Café Vlissinghe

Café Vlissinghe is a historic pub at Blekersstraat 2 in Brugge, in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the quiet streets near the Sint-Gillis church and the Langerei canal, a short walk from the Markt. It dates from 1515 and is generally described as the oldest pub in Brugge, with a long record as a meeting place for artists, locals and travellers. The interior has been preserved with dark wooden panelling, an old stove, benches and a worn floor, and the walls hold historic paintings and photographs. At the back is a garden with a boules court, where visitors can play on summer afternoons, a rare feature in the middle of the old town. The kitchen is simple: croque-monsieur, soup, cheese and charcuterie plates and other snacks are served with a list of Belgian beers and a few wines. The place is about atmosphere rather than cuisine, and the drink of choice is a local beer. The mood is historic, unhurried and slightly bohemian, with a mix of regulars and visitors; noise is low to moderate. Snacks and a beer cost about EUR 8-16 (about $9-19). The pub is open Wednesday to Sunday and is closed on Monday and Tuesday, so planning around those days matters. Walk-ins are the norm, and reservations are not usually taken. The pub can fill on sunny weekend afternoons when the garden is in use, so arriving earlier gives a better choice of seat. It works well as a stop between the centre and the eastern canals.