Where to eat and drink in Brugge: Best pubs and restaurants for Aston Villa fans

Aston Villa‘s trip to Club Brugge on Tuesday, September 8, for their opening Champions League league-phase fixture takes travelling supporters to one of Europe's most compact and walkable historic city centres.

With most of Brugge's sights, pubs and restaurants packed into the historic centre, there is plenty to choose from for anyone arriving early before making the trip to the Jan Breydel Stadium. The match kicks off at 5.45pm (BST), so supporters will not have a huge amount of time to linger before heading to the ground.

Here is FootballGroundGuide‘s pick of some of the best places to eat and drink during the trip.

Best pubs for fans in Brugge City Centre

Delaney's Irish Pub, at Burg 8, is a handy choice for supporters looking for an Irish pub atmosphere on Burg Square. Guinness and other drinks are available alongside a varied food menu, while screens show major sporting events.

‘t Brugs Beertje is the place to go for Belgian beer, with around 300 different brews on offer, including five on tap. The cosy beer cafe on Kemelstraat is well known for its huge selection and sits right in the middle of the historic centre.

De Garre is another good stop, tucked away down a narrow alley between Markt and Burg Square. Its own Tripel van De Garre is the obvious beer to try, particularly for anyone keen to have something they are unlikely to find back home.

Classic matchday food spots in Brugge

A trip to Belgium would not be complete without a portion of fries from a traditional frietkot, and the traditional wooden fry stalls on Markt Square make it easy to grab some without leaving the centre.

Frituur De Gentpoorte on Gentpoortstraat is another popular choice, particularly for its fries and homemade sauces. Seating is limited at the frituur, with most visitors taking their food away, with Minnewater Park and the nearby canals offering a few good spots to sit down.

Restaurants and cafes in Brugge

Cambrinus on Philipstockstraat is a good option for a longer meal, combining a large Belgian beer list with Flemish dishes including beer-braised stew and shrimp croquettes. The restaurant recommends booking ahead when Brugge is busy, which is worth keeping in mind around matchday.

Mussels are another Belgian favourite, and Poules Moules on Simon Stevinplein specialises in moules-frites, with several different preparations available alongside the obligatory fries.

Anyone after something sweet can stop at Chez Albert on Breidelstraat, just off Markt, for a traditional Belgian waffle before leaving the city centre.

Fast food options in Brugge

The McDonald's on Steenstraat is an unusual one, occupying a historic building dating back to the 16th century just a short walk from Markt Square. It offers the usual quick meal while still being surrounded by the character of Brugge's old town.

Burger King has a branch at Markt 14 as well, giving supporters another familiar option if there is little time to spare before heading for the stadium.

FGG Verdict: Where should you go?

Delaney's is a straightforward choice for a pre-match pint in familiar surroundings, while ‘t Brugs Beertje and De Garre are better suited to anyone who wants to try Belgian beer rather than stick to the usual options.

For food, the fry stalls on Markt Square are hard to beat for convenience and a proper Belgian snack, while Frituur De Gentpoorte is worth the extra walk if fries are high on the list. Cambrinus and Poules Moules are the better choices for a sit-down meal, with the fast-food restaurants around Markt there for anyone who needs to eat quickly before making the journey to the Jan Breydel Stadium.