restaurant review #552 – Well, there’s a first for everything… The short version: the food was nice, but the atmosphere absolutely killed it 🙁 Now I know why I hardly ever see this place mentioned among locals.
Will not visit again.
The long version follows beneath this one photo.
This place exists for as long as I can remember. There previously wasn’t any online info available about it (no website, no socials, no e-mail) until some time ago. Although back in the day, I did already hear here and there that they offered vegan meals. Later in passing, I had also seen some dishes labelled as vegan on the menu.
Then they finally put up a one page website with some info. Which also clearly states they offer a vegan menu! Great! So eager to check it out!
I made a reservation by telephone, for the next day for lunch at 12.15.
As our previous appointment ended earlier than expected, and after a short excursion through town to stretch time, we headed over to the restaurant at 12.
We were greeted by an older lady, with a straight face turning us away, because
– ‘your reservation is for 12.15.’
– Uhm??? Can’t we just take a seat and maybe already have a drink or such?
– No.
Quite astonishing really, as 12 o’clock is the opening time of the resto and there were no other patrons even. Not very welcoming, and a first for us!
So we went out again, and waited on a bench at the square around the corner… (maybe we should have just walked away at that point …).
Went back a bit after 12.15 and were allowed to take a seat.
Interior consists of a front area with a large counter fridge (take away), and 4 tables for 2. We sat as far away as we could from the fridge, as it was making a constant LOUD zooming sound. We were there alone throughout lunch, no other patrons, with this buzzing fridge. No background music to make it more enjoyable. Very annoying.
The vegan lunch menu was 35.50 for 3 courses. With 3 options for starter and main, and one fixed dessert.
We had:
Starter
– quinoa, avocado, ruccola, zucchini salad
– hot potato, beluga lentils tartar, season salad
Main
– Puff pastry, thym, zucchine, mushrooms, almonds
– homemade orechiette padta, grilled head of celery, spinach
Dessert a crumble with fruit
We were served a small amuse, and as I was about to take a photo of it, she said photos were not allowed.
We were – again – quite baffled (also, because there are plenty of photos already circulating on Google and Happy Cow).
– Why?
– When I come to your home, I also don’t take photos
– But this is a restaurant, I pay for the food
– This is another sort of restaurant.
I told her I was going to take some photos of the food anyway as souvenir for me, but wasn’t going to publish them. I simply wanted to leave at this point, but as we had already ordered, we reluctantly stayed …
After this, there was hardly any communication anymore. She served our food and took plates away. No asking whether we enjoyed it. No goodbye or anything after we paid.
Food was nicely seasoned and presented and at 35,50€ really good value for money. I would love some more bite though, and have items like seitan or tempeh included.
The atmosphere was however very unwelcoming and uncomfortable. It really seemed like she didn’t want us there. So obviously, we will not be visiting again
- Visit July 2025
De Bühne
Sint-Salvatorskoorstraat 6, 8000 Brugge
website: https://debuhne.be/
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Wow! How bizarre, I hope that doesn’t happen again. It sounds like the food was really nice, do you think you’ll get take away in future? Or just definitely not return? There is the same noise problem in a cafe near here, with a noisy fridge and no music at all. Sometimes the staff in the cafe bring in their own radio, to add some music to the situation, but it is still difficult to hear it over the fridge! But at least the staff are friendly.
I don’t think we will visit again. It felt like such an unwelcoming experience. Pity, because the food was nice!
Yes, it sounds upsetting. <3
PS How incredibly strange that they don’t allow photos!! xxxxxx
Yes, very strange. It would be free advertising for them. And the food presented very well too, nicely garnished plates.
Wow! That really was a most unpleasant atmosphere. We must have walked past this place many times, but I have to admit I’ve never noticed it. Just as well really.
Perhaps you can draw a picture of it from memory! xxx