Chubby Cheeks is a bar in Binnenstad, Ghent.
Chubby Cheeks is a convivial bar-restaurant where a young team serves unusual natural wines by the glass alongside inventive small plates in a relaxed space.
Must order: The by-the-glass rotation: the team changes the pours weekly and always has something unexpected open.
Tip: Walk-ins welcome; Friday and Saturday evenings fill fast and bar seats give the easiest route in without a reservation.
Address: Onderbergen 33, 9000 Gent, Ghent
By day a specialty coffee bar, Cafe Labath transitions to wine and Belgian beer by early evening at its corner near Sint-Michielsbrug in the centre.
Order: Belgian natural wine by the glass at the window seat: the light through the giant corner windows is the best.
Tip: The bar atmosphere is most relaxed Tuesday evenings; weekends fill from 19:00.
Bar Terroir is a small grower-wine bar on the vegetable market square with cheese platters made from traditionally-produced artisan milk. The team sources.
Order: Glass of Loire chenin blanc with a slice of aged Herve cheese: the bar's most classic pairing.
Tip: Groups up to 15 can reserve the private room with the Ghent towers view.
Vinogradoff specialises in natural and biodynamic wines from Eastern Europe, with by-the-glass pours from its bar-shop on the Ajuinlei near the Korenlei.
Order: Georgian amber wine flight: three pours from different qvevri producers that show how dramatically the style.
Tip: An evening that starts at Vinogradoff and continues to Korenlei dinner follows the best natural wine and food arc in Ghent.
By day a specialty coffee bar, Cafe Labath transitions to wine and Belgian beer by early evening at its corner near Sint-Michielsbrug in the centre.
Order: Belgian natural wine by the glass at the window seat: the light through the giant corner windows is the best.
Tip: The bar atmosphere is most relaxed Tuesday evenings; weekends fill from 19:00.
Hey Frankie operates as a natural wine bar three evenings a week near Vrijdagmarkt, with sensibly-priced natural pours and a loyally following local crowd.
Order: The cheapest glass on the natural wine list: Hey Frankie's entry-level pours are genuinely good.
Tip: Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only; the Friday 18:00 slot is the sweet spot before the evening rush.
De Hopduvel is one of Belgium's most respected beer bottle shops, now relocated to Dok Noord with around 900 Belgian beers in stock. The shop-bar allows you.
Order: Aged Westvleteren 12: when it is in stock, buy one and drink it at the bar in the correct glass.
Tip: Open Tuesday to Saturday; the bottle selection changes when distributors deliver. Ask the staff what arrived that week.
Trefpunt is a music and theatre cafe run by the non-profit that launched the modern Ghent Festivities in 1970, hosting concerts almost every evening from 21:00.
Order: Belgian draft beer with a free Monday concert: the indie, reggae, slam and folk programming runs five nights a week.
Tip: Monday concerts are free; doors typically from 17:00 weekdays, 15:00 Friday and Saturday. Check the Trefpunt programme before walking up.
