Cuberdon Stalls at Groentenmarkt is a belgian street confection budget eat in Groentenmarkt, Ghent.
The competing cuberdon vendors near the Groentenmarkt sell Ghent's most iconic sweet: pointed purple gum-and-sugar cones at around €1 each from rival stalls.
Must order: Violet cuberdons: a bag of ten pieces eaten on the walk to the Gravensteen, the most Ghentian budget snack.
Tip: Both vendors near the square are authentic; the competition between them has kept quality high and prices reasonable for decades.
Address: Groentenmarkt, 9000 Gent, Ghent
Belgian Vegan Awards Best Fast Food winner: a fully plant-based frituur with frites and vegan sauces for under €6 a serving on Papegaaistraat.
Order: Frites with vegan curry sauce: the most-ordered combination at this plant-based frituur in the centre.
Tip: Good option for mixed groups; the fried snacks are convincing even for non-vegans, and prices are on par with standard frituurs.
Knees to Chin serves Vietnamese banh mi rolls and rice noodle bowls under €12 in a compact fast-casual format near the Kouter and Sint-Baafsplein.
Order: Banh mi with Vietnamese pork: the house roll that started the Knees to Chin following in Ghent.
Tip: The queue at lunch peaks between 12:00 and 13:30; a ten-minute wait is worth it for the freshness of the rolls.
Vegetarian tea room and restaurant on Brabantdam: a rotating organic menu with plates under €12 sourced from nearby farms, with serious tea selection too.
Order: Whatever the week's organic delivery inspired: the kitchen announces the menu via social channels each week.
Tip: The tea selection here is serious and underrated; combine a budget lunch with an afternoon working over a pot of loose-leaf tea.
Vegetarian and vegan kitchen on Phoenixstraat with filling plant-based comfort food plates under €11: a reliable budget lunch in a friendly low-key setting.
Order: The seasonal carrot-based signature plate: rotating monthly, always filling and best-value on the menu.
Tip: Portions are generous; a single plate with a glass of tap water makes a full lunch for well under €15 in central Ghent.
Wood-fired sourdough bakery with breakfast and lunch tartines under €12 in a Zuid garden setting: the house bread makes every sandwich memorable.
Order: Sourdough tartine with seasonal toppings: house bread spread with local butter and morning market produce.
Tip: The garden fills fast on sunny weekend mornings; arrive before 10:00 or accept a 15-minute wait for an outdoor seat.
Authentic Indonesian kitchen in the Patershol with a rice table for two under €25 and individual satay and nasi goreng plates starting at €12 per person.
Order: The rice table for two: the most generous way to experience the full Indonesian range at this kitchen.
Tip: Reservations advised for weekend evenings; the room seats fewer than 30 and the word-of-mouth following fills it consistently.
