BELGIUM - Best of Europe 2014 - page 230

arealwaysgoodvegetarianoptions.Thecreativedishes—somewithahintofAsianinfluen-
ce—are a welcome departure from Bruges' mostly predictable traditional restaurants. It's on
a bustling pedestrian lane a half-block off the Markt (€35 three-course meal, €20-25 plates;
Mon-Tue and Thu-Sat 12:00-14:00 & 18:00-21:00, closed Wed and Sun; Sint-Amandstraat
4, tel. [phone], An Vissers and Arnout Beyaert). Reservations are smart for dinner.
The Flemish Pot is a busy eatery where enthusiastic chefs Mario and Rik cook up a
traditional menu of vintage Flemish specialties—from beef and rabbit stew to eel—served
in little iron pots and skillets. Seating is tight and cluttered, and service can be spotty. But
you'll enjoy huge portions, refills from the hovering “fries angel,” and a good selection of
localbeers(€26-30three-coursemeals,€16-24plates,daily12:00-22:00,reservationssmart,
just off Geldmuntstraat at Helmstraat 3, tel. [phone]).
Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant serves serious lunch plates (€10 plat du jour offered
daily), salads, and homemade chocolate cake in a pleasantly small, bustling, and upscale
setting. To keep carnivorous companions happy, they also serve several very good, organic
meat dishes (Mon-Fri from 11:45, last orders at 14:00, closed Sat-Sun, just north of Burg
Square at Wapenmakersstraat 5, tel. [phone]).
De Hobbit, featuring an entertaining menu, is always busy with happy eaters. For a
swinging deal, try the all-you-can-eat spareribs with bread and salad for €18.50. It's noth-
ing fancy, just good, basic food served in a fun, crowded, traditional grill house (daily
18:00-23:00, family-friendly, Kemelstraat 8-10, reservations smart, tel. [phone]).