Cafe Vlissinghe was one of my favorite places on our recent trip to Bruges. “Probably” the oldest pub in the world, is what D’s T-shirt proclaims on the back. Probably. Its establishment in 1515 might well have been the most significant thing to happen that year, unless you consider France getting a new king, not named Louis, more important,
It was charming and old and appeared to be serving mostly locals when we walked in for lunch. Still, its fame, warranted or not, surely generates a steady tourist trade which they welcome with multi-language menus and...T-shirts.
We were also welcomed by two small dogs who weren’t so much excited to see us as expectant. A sign near the door instructed: “Do not feed this dog” with a picture of the black one (not pictured.)
The meatballs were lovely, the glowing stove warmed the room, and two glasses of Leffe Christmas Ale were perfect.
