Local Love: Unforgettable shopping addresses in Bruges

No trendy look, whether it's that of a designer, advertiser or woman in the media, is complete without Hoet glasses.

For more than two decades, Frédérique Baeckelandt has been kitting out the locals with suitable hats.

’t Apostelientje, established nearly 30 years ago, is the place to be for handmade lace.

Dominique Persoone, the man who runs The Chocolate Line, is a legend both at home and abroad.

Here, you will find quirky calligraphy cards and pebbles, special handmade paper and various unique creations, ranging from small note books to solid, timeless photo albums.

Djamil Zenasni’s passion is restoring and re-upholstering antique or worn-out seats in the traditional way.

More than 60 years ago, father Quijo opened this exclusive jewellery store.

A solid-silver, timeless collection of jewellery, handmade in our own workshop at an affordable price.

There’s second-hand shops and there’s … Think Twice, the second-hand Valhalla.

Every day, Nikolaas and Nathalie work tête-à-tête at their immensely long counter for hours.

He decorates fairy tale parties for the rich and famous, but anyone who doesn't want to or can't spend thousands of euros is also welcome at Frederiek Van Pamel’s particularly stylish universe.

At Lunabloom, you can only find nice things: for little girls and big girls, and also - a small selection - for boys.

A trendy city boutique run by cool guys who conjure up both crazy window displays and wayward trend collections.

You can tell the bread is made with love at Le Pain de Sebastien, a genuine artisanal bakery where you generally have to wait patiently in line, as the whole of Bruges seems to be crazy about Sebastien’s bread.

Juliette Handmade Biscuits, a shop with an open bakery full of biscuits made with the finest ingredients following grandmother’s recipe, without preservatives, additives or artificial colourings.

Curious tourists, expectant mothers and school kids with a healthy appetite – nobody wants to miss out on the colourful spectacle of sweets Zucchero has on offer.

Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, masters in the art of calligraphy write to their hearts’ desire in this open studio.

Engraver Maud Bekaert engraves her own poems, and you can find her stone artwork dotted around the centre of Bruges.

This family business sells hand-filled chocolates made of fine, dark chocolate, without adding sugar.

Sukerbuyc is the point of reference in Bruges and the surrounding area.

‘Dress yourself happy’ is the motto of Twee Meisjes (Two Girls) and this can be done effortlessly here, both online and offline.

The Chocolatier Spegelaere is described by connoisseurs as Bruges' best-kept secret.

If you like browsing and scouring shops for hours for that one special book, that obscure LP or CD, that ground-breaking comic or absurd DVD series, you can do so at Den Elder to your heart’s content.

Luc Decuyper re-soles and restores your shoes using only traditional techniques.

It seems as if time at Recour stood still years ago.

The tight, contemporary interior suggests otherwise, but the Chocolaterie Depla was established in 1958 and indeed by the father of Pol Depla who runs the establishment today.

If you’re on the lookout for a unique wedding dress, suit or a festive cocktail dress, your every wish will be fulfilled in this boutique.

There are second-hand stores, and then there’s Selected by Françoise.

This music temple has been promoting classical music, jazz and superior contemporary work for three generations.

This story begins in Ypres in 1933 and shifts to Bruges in 1950.

For more than 100 years, Quicke has been a concept.

Since bookstore Raaklijn opened its doors back in 1961, it has been a home to literature fans, a place where you can rummage for hours.

Stylish Montblanc pens, handy Moleskine notebooks and much more.

This is the place to be for city-tripping foodies.

Every bit as special is the brainchild of Stephan Dumon, the Chocolaterie Dumon.

Little - and not so little - kids have the time of their life in this overfull comic store where you can buy complete series, special editions, posters and gadgets.

A design store that has no equal.

Rather than plastic toys from Asia, this store prides itself on selling only original wooden quality toys.

D'Haenens, a shop where everyone sees the light!

At De Reyghere, the whole world comes together.

There is no accounting for taste, but at Goûts et Couleurs, they know their stuff.

Embroiderers, lace makers and other creative souls can browse to their hearts' content in this shop, which is nothing short of a treasure trove.

The Diksmuids Boterhuis has been a concept since 1936.

This sweet shop first saw the light of day some 100 years ago, when 'spekke' (caramelised chew) was sold here, and in 1948, when the grandparents of the current owner took over, the range was considerably extended.

Asian antiques, vintage design, Japanese furniture or resounding Italian designers...

Anyone who can appreciate a fine piece of outstanding matured cheese should pay De Kaasbolle a visit.

At Madam Mim, you can find both antique lace and a light-blue fan from the 1950s, crockery from the happy 70s, homemade flower brooches and vintage dresses.

Granted, Troc is tucked away quite well.

This place has been selling tobacco for more than 150 years.

Choosing is losing.

For over half a century, quality coffee has been roasted here in the traditional manner.

The one-stop men’s shop in Bruges, where fashion-conscious men find exclusive and top-quality collections, both business and casual.

The city store of Villa Maria has been selling casual quality fashion for him and her for 40 years.

For over twenty years, l’héroïne has been the meeting place for the cream of Belgian fashion.

Since 1934, Brugse Boekhandel has been located along the Dyver.

This is the bookshop, cartoon gallery and café of Aspe NV publishers in the heart of Bruges, a stone’s throw from the Grote Markt.

Fans of Christmas from all over the world flock to De Witte Pelikaan where it is Christmas every day.

Girls and boys, if you have a soft spot for shoes it’s best to stay away from Janssen.

Bruges locals have been stocking up on their handmade pralines for 40 years here.

A trendy bike boutique that is chock full of authentic, original and handmade luxury bikes.

Tea connoisseurs feel right at home at Het Brugs Theehuis.

Sibo sparkles in the lovely Smedenstraat.

Quattro has been established for over 30 years and is the place for women who like better-quality fashion.

A home furnishings shop that feels like a cosy warm blanket.

Would you prefer a sleek design?

It's peace and quiet all round in the fairy-tale universe of Ark Van Zarren.

This is a top-class find, on a peaceful and equally quiet little square.

Lilola’s motto is live, love and laugh.

One of Bruges’ cutest places for chocolate is hidden away just a stone’s throw from the Markt.

Martine Van Melckebeke criss-crossed Belgium and the world to make the greatest discoveries in dusty lofts.

At the beginning of Langestraat is one of the most charming and most photographed shops of Bruges.

From antiques to flea-market finds, small furniture, jewellery and everything in between.

In the middle of the city, the Lange Bakker is imperceptibly doing what he does best: baking traditional biscuits, sponge cakes and other cakes.

Solid wood furniture that excels by its refined lines.

It took Boetiek Ruth no time at all to become the go-to shop for every Bruges fashionista.

Belgian linen, beautiful floral fabrics and nostalgic bric-a-brac as well as cute, old-fashioned charm – you’ll find it all in this lovely interiors boutique.

This lovely little coffee bar doesn’t serve standard coffee – it’s the real deal, here.

Impressive layered cakes, magical wedding cakes, cookies in all colours, flavours, shapes and sizes…if it’s sweet, you’ll find it here!

There are dull, standard children’s shoes.

Every season, the team at stylish boutique Dame de Pique gets to work picking the best items from the best fashion collections, resulting in a trendy mix of By Malene Birger, Dorothee Schumacher and  LN Andes.

Surfers no longer need to dream of having their own custom-made surfboard.

The Lace Centre will take you on an amazing journey through the history of lace in Bruges.

Everyone knows diamonds are a girl’s best friend!

This bakery has been a popular destination in Bruges for 35 years.

Cuvee, Bar à Vin Naturel is located on one of Bruges’ hippest streets.

A range of great brands, a mix of Scandinavian, Italian and Belgian names, and a selection of carefully chosen items results in a very special mix-and-match collection.

Textiel Scharlaeken is a household name in the Bruges area thanks to its large selection of stylish, top-quality nightwear, underwear, stockings, tights, bath- and bed-linen and table linen.

Each frame is unique at Kunstzaak Garemyn, holder of the Handmade in Brugge label and with 40 years of experience of creating frames in their own workshop - from self-designed frames which are then gilded, silver-plated, lacquered or varnished to paper or linen-covered passe-partouts. 

De Kobbe is a premium second hand boutique.

Peirsegaele jewellers, which was started in 1959, is a good, honest family business with its own workshop where jewellery and watches are restored and family jewellery given a new lease of life.

This is the place to come for contemporary, quirky ceramics and porcelain.

In a building tucked away on the Ezelstraat, Danish designer Emilie Grubert and Belgian upholsterer Jeffrey Vanhille have joined forces.