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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.