After walking around Bruges all day doing my Christmas shopping I had worked up an appetite and I was glad that Richard and I had a reservation at the De Vlaamsche Pot, a traditional Flemish restaurant tucked away in Bruges cobbled streets.

The De Vlaamsche Pot has a great warm and welcoming atmosphere which makes it popular with the locals, and we were lucky that we had a reservation as it seemed to be pretty full. Richard and I ordered from the 3 course menu offered, as the thought of grey shrimp, beef stew and chocolate pudding was too tempting to resist. The waiter bought us our bottle of wine and our water which was included in the menu, and we chatted to the hotel owner, Mario, whilst he told us about the Christmas menu that would be available over the festive season, which made me even hungrier.

Our starters were bought to us and they looked amazing. I had a mound of fresh grey shrimp in a rich tomato sauce, which was perfect with the glass of champagne our waiter had bought us. Richard and I sat near the window looking out onto the courtyard which was dotted with ivy and statues. The European winter weather deterred us from heading outside for dinner, but I would definitely have been there in the warmer months. For now, sitting in the warm sipping wine was a better option.

For my main course I had beef in beer stew which could have fed 4 people. I’m pretty sure that I’ve had beef in beer before but this was really good. Richard had waterzooi fish stew, which was a medley of fish, and we both had a generous serving of chips. I was hungry, but the beef stew was becoming a challenge.
Looking at the goal in sight – the chocolate pudding – I decided it was best to let the beef win and still have room for the chocolate. We were in Belgium after all.

A glass full of a thick chocolate with a cream base was delivered. I knew it was going to be a struggle. The De Vlaamsche Pot is an atmosphere that certainly doesn’t hurry you along, but given all the time in the world I wouldn’t have finished a full 3 course meal there, however much I tried. It’s warm and cosy and a great place to retreat from the weather, and I can see why it’s so popular with its great traditional Flemish food – and Flemish portions!

Book lunch or dinner at De Vlaamsche Pot from £29pp

Posted in: Belgium, Bruges | Author: Heather