Bruges: Where to Stay, What to Eat & What to Do

Bruges, or if ya nasty and write it like the locals: Brugge, is an astonishingly beautiful medieval town in Belgium. Quaint cobble streets, stone-built houses and shops and, at the time of my visit, in late June, streets in bloom with an array of flowers. Spoiler alert: Bruges is a romantic city. My reason for visiting was a work trip, but thanks to a little ingenuity and bargain flights, I was able to turn it into a romantic getaway with my partner. Here's a quick snapshot of Bruges, Belgium: Where to Stay, What to Eat and What to Do.

Sleep Somewhere Lovely

Perks of a fully-comp'd work trip? Luxurious and indulgent hotel stay without the pricey hotel bill! We stayed in the stunning Hotel Dukes' Palace. On arrival, as our Uber rolled us over the cobbled streets and up to the courtyard, I noticed the hotel's spire and immediately felt like Belle checking out her new digs. This slice of luxury is like living in a Disney fairy tale, complete with champagne breakfast and an entirely unique treat: slabs of Belgian milk, white and dark chocolate that you could carve yourself to have alongside your croissants and pastries. Or in lieu of, with your breakfast mimosa. Height. Of. Decadence. When I wasn't gorging myself on the posh breakfast, I spent some time in the hotel garden, reading my book, sipping rosé and eating those delicious croquettes. 

Eat with a View

Bruges is a secret foodie town! Okay, maybe it's not a secret, but I wasn't expecting it! Along with its picturesque cobble streets, the food scene produces truly stunning platescapes, so eating with a view is a delicious double entendre. When I find something I like — restaurant, dish, cute little cafe — I make a point of visiting again in the space of a trip. Even on a short trip, I don't consider it a waste: if something is good enough to send me back for seconds, I think it's worth it! The place I just couldn't get enough of on this trip was Restaurant Julien, in my hotel! On the left we have a beef carpaccio with truffle (which I had on two separate occasions!) and on the right a luscious crème brûlée. Our dinner bill came to €318 for two, although €118 of that was drinks, including a €110 bottle of Whispering Angel.

It's not all rich, indulgent dinners in Bruges. We had a lovely bit of brunch at super popular That's Toast, a brunch restaurant specialising in all-day breakfast bread-based dishes. It's walk-ins only, which means you might end up queuing on the weekend or a particularly busy day, but it's worth the wait. Also, try the drinks! I had a delicious lemonade! 

Go Underground for a Beer

First thing to note? How ridiculously happy my love is with a flight of beers! Beer isn't usually my thing, but a visit to Le Trappiste was top of this one's list and there was no way I could disappoint him by refusing! So off we went, descending the stone steps into the vaulted cathedral of hops. Le Trappiste is a specialist beer bar in an 800-year-old medieval cellar. Hands down, the coolest (temperature-wise and The Fonz-wise) place I've ever choked down a beer! The cellar originally stored barrels made by the coopers who worked in this part of medieval Bruges; it was later sealed and forgotten before being rediscovered during demolition work in 1973. Pretty nifty, yes? And that little snifter I'm holding in the title photo of this post? That's a taster of Cherry Chouffe, an 8% cherry beer that made the whole foray into the depths of the cellar worthwhile for me.

Wander Without an Itinerary

While I spent my days in a conference centre, my love ventured about, taking in the sights and getting to know Bruges much better than I was able to. He made it to the top of the Belfry of Bruges, climbing all 366 steps to visit one of the iconic locations from In Bruges. He loved it; we'll have to take his word for it. My city exploration was a bit more relaxed. As the sun set, we wandered the twisty streets, peering in shops, snaffling cones of fries with mushroom sauce and ending each night with a decadent Belgian waffle. If independent shops are your thing: come to Bruges. The place is rampant with independent fashion boutiques! 

Would I Go Back?

Yes! Bruges was my first visit to Belgium and I am itching to visit again! On a repeat trip, I'd like to spend more time in the square (check out this Instagram carousel for a video of the square) and maybe visit a gallery or a museum and make my way back to the Dukes' for that crazily indulgent breakfast and these stunning views.

Oh, before you go, I should say: the reviews and places visited on this trip were 100% organically what we decided to do. At no point was I invited to visit, offered anything in exchange for name-dropping locations or paid to promote any establishment or place mentioned. 

Bruges Nibbles

When: June 2025
Where: Historic Centre, Bruges
Stayed: Hotel Dukes' Palace
Best meal: Restaurant Julien - Beef Carpaccio with Truffle
Don't miss: Ending every night with a Belgian waffle à la mode from Oyya
Perfect for: A city break or a boujee work trip

Sicily: Where to Stay, What to Eat & What to Do

Sicily, a small island off the coast of Italy with a big attitude and bigger reputation. Known for its ties to film and TV, from The Godfather to the more modern White Lotus, Sicily is a must-visit destination. Whether you're a culture vulture, crazy for Italian cuisine, or just want to bask in the sun and sea, pop Sicily top of your list. Here's a snapshot of where to stay, what to eat and what to do on a short Sicilian break. 

Sleep Somewhere Lovely

First up, you'll need somewhere lush to get your beauty rest. Like most destinations, Sicily has a great mix of budget-friendly to break-the-bank accommodation made for splurging. We stayed just outside Taormina in Giardini Naxos at the beautiful boutique Hotel Villa Daphne. We stayed in May just before high season kicked off and had the best of both worlds: cooler mornings perfect for breakfasting on the patio and balmy afternoons where we lounged beside the pool, ordering caipirinhas and toasted sarnies.

Eat with a View

When it comes to restaurants with a view, you'll be spoiled for choice in Sicily, but our favourite restaurant has to be La Cambusa on the beach in Giardini Naxos. We visited on two separate occasions, choosing to stroll to the restaurant in the mild evenings. Though it was always busy with customers, booking in the off-season wasn't necessary. I imagine you'd not get away with just turning up without a reservation at the height of summer, so bear this in mind when you visit. 

From delicious and filling pasta dishes to fresh seafood offerings, the menu offered an incredible range of options. The staff were attentive and friendly and nothing was ever any trouble. On our second visit, they even recognised us and made us feel right at home. 

Make Your Own Cannoli

We wanted a fun and unusual activity to break up the sightseeing (which was fabulous). Our hotel concierge helped us book onto a cannoli making class in Porta Messina, Taormina and we had a fantastic time. Our small group was given a demonstration by chef Stefano and then it was our turn to make cannoli and the filling. It was a great way to spend half the day: cultural and we left with yummy treats to take back to the hotel. 

Get Out on the Water

The best way to view Sicily is from a boat, hands down. We took an evening dolphin spotting tour and spent a couple of hours chasing dolphins in the Ionian Sea. It was also my birthday, so the captain, crew and everyone on board sang happy birthday to me and shared pizza and a couple bottles of Prosecco! Dolphin-spotting on your birthday? 10/10 recommend. Want to hear a lovely group of strangers singing happy birthday to me? Check out this Instagram carousel.

Pay Your Respects to The Godfather

Okay, confession time. Since I was a little girl, The Godfather has been one of my favourite film franchises. When my partner suggested Sicily for my birthday, the first thing I did was a Google deep dive to find out everything I could about The Godfather. We went on a day tour, visiting movie locations, learning secrets from the film, all guided by someone related to one of the original cast members. The tour takes you on some white knuckle switchback lanes where you feel you're precariously dangling on the edge of Sicily itself! All fans of the movie must go. Highlights of the tour included: Vitelli's Bar (where we met an actual Vitelli family member) and the church where Michael Corleone and Apollonia got married.

Wander Without an Itinerary

As much as I love doing a bit of research before a trip, I always leave time to wander and discover my destination without an itinerary. Our wandering took us through Taormina where we spotted some lovely street art, had the most incredible sandwich worth the 20-minute queue at La Focaccia and visited the Ancient Theatre of Taormina. 

Would I Go Back?

Yes, 100%. Before this trip, I'd only ever visited Milan on mainland Italy. Sicily's vibes felt different from mainland Italy. I'm a sucker for island life and breathtaking scenery and Sicily delivered on all fronts. Also, I want to say I wasn't gifted any element of this trip. No one asked me to review their establishment or include them on this blog. This trip is 100% authentic and is a snapshot of what we organically experienced, where we actually ate and stayed and what we did. 

Sicily Nibbles

When: May 2025
Where: Giardini Naxos, Sicily
Stayed: Hotel Villa Daphne
Best meal: La Cambusa
Don't miss: A dolphin boat tour
Perfect for: A birthday escape or a long weekend for two

Gluten-Free Yoghurt Spiced Chicken from Hello Fresh

Gluten-Free Yoghurt Spiced Chicken

By www.anyonita-nibbles.co.uk
This easy gluten-free dish features gently spiced chicken, broccoli and a creamy broccoli sauce!

Yield: 2 servings
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 40 min
Diet: Gluten-Free

Making time for home school, cooking meals and running a business during lockdown is extremely tough. Especially as a single parent. These last 11 months have been incredibly difficult and I've found myself taking solace in comfort food and in the joy and cooking. It's been so nice to be able to whip something up that is filling, easy to make and takes really yummy. 

During lockdown, Hello Fresh reached out to me to try one of the recipes on their site. I browsed through dozens of easy-to-cook options before I decided to go with their Yoghurt Spiced Chicken. It sounded like a good base recipe and would be easy to adapt if I wanted to.

I've made this recipe twice since getting into contact with Hello Fresh. The first time, I made it just as the recipe stated and it was delicious and intriguing but I kept thinking about all the variations I could make. So the second time, I deviated from the recipe a bit. I swapped the chicken for salmon and it was incredible. I swapped the kale for spinach, too. Instead of thinning the curry paste with Greek yoghurt, I decided to use cashew milk and OMG, it was incredible! I have to admit, this was my favourite substitution. If I make this recipe again, I'll keep the cashew milk in place of the Greek yoghurt but I'll swap the salmon and chicken with roasted cauliflower instead and make the entire dish vegan and gluten-free. 

This dish is so easy to make - you'll see that the instructions are easy to follow and the method is familiar if you know your way around the kitchen. The only thing you might have difficulty with is finding rogan josh curry paste but just shop around. It's readily available on the high street. 

Ingredients:

For the spiced yoghurt chicken
1 butternut squash

1 pot ground coriander

1 bunch fresh coriander

1 sachet rogan josh curry paste

1 bag kale

1 head broccoli

2 cloves of garlic

75 grams Greek yoghurt

280 grams diced chicken thighs
Need a conversion? Use this handy chart.

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C. Trim the butternut squash then halve lengthways and scoop out the seeds. Chop it widthways into 2cm slices, then chop into 2cm chunks (no need to peel!). Pop the squash on a large baking tray and drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle over the ground coriander. Toss to coat and spread out in a single layer. Roast on the top shelf of your oven until golden and tender, 30-35 mins.
2. Roughly chop the coriander (stalks and all!). Separate the broccoli into florets. Line a large baking tray with foil. Reserve 1 teaspoon of curry paste, and pop the rest in a bowl and add a third of the yoghurt. Season with salt and pepper and stir together. Add the chicken, stir to coat, then pop onto 1 side of a baking tray in a single layer. Pop the broccoli on the other side of the baking tray. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Peel the garlic clove(s) and pop into a square of foil with a drizzle of oil and scrunch to enclose it. Pop on the tray with the chicken and broccoli. When the squash has been in the oven for 20 mins, remove from your oven and turn. Pop it back on the top shelf to finish cooking. At the same time, roast the chicken and broccoli on the middle shelf of your oven until the chicken is cooked through and the broccoli is tender, 12-15 mins. IMPORTANT: The chicken is cooked when no longer pink in the middle.
4. Pop the remaining yoghurt in a bowl with the reserved curry paste, season with salt and pepper and mix together. Get your washing up done!
   
   
   
   
5. When the butternut is cooked, pop the kale on top and drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper and pop back into your oven until the kale is tender and slightly crispy, 3-4 mins. When the garlic is cooked, carefully remove it from your baking tray and remove from the tin foil. Mash on your board with a fork and stir it into the yoghurt.
6. Once everything is cooked, add the broccoli and chicken to the tray with the squash and kale and mix to combine. Add in a splash of the water to the curried garlic yogurt to thin out, and mix. Serve in bowls and drizzle over the spiced yoghurt. Sprinkle over the coriander and enjoy!

Liked this Gluten-Free Yoghurrt Spiced Chicken Recipe?

Browse over 500 gluten-free recipes.

To keep up with the latest gluten-free cooking and baking ideas plus gluten-free food reviews from Anyonita Nibbles Gluten Free, be sure to join our community of over 14,000 followers on Pinterest and follow us on Instagram and use #anyonitanibbles and #whatcoeliacseat to join in the conversation!

If you liked this recipe, you may want to check out this gluten-free beef massaman curry recipe that is ready in just 20 minutes. Don't forget to check out more recipes from Hello Fresh! 

 

Easiest Lactose-Free and Gluten-Free Seafood Chowder

By www.anyonita-nibbles.co.uk 

Looking for a hearty winter warmer? This easy lactose-free and gluten-free seafood chowder is just what you need on a snowy evening!

Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Diet: Gluten-Free

I love a good chowder so much that this is my second seafood chowder recipe, and like that one, this one is so easy to make. It's absolutely perfect for those snowy winter evenings. You can use any mix of fish that you can find, but I like the packs of fish pie mix that usually have smoked haddock, salmon and cod. I also like to add bacon to my chowder along with fresh peas.

Ingredients:

For the seafood chowder
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 4 rashers streaky bacon, chopped
- 500ml fish stock
- 250ml lactose-free whole milk
- 4 tbsp lactose-free cream
- 340g fish pie mix
- 100g cooked prawns

- 1 cup petits pois
- 1 large potato, cut into 1/8s
- salt and pepper to taste
- parsley to taste
- tarragon to taste
- 1 tbsp gluten-free plain flour
Need a conversion? Use this handy chart.

Instructions:

1. Put the oil in a skillet and add the onions and bacon, cook until the bacon is done, about 5 minutes. 
2. Stir in the flour and allow to thicken, about 2 minutes. 
3. Add fish stock and let simmer. 
4. Add potatoes, cover and simmer 10 minutes. 
5. Add fish and simmer 5 minutes. 
6. Add cream, prawns and peas and simmer 2 minutes. 
7. Sprinkle over parsley and tarragon and serve with good gluten-free crusty roll or gluten-free cheesey scone.

 

Liked this seafood chowder Recipe?

Browse over 500 gluten-free recipes.

To keep up with the latest gluten-free cooking and baking ideas plus gluten-free food reviews from Anyonita Nibbles Gluten Free, be sure to join our community of over 14,000 followers on Pinterest and follow us on Instagram and use #anyonitanibbles and #whatcoeliacseat to join in the conversation!

If you liked this recipe, you may want to check out all of my gluten-free seafood recipes. Try these, too: 

Gluten-Free Cucumber Prawn Mayo Sandwiches

Gluten-Free One Pot Salmon and Lemon Pilaf

Best Ever Gluten-Free Coconut Shrimp

   

Unbelievable Gluten-Free Festive Food and Winter Recipes

Unbelievable gluten-free festive food & winter recipes just in time for Christmas!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I have been compensated for this post, however all opinions remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company. Should you choose to purchase the products shown, I will not receive a commission or any monetary compensation. You can review my disclosure policy in full here.

Review: The Wine List

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Wish you knew more about wine? Check out this review of The Wine List - the first wine box focused on learning.

The Wine List: the first wine box focused on learning 

Wine is something I don't know a lot about and because of that, I don't tend to order it very well. In fact, I rarely order wine at all, preferring to stick to the comforts of safety with spirits and cocktails. Annabelle, who's on my team here at Anyonita Nibbles Gluten-Free felt similarly about wine too. So when the folks at The Wine List approached us about a review, it was the perfect opportunity for Annabelle to learn more about wine. Here's her review of two bottles of wine from The Wine List:

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

By www.anyonita-nibbles.co.uk
This the most indulgent gluten-free chocolate chip cookies recipe you'll find and the only one you'll need!

Yield: 18 cookies
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 8 - 10 minutes per tray
Diet: Gluten-Free

Oh man, is there anything better than a chocolate chip cookie? You know the kind, the slightly chewy, not-too-sweet, soft and gooey cookies. It took me a long time, a lot of trial and error to perfect this chocolate chip cookie recipe. You'll notice that it's missing some staples of normal cookies - there's no baking soda and there's no milk. 

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Determining whether you have a gluten sensitivity can be difficult. Here's how to easily detect a gluten sensitivity, gluten sensitivity symptoms and what your next steps should be if you suspect you have issues with gluten. 

How to easily detect a gluten sensitivity

When it comes to having to avoid gluten in your diet, there are a number of conditions that could be the culprit. The one that I am most familiar with is the autoimmune disorder Coeliac Disease. However, people who suffer from gluten or wheat allergies, intolerances and non-celiac gluten sensitivity also tend to follow a gluten-free lifestyle. 

Gluten intolerance is characterised by adverse reactions to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. As stated, Coeliac Disease (or Celiac Disease) is the most severe form of gluten intolerance and it affects about 1% of the population (NCBI). However, up to 13% of people may also have non-celiac gluten sensitivty, a milder form of gluten intolerance that can still cause problems both related to and unrelated to digestion (NCBI).

Gluten and issues resulting from consuming gluten are more mainstream than ever before. Thanks to increased campaigning, the rise of gluten-free processed foods and the popularity of low-carb diets that heavily rely on gluten-free recipes, more and more people are aware that gluten found in wheat, rye and barley can be an issue for some of us.

One of the reasons gluten intolerances and issues go unnoticed is that they can be difficult to detect. This is because the common symptoms of a gluten sensitivity tend to mimic other mild gastrointestinal issues. Most of us aren't in the habit of seeking medical advice for every upset stomach we have, for instance. Take a look at these common symptoms of gluten sensitivity or intolerance.

Gluten-Free Copycat Boberry Biscuits

Gluten-Free Copycat Boberry Biscuits Recipe
By www.anyonita-nibbles.co.uk 
These gluten-free blueberry biscuits are finished with a sweet icing glaze and perfect warm from the oven!

Yield: 6 biscuits
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Diet: Gluten-Free

Is there anything better than warmed biscuits bursting with juicy fresh blueberries enrobed in a sweet sugar glaze? Hint, the answer is no. There's a fast food chicken chain in the south of the United States that makes the most decadent treats: these fluffy American-style biscuits with blueberries and drizzled with glaze. They are delicious, and of course, not gluten-free.

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers

By: www.anyonita-nibbles.co.uk
These flaky French puff pastry cookies have been given a gluten-free makeover and are jam-packed with sweet sugar and cinnamon!

Yield: 2 dozen
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 6 minutes
Diet: Gluten-Free

Palmiers sort of have an identity crisis--they are known by so many different names: pig's ear, elephant ear, palm leaves, coeur de France, French hearts, shoe-soles and even glasses. It doesn't matter what you call them, you'll be too busy devouring them to say much of anything apart from "Yum!" and "OMG!".

Beyond not knowing what name they want to be called, they also don't know what they want to even be. Are they a cookie? Are they a pastry? What are they?! I think these gluten-free cinnamon sugar palmiers are delicious; especially when dunked into a cup of milky tea or a frothy latte. These are total "Yassssssss" cookies. 

There are two names any foodie Francophile knows: Julia Childs and Larousse. According to the Larousse Gastronomique (an entire food encyclopedia, y'all) a palmier is:

A small pastry made of a sugared and double-rolled sheet of puff pastry cut into slices, the distinctive shape of which resembles the foliage of a palm tree, first made at the beginning of the 20th century.

You may be surprised to learn that many of the options on a Chinese takeaway menu are naturally gluten-free; this post will highlight what they are and provide tips on ordering gluten-free Chinese food!

What Gluten-Free Chinese Food Can I Eat?

By www.anyonita-nibbles.co.uk

The gluten-free diet is often categorised by foods you can't eat, but if you're in the mood for a takeaway or planning to visit a restaruant, you'll need this handy list of gluten-free Chinese foods that you can eat! Please be advised:

Every Chinese restuarant or takeaway will differ and one dish that is gluten-free in one restaurant may not be gluten-free in another. Please use this list as a guide only. Double check with the staff before ordering your food.

9 Gluten-Free Game Day Snacks

Here are 9 gluten-free game day snacks, perfect for munching while you watch the big game!

Some people watch the Superbowl for the commercials, some watchit for the action, others watch it for the half-time show, but to me what makes the Superbowl worthy of spending a day lounging around in front of the TV is a good spread of snacks. These 9 gluten-free game day snacks are the perfect foods to offer your guests, especially if you have coeliacs (celiacs) who'll be attending!

Usually, a good Superbowl snack spread consists of a variety of potato chips and dips, a token veggie and fruit platter, chilled beverages (usually of the alcoholic persuasion) and easy-to-eat snacks like hot wings and chicken nuggets. Truthfully, though, there are no rules about what can land on your table for your Superbowl party. Just choose a variety of easy-to-eat, crowd-pleasing options.

I've trolled back through my archives to find 9 perfect snack recipes for you that are gluten-free and delicious! Make them as the recipe intends and no one will know they're made without gluten; that's a promise! Or if you don't need to avoid gluten in your diet, just use your normal gluten ingredients. Make all 9 of these dishes for an epic Superbowl snack spread or pick and choose a few favourites instead. Don't forget to add drinks to your shopping list--and if you're sticking with beer, remember to search for a gluten-free beer! When it comes to crisps or potato chips, cookies and snack cakes, check the ingredients and avoid anything with wheat, rye or barley as these are unsuitable for people who can't have gluten. Go whole hog on a fruit and veggie platter -- fresh fruit and vegetables are always gluten-free!

With these 9 snack recipes as a starting point, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it will be to create a snack station everyone will enjoy or the next big game day!

Gluten-Free Prawn Mayo with Cucumber Sandwich

By www.anyonita-nibbles.co.uk 

Classic prawn mayo sandwiches served with fresh cucumber on gluten-free bread makes an easy lunch option for gluten-free food on the go!

Yield: 4 sandwiches
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: No cooking required
Diet: Gluten-Free
 
The toughest time for being a Coeliac is lunch time. The options are just paltry, so having a steady stream of options help. This recipe for prawn mayonnaise is easy and quick to make. You can eat it fresh or you can store it in the fridge for a few days or make enough sandwiches for the week ahead to save time. This easy gluten-free prawn mayo sandwich recipe is the time-saving recipe you need. I've added in some fresh cucumber but you could use lettuc, red onion or even radish if you prefer. Serve each shrimp sandwich with crisps or potato chips.