Every city has its tourist cafés and its local cafés. In Bruges, the tourist ones line the Markt — overpriced espresso with a view. The local ones are tucked into side streets, and they're where the real life happens.

Café Vlissinghe on Blekersstraat has been open since 1515. It's Belgium's oldest café. Dark wood, old paintings, a garden in the back. They serve coffee, beer, and nothing fancy. The owner will leave you alone to read or think. It's perfect.

That's Toast on Hauwerstraat does excellent specialty coffee and homemade granola bowls. It's small, bright, and popular with younger Bruges residents. Weekend brunch gets crowded, so go on a weekday.

The Books & Brunch on Garenmarkt is a bookshop-café hybrid. Good coffee, sandwiches, and an atmosphere that encourages staying. They don't rush you.

Mokka on Sint-Jakobsstraat roasts their own beans and takes coffee seriously without being precious about it. The espresso is among the best in the city.

De Republiek on Sint-Jakobsstraat has a large, comfortable interior (and a hidden courtyard terrace in summer). It's a bar-café hybrid that works at any hour — coffee in the morning, cocktails at night.

For something different, try a Bruges coffee (Brugse koffie): hot coffee with jenever and whipped cream. It's strong, warming, and distinctly local. Most traditional cafés serve it, especially in winter.