City break Ghent: the best tips, sights and hotspots
August 27, 2024
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You'll find so many delicious hotspots in Ghent that it's almost hard to compile a list of our favorites. In this vibrant student city, you will stumble over the beer cafes, lunchrooms and cozy terraces. During a city break to Ghent you can eat delicious food and above all drink plenty of beer. Looking for a nice restaurant or cozy bar? These are the best hotspots in Ghent!
The best hotspots for breakfast in Ghent
We love spending the night in a hotel, but we prefer booking a stay without one. Especially during a city break, because how much fun is it to discover local hotspots during a city break to Ghent? Looking for a spot for breakfast? These are our tips!
1. STEK
On Monday mornings, this hot spot in Ghent is absolutely packed. Not surprisingly, because it also looks fantastic. Breakfast at STEK namely in a green oasis among plants, both inside and outside on the terrace. It is a popular place so reserving a table certainly doesn't hurt. Fortunately, we were able to get one last table and enjoyed a delicious breakfast here. The menu consists of single items like a croissant or a boiled egg, but the best options are the complete breakfasts you can order. How about "fresh and fruity" or "the guilty pleasure"?
2. Himschoot Bakery
At the Vegetable Market in the old town you will find one of the locations of Himschoot Bakery, the oldest bakery in Ghent. Take a look in the window and you immediately start salivating. Standing here feeling hungry is guaranteed to go wrong, as everything looks so delicious and beautiful. Freshly baked cakes, pastries and different types of breads: it's finger-licking good. Since it is early in the morning, we choose a chocolate croissant and a small sourdough bread and then eat them on the balcony of our accommodation. What makes this hot spot really cool is that downstairs in the basement they still bake bread the artisan way. In other words, you eat bread baked according to old recipes!Â
Hotspots in Ghent for delicious lunch
Looking for a quick bite or a place to enjoy yourself? In Ghent, you'll find cozy places to sit down for lunch everywhere. But if we can give you two options, these are them:
1. In Choc
Right across from the entrance to Castle Gravensteen you will find the beautiful premises of In Choc Gent. A cozy and cozy lunchroom where you can have an inexpensive lunch. The soup of the day is a hit here, but don't forget to check out the lavish sandwiches as well. In front of the building are a number of tables on the road, this is where you should sit. From here you have a great view of the Castle and can observe everything that is happening on the street. Love it!Â
2. Lunch on the quayside of the River Lys.
Of course, there are plenty of cozy places in Ghent where you can have lunch. But what makes Ghent so incredibly cozy and vibrant is that (especially on sunny days) you see many people sitting on the quays of the river Leie. Some sit here with a cone of Flemish fries and others with a real Belgian waffle. Delicious! So for once skip lunch at a restaurant and get a sandwich, fries or waffle and find a spot by the river.Â
Tips for dining out at night in Ghent
Nothing is better than after spending all day in the city, freshen up and treat yourself to a well-deserved sumptuous dinner. Two great hot spots where you can unpack deliciously are:
1. Beiruti
Do you love Middle Eastern cuisine? Then Beiruti the hot spot where you want to eat. Here you enjoy delicious mezzes, small dishes, which you share with the company at the table. The menu consists of so many exceptionally delicious dishes that it becomes difficult to choose what to eat, the perfect choice to make then is to opt for the complete menu. Leave the choosing of dishes to the kitchen and you will enjoy Lebanese cuisine!
2. The Warehouse
In an atmospheric street, hidden between beautiful buildings and a stone's throw from the three towers of Ghent, you will find Het Pakhuis. A characterful brasserie housed in a former warehouse. A Portuguese architect has successfully revived this location. You can enjoy French-Italian cuisine in a beautiful and unique setting.
A must-do: Drinking Belgian beer in Ghent
Belgium and beer, it belongs together. Belgium is the country with the greatest diversity of beers. So if you are in Belgium, beer should definitely be drunk. Even if it's just to be one with the locals. Ghent's most famous beer is the Gentse Strop. The name refers to the rebellion of the inhabitants against Charles V. After the uprising, the rebels had to walk through the start of Ghent with a noose around their necks as penance. I can drink beer just about anywhere in Ghent, but these are our favorites!
1. The Waterhouse on the Bierkant
One of the nicest beer cafes in Ghent is The Waterhouse on the Bierkant. In an insane location on the river Leie, in the middle of the old center, you will find this beer bar. The days we were in Ghent we didn't see this terrace empty once. The tables by the water are of course a favorite, so you can look out over the water while enjoying a delicious Belgian beer.Â
2. The Dulle Griet
On the Vrijdagsplein you will find a beer cafĂ© where they have a whopping 500(!) different types of beer. Now, it's a bit much to taste that in one weekend, but you can try at The Dulle Griet certainly make a good start. If you sit outside on the terrace you will have a nice view of the main square. But if you sit inside, you'll feast your eyes. The best thing about this cafĂ© is that when you order the beer "Max van 't Huis" you have to hand in your shoe. This goes into the basket on the ceiling as a deposit for the beer glass served with this beer.Â
Cannon 3.
This mega cozy cafe can be found behind the Vrijdagsplein on the Grand Cannon Square. And as the name suggests, there is also a big cannon here. The vast terrace of café 't Cannon lies along the waterfront. An ideal place to terrace on hot summer days. But also inside you are sitting here top. It is a hip bar where you can also enjoy small aperitifs or have a nice meal.
A city break to GhentÂ
Few days away from it all? Plan a city trip to the cozy Ghent at Belgium. Get inspired by our tips for the vibrant Belgian city, including The best sights and to do's in Ghent.
Travander
At Travander, we’re all about exploring hidden gems, unique destinations, and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Our motto, “Let’s Travel and Wander,” reflects our passion for discovering both local treasures and faraway adventures. As experienced travel bloggers and travel consultants, we share insider tips, personal stories, and practical advice to help you make the most of every trip. From city breaks and weekend getaways to tailor-made travel itineraries, we guide you to the most beautiful and inspiring places. Explore the world with Travander and let us spark your next unforgettable adventure!
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