We love to eat. Still working on the complete itinerary, but would love recommendations for don't miss meals at specific restaurants in the following towns:
Brussels, Bruges, Cologne, Amsterdam
We eat anything and, of course, want to try foods for which a particular town might be known.

Cologne.A 150-year-old family brewery plus dining
Brauhaus Malzmühle. Located the Old Town.
https://brauereizurmalzmuehle.de/speisekarte/?lang=en

We had a great meal at Bistro de Schilder in Brugge and a year or two later, went back and ate there again. Both these visits were years ago but I noticed there are current reviews so they are still there. My husband raved over his lamb dish and I had a wonderful fish stew dish. Must have been good if I still remember!

It would help if you gave a budget. But De Kas in Amsterdam is very memorable.

I'd like to keep the cost of the meal under $100 usd for two. Well under would be even better, but if the meal is spectacular, I'll pay.

Probably the best restaurant in Brussels is Comme Chez Soi, at Place Rouppe, but it might exceed your USD $100. It lost one of its Michelin stars during the pandemic, but I think it would still be a good experience. But Brussels is known for its street food (frites, waffles, the 'mitraillette', and chocolate and beer). This is hugely touristy and there are many, many vendors of these things in the middle of the city. The best place to get frites is from a van or little hut (the frietkot); Maison Antoine at Place Jourdan has a very good reputation, as does Frit' Flagey at Place Flagey, but for both you will have to go off-piste a little. Maybe pair your time at Flagey with a drink at Café Belga or a market morning.

For chocolate there are many businesses clustered round the very elegant Place du Grand Sablon, or in the Galeries de Saint-Hubert. There is also a great antiques market at Place du Grand Sablon on Saturdays.

For waffles a sit down experience is Maison Dandoy (the one at Rue Charles Buls has the tearoom). There are two kinds of waffles, Brussels (eaten with a knife and fork) and Liège, eaten by hand. If you don't do Dandoy, Galet has Liège waffles with spears of chocolate pushed into them.

You may also think of some seafood; for moules (mussels) or little sea snails, try Noorzee-Mer du Nord at Place Ste-Catherine.

For beer: try Moeder Lambic or Poechenellenkelder, but there are many other bars, cafés or estaminets depending on your interests.

Lavandula

Sorry, a typo, but too late to correct: *Noordzee-Mer du Nord*

Lavandula

a beautiful restaurant in Bruges is Den Gouden Harynck. We went there for our 50th wedding anniversary,It is indeed special..4 course tasting menu is 95 Euros. 3 courses market menu 80 euro .Book well ahead.