Caf退kouterOrganic coffee and brunch pancakes
Barista has two central Ghent locations, serves organic-soy milk across its espresso range and has made its brunch pancake stack a weekend signature.
Order: Pancake stack with seasonal fruit compote: the batter is light and the fruit sauce is made in-house.
Tip: The Sint-Jacobs location has a sunnier terrace; the Lippensplein branch is more central for museum-hopping.
Café€city-centreGhent's oldest coffee bar, in-house roaster since 1937
Mokabon has roasted coffee on Donkersteeg since 1937, when Erminio Mazzaro arrived from Italy. Located in City Centre. Reservations advised.
Order: Single espresso of the house blend with a Belgian speculaas.
Tip: Open Monday to Saturday 09:00-18:30, closed Sunday. The standing bar at the front turns over fastest; tables in back take longer.
Café€binnenstadLaunderette cafe and bar
The original Wasbar location mixes coin-op laundry machines with a bar serving Belgian beers, sandwiches and charcuterie. The eclectic clientele of Erasmus.
Order: A Trappist beer and a ham-cheese tosti while the washing spins: the whole Wasbar point in one order.
Tip: Less crowded than the Korenmarkt branch; better for a quiet coffee and laptop session on weekday afternoons.
Caf退patersholVegetarian lunch and seasonal salads
BOON is a vegetarian lunch bar at the foot of the Gravensteen. Located in Patershol. Order the rhubarb soda. Specialty: vegetarian lunch and seasonal salads.
Order: Rhubarb soda: the house-made pink fizz that has become a Ghent food signature.
Tip: Kitchen closes in the early evening; this is a daytime spot. The counter fills at lunch so aim for 11:45.
Caf退binnenstadFood hall inside a 17th-century chapel
Den Baudelo is a food hall inside a beautifully restored 17th-century chapel. Around 15 stalls run from Mexican and Indian to Italian and Belgian; the shared.
Order: Pick one stall, take a seat at the communal tables.
Tip: Busiest at weekday lunchtime; the architecture alone is worth the visit even without eating.
Café€sint-pietersSpecialty coffee lab and breakfast
OR Coffee's Sint-Pieters lab is the original Ghent location, serving slow brews and breakfast sandwiches in a bright room near the university campus.
Order: Aeropress with the house Colombian: a clean, sweet cup that travels from bean to cup in under five minutes.
Tip: University crowds make Monday mornings very busy; Thursday and Friday are the quietest weekday windows.