View of Bruges

Dive into Langestraat, past the picturesque bustle around Market Square, and you'll find yourself at one of Bruges' best-kept culinary secrets. The name - "without a tie" - is an immediate promise: here you eat at star level, but without the stiffness that often comes with it. In the bright, pastel-colored room, chef Henk Van Oudenhove leads the way with recognizable, pure cuisine in which one top product shines each time, often surprisingly cooked on the spit. Hostess Véronique welcomes you as if you were coming home, and the wine list reads like a voyage of discovery in itself. Come as you are - here Bruges tastes at its best.

Leave the tourist bustle and stroll toward the quiet St. Anna neighborhood, where you'll stumble upon Onslow on Jerusalem Street - a lively neighborhood favorite that locals prefer to keep to themselves. Behind the checkered tile floor and long counter, Lieven Vynck and Rebecca Vandekerckhove bring a casual cuisine following the sharing principle: playful, international dishes that change with the season and are made to share. One moment you'll be transported to Provence with a pissaladière, the next you'll surprise your tablemates with a fresh ceviche or the famous fried chicken. With a Bib Gourmand in its pocket and a terrace full of Mediterranean charm, this is the address for those who want to eat like a Bruges man. Be sure to make your reservations early - it's small and invariably full.

Just outside the bustle around Market Square, tucked away in a Bruges side street, you'll discover BLEND: part wine bar, part wine store, and totally the kind of place where a glass quickly becomes an evening. Inside, you'll sit cosily by the window, outside a few tables beckon on the street - the same casual atmosphere is everywhere. The staff knows their bottles and are happy to help you through the menu, whether you're looking for a hit classic or a surprising discovery. Small, flavorful appetizers complete the picture. The stop for an aperitif before dinner - or, frankly, for an evening that doesn't have to go anywhere else. Like your glass? Just take the bottle from the store.

Drive a dozen minutes away from downtown Bruges, toward Sint-Kruis, and the bustle gives way to a green oasis around a former hunting pavilion of Male Castle. Here you will find De Jonkman, chef Filip Claeys' two-star restaurant - a house where great gastronomy goes hand in hand with a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere. Through the glass windows of the bright dining room you look out on a lush garden, while on your plate the North Sea plays the starring role. A passionate advocate of sustainable fishing, Claeys and his North Sea Chefs bring forgotten fish from oblivion - honest, local produce, prepared with craftsmanship. Make reservations for lunch or dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and be sure to leave room for the cheese trolley.