The Tom Pouce Restaurant., Brugge

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One of a line of four restaurants on Burg Square near to the Holy Blood Church.

Pleasant waiter, good food, nice ambience.
It was pouring but I was warm and dry in the covered outdoor patio (with heating).
A lovely experience.

I had a chicken waterzooei which I had been told I should eat in either Brugge or Gent. Definitely recommend it.

They do also cater to organized groups so you may have to be patient.

Favorite Dish: Chicken waterzooei and fresh green salad.

Having had two excellent evening meals in the main square we decided to try this restaurant. The four of us were squeezed on to a small table next to another couple, who had to move up themselves. Despite the alarm bells we ordered our meal, which took forever to arrive. The tepid chicken waterzooi was truly awful; a chicken wing and tinned potatoes in some sort of sludge. The vegetables and sauces with the other dishes were added to the bill; a dish of peppercorn sauce cost 5 Euros, a single portion of fries were 4 Euros!!

We didn't have a first course, dessert or coffee (but did have a bottle of wine) and the bill for four of us came to 112 Euros.

Compared to other restaurants the cost was in inverse proportion to the quality and service.

Faced with the choice of missing a meal or going to this restaurant take the former!

Tom Pouce is in a lovely setting in the Burg, so you can sit out and enjoy the sight of the Town Hall and Basilica while you eat, and we stopped here one evening for coffee and ice cream. The fact that it is the only restaurant in the Burg should really have alerted us to two facts: a) that it could be pricey, and b) that it wouldn't have to try very hard as there was no competition. I can only think that we were very tired and not paying attention!

The coffee was quite the worst I had anywhere in Bruges - lukewarm and tasteless. The ice cream was fine, but over-priced. In total we paid 17 euros. We are prepared to pay a little extra for a unique setting, but we at least expect the coffee to taste like coffee if we do! Oh well, it was a lesson learned.

It has a great location but you pay for it through the nose. Example- a small Jupiler is about 3.20 euros and is 1.20 euros around the corner at the Hollandse Vismijn!! Admittedly you are not going to want to sit out at the Hollandse Vismijn during fish market day but it is still a big difference.

I have found the food here average and in the upper end of the price bracket too. I was dragged back for a lunch and wish now I had put my foot down. The fish soup was OK tasting but finding fish was a bit like prospecting for gold in a stream. At 9 euros I might have had a sprat or a stickleback or something. Compare this with the fish soup in a restaurant we tried in Damme- 11 euros but literally chocker with fish there was no comparison.

A better lunch can be had on the Markt if you insist on scenery. Then again, the horses tend to do their ablutions in the Eastern section of the Markt so beware of smells at certain times.

Please don't go to the Tom Pouce. It isn't offensive but it doesn't really deserve your custom. There are many restaurants which will look after you much more.

Favorite Dish: Nothing

Tom Pouce Resturant in Burg 17. Has a good menu and you can sit outside, with classical music playing quietly in the background and when the evening get colder they have heaters outside so that you can remain outside, sitting with a beer and chatting. The other favourite of mine was opposite the Ter Reien hotel in Langstraat with tables overlooking the canal.
All the staff are very friendly and helpful but I found that with all the cafes. The staff even wave goodbye to you when they finish work.

Favorite Dish: Tom Pouch does a lovely mixed grill with 3 different sauces and the waffles were superb. Opposite the Ter Reien hotel was a pub that served lunches and suppers, the menu consisted mostly of salads.

Tom Pouce Resturant in Burg 17. This is a lovely restaurant, wiht a family atmosphere, the menu was vaired and we ate there all the time. I fell in love with the waffles and I would come back just for the food one portion is enough for 2 people, the waiters are great and so freindly and helpful.
The restaurant is in the main square and you can just sit and watch the worl go by as you drink and eat, I love people watching :-)

Favorite Dish: Waffles, strawberries and Ice cream :-)