Het Bruggenhuis — Restaurant in Geraardsbergen

This was very different from what we expected! Pros: lovely ambiance, not too loud, waitstaff was quite friendly, excellent beer selection. Cons: the staff wipes down the tables with a strong-smelling disinfectant and then leaves the rag and said disinfectant by the tables, so you can smell it. We waited over 50 minutes for our food (we didn't order any of the dishes that warn you it'll take "+/- 30 mins") and when it arrived, my order was incorrect. It was also very...odd. My partner ordered the Indian curry, which was fine but came with some very bland white rice, and I ordered the "poulet fermière de Belge aux champignons." I asked the waiter for his suggestion between pommes de terres cuits and purée, he said cuits so I went with that. I was expecting a roasted chicken breast with mushrooms and sautéed potatoes. It was....kind of like a gluey, white, deconstructed pot pie over a vol-au-vent. The prime flavor was salt. They brought out croquettes instead of pommes cuits and let me know that it would take an additional 15 mins to give me the right potatoes, even if I asked for purée. The potatoes, when they came, had no flavor at all--it was very strange. If I'm paying €27 for chicken I'd prefer for it to not appear already digested, come in a timely fashion, and with the side I ordered. The waitstaff, to their credit, were very kind about it and did comp the glass of wine I had with the meal. It's also possible that there was a language barrier--my partner speaks Dutch and I speak French so the waitstaff did have to switch between and i can see that being overwhelming. It was just expensive and bad. If it had been half the price, I'd have been less irritated. I wouldn't recommend...

Very cosy and pittoresque little gastro pub. Good and simple dishes, but refined and very well presented! Nicely situated near the Dender river surround by foliage and greenery.

I highly recommend this for the beer taster and fans. They have an extensive beer assortment, regional beers, Trappists. Draft and bottle.

They have a little scene where band can perform while dining. Very entertaining and vivid.

Service was a little on the slower side but very friendly and kind staff. Which is understandable with the current COVID-19 pandemic, implying they have to clean and extensively disinfect cutlery which takes time.

Perfect for a nice evening out with friends family or even a more laid-back date with your...

When we arrived "Het Bruggenhuis" was still closed but the appending summer bar was open. (If I got it well,) The summer bar is from the same owner, but uses a different kitchen/menu as the main house is too small too provide for both facilities. Very warm and welcoming service, nice (mainly fried) snacks, and refreshing beers right next to the water. Loved spending the afternoon on this terrace along the Dender. Covid measures respected....