Pain and Compagnie is a bakery in Binnenstad, Ghent.
Pain and Compagnie bakes French-influenced loaves and sells them alongside croissants, mini tarts and savoury quiches at its Kalandeberg cafe.
Must order: Mini lemon tart: sharp pastry cream in a crisp shell, the most popular single item in the case.
Tip: Two minute walk from the Korenlei; an excellent midmorning pastry stop between waterfront and Gravensteen.
Address: Kalandeberg 3, 9000 Gent, Ghent
The Bakeshop in Ghent specialises in American-style baked goods: oversized chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, brownies and layer cakes to go.
Order: Chocolate chip cookie: thick, chewy centre, crisp edge, pulled from the oven every two hours.
Tip: Sells out early on weekends; the brownie range is the most consistent item in the display.
Peaberry sits at the foot of Sint-Baafskathedraal and combines vegan-friendly pastries with specialty coffee. The bread rolls, scones and salads alongside.
Order: Vegan scone with raspberry jam: plant-based but properly flaky, one of the better vegan pastries in Ghent.
Tip: Primarily take-away; the outdoor benches near the cathedral are the natural seat.
Madam Bakster bakes using only natural sweeteners: oats, nuts and dates replace refined sugar across croissants, brownies and the full pastry range.
Order: Banana bread slice with hazelnut cream: dense, moist and naturally sweet.
Tip: Open Thursday to Sunday only; the weekend brunch queue suggests booking ahead.
SMORBRØD brings a Scandinavian open-sandwich sensibility to Ghent: sourdough baked on premises, served with pickled fish, house butter and seasonal toppings.
Order: Smørbrød with smoked salmon and dill cream: dark rye bread, cured fish and a properly acidic dressing.
Tip: A newer arrival in the Zuid area; check their Instagram for the week's bread types before visiting.
The Bakeshop in Ghent specialises in American-style baked goods: oversized chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, brownies and layer cakes to go.
Order: Chocolate chip cookie: thick, chewy centre, crisp edge, pulled from the oven every two hours.
Tip: Sells out early on weekends; the brownie range is the most consistent item in the display.
Peaberry sits at the foot of Sint-Baafskathedraal and combines vegan-friendly pastries with specialty coffee. The bread rolls, scones and salads alongside.
Order: Vegan scone with raspberry jam: plant-based but properly flaky, one of the better vegan pastries in Ghent.
Tip: Primarily take-away; the outdoor benches near the cathedral are the natural seat.
Himschoot has been baking at the Groentenmarkt since 1880, making it the oldest bakery in Ghent. The original stone-oven recipes produce koeken, sugar bread.
Order: Suikerbrood (sugar bread): a sweet enriched loaf studded with pearl sugar, eaten at room temperature.
Tip: Arrive by 08:00 for the warmest bread and the shortest queue. The Dok Noord branch opens later.
The Dok Noord branch of Ghent's oldest bakery brings Himschoot's 1880 recipes into a contemporary warehouse space at the revived port. Morning buns, seeded.
Order: Rozijnenbrood (raisin bread): the house enriched loaf with plump raisins baked into the dough.
Tip: Shares the Dok Noord complex with WAY Coffee Roasters; the coffee-and-pastry pairing is the obvious move.
