Amsterdam, Bruges & Brussels
Best and worst restaurants:
Best: de Luwte
Why: three course meal is a very good value.
Mike in Macungie, PA USA 10/23/2009
Best: Cafe de Reiger in Amsterdam
Why: It received rave reviews on the site, and it was excellent.
Ron in DeWitt, MI USA 10/14/2009
Best: Cafe de Reiger in Amsterdam
Why: It received rave reviews on the site, and it was excellent.
Ron in DeWitt, MI USA 10/14/2009
Best: the Prince Cafe
Why: Locals told us this place had the best soup, something that not all restaurants serve, especially during the day. They were right.
Laralyn Sasaki in Columbus, Oh USA 10/09/2009
Best: Cafe 't Smalle, Amsterdam
Why: It was the one we were able to get to
Jan Larson in Worthington, MN USA 08/26/2009
Best: Cafe 't Smalle, Amsterdam
Why: It was the one we were able to get to
Jan Larson in Worthington, MN USA 08/26/2009
Best:
Why: we ate at various rick recommended restaurants throughout bruges and brussels, and all of them provided excellent service and good food, per rick's very accurate descriptions.
Sarah in Bethesda, MD USA 08/16/2009
Best: Fur Elise, Bruges
Why: This one isn't listed in Rick's books, yet, but we discovered the newly opened Fur Elise restaurant in Bruges, just seconds off the busy square. It's managed by the daughter of nearby vegetarian Lotus Restaurant (which is a Rick recommendation). Lovely modern decor, and it offers both Indian and traditional Flemish dishes at very reasonable and budget friendly prices. The hostess/server was extremely friendly, the food was presented beautifully, and it was tasty.
Worst: Pickles, Bruges
Why: Rick recommends this as a cheap fast food frites fix, but the fries tasted frozen and were disappointing. We got a tip from a fellow traveler that Casa Patata (near the fish market) was the best in town. Stopped there the next day for a much improved, much fresher tasting basket of frites.
Amery & Dan Bodelson in La Crosse, WI USA 08/13/2009
Best: Le Pre Sale, Brussels
Why: Posted July 26, 2009: We have just left Le Pre Sale, having spent a wonderful day touring the museums in Brussels, and had the absolute worst experience of our 2-week tour through Europe. We were treated terribly and ate the worst food of our entire trip. The waitress was very cold and not attentive – it seemed like she was upset that we didn’t order more food – our total bill ended up being 33 Euros for 2 people! This restaurant is completely resting on their laurels. Last night we ate at a tourist trap off the Grand Place and the food was much better. Again, coming from New York City, we’re used to being treated poorly and this was much worse!
Toni Brown in New York, NY USA 07/26/2009
Best: 't Brugs Beertje
Why: Loved this place so much. Intended to go anyway as my husband is a beer freak. We had such wonderful service and the beer selection and simple food was wonderful and very reasonably priced. It was our favourite experience of our whole trip and we spent two evenings here in our short time in Bruges. We sat in the back room(non-smoking) and the staff were wonderful to us, recommending beer to try. I wish we had their names but the young girl said her mother runs the place and the guy wore glasses and was extremely knowledgeable about beer.
Jennifer H in London, ON Canada 06/04/2009
Best: Pancake Bakery and De Roode Leeuw
Why: This was my second visit to the Pancake Bakery. It was tasty food at reasonable prices. I love their apple pancake with schnopps, cinnamon ice cream and whipped cream!
It was also my second visit to De Roode Leeuw. While they no longer have the two menus at dinner, it was well worth it. We did not do the prix fixe because none of the starters appealed to us. We did the asparagus soup which was delicious--while a bit pricey, it was a large bowl. My husband had salmon and I had asparagus with veggie quiche (it was asparagus season). Both were delicious!! The staff was very friendly too!!
Mary Ann in Orlando, FL USA 05/13/2009
Best: Cafe Restaurant de Reiger
Why: Food, wine selection, service and atmoshpere were fabulous! So good we returned for a second evening!
Worst: The Flemish Pot
Why: Service was dreadful and with an attitude! Would definitely not return
Julie Russell in Birmingham, AL USA 04/09/2009
Best: La Place
Why: There was so much food, lots of choices, no pressure style, cheaper than a restaurant. Loved it.
Heather in London, UK 02/24/2009
Best: Dumon chocolates (Bruges) and 't Brojjes (Bruges)
Why: Dumon chocolates (Bruges) - Rick is right on the money with this recommendation - the best and cheapest chocolate in Bruges! 't Brojjes (Bruges) was a great bar - we went back two nights in a row to sample more of the selection. Would also recommmend Pasta di mamma (Haarlem, Netherlands) as a quick, straightforward pasta place.
Dave W. in Seattle, WA USA 01/20/2009
Best: Lotus vegetarian restaurant in Bruges
Why: Creative menu, value-priced, convenient location. Also, in the same area we discovered two other great restaurants, 't Bruges Pitahuis (delicious and inexpensive pitas filled with falafel or meats) and Bao Bab (creative African-inspired menu, run by hard-working husband and wife).
Diane in Tucson, AZ USA 11/21/2008
Best: Pizzeria-Restorante Venezia
Why: (page 224 of 2007 book) Fine pizza, cheerful staff, convenient location, reasonable prices.
Worst: Pannenkoekhuis de Smikkel
Why: (page 224 of 2007 book) I found this place overpriced for the quality of the food. As American expats we've ate all over the Netherlands, and this was not impressive: pancakes small and uncreative; poor salads and over-fried fries and fish in the meat dishes. For 10-20 euro/main I generally expect better.
JAE in Groningen, Netherlands 09/29/2008
Best: Restaurant Haesje Claes, Amsterdam
Why: Food was consistently good and the menu was varied. Staff patient and helpful.
Worst: Pili Pili, Bruges
Why: The food was good and well-priced. But the service was, to say the least, not welcoming. She couldn't figure out why not to serve us, because the place was empty, and she never totally ignored us -- but close. By itself, this is just the way it is sometimes. But when we asked for a pitcher of tap water -- which other restaurants had been glad to provide for us -- she balked. She announced that it was against the law in Belgium to serve tap water for "safety reasons" and if wanted water we would have to buy a bottle. Keep in mind we already had ordered 2 bottles of wine for the 4 of us, so we really weren't trying to play it cheap. I wished I'd had the presence of mind to ask if they washed their hands and all their raw foods in bottled water as well.
Nancy in San Carlos, CA USA 08/14/2008
Best: de Reiger in Jordaan and Kantjil en de Tijger
Why: Both were spot on from the reviews. Great food and atmosphere made for amazing evenings!
Trevor in Roswell, GA USA 08/12/2008
Best: Baton, Toscana, Cafe 'tPapeneiland, La Scarpetta
Why: Canal side wonders, great pizza,
Steve Roddy in Penn Valley, CA USA 07/18/2008
Best: Rock Fort
Why: Excellent cuisine with fabulous owners/chefs. I enjoyed the lunch special tremendously for the fabulous price listed in the guidebook.
Worst: Restaurant Hennon
Why: Disappointing service and waffles that were disappointing. I shared this with Marie Rose and she said the restaurant changed owners recently and service just hasn't been the same. Please, I would recommend removing this restaurant from your book. I wouldn't want other fellow Rick Steves travellers to experience the rude service I received.
Beverly Lui in Thousand Oaks, CA USA 07/11/2008
Best: Restaurant Kantjil en de Tijger, Amsterdam
Why: Wonderful food, service and atmosphere! We celebrated our 1st year wedding anniversary here and couldn't think of a better, more fun way to celebrate!
Stacy in Freiburg, BW Germany 06/04/2008
Best: La Maison des Crepes in Brussels
Why: Not as good as Rick's awesome crepes pick in Versailles (the name escapes me - we went 2 years ago), but this one is still very good.
Worst: Restaurant Chez Leon in Brussels
Why: Absolutely terrible mussels, fish, etc. This one is a disgrace. We were extremely disappointed in this restaurant. We felt this was the only restaurant Rick has ever let us down on.
Winston & Suzie in Seattle, WA USA 05/11/2008
Best: Kantjil En De Tijger
Why: Very nicely appointed, friendly, helpful staff and the food was delicious. It was a deklightful dining experience, thanks
Clint Robins in needham, ma USA 04/25/2008
Best: Pancake Bakery, Amsterdam, near the Anne Frank House
Why: The 'lemon pancake' was to die for! I had NO idea there could be so many kinds of pancakes. Food was very tasty, service friendly and fairly quick, atmosphere fun. Small place, but great food!
Margaret Ferguson WA USA 04/16/2008
Best: Maison Du Dragon
Why: In Brussels, near Gare Nord. Excellent Chinese food that was well priced, fresh, tasty and with attentive staff. All in all though, I cannot say we had anything but good meals in Belgium and Amsterdam. The fare was always fresh and delicious. Belgian beer is also the best I have ever had as a whole, try Duvel and Leffe. For the most amazing chocolate, try Neuhaus.
Vince in Crestline, CA USA 02/24/2008
Best: De Jaren in Amsterdam
Why: Classy, non-touristy, reasonably priced, delicious salad bar and food.
Arlene Pelayo in Minneapolis, MN United States 01/06/2008
Best: Cafe de Reiger
Why: The staff was very friendly and the food was wonderful. My husband had venison that was great and I had the veal chops. The best food for the price too. Rick was right on the money about this little gem.
Donna in Houston, TX USA 12/18/2007
Best: Resturant Kardinaalshof
Why: Best service ever experienced.
Worst: De Groene Lantaarn
Why: No longer serving Fondue, changed menu and name.
Mark Adams in Maple Grove, MN USA 11/12/2007
Best: Bistro Terrastje
Why: Nice little neighborhood pub/restaurant just across the canal from the Hotel Adornes. Ian and Patricia have excellent menu items. Try the Belgian Stew. Good beer, inviting atmosphere, and Ian and Patricia are welcoming hosts. Ian is a Brit and Patricia is Dutch. They met a couple of years ago in Amsterdam, got together and bought the Terrastje. Great people (she looks like Ingrid Bergman). The recorded music is the best. Nice outside terrace (terrastje) to enjoy in good weather.
George Cody in Franktown, CO USA 10/30/2007
Best: Cafe de Reiger
Why: This charming cafe is a place I would probably never have stumbled onto without the guidebook. Not only was it the best restaurant I ate at in Amsterdam, I would say it is one of the best meals I have ever had, anywhere -- and I have travelled to over 40 countries. The ambience is casual and friendly, the wait staff are helpful and volunteer to translate the entire handwritten chalkboard of daily specials from Dutch to English, and the food is outstanding yet reasonably priced. I wasn't expecting a roasted rack of lamb with fried gnocchi, french green beans, and a sauce with oyster mushrooms at a neighborhood cafe! It was superb, and a bargain at 21.50 euros. Even the deceptively simple lemon cheesecake (always on the menu) has drizzles of mango glaze and raspberry glaze, fresh strawberries and mint leaves, a slice of dark chocolate, fresh cream, and slivers of green pistachios. An amazing treat, and only 6 euros. This is one of those lovely establishments that really cares about the quality of their food, and is so happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience. I ate here twice during the week I spent in Amsterdam. If I lived there, I would eat here every week, it's that good.
Worst: The Pancake Bakery
Why: I always eat at the Pancake Bakery when I visit Amsterdam. But on this trip, the service seemed to have deteriorated. It was friendly as always, but I would ask for things (like a glass of water) and not get it, or even got the wrong dish (I ordered an apple pancake and received a cheese pancake instead. Oops.) I ate here twice in a week, and there were service gaffes on both occasions.
Kristine Yasutake in Chicago, IL USA 10/29/2007
Best: The Lotus
Why: Excellent vegetarian fare. The best meal we had in Bruges. Everyone should try this place.
George Cody in Franktown, CO USA 10/28/2007
Best: Scheltema (Brussels)
Why: Wonderful seafood & service in a brasserie/restaurant on rue des Dominicains, a charming street of brasseries & cafes. According to a local, the best mussels in Brussels.
Tom Duffy in Northbrook, IL USA 09/23/2007
Best: Cafe Restaurant de Reiger and Patisserie Holtkamp, Amsterdam
Why: The food at Cafe Restaurant de Reiger was delicious although very French. The waiter explained that Dutch cuisine is not old like French or Italian. Therefore it drew and copied other styles of cooking. He said there really is no "Dutch" cuisine.
Patisserie Holtkamp is the finest bakery I have ever encountered (and I am a French teacher who has been to France many times). We ordered their stroop waffles, which were more like cookies. We had them fill a box of chocolates. That is not their specialty, however, so I would stick with the pastries. We ordered a small jelly cake that was extraordinary. If we had had a refrigerator in our hotel we would have ordered one of the many cream desserts in the cold case. Here is the address: Patisserie Holtkamp, Vijzelgracht 15, tel 020-6248757.
Worst: The Pancake Bakery
Why: The only place in Amsterdam that "according to the boss' policy" will not serve tap water. Therefore we had to spend 5 euros to get a very small bottle of water. Even the waiter was embarazzed by the ridiculous way to gouge tourists. The pancakes were nothing special and way too expensive.
Donna comar in Pleasant Hill, CA USA 09/02/2007
Best: Restaurant L'Ogenblik (Brussels)
Why: Incredible food, great service in a relaxed, local bistro atmosphere. A highlight of the trip!
Worst: Tea Room Laurant (Bruges)
Why: Only "worst" because everywhere else was so great! We went for waffles, but found that we had had better, cheaper waffles with better ambiance in a little pastry shop/tea room called De Tavernier on Wijngaardstraat near Walplein. We did like sitting outside next to the cathedral though (note: Laurant is farther down the street than it looks like on the map--it's on the other side of the street, right next to St. Savior's)
Stephanie Dosch in Madrid, Spain 08/31/2007
Best: Cafe de Reiger in Amsterdam was a find! Actually a local bead store owner Niko, physically walked us there after we asked him for directions,
Why: Food was wonderful- specials are posted , delicious and reasonable. Great wait staff and very close to Anne Frank house.
Worst: Chex Leon in Brussels
Why: Hostess and staff at Chez Leon in Brussels were very unfriendly- to the point of rude-we walked out instead of waiting for a table.
Maura Tepper in Stamford, CT USA 08/19/2007
Worst: Any ON big squares
Why: Avoid any restaurants on main squares; they are tourist traps.
Jim McCoy in Menlo Park, CA USA 08/06/2007
Best: Haejle Claes
Why: Great atmosphere! Not full of tourists like I expected from your book.
Also loved Kantjil en de Tiger and Kantjil To Go. The Indonesian food was heavenly! The early bird special now goes to 18:45, and is €9.50.
Cindy in Shurleff, Wa USA 07/13/2007
Best: Long Pura (Indonesian) and Moeder's (Dutch Family Cooking)
Why: Long Pura is great food and service. Moeder's is wonderful dutch style food, with a great atmosphere and very friendly ppl.
Service is slow, consistantly, but this is a good thing. Just hang out and relax, take your time just enjoying life. In most outdoor places, they are content to let you be until you want to be disturbed. It wasn't until 4 days into our trip I realized that not one person had asked me where I was from, it was nice and weird at the same time.
Worst: Any right around Dam square
Why: Too touristy.
Stephen Heverin in Oreland, PA USA 06/19/2007
Best: Rock Fort
Why: Excellent food. Although more expensive than noted in book. 49 euro price fixed dinner pp.
Worst:
Why: There is no bad food in Brugge
Dave Huthwaite in Leesburg, VA USA 06/07/2007
Best: Baton L'Espresso in Amsterdam
Why: Delicious lunch food in a charming atmosphere near the canal.
Tiffany in Atlanta, GA USA 06/04/2007
Best: DeStove, Bruges
Why: Everything about it was quite wonderful!
Marcia Weisser in East Williston, NY USA 05/05/2007
Best: La Villette, in Brussels
Why: All of our dinners were excellent at La Villette, the fish was fresh and cooked properly, as were the vegetables. Prices were reasonable and the owner was very gracious. Dessert was fabulous. In Brussels and also in Bruges the restaurants serve complimentary shots of after-dinner liqueurs. This is something I normally don't indulge in, but it was a nice touch.
Another restaurant in Brussels that is very good for lunch is La Maison des Crepes. Excellent crepes, and off the tourist track.
Mary in Portsmouth, RI USA 04/03/2007
Best: Brugges :De Torre
Why: It is listed in Rick's book, but not with a wholehearted recommendation. It was only a few blocks from the Dielteins B&B, so we tried it our first night. The service was very good, and the Flemish stew was great (and reasonable). We ended back there the next night for desert, and then our last day to sit outside by the canal for a beverage. Each time the service and food were good.
Jenine in Houston, TX USA 03/11/2007
Best: de Vlaamsche Pot (bruges)
Why: Wonderful food! This was the hightlight of our dinning experience in Europe.
Chris Kanda in Los Angeles, CA USA 03/04/2007
Best: Cafe de Reiger
Why: Meal was distinct and delicious! Very friendly service as well. They also have a fantastic selection of beers from Holland.
Stacey Mazuelas in Saint Paul, MN USA 01/18/2007
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