Last updated on May 22, 2025

When your Disney Cruise ship docks in Zeebrugge, you’re just a cobblestone’s throw away from the Medieval city of Bruges. It’s one of our favorite destinations that we’ve been to while sailing DCL. You feel like you’ve entered a living fairy tale. Cobblestone streets wind past centuries-old buildings, charming canals reflect Gothic spires, and the aroma of fresh waffles and rich chocolate fills the air. But if you're navigating your visit gluten free, you might be wondering if you’ll be able to enjoy some of the amazing food that Bruges has to offer.

Strawberry GFDF Waffle from Otto Waffle in Bruges / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

Here's the good news: Like many European destinations, Bruges and Belgium, in general, follows EU standards when it comes to celiac disease and food allergies. On our visit to Bruges, we were able to enjoy an entire meal out at a local restaurant, eat many, many, MANY gluten free Belgian waffles, fries, and more. This post will highlight some planning tips, restaurant suggestions, and information about our experience.

Before You Go: Planning Your Gluten Free Day in Bruges

The key to a successful gluten free day in any foreign port starts before you even step off the ship. Unlike the Disney cruise dining staff who know your dietary needs by heart, Bruges restaurants won't have your preferences on file, so preparation is your best friend.

**Do Pre-Cruise Research**

Before we even boarded the ship, we spent a lot of time doing pre-cruise research. We reviewed YouTube videos, Instagram, Facebook groups, blogs (like ours!), and GF food apps to help us make a list of potential restaurants to dine at, and tips unique to Belgium. We included this information in our Smartphone during our trip, so we could easily refer to it.

After doing a lot of pre-cruise GF food planning and research, we also downloaded Google Translate and ordered translation cards created specifically for gluten free and food allergy travelers. We especially like Equal Eats, which includes multiple and custom special dietary needs, and Legal Nomads. While both of these are paid options, we found them to be worth the small fee as we traveled internationally. There are also a lot of free translation card resources available online too.

Belgium has several native languages, including Flemish (Dutch), French, and German. Because of this, we made sure to write down simple words or phrases both in French and Dutch, such as “Sans gluten” or “glutenvrij” to help us both quickly say or look for language that we recognized indicating something was GF. We used this and Google translate extensively when we went to a local grocery store to purchase Belgium foods to bring home and needed to review ingredients.

In our experience, English was predominately used in restaurants, shops, and museums in Bruges, but we always recommend having phrases or general greetings were always welcome.

**EU Food Allergy Laws**

Did you know that in the EU has a list of 14 food allergens that must be declared if they are present or if they are used as ingredients in a prepared or packaged food? You will find that restaurants indicate these on their menus. The allergens may vary slightly from US allergen lists, so we always recommend reviewing these before you go.

Don’t forget to pack any GF or special diets essentials in your bag before you head out for a long day of sightseeing. While Bruges does have excellent gluten free options, we always travel with backups, like protein bars, just in case. While pre-packaged and sealed items can be taken off the ship, be sure to read DCL’s policies about what food can or cannot be taken off the ship. Some items, like fruit and vegetables can incur hefty fines. If you have questions, we always recommend asking a crew member.

If you do have other special dietary needs considerations, like EpiPens or medications, be sure to pack them in a safe and easy to find place during your port day.

Where We Ate in Bruges

We spent two 6-hour days in Bruges, and that was not nearly enough time to eat all the things and see all the places that we wanted to. The city has many quaint restaurants and tempting French fry stands that already make us want to back for another visit. Here are some of the spots we ate at on our visit.

The Potato Bar

If you go to Bruges and don’t get Belgium fries, did you really go to Belgium?! As potato connoisseurs, getting Belgium fries was a must get on our visit. The Potato Bar is located in the heart of Bruges but in a side alley, a bit more removed from the hustle and bustle of the day. We found the servers here to be very helpful in navigating the menu and discussing any concerns of cross contamination. The Potato Bar does sell croquettes and a few other non-GF items, but they do have dedicated fryers for the fries.

Brandon with a Large Basket of Fries in Bruges, Belgium / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

t’Brugs Pittahuis

If you’re looking for a relaxing, cozy, and quaint place to dine, look no further than t’Brugs Pittahuis. Located very close to the center of Bruges, this is a perfect spot to rest, recharge, and have a fantastic (and safe!) meal in between sightseeing. We had read a few reviews about this location before we went, but found that it had pretty high rating on Find Me Gluten Free. On a whim, we decided to stop here for lunch on our 2nd day in Bruges.

We were wowed, not only by the very tasty Middle Eastern style food but also by how well the restaurant handles special dietary needs. The restaurant had a sign about GF options and the server we spoke to before deciding to eat there gave us a thorough run-down of their protocols with dedicated fryers, grills, and more. They really put us at ease, and we were both so glad we decided to stop by the restaurant. We both enjoyed GF pita, fries made in a dedicated fryer, and falafel. We also got gluten free beer while we were there too!

Otto Waffle Atelier

I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to something more than the GF Belgian (known here as the Bruges Waffle) from Otto Waffle. Not only these waffles gluten free, dairy free & refined sugar free, but they are also incredible tasty…and beautifully presented too.

The waffles are made with GF oat, and we always recommend you use your comfort and judgement when consuming ingredients, as Europe standards and products may vary from the U.S. We went here 4 times (yes, we loved it that much), and I never got sick from eating the waffles, so it’s definitely a place that I would recommend.

Tutti Fruitti Seasonal GFDF Waffle from Otto Waffle in Bruges / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

The to-go restaurant is a small space, and it does get busy very quickly, so be sure to build in some time here. They have a lovely back patio that is perfect for watching boats sail by on the canal — all while enjoying amazing waffles.

Don’t forget to order ice cream too! Otto Waffle sells GFDF oat milk based ice cream served in freshly made GF waffle cones. They are the perfect treat to enjoy when it’s a bit warmer in Bruges…or really any day you want ice cream. If you go to one place on our list, this is the place we would recommend the most.

Other Gluten Free Friendly Restaurants in Bruges

With limited time in Bruges, we definitely get to as many restaurants as we would have liked. Here are some of the places that were on our short list or came highly recommended.

Sarah at Otto Waffle / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

That's Toast

Brunch and breakfast are two of my favorite things, so a restaurant that serves all day breakfast is a restaurant I’m immediately drawn to. That’s Toast is located conveniently in the city and is the perfect stop for a quick brunch/lunch while you’re sightseeing. We’ve heard great reviews about this casual restaurant and were bummed we didn’t get a chance to go while we were in Bruges. Their website has excellent information about special dietary needs, and they have a good variety of options — including GF French Toast.

FritBar

If you’re looking for more Belgian fries, FritBar is another location that might be a good gluten free option. Located right next to Otto Waffle, FritBar came highly recommended on Find Me Gluten Free and offers both GF fries and beer. We tried to eat at this location several times, but it was incredibly busy every time we stopped by. With this popular fry spot, we recommend visiting earlier or later in the day to avoid some of the crowds and to find seating.

Bohemian Burgers

Not knowing what options we might have in the Bruges, Bohemian Burgers was a good back-up option for classic burgers and fries. This was another location that is centrally located and that came highly recommended. They have gluten free buns and dedicated fryers.

Practical Tips for Your Port Day

When visiting any international destination, setting yourself up for success with gluten free dining requires some preparation. Before you travel, research your destination using the tools we've recommended and prepare translation cards that clearly explain your dietary restrictions in the local languages.

Once you arrive, don't hesitate to communicate openly about your needs. Carry those written cards explaining your dietary requirements – restaurants often appreciate this clear communication as it eliminates confusion and demonstrates that you're a prepared traveler. Ask detailed questions about preparation methods and cross-contamination protocols. While busy kitchens can present challenges, most established restaurants will take extra precautions when they understand the importance of your dietary needs.

With thoughtful preparation and clear communication, you can enjoy exploring new cuisines safely and confidently during your travels.

Sarah pointing out GF options on a Candy Store sign / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

Eating in Bruges Gluten Free Made Easy

Exploring Bruges’ culinary scene doesn't have to be daunting when you're gluten free. From the bustling fry stands to the charming cafes, the city offers endless opportunities to savor authentic flavors safely. With the right preparation, helpful resources, and confidence to communicate your needs, you'll discover that Belgium’s renowned hospitality extends seamlessly to accommodating gluten free travelers. So pack your translation cards, embrace the adventure, and get ready to fall in love with Bruges – one delicious, worry-free meal at a time…and eat ALL the GF waffles and fries.

Want to learn more about our Disney Cruise Line gluten free food adventures? Be sure to check out our Destinations page to explore other places that we have been and what we ate at those locations gluten free.

Eating Gluten Free in Bruges: Complete Disney Cruise Port Guide [2025]