Because Ghent (or Gent) is not a big city, just shy of 156km2 with a student-dominated population of 242,000, there is always time for food hunting, even if you’re just here for a day, like I was.
If there’s anything that Ghent surprised me with, it’s their cafe culture and quality restaurants! Most cafes that I visited are modern, sleek, stylish and most of all, cosy and warm.
If I had all the time in the world, I would linger longer in each of the cafes I visited, taking in the vases of roses, the luminescent lamps, wooden frames hung on the walls, meticulously decorated shopfronts and plush seats.
Together with my local friend, we came up with a list of where to eat in Ghent for the best experience. Without further ado, let’s go on a hunt for some of the best places to eat in Ghent!
At A Glance
- Best Restaurants in Gent, Belgium
- Other Places to Eat in Ghent, Belgium
- 1. Gentse Neuzekes
- 2. Balls & Glory
- 3. Julie’s House
- 4. Dulle Griet
- 5. Broesse
- 6. Paard Van Troje
- 7. Frites Atelier
- 8. Tasty World
- 9. Krokatino
- 10. Ona
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Best Restaurants in Gent, Belgium
1. Cochon de luxe
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If you are looking for a fancier way to pleasure your tastebuds, try Cochon de luxe. They have a fixed menu (that’s how you know it is a fancy restaurant right?), so make a reservation and be prepared to be sent to gastronomic heaven.
The attention to detail and texture of their food does translate to a higher price tag, but if you are looking for an amazing dining experience, go for it!
2. Epiphany’s Kitchen
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Epiphany’s Kitchen is a brand new restaurant that opened not long ago. Their philosophy on food is one that is healthy and ethically sourced.
They serve mainly vegetarian/ vegan food but you could also opt for meat or fish.
If you are looking for an Instagrammable cafe, this is it. The wooden furniture paired with teal accents and coupled with orange mood lighting really adds a magical touch to this fairytale restaurant.
3. ‘Het Gouden Hoofd
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Another restaurant you might want to try is Het Gouden Hoofd. It is a locals’ favourite so it does get fairly crowded at meal times. It was formerly a butcher shop and now transformed into a gastropub. It is said that the menu changes very regularly but the food is always great!
4. Door 73
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This restaurant opened a couple of months ago. The chefs here are of Greek descent and certainly are not ones to stick to the status quo. Their dishes are all very creative, twisting and mixing european and asian cuisine. If you like to try new foods, give this one a shot!
Other Places to Eat in Ghent, Belgium
1. Gentse Neuzekes
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They are very sweet purple candy that are typical of Ghent. Nicknamed “Nose” because of its cone shape. You can find these being sold in pushcarts on the square named Groentenmarkt. Here, you are right in the heart of the historical centre, where you can find the famous Befry, St. Nicholas’ Church and the Town Hall.
2. Balls & Glory
That’s number 1 on my list. Upon entering the shop, I was instantly won over by their concept. Instead of a menu of items for you to choose from, each day they present only 2 balls of choice. That saves us from the modern-day woes of being spoilt for choice – such an ingenious idea!
Instead of bread baskets being served as appetisers, each table is bequeathed a basket of apples. APPLES! Who ever does that?!
Upon further research, I learned that they are start up by a businessman and a chef, and have branches in Antwerp and here in Ghent. They’ve also published a recipe book offering a variety of flavours to stuff in that humongous ball.
I WILL RECREATE THEM when I’m in Singapore, and wish upon a star that one day it will reach Singapore! I’m totally in love with their balls! (no pun intended)
3. Julie’s House
A quaint little shop selling everything to satisfy your sweet palate! Their main highlight is cupcakes, but thanks to their free sample of lemon tart (which I would otherwise never buy and risk disappointing my sweet taste buds), I was addicted to it! Their crust is out of the world.
4. Dulle Griet
After a long day of exploring, you cannot leave Ghent without entering one of Belgium’s local pubs.
This pub in particular offers the largest beer selection in Ghent. That’s not the best part.
Their main attraction is their Kwak beer. It is served in an hourglass shape, and fitted into a wooden stand, like a test tube upon a stand. Because of its unique and long glass shape, they require a deposit.
What deposit? You wonder.
Upon ordering, the staff rings a bell and a basket drops from the ceiling.
You are to surrender one side of your shoe to be hung on this basket until you return the empty glass.
I was so stunned at this bar’s policy I cannot help but laugh.
As if I wasn’t amazed enough, the glass had to be so tall I have to bend the glass to reach the mouth. It is longer than from my elbow to my longest finger. 1.2L in volume. Holy cow!
5. Broesse
Broesse, Dutch for ‘jungle’ is a plant shop with a small coffee / bar area. Stepping into Broesse, you can immediately smell the freshness of earth and plants. This shop isn’t that big at all but it is packed full of all sorts of plants.
Sitting in the cafe area was like having a coffee in the middle of the jungle. If you are a plant-loving millennial, I am just gonna leave their Instagram here because you would probably love their feed.
(You’re welcome.)
6. Paard Van Troje
Happiness is a cup of coffee and a really good book.
And Paard Van Troje which translates to ‘Trojan Horse’ is where you will find happiness. A huge bookshop where you can enjoy coffee and maybe the book you just bought, this is definitely one perfect way to spend your afternoon.
If you don’t fancy a coffee, their very knowledgeable staff would be happy to recommend you a beer too.
7. Frites Atelier
Belgium is known to have the best fries in the whole world, so be sure to stop by Frites Atelier for fries made by a 3-star chef Sergio Herman.
The sauces – Indonesian inspired – are out of this world! While it is a little pricier than a regular ‘frietkot’, let me tell you it is worth the money!!
8. Tasty World
Vegetarian friends, you’re in luck.
Like I mentioned in my post about the best things to in Ghent, Gent is the vegetarian capital of the world. So why not try a vegetarian burger?
9. Krokatino
This is an affordable option to grab a quick sandwich or choose to sit in the al fresco area to eat and people watch, you are in Europe after all.
Two other great places to have brunch would be Cafe Labath or Huize Colette. Cafe Labath is a bright, fun cafe while Huize Colette is a more cosy, warm alternative. Both serve up excellent coffee and also very vegetarian-friendly.
10. Ona
For those who fancy a drank after dinner, check out Ona for some interesting wine selection and Proof for the gin and rum lovers. Ona is a casual bar and prices are slightly more affordable than fancy wine bars.
I found this resource to be particularly useful as well, especially for those thinking of doing a short stopover in Ghent!
Lastly, I have much to thank my local friend Tine for being the inspiration behind this post! <3
Do you have other food recommendations in Ghent? I’d love to hear about it!
Hi! Your tips are very interesting and useful. I am planning a trip to Ghent, so happy suddenly found your blog)))
Hi Sveta, I’m glad you found it useful!
The meatballs in Balls & Glory look so appetising ! And as much as I love having bread as side, I wouldn’t mind having apples as a healthier substitute ! I like to have at least one fancy dining when I’m on holidays, and I will certainly wanna try Cochon de Luxe ! Thanks for sharing ! =)