Brussels/Bruges/Amsterdam Suggestions

Don't take credit cards or don't take American Express? Have definitely noticed the latter.

 

Yeah, I can't speak for American Express being accepted since I don't carry it, but I'm pretty sure that I have read that AE is not well accepted in Europe.

 

Hell, it's not all that well accepted here in the US either. My company made the unfortunate decision to use AmEx for our corporate cards - regarding AmEx in Europe, it's hit or miss, maybe slightly less than 50% of the places I've been to in Germany/Belgium/Italy will accept it. Visa or Mastercard is more widely accepted, but as noted, some places don't take plastic at all. I usually just pull out a couple hundred euros at the first ATM I see in the airport when I land.

Also, don't expect exceptional cell service, even if you spring for the "international" data and calling plans. You'll still be roaming on the local networks, and I've found that my typical service level/bandwidth goes from "somewhat ok" to "oh, crap, I can't pull enough data to use my phone's gps or even send a text". I've found that restarting my phone every few hours keeps me with a better signal, especially if I'm moving between areas (such as Amsterdam to Brussels) that have different regional carriers. And wireless at the hotel/restaurant is your friend.

 

At least not when I went to Italy 4 years ago. Pre-loaded and Amex Card and couldn't use it anywhere.

 

Great bar in Brugge http://www.cambrinus.eu

 

Sorry to be a stickler here, but I too am headed to Brussels in July and was curious to pick your brain on your suggestions a bit. I'm trying to search some of the places you suggested in Place Flagey with little luck. I do see the one (Pantin) listed as an authentic style Belgium cafe which sounds cool. Any idea what beers they usually have as opposed to the pricier options you listed before.

 

Their beer menu is on their website. http://www.lepantin.be/a-manger-et-a-boire/la-carte-des-bieres/

 

Le Pantin is nice - I don't like to make pronouncements on authenticity, but it has a nice sort-of old-school Paris left-bank cafe vibe. I wouldn't bet on a Belgian bar having exactly the beer list on their website, but what @papagobrewing found is a lot like what I remember - not cutting edge geekbait but enough for a nice drink.

Amere a Boire is more modern and bar-like but still pretty quirky and individual. Buzzy atmosphere, very arty. Same disclaimers apply, but they've got a beer list up here:
http://lamereaboire.com/fr/

Le Murmure is also worth sticking your head into if you're in the area. And Belga, on Flagey itself is... interesting? Not a beer geek destination at all, but half of Brussels seems to end up in there at the weekend.

 

Thanks for the info. I had trouble finding their proper websites. All valuable info and if their selection is just a bit of what they have listed then it looks worth checking out.

Any suggestions on where to get Westvleteren around Brussels or is it more of a try your hand at various bars until you find one type of thing?

 

Westy is literally at every tourist beer shop in terms of buying one to go.

 

Agreed. Just got back from a trip to Brussels/Bruges and pretty much every shop carries it, so it's just a matter of comparing for the best price. The cheapest I found was in Bruges for 11.50.

Also, most definitely head to 3F. I enjoyed it much more than Cantillon (although Cantillon was still amazing in a different way). It has a little more of a modern taproom feel, the speciality onsite bottles were incredible(yellow and white peach blend!), and they serve a pate/jam board all made from lambic. Take advantage of their shipping too!

 

Hey everyone - I was searching for some information on Westvleteren and came across this thread. I'll be in Brussels in early July and will be renting a car with the intent of driving out to the abbey. I know if you want to pick up a case you need to call well ahead and they register the license plate. How do you handle this if you don't know the plate number beforehand? Or am I just SOL?

 

Look here for some information:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...or-st-bernardus-without-a-car-in-2017.495155/