Eat & Drink

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[{"address":"St Christopher's The Bauhaus","location":{"latitude":51.21191796975951,"longitudeDelta":0.175179739897019,"longitude":3.2376553000000063,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421},"placeId":"ChIJmf713slQw0cRP7APIPBUfos","media":[{"content":{"place_id":"ChIJmf713slQw0cRP7APIPBUfos"},"type":"place"},{"content":"Good morning. Hope you’re feeling hungry because today is all about tasting the best of Bruges. Before diving into street food, sweets, and beers, start with breakfast right here at the Bauhaus Hostel. Whether it's a spread of breads, cheese, ham, fruit, or a simple bowl of cereal and coffee, this first bite sets the pace for a day of delicious discovery.\n\nBelgium has a strong tradition of simple, satisfying breakfasts. In Flemish regions like Bruges, it often includes fresh bread, butter, cheese, cold meats, and jam. You’ll find a love of dairy here, with locally made cheeses playing a big role in everyday meals. Coffee is usually served strong and black, and pastries, while common in French-speaking areas, are less central here.\n\nAs you eat, think about how food fits into life in Belgium. This country may be small, but it has one of the most celebrated food cultures in Europe. Tucked between France, the Netherlands, and Germany, Belgium draws from all three but brings its own creativity and pride to every plate.\n\nBruges, in particular, is a city that celebrates craft. You’ll notice it in the chocolates, the beers, the fries, and the way people take food seriously without ever being pretentious. Today you’ll get to try some of the local icons, from golden fries to rich beer and handmade sweets, all served in small portions so you can keep moving and tasting.\n\n","type":"text"}],"ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSCAbqqQBoARmanUWg8VJ%2Ftts_0.mp3?alt=media&token=95972c1e-43b2-49cf-8e86-f972066591f5"},{"address":"Market Square","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.175179739897019,"latitude":51.208590719757204,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"longitude":3.2244851999999957},"placeId":"ChIJDRP74RhRw0cRxAzuPfxKTw4","media":[{"content":{"place_id":"ChIJDRP74RhRw0cRxAzuPfxKTw4"},"type":"place"},{"content":"Welcome to Markt Square, the historic centre of Bruges. On any day, this open plaza feels like the heart of the city, but if you’re here on a Wednesday between 8 AM and 2 PM, you’ll catch it at its most vibrant. The weekly market transforms the square into a local feast, with stalls piled high with cheeses, cured meats, fresh bread, fruits, and snacks to enjoy on the go.\n\nThis is not a tourist gimmick. It’s a working market where locals come to pick up their weekly groceries or grab a bite before work. Here, you get a taste of everyday life in Flanders. The food is fresh, seasonal, and proud of its regional roots.\n\nBelgium’s market culture dates back to the Middle Ages. Bruges was once one of Europe’s wealthiest trading cities, and markets like this were how goods flowed in and out. Today, it remains a tradition that ties the past to the present, keeping local producers connected to the community.\n\nAs you explore the stalls, try a few small bites. You might find slices of cheese made from cow’s milk in nearby West Flanders, fresh bread rolls with creamy butter, or juicy berries in season. Many vendors offer samples or single portions, perfect for snacking as you walk.\n\nThis is your chance to eat like a local. No frills, no fuss—just good food in a beautiful setting surrounded by history.","type":"text"}],"ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSCAbqqQBoARmanUWg8VJ%2Ftts_1.mp3?alt=media&token=1950eb19-b15b-4f85-8c88-67fc98338c5d"},{"address":"FritBar - Bruges","location":{"latitude":51.20376056975378,"longitudeDelta":0.175179739897019,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"longitude":3.2247237499999892},"placeId":"ChIJ_7WU-P9Rw0cRsHqvi0kCFBU","media":[{"content":{"place_id":"ChIJ_7WU-P9Rw0cRsHqvi0kCFBU"},"type":"place"},{"content":"Here we are at FritBar, one of the best spots in Bruges to try what many locals consider the true pride of Belgian food culture: fries. Thick-cut, double-fried, golden, and crisp on the outside with a soft, fluffy centre. This is how they’re meant to be.\n\nBelgium’s relationship with fries goes back centuries. While their exact origin is debated, what’s certain is that frying potatoes in this style became deeply rooted in Belgian street food, especially in Flanders. You’ll find dedicated fry shops, called frituurs, in every town and city, often with queues stretching out the door.\n\nThe secret is in the method. Fries here are cooked twice. The first fry gently cooks the potato, and the second adds that satisfying crunch. They are served in paper cones with generous scoops of sauce on top. Mayo is the most traditional choice, but you can also try options like curry ketchup or andalouse, a spicy mix that’s hugely popular.\n\nThis is everyday food for Belgians. It’s affordable, comforting, and always hits the spot. Whether eaten after school, during lunch breaks, or late at night with friends, fries are part of daily life.\n\nGrab a small cone, pick your sauce, and enjoy a few bites before heading on. ","type":"text"}],"ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSCAbqqQBoARmanUWg8VJ%2Ftts_2.mp3?alt=media&token=96a300e5-d504-461a-b66a-84751604125e"},{"address":"Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan","location":{"longitude":3.224227749999997,"latitude":51.20245321975284,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"longitudeDelta":0.175179739897019},"placeId":"ChIJ7aVxstxQw0cRAe0ZLTwF5ek","media":[{"content":{"place_id":"ChIJ7aVxstxQw0cRAe0ZLTwF5ek"},"type":"place"},{"content":"Welcome to De Halve Maan, a family-run brewery that has been part of Bruges since 1856. Tucked inside the historic centre, it is one of the last working breweries within the old city walls and a proud symbol of local tradition.\n\nBeer holds a special place in Belgian culture. It is more than just a drink—it is a national art form. Across the country, hundreds of breweries produce a wide range of styles, from crisp blondes to rich dark ales. Many of these beers are brewed with centuries-old recipes and methods passed down through generations. Each one has its own unique glass, brewed to exacting standards and served with a sense of pride.\n\nDe Halve Maan is best known for Brugse Zot, a golden ale with a soft bitterness and light, fruity notes. The name translates to Fool of Bruges. It comes from a local legend in which Emperor Maximilian of Austria jokingly called the townspeople fools after they requested to build a hospital for the mentally ill. Ever since, the people of Bruges have worn the nickname with pride.\n\nThe brewery itself is a mix of heritage and invention. Its underground beer pipeline runs over three kilometres beneath the city, moving beer from this location to a bottling facility on the outskirts. It is a clever solution that keeps trucks out of the narrow medieval streets and maintains the peaceful atmosphere of the old town.\n\nDrinking beer in Bruges is not just about taste. It is about the moment. Locals often gather with friends to share rounds over conversation and lighthearted games. In some cafés, people bring out dice or cards to play simple games where the winner picks the next beer to try. It is part of the social rhythm of the city.\n\nOrder a small glass of Brugse Zot or Straffe Hendrik, the brewery’s stronger dark ale, and enjoy it slowly. Let the flavour tell the story of the people who made it and the place where it was born.","type":"text"}],"ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSCAbqqQBoARmanUWg8VJ%2Ftts_3.mp3?alt=media&token=af843771-e071-4553-b289-11efaec96cca"},{"address":"Otto Waffle Atelier Katelijnestraat","location":{"latitude":51.20379426975377,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"longitudeDelta":0.175179739897019,"longitude":3.224681950000008},"placeId":"ChIJ374n4fRRw0cRmurNTBZJuj8","media":[{"content":{"place_id":"ChIJ374n4fRRw0cRmurNTBZJuj8"},"type":"place"},{"content":"You’ve made it to Otto Waffle Atelier, one of the most beloved spots in Bruges for tasting freshly made Belgian waffles. Here, the scent of caramelised sugar fills the air, and every waffle is made to order using traditional techniques.\n\nBelgian waffles are known around the world, but what many visitors don’t realise is that there are different types. The two most common are the Brussels waffle and the Liège waffle. The one you’ll find here is typically the Liège style, soft, dense, and sweet with bits of pearl sugar that melt and crisp during cooking.\n\nWaffles have been part of Belgian life for centuries. They started as simple street snacks in the Middle Ages, made with basic ingredients like flour, water, and honey. Over time, they evolved with the addition of butter, eggs, and sugar, eventually becoming the rich treats they are today. They were originally cooked in cast iron presses over open flames, often with decorative patterns that reflected family crests or local symbols.\n\nIn Belgium, waffles are not just for dessert. They are enjoyed as snacks throughout the day, often plain or with simple toppings like whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or fruit. Locals usually skip the heavy stacks and extras you might see abroad and go for quality over quantity.\n\nAt Otto, you can grab a waffle to take away and enjoy as you stroll. Each one is golden on the outside, warm and chewy on the inside, and full of rich, buttery flavour.\n\nTake your time with this one. You are tasting a piece of Belgian culinary heritage, shaped by history and still loved by everyone from school kids to grandparents.","type":"text"}],"ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSCAbqqQBoARmanUWg8VJ%2Ftts_4.mp3?alt=media&token=2ddb536d-a0f6-40b9-8780-072d16d8d6b6"},{"address":"The Chocolate Line","location":{"longitude":3.2224175500000207,"longitudeDelta":0.175179739897019,"latitude":51.20667671975581,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421},"placeId":"ChIJz6FC8NpQw0cRmnzxszB2b88","media":[{"content":{"place_id":"ChIJz6FC8NpQw0cRmnzxszB2b88"},"type":"place"},{"content":"Welcome to The Chocolate Line, one of the most creative and celebrated chocolate shops in Belgium. Tucked inside a historic building in the heart of Bruges, this shop blends centuries of Belgian chocolate-making tradition with bold, modern flavours.\n\nBelgium is world-renowned for its chocolate. The country’s reputation dates back to the 17th century, when cocoa was first introduced from the Americas. By the 19th century, Belgium had developed its own methods for refining and tempering chocolate, producing a smooth texture and deep flavour that became its signature. Today, Belgian pralines—chocolates with soft fillings—are considered some of the best in the world.\n\nThe Chocolate Line is known for respecting tradition while pushing boundaries. You will find classic pralines filled with hazelnut, coffee, or ganache, but you will also see more surprising combinations like wasabi, bacon, or matcha. Everything here is handmade in small batches with careful attention to texture and taste.\n\nThis shop was founded by Dominique Persoone, a master chocolatier who treats chocolate like an art form. He is known for experimenting with ingredients and techniques, turning each piece into a small work of edible creativity. Yet, even with all the innovation, the chocolate remains deeply rooted in Belgian identity—high quality, beautifully made, and always designed to be shared.\n\nYou can usually buy individual pieces to taste, so choose one or two that catch your eye. Whether you prefer something sweet and simple or bold and adventurous, every bite offers a glimpse into Belgium’s love of craftsmanship and indulgence.\n\n","type":"text"}],"ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSCAbqqQBoARmanUWg8VJ%2Ftts_5.mp3?alt=media&token=64c51e34-c53d-4ffc-b515-c5d7395e034d"},{"address":"Bauhaus Bar","location":{"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.21187186975948,"longitudeDelta":0.175179739897019,"longitude":3.2375444999999914},"placeId":"ChIJ-QDc3clQw0cRUE7vS24S5k4","media":[{"content":{"place_id":"ChIJ-QDc3clQw0cRUE7vS24S5k4"},"type":"place"},{"content":"You’ve come full circle. After a day filled with rich flavours, sweet bites, salty snacks, and craft drinks, you’re back where it all began. Step into the bar at Bauhaus Hostel, find a seat, and take a moment to enjoy the buzz of a day well spent.\n\nBelgium’s food and drink culture is not about rushing. It’s about enjoyment, conversation, and the pleasure of good things made well. From fries and waffles to chocolate and beer, every taste today came with its own story, of tradition, pride, and generations of practice.\n\nNow is the perfect time to reflect and raise a glass. If you want to keep the theme going, try another local brew from the bar. A golden ale like Brugse Zot is always a solid choice, or go for something darker and richer like a dubbel or tripel. If you’re not into beer, the bar also offers Belgian gins or fruit-flavoured liqueurs you might not have tried yet.\n\nAnd if this is your last night in Bruges, maybe it doesn’t have to be. There are more tours to explore, more recommendations waiting, and plenty of hidden gems left in the city. We’d love to have you stay another night.","type":"text"}],"ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSCAbqqQBoARmanUWg8VJ%2Ftts_6.mp3?alt=media&token=283869bf-eabd-4928-96da-f343e578a281"}]