your meal, as does a crispy fried waffle with fresh fruit or ice cream for dessert.

Widely recognized as the best bakery in Bruges, Schaeverbeke Bakery makes both pastries and breads. Be sure to try the signature mattentaart, an almond-flavored curd puff pastry. Though not in the city center, this bakery makes for a nice morning stroll given Bruges’s small size.

De Stove is a smart, intimate place offering typical, local, Belgian cuisine, with a delightful ambiance and seasonal ingredients. It is conveniently located on the famous "Sint-Amandsstraatje", in the center of Bruges (steps from the Grote Markt).

Next to the city’s best cinema, Da Republiek is a nice, casual option for lunch with quick service. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining in a courtyard setting, and the menu includes large plates and tapas-style food options. DJs come on weekends, and live music plays on specific nights during the week.