8x hip restaurants in Bruges

Restaurant Blackbird is a hip restaurant where every detail is right. The décor is warm, minimalist and a touch vintage. Think wooden tables, ceramic crockery and flowers on the table as if they had just been picked from the field. And extra special: everything on the menu is completely vegan. Fluffy pancakes with fresh fruit and a dollop of whipped cream, sourdough toast with avocado and hummus or a richly filled acai bowl. Everything is served with love and attention to detail. A must for those looking for hip restaurants in Bruges.

The Old Chocolate House in Bruges is a true paradise for chocolate lovers. As soon as you walk into the shop, you are overcome by the smell of hot chocolate and freshly baked waffles. Above the shop is a cosy tearoom where you can make the perfect cup of hot chocolate yourself. Choose your favourite chocolate flakes, from creamy milk to intense dark, and melt them into a delicious chocolate milk.

There are plenty of trendy restaurants in Bruges, but Garlic & Greens in Bruges is anything but a standard eatery. As soon as you cross the threshold, you are taken on a journey to India. Spicy curries, freshly baked naan and colourful dishes steaming on your plate, this place is all about vegetarian food, often vegan, and always packed with flavour. The décor is simple but atmospheric, the service warm and sincere. Don't expect fast food, but slow soul food. The menu is seasonal and cooked with love and perfectly seasoned. Garlic & Greens is the ideal place where comfort food meets adventure, right in the heart of Bruges.

That's Toast is the hotspot for a creative twist on your favourite dish: toast! Step inside and be surprised by the menu: from a savoury version with creamy avocado and a poached egg to French toast with white chocolate, matcha and fresh berries. Each dish is a work of art, topped with the tastiest fresh ingredients for an explosion of flavours. The atmosphere in the restaurant is as appealing as the dishes. The light, minimalist décor and plenty of vega(n) options make this a must-visit among fun restaurants in Bruges. So, are you in the area? Make sure you put That's Toast on your list.

Those who really want to get to know Bruges should make a stop at De Republiek, hidden between old gables and cosy streets. What once started as a film house grew into a creative place where everything revolves around meeting, tasting and inspiring. Inside, the atmosphere is relaxed: a mix of industrial and cosy. With lots of wood, greenery and light. The menu features honest dishes with a focus on seasonal produce and local suppliers. Think colourful salads, homemade soup or a surprising veggie bowl. But De Republiek is more than just a nice restaurant to eat at. You can also sit down with your laptop, catch an exhibition or go to the cinema in the evening.

Quatre Vins is anything but a classic wine restaurant. Enter a world full of colour, character and surprises. And this is literal, as the interior is strikingly pink, playful and totally Instagram-worthy. But Quatre Vins is not just about looks. Here you taste whimsy on your plate as well as in your glass. The concept is playful and rebellious: no standard menu, but a changing selection of small dishes to share. Each dish has a creative twist. The matching natural and glouglou wines complete it. Expect beautifully labelled bottles, vibrant flavours and friendly staff. Visit Quatre Vins and discover one of the hippest restaurants Bruges has to offer.

Tom's Diner is located on the edge of historic Bruges. An attractive restaurant located in a 16th-century building. This place exudes character and cosiness, with wooden accents and a casual atmosphere where you immediately feel at ease. The open kitchen lets you watch while the chefs work with daily fresh ingredients. What makes tom's diner truly special is the guts to colour outside the lines. The kitchen is no-nonsense and the menu features surprising tapas and seasonal dishes. Think pork belly on crispy toast with a fresh mango chutney. This is really my favourite too, because of the combination of sweet and salty flavours. What makes it even more fun? You can be completely surprised with a chef's menu, ideal if you fancy an evening of unexpected discoveries.

Willa Brunch & Coffee in Bruges is one such place where you immediately feel at home. This Bruges restaurant is run with love and dedication by a mother and daughter. Everything is just right here: the warm welcome, the creative interior with recycled touches, and the strong commitment to sustainability. The menu? It’s mouth-watering. From light and fluffy pancakes and crispy toast to colourful salads and creamy bagels. The bar uses organic, local and fair-trade produce wherever possible.

Extra nice: on Fridays everything is 100% vegan, and during the rest of the week there is more than enough choice for those who eat plant-based. As soon as the sun shows its face, the small terrace on Sint-Jansplein is the perfect place to settle down. With a cappuccino in your hand and the quiet Bruges street life around you, it feels as if time stands still for a moment.