RESTAURANT
Stands for live, eat, share and smile
8 December 2025
Bruges in December is the perfect warm-up for Christmas, because everything – and truly everything – is drenched in holiday spirit. Combine that with its medieval city center, once the commercial and cultural heart of Europe, preserved so beautifully that it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you understand why the city is so loved by visitors.
Please find attached my ideal itinerary, but feel free to shake things up:
3 pm: Check-in at Jonojé, a bed and breakfast that opened its doors at the end of 2025 in a former broom factory just outside the city. It’s a quiet place with plenty of space to unwind (the ROKU room, where I stayed, is so dark and silent you’ll sleep like a dream), yet you can be in the city within 10 minutes by bike.
5:30 pm: Kick off the weekend with a cocktail at Bar RAN. Also named by 50 Best as a bar worth discovering. Their special menu is inspired by the planets, but you can order a classic cocktail just as easily. Friendly staff, a delicious welcome drink, and a cozy vibe.
7 pm: Dinner at Más, owned by the same team. A relaxed Mexican restaurant with tequila and mezcal cocktails on the menu, plus tacos and other Mexican comfort dishes. A perfect way to end your first day.
9 am: Start with a specialty coffee at Dees, the best coffee bar in town, where they also serve sweet cinnamon buns. The neighbors were playing chess when I visited. You can buy their beans to take home: always a great gift for coffee lovers.
10 am: Time for culture. In May, BRUSK opens: a brand-new museum launching with a Refik Anadol exhibition – AI-driven work you can look at forever. If you’re in Bruges in 2027, you can catch the Trienniale of art and architecture. And if you’re here until January 4, 2025, don’t miss the Wintergloed light trail.
1 pm: A quick pit stop at MOSH! Order a smash burger inside a red-toned interior with stainless steel accents. Tom Degroote, a well-known Belgian TV chef, works with top-quality meat from Beenhouwer Dierendonck.
2:30 pm: The afternoon is for shopping. I always find something at COS, but nearby you’ll also find Belgian favorites like Bellerose, l’Héroïne and Essentiel. A little further on is Goûts et Couleurs, which sells mostly Scandinavian home accessories.
7 pm: Dinner at Cuvée. Recommended by the owner of Jonojé and by pretty much anyone who loves Bruges. Owner Frederik is obsessed with natural wine and serves the most delicious dishes alongside it. Maybe not perfectly PP in terms of interior design, but you’ll leave happy, and very well fed.
9 am: A slow start with a fresh breakfast at the hotel (Jonojé).
10 am: A nature walk just outside Bruges. The Three Castles Route is popular and takes you through forests, heathland, small rivers and, of course, past three medieval castles.
1 pm: Lunch at Onslow. Slightly outside the city center, known for their flavorful sharing dishes and natural wines. In summer, they also have a sunny garden behind the restaurant.
3 pm: Your 48 hours are up, but there’s plenty more to explore in the area. Visit the creative coastal town of Ostend (see the Petite Passport tips), head to chic Knokke (more tips there), or drive 30 minutes to Ghent (tips here).
Or browse Destinations to find inspiration for your next trip. The picture underneath is taken in Ghent.
Kanunnik Duclosstraat 1, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Stands for live, eat, share and smile
In a former brush factory
with hidden courtyard
Asian streetfood, sake and natural wine
in an old broom factory
colorful café outside the city center
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