24 hours in Ghent: what a great idea (and these places are a must-visit)

The friendly and welcoming people of Ghent know how to enjoy life, because in this incredibly fun city you can eat and drink wonderfully. Fancy a weekend away without having to get on a plane? Go to Europe’s best-kept secret: Ghent!

Are you a foodie? You’re in luck in Ghent, because the food and drink here are delicious! Or as they say in Ghent: sneukelen! The young rock-‘n-roll chefs are making waves on the international food scene. What’s more: Ghent is Europe’s veggie capital: it has the highest percentage of vega(n) restaurants (relative to the number of inhabitants) in Europe. And whether you want to eat vega(n) or not, these places are definitely worth visiting when you spend a weekend in Ghent.

Breakfast: Belgian waffles, to die for

Forget all those trendy coffee shops in the Randstad where people look at you strangely if you fancy regular coffee, because in Belgium it’s not about the complicated milk in your coffee, but about what you eat alongside it: waffles! At the intersection of Graslei and Pensmarkt, at the foot of the bridge over the River Leie, you’ll find this Belgian street food. After a freshly made, crispy waffle with a generous scoop of fresh strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate sauce, you’ll have a good base for the rest of the day.

Cold coffee in between? In Donkersteeg you’ll find hands down the best iced coffee in Ghent: at Mokabon, Ghent’s ultimate old-school coffee bar. It can sometimes be difficult to find a seat in this small establishment, but that’s fine: it has become customary to join others at their table. Cosiness guaranteed!

Typically Ghent: cuberdons

Of course, you can’t stroll through Ghent without eating one of these typical sweets with a soft raspberry centre. An even more fun name for cuberdons: Ghent noses. Be sure to take a bag home with you. Better yet: two bags—the first one will be empty before you even reach the border. You can get them from a cheerful little stall or at Confiserie Temmerman, where, besides cuberdons (here shaped like a mask), you’ll also find Ghent delicacies such as mokken, knopkes and muilentrekkers.

Lunch: Flemish classics

Nele and Jan took part in the VTM programme Mijn pop-up restaurant, and by now they have found a permanent location. At Mémé Gusta, you can taste authentic Flemish cuisine from grandmother’s time. The stew is especially recommended: a full pan of pork cheeks with an incredible gravy and various garnishes. Other classics include eel in green sauce, vol-au-vent (puff pastry with ragout) and karnemelkstampers (buttermilk mash with a poached egg and prawns).

Drinks: beer!

A visit to Belgium isn’t complete without a proper Belgian pint. Find a spot at the traditional de Dulle Griet, the brown café in an old but beautiful medieval interior with cartwheels. MWith more than 500 beers on the menu, the choice is enormous, but the Ghent beers are especially recommended. If you dare: hand over your shoe in exchange for a Max beer, served in a boot-shaped glass. If you really want to drink like a local, order cubes of young cheese with celery salt. Want to line your stomach first? Order a shrimp croquette with tartar sauce at the Drakkar Delicatessen fish stall across from Dulle Griet. Insanely delicious!

Dinner: Lebanese!

After a traditional Flemish lunch and traditional drinks snacks, it’s time for something modern. Top tip: the popular Lebanese restaurant Beiruti. You can eat truly fantastic Lebanese food here! Take a seat upstairs, or better yet: sit on the terrace at the back of the building, where you’re wonderfully sheltered—even when it’s raining cats and dogs, you’ll stay dry. Then simply order a whole tableful of delicious dishes to share. The tastiest Mana’eesh (Lebanese flatbread, loaded with the delicious spice blend za’atar), Shish Taouk (juicy grilled chicken), Labneh (strained yoghurt), Makanek Mar’ouk (spicy sausages with pomegranate seeds), Fattoush (fresh salad with pieces of fried Lebanese flatbread), Tabbouleh (salad with lots of finely chopped parsley, onion and tomato) and, of course, order hummus, falafel and Halawe, a dessert made with tahini and pistachio. Tip: make sure to reserve in advance, because Beiruti is hugely popular.

After-dinner cocktail

Have a cocktail before or after dinner at the ever-cosy Café Gomez on Oude Beestenmarkt. Here you’ll find a multicultural mix of people, drinks and dishes. With just one goal: good times! The name is a nod to former Portuguese star footballer Nuno Gomes; the eye-catching feature of the venue is its ceiling inspired by Russian ‘prison tattoos’. Heading here for dinner? Be sure to order some of the delicious tapas. Prefer the anonymity of a narrow, dimly lit bar? Visit The Drifter and order a tropical tiki cocktail.

Stay in the heart of the city centre

The recently opened B&B Hotels in the heart of Ghent is the perfect base for a weekend in this wonderful city. Not only is the location perfect—the hotel is right in the middle of Voldersstraat, where you can enjoy shopping and find countless restaurants, such as the Lebanese restaurant Beiruti, which is located right next door. The staff are also super friendly, the rooms are comfortable and the shower is fantastic (yes, this is always worth mentioning, because how refreshed do you feel after a fantastic shower?). The hotel also has a rooftop bar with natural wines. You can book a room for as little as €55 per night—now that’s great value for money! Make your reservation here.

Fries by Sergio

Put your foot down and you’ll be here in just 2.5 hours by car from Amsterdam—it’s so much fun, you really should do it! And before driving home, be sure to grab some fries by Sergio Herman. Fries from a Michelin-starred chef are of course not ordinary snack-bar fries; no, these fries bring together flavour, craftsmanship, expertise and personality, and honestly: you can taste it! From the potato to the toppings, everything has been carefully thought through and is irresistibly delicious. The perfect end to a wonderful weekend in Ghent!

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