The term “old world charm” is a perfect way to describe Bruges — it’s honestly romantic.
If you don’t believe me, watch In Bruges; the main character sums it up perfectly: “It’s a fairytale town, isn’t it? How’s a fairytale town not somebody’s fucking thing? How can all those canals and bridges and cobbled streets and those churches, all that beautiful fucking fairytale stuff, how can that not be somebody’s fucking thing, eh?”
I couldn’t agree more!
A visit to Bruges is a must for any Belgium itinerary, and this vegan guide will help you enjoy every inch of this fairytale town! You will find vegan-friendly restaurants, a vegan hotel, things to do, and more.
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If you’re feeling a little anxious about traveling as a vegan, be sure to check out my vegan travel tips
Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Bruges
De Plaats
Wapenmakersstraat 5, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
You’ll find just about everything at this vegan spot! Their menu features a great selection of veggie burgers, pasta, and other globally-inspired dishes. They also feature a “dish of the week.”
Forest Food
Moerkerkse Steenweg 182, 8310 Brugge, Belgium
This vegetarian deli, caterer, and consultant has a little bit of everything to offer its guests! You can pop in for a yummy house-made sandwich and salad or order enough food to feed an army! If you have food allergies or sensitives, this is a great spot to eat confidently.
De Bron
Katelijnestraat 82, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
A delightful vegan lunch spot with a great selection of burgers, vegetable pies, lasagna, and cakes. They generally focus on four main dishes that rotate regularly.
Garlic N Greens
Vlamingstraat 10, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
This vegetarian Indian restaurant is packed with flavor! Enjoy loads of traditional dishes like tikka masala, spinach dal, and aloo gobhi, along with plenty of other specialties.
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Bruges
Hashtag Food
Scheepsdalelaan 37, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
This charming little spot doesn’t believe its vegan and gluten-free diners should be an afterthought! The menu is a culinary experience with seasonal ingredients and coursed dinner options. If they have it, don’t miss the vegan cheese board!
BlackBird
Jan van Eyckplein 7, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Whether you’re looking for something for breakfast or lunch, this vegan-friendly spot can help! Start the day with golden pancakes, then dive into a savory happiness bowl for lunch!
That’s Toast
Dweersstraat 4, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Who doesn’t love toast? This spot celebrates all things toast; don’t think it’s just your basic toast with jam! They have a great lineup of vegan-friendly sweet and savory toast options, along with other breakfast eats.
Amon
Academiestraat 6, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
You can never go wrong with Middle Eastern cuisine! This Lebanese restaurant has all the vegan-friendly staples, and is happy to work with food allergies.
Vegan-Friendly Shops in Bruges
KarmaMarkt
Langestraat 22, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
This zero-waste shop in the heart of Bruges stocks its shelves with natural cosmetics, veggies, dry goods, and more. There is even a coffee bar in the shop and sometimes they have vegan treats!
Leeloo
Sint-Jakobsstraat 19, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
If you’re interested in doing a little shopping, there is no better place than this vegan and ethical clothing shop in Bruge! Leeloo has terrific men’s and women’s fashions, accessories, and cute items for your home — a great place to find a souvenir or two!
Vegan Hotel in Bruges
You can’t miss this charming little vegan bed and breakfast when you come to Bruges.
Vegan B&B Bruges
Singel 10, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
This little gem is right in the city center and has beautiful views! But what’s even better, your stay comes with a vegan breakfast! Don’t worry if you get hungry later in the day; they also have a lunch and dinner menu. One more bonus, if you’re traveling with a pup, they are welcome too (for an additional fee).
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Five Things To Do in Bruges
#1 Explore Markt and the historic city center
This is a great spot to start your exploration and one of the best things to do in Bruges. The Markt, in the heart of the city center, is full of cafes, beautiful buildings that look like they were plucked from a fairytale, and many other sites like the Belfry that you will want to explore. Spend some time roaming the cobblestone streets and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
#2 Climb the Belfry
I would suggest climbing the 366 stairs of the Belfry early—the afternoon lines can be long, but worth the wait for the views. With more than 40 bells played on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 am-noon and the panoramic views, it’s a great for the eyes and ears!
#3 Enjoy the natural beauty of Minnewater Lake
Just south of Central Bruges, Lake Minnewater is known as the “Lake of Love.” It is a beautiful spot full of greenery, swans, and everything else for a romantic stroll. If you happen to be with your sweetie, be sure to cross the lake’s bridge to ensure eternal love. The park is easily accessible on your way to or from the train station.
#4 Enjoy a pint of Bruges own beer at Halve Maan Brewery
This is a spot for beer lovers—you shouldn’t leave Bruges without trying their beer, the Bruges Zot. This family-owned brewery is a great spot to stop for a drink, or you can also take a 45-minute tour to learn all about the brewery. The tours are offered daily, and tickets can be purchased online or at the brewery. For even more beer fun, check out a beer tour!
#5 Take a canal cruise
There is no better way to see Bruges than from its historic canals. The boat rides offer an opportunity to enjoy the scenery and learn some of the city’s history and the important role the canals have played. You can book a ticket on-site, there are multiple boat operators.
How To Get Around Bruges
If you’re coming from Brussels, it is straightforward to get to Bruges by train. The trip is just under an hour, and you can purchase a ticket at the Brussels Midi station. There usually are multiple trains to Bruges every hour. Once you get to the Bruges train station it is easy to walk to the city center or take a bus. If you’re coming from the Oostende-Brugge International Airport, the easiest way to the city center would be to grab a taxi.
While you’re in Bruges, the best way to get around is on foot, the city isn’t large, and you can get from one end to the other in about 30 minutes. There are public buses and a ticket for an hour is about €3, but if you’re sticking to the city center, I really don’t think you will need it. The central train station is also a great way to connect with neighboring cities like Ghent and Antwerp.
