Food destinations within easy reach of Ghent, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Ghent, worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Most of these need a car
Car hire in Ghent, from Ghent Downtown, Ghent Saint Pieters Train Station
Famous for Belgian chocolate shops, De Halve Maan Brewery, moules-friet and Flemish rabbit stew
Bruges is 25 min from Ghent by direct train: chocolate shops on the Steenstraat, De Halve Maan Brewery and canal-side moules-friet brasseries.
Direct Intercity train from Gent-Sint-Pieters station, every 30 minutes
Famous for Bollekesbiefstuk, the Bourla Theatre brasseries, Jewish-Moroccan diamond-district lunch
Antwerp is 50 min from Ghent: diamond-district lunch counters on Pelikaanstraat, bollekesbiefstuk brasseries near the cathedral and Michelin-starred rooms.
Direct Intercity train from Gent-Sint-Pieters to Antwerpen-Centraal, hourly
Famous for Moules-friet at Chez Leon, Brussels waffles at Le Funambule, Marolles antique market lunch
Brussels is 32 min from Ghent by fast train: moules-friet at Chez Leon near the Grand Place, Sablon waffles and the Marolles flea market lunch stalls.
Direct high-speed or Intercity train from Gent-Sint-Pieters, every 20-30 minutes
Famous for Zeeland mussels and Pacific oysters straight from the beds, smoked eel at the harbour stalls
The Zeeland mussel and oyster beds at Yerseke are 75 min north of Ghent: harvest-fresh mussels at the waterfront restaurants and smoked eel from the stalls.
Drive north via N49 to Yerseke, Zeeland; no practical public transport
Drive it yourself
Car hire in Ghent, from Ghent Downtown, Ghent Saint Pieters Train Station
Famous for Aalster uienstoof (onion stew), vlaaien pastry, carnival fried dough at local bakeries
Aalst is 30 min from Ghent by train: East Flemish town with vlaaien fruit tarts, fried oliebollen and local onion stew at the Grote Markt brasseries.
Train from Gent-Sint-Pieters via Brussels or direct, approximately 30-40 minutes
Famous for Belgian gin distillery visits, juniper tastings, artisan spirits at source
East Flanders gin distilleries are within 40 min of Ghent: Copperhead near Wijnegem and the Stillery at Mater offer tours with Flemish grain-based spirits.
Drive east via E40 to Wijnegem or south to Mater near Oudenaarde
Drive it yourself
Car hire in Ghent, from Ghent Downtown, Ghent Saint Pieters Train Station
Famous for Liefmans Goudenband oud bruin, kriek cherry lambic, Flemish red ales at source
Oudenaarde is 25 min from Ghent: Liefmans Brewery produces Goudenband oud bruin and cherry kriek at the original site with tours and a tasting room.
Train from Gent-Sint-Pieters to Oudenaarde, every 30 minutes
