Barista is an organic coffee and brunch brunch spot in Kouter, Ghent.
Barista serves organic-soy espresso and has made its brunch pancake stacks a weekend signature at two central Ghent locations near the Kouter flower market.
Must order: The pancake stack: Barista's weekend signature, with seasonal fruit compote and the house organic soy latte.
Tip: The Kouter branch is calmer on Sunday mornings; the Sint-Baaf branch is busier but better positioned for the cathedral walk.
Address: Hippoliet Lippensplein 25, 9000 Gent, Ghent
Full Circle is Belgium's first fully plant-based specialty coffee bar: the vegan brunch with in-house donuts, cakes and seasonal plates stands alone in Ghent.
Order: Vegan avocado toast or the house donut: the two items that define Full Circle's plant-based brunch philosophy.
Tip: Open from 08:30 on weekends; the in-house vegan donuts sell out before 11:00, so arrive early to guarantee the full range.
Et Alors near the Graslei serves sweet and savoury crepes and bistro plates on weekend mornings: a Parisian-Belgian brunch hybrid that rewards booking ahead.
Order: Weekend brunch menu: the Parisian-Belgian plates at their most confident on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
Tip: Book at least a week ahead for Saturday or Sunday; the reputation has outgrown the walk-in capacity on weekends.
Pain Perdu serves wood-fired sourdough brunch in a large rear garden: tartines, eggs and seasonal toppings on house bread that is the best in the city.
Order: Sourdough tartine with egg and seasonal toppings: the house bread is the reason this kitchen shines at brunch.
Tip: The garden fills fast on sunny weekend mornings; arrive before 10:00 or accept a 15-minute wait for an outdoor seat.
Alice is a light-filled weekend brunch cafe in the Zuid quarter with a following for egg dishes, pancakes and long-table communal seating on lazy mornings.
Order: Eggs Benedict or avocado toast: the two dishes Alice has refined most completely for its loyal weekend crowd.
Tip: Weekend-only opening; arrive at 10:00 when the doors open for a table without a wait on busier Saturdays.
Julie's House is a pastel pastry house on the Kraanlei steps from the Gravensteen, serving a rotating brunch board of artisanal pies, granola bowls and homemade cupcakes.
Order: Brunch board with a slice of the day's pie: the seasonal fruit tarts and lemon meringue are the house signatures.
Tip: Brunch is walk-in only and the room is small; arrive before 11:00 on weekends or the queue overflows onto the Kraanlei.
Haddok at Kompasplein serves easy weekend brunch with locally sourced ingredients, natural wines and a large patio overlooking the Oude Dokken waterfront.
Order: Weekend brunch menu: the kitchen is fully focused and the dock view at Dok Noord is at its finest.
Tip: The terrace tables facing the dock fill first in good weather; phone ahead to request a waterfront spot.
