Guidebook for Ghent
Food Scene
Julie's House
13 Kraanleiwonderful macarons and pastries
Oude Vismijn
5 Rekelingestraattop location for the view and atmosphere, classic Ghent food
great for seafood, stunning interior, a classic in the Ghent food scene
63 Einheimische empfehlen
Pakhuis
4 Schuurkenstraatgreat for seafood, stunning interior, a classic in the Ghent food scene
Belga Queen
32 Rue du Fossé aux Loupshigh-end brasserie in one of the oldest buildings in the city
BE O Markt
30 Heilige-Geeststraatorganic food market, right across the street from the apartment.
In this Nordic green decor, the focus is on natural foods, brought in an attractive texture, full-on flavour sequence and presentation. This is a top destination for both non veg and veg lovers.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Naturell
10 Jan BreydelstraatIn this Nordic green decor, the focus is on natural foods, brought in an attractive texture, full-on flavour sequence and presentation. This is a top destination for both non veg and veg lovers.
Signature "earthy" cuisine in a cult restaurant, in an ancient butcher's shop in Ghent, run by Mathias Speybrouck, who is one of Kobe Desramault's (a top Flemish chef) star disciples.
De Vitrine
Signature "earthy" cuisine in a cult restaurant, in an ancient butcher's shop in Ghent, run by Mathias Speybrouck, who is one of Kobe Desramault's (a top Flemish chef) star disciples.
Home brewn Gruut beers and hearty local favourites such as waterzooi, a tasty chicken stew, or stoverij, tender beef braised in beer.
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Ghent Gruut Brewery
1 Rembert DodoensdreefHome brewn Gruut beers and hearty local favourites such as waterzooi, a tasty chicken stew, or stoverij, tender beef braised in beer.
a top delicatessen where the shelves are stocked with stone jars of spices and herbs, everyone comes here for their unique mustard, dating back to 1790.
27 Einheimische empfehlen
Tierenteyn-Verlent
3 Groentenmarkta top delicatessen where the shelves are stocked with stone jars of spices and herbs, everyone comes here for their unique mustard, dating back to 1790.
casual, minimalist diner run by a Michelin-starred chef who left his restaurant to open a bistro: here they serve hearty portions of slow-cooked veal and belly of pork and oven-braised cod with shellfish and pumpkin.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
J.e.f
10 Lange Steenstraatcasual, minimalist diner run by a Michelin-starred chef who left his restaurant to open a bistro: here they serve hearty portions of slow-cooked veal and belly of pork and oven-braised cod with shellfish and pumpkin.
stunning decor where chef Olly Ceulenaere prepares a fabulous seven-course tasting menu in the evening, worth the 10-minute walk from the centre.
44 Einheimische empfehlen
Restaurant Volta
2B Nieuwewandelingstunning decor where chef Olly Ceulenaere prepares a fabulous seven-course tasting menu in the evening, worth the 10-minute walk from the centre.
Real chocoholics will search out this off-the-beaten track boutique showcasing the creations of local chocolatier Nicolas Vanaise. Travelling regularly to Japan for inspiration, his chocolate truffles resemble calligraphy art works, mixing strange combinations of flavours and textures, such as lemon and coffee.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Yuzu
11/A WalpoortstraatReal chocoholics will search out this off-the-beaten track boutique showcasing the creations of local chocolatier Nicolas Vanaise. Travelling regularly to Japan for inspiration, his chocolate truffles resemble calligraphy art works, mixing strange combinations of flavours and textures, such as lemon and coffee.
Flemish star chef Kobe Desramaults reopened this former supermarket as a hip bakery/lunch/dinner spot. Not your ordinary bakery, but one where you can find yeast bread coming straight from the oven. Or you can pass by to enjoy a lovely lunch or dinner, served with a portion of warm and freshly baked bread.
The atmosphere is casual: reservations cannot be made so you may just have to wait a bit. Also the interior design is quite cosy and has that certain ‘living room’ feel to it.
60 Einheimische empfehlen
De Superette
29 GuldenspoorstraatFlemish star chef Kobe Desramaults reopened this former supermarket as a hip bakery/lunch/dinner spot. Not your ordinary bakery, but one where you can find yeast bread coming straight from the oven. Or you can pass by to enjoy a lovely lunch or dinner, served with a portion of warm and freshly baked bread.
The atmosphere is casual: reservations cannot be made so you may just have to wait a bit. Also the interior design is quite cosy and has that certain ‘living room’ feel to it.
Local ingredients combined with Asian spices, mixed with Mediterranean herbs and a South American accent by a Brazilian Belgian chef in a living-room decor. There are just 24 seats and amazing food at moderate prices, so it’s very hard to get a table. You need to book well in advance.
38 Einheimische empfehlen
Oak Restaurant
16 HoogstraatLocal ingredients combined with Asian spices, mixed with Mediterranean herbs and a South American accent by a Brazilian Belgian chef in a living-room decor. There are just 24 seats and amazing food at moderate prices, so it’s very hard to get a table. You need to book well in advance.
a personal favourite of Asian influenced (Thai mostly) modern cuisine. medium priced, so this is a more affordable option for an intimate dinner.
26 Einheimische empfehlen
A Food Affair
58 Hoogstraata personal favourite of Asian influenced (Thai mostly) modern cuisine. medium priced, so this is a more affordable option for an intimate dinner.
Roots
77 Lodewijk van Malestraatmedium priced restaurant with great reviews
a casual, nicely decorated restaurant with great burgers and tapas, one of the latest openings in the Centre to get great reviews.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Janine's
82 Vlaanderenstraata casual, nicely decorated restaurant with great burgers and tapas, one of the latest openings in the Centre to get great reviews.
"food for your senses" (another recommendation by a friend): "If you’re a foodie you’ll have to visit this place. Ingredients you will know, but prepared with a modern and very tasteful twist." also very hard to get in, so book well in advance.
49 Einheimische empfehlen
Publiek
39 Ham"food for your senses" (another recommendation by a friend): "If you’re a foodie you’ll have to visit this place. Ingredients you will know, but prepared with a modern and very tasteful twist." also very hard to get in, so book well in advance.
Arts & Culture
Designmuseum Gent
5 Jan Breydelstraatthe building exterior is a great piece of Art Nouveau architecture.
inside, plenty of concerts, dance performances, theatre, and parties. plus a budget friendly café and restaurant for that intellectual moment (it was created as a "socialist" cultural institution: "Vooruit!" means "Forward!").
in summer, the Terrace is a great hangout to catch some sun, inside it's equally atmospheric
178 Einheimische empfehlen
Vooruit
23 Sint-Pietersnieuwstraatthe building exterior is a great piece of Art Nouveau architecture.
inside, plenty of concerts, dance performances, theatre, and parties. plus a budget friendly café and restaurant for that intellectual moment (it was created as a "socialist" cultural institution: "Vooruit!" means "Forward!").
in summer, the Terrace is a great hangout to catch some sun, inside it's equally atmospheric
Haus von Alijn
65 Kraanleifolklore and design museum
Sightseeing
Gravensteen
11 Sint-VeerlepleinThe Count's Castle, the medieval heart of Ghent. Must-do!
medieval harbour at the heart of Ghent, popular hangout for all ages, full of bars and restaurants.
Do rent a canal boat to take a tour of historical Ghent by water!
24 Einheimische empfehlen
Graslei and Korenlei
medieval harbour at the heart of Ghent, popular hangout for all ages, full of bars and restaurants.
Do rent a canal boat to take a tour of historical Ghent by water!
iconic "City Hall" dome, right next to the actual City Hall, and the Belfort tower. Great place for outdoor concerts and gatherings, or on sunny days for a picnic in the park in front. Houses the popular Belfort bar and restaurant underneath.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Stadtpavillon
Poeljemarkticonic "City Hall" dome, right next to the actual City Hall, and the Belfort tower. Great place for outdoor concerts and gatherings, or on sunny days for a picnic in the park in front. Houses the popular Belfort bar and restaurant underneath.
The real City Hall, a renaissance and baroque icon of architecture, its recently restored façade features black and gold columns.
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Stadthaus von Gent
1 BotermarktThe real City Hall, a renaissance and baroque icon of architecture, its recently restored façade features black and gold columns.
Famous historical square featuring stunning buildings on all sides: the St Bavo cathedral, the Belfort tower, and the NTG theatre.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
Sint-Baafsplein
Sint-BaafspleinFamous historical square featuring stunning buildings on all sides: the St Bavo cathedral, the Belfort tower, and the NTG theatre.
the Leie river harbour in the heart of Ghent, offers ample space for walking, cycling, picnics, and romance
23 Einheimische empfehlen
Portus Ganda
the Leie river harbour in the heart of Ghent, offers ample space for walking, cycling, picnics, and romance
Shopping
Veldstraat
Veldstraatone of Ghent's high streets, with all the popular brand stores
Langemunt
Langemuntone of Ghent's high streets, with all the popular brand stores
one of Ghent's high streets, with higher-end local and international brand stores
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Brabantdam
Brabantdamone of Ghent's high streets, with higher-end local and international brand stores
one of Ghent's high streets, with higher-end local and international brand stores
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Vlaanderenstraat
Vlaanderenstraatone of Ghent's high streets, with higher-end local and international brand stores
one of Ghent's pedestrianised shopping streets, with medium and higher-end local and international brand stores as well as breakfast, lunch and afternoon cafés.
Mageleinstraat
Mageleinstraatone of Ghent's pedestrianised shopping streets, with medium and higher-end local and international brand stores as well as breakfast, lunch and afternoon cafés.
Kortedagsteeg
Kortedagsteegone of Ghent's high streets, with higher-end local and international brand stores
Post Plaza shopping mall houses this big store featuring trendy clothes, natural cosmetics and bath ware, and gourmet food.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Sissy-Boy
16 KorenmarktPost Plaza shopping mall houses this big store featuring trendy clothes, natural cosmetics and bath ware, and gourmet food.
Voldersstraat
Voldersstraatone of Ghent's high streets, with higher-end local and international brand stores
Parks & Nature
Koning Albertpark
Koning Albert Igreat for jogging, hiking, or picnic.
Zitadellenpark
Citadelparkgreat for jogging, hiking, or picnic.
great for jogging, hiking, or picnic.
in the summer it also attracts beachgoers around the lake
108 Einheimische empfehlen
Blaarmeersen
great for jogging, hiking, or picnic.
in the summer it also attracts beachgoers around the lake
Getting Around
Caruur
3 Traktaatwegthis spot is not so much a restaurant but a centrally located meeting place where, just in front in the Veldstraat, you find the tram stop that brings you to the train station and basically anywhere else in town. 2 mins from the apartment
6 Einheimische empfehlen
McDonald's
234 Maalse Steenwegthis spot is not so much a restaurant but a centrally located meeting place where, just in front in the Veldstraat, you find the tram stop that brings you to the train station and basically anywhere else in town. 2 mins from the apartment
Drinks & Nightlife
bars and all-night dance clubs, young and hip scene: Bardot, Club 69, etc
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Oude Beestenmarkt
Oude Beestenmarktbars and all-night dance clubs, young and hip scene: Bardot, Club 69, etc