40 mid-range places in Ghent, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good restaurants in Ghent, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All Ghent food.
Joost Arijs Patisserie and Chocolaterie ★ 4.7
zuidstationstraat · Vlaanderenstraat 24, 9000 Gent
Joost Arijs won best patisserie in Belgium from Gault and Millau: the showcase holds intricate tarts, entremets and seasonal pralines year-round.
Tip: A few doors down from The Bakery, both run by Arijs. Do both in one visit on a Tuesday morning.
Gruut Stadsbrouwerij ★ 4.7
binnenstad · Rembert Dodoensdreef 1, 9000 Gent
Gruut is Ghent's own city brewery, producing five herb beers from a medieval recipe that has never used a single hop. Instead, a blend of herbs including.
Tip: Saturday brewery tours include all five house beers; book ahead in summer. The taproom serves all five on draught daily.
The Bakery by Joost Arijs ★ 4.6
zuidstationstraat · Vlaanderenstraat 28, 9000 Gent
Pastry chef and chocolatier Joost Arijs opened this specialist sourdough bakery in 2022, with slow-fermented wheat, rye and multigrain loaves.
Tip: Open Tuesday to Saturday 08:00-18:00; the croissants are best in the first two hours of opening.
WAY Specialty Coffee Roasters ★ 4.6
dok-noord · Dok-Noord 4E/001, 9000 Gent
WAY is run by Belgian barista champion Charlene De Buysere in a converted warehouse at Dok Noord, rotating single-origin filters every few weeks in Ghent.
Tip: Open weekdays only (08:30-16:30); plan a Dok Noord visit on a Tuesday to Thursday morning.
WAY Coffee Roasters ★ 4.6
dok-noord · Dok-Noord 4E/001, 9000 Gent
WAY is run by Charlene De Buysere, a Belgian barista and brewing champion. Belgium's first Diedrich IR12 roaster produces light and medium single-origins.
Dok Brewing Company ★ 4.6
dok-noord · Dok-Noord 4B, 9000 Gent
Dok Brewing occupies the converted Hal 16 metal workshop at Dok Noord with 30 taps: house brews alongside Belgian craft guest beers. The long communal.
Tip: Open Thursday to Saturday until 01:00; the Thursday evening session is the quietest way to visit the brewery without a weekend crowd.
WAY Coffee Roasters ★ 4.6
dok-noord · Dok-Noord 4E/001, 9000 Gent
WAY is run by Belgian barista champion Charlene De Buysere at Dok Noord: a championship-level roastery-cafe that the tourist trail rarely discovers.
Tip: Open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-17:00; pair a WAY filter coffee with a pastry from the Himschoot branch in the same building.
Marijn Coertjens Chocolatier and Patissier ★ 4.5
patershol · Burgstraat 151, 9000 Gent
Marijn Coertjens opened his patisserie at the foot of the Gravensteen in 2016. The pralines are built on unusual flavour combinations; the seasonal pastry.
Tip: Near the Gravensteen; pair a shop visit with a castle tour and a Patershol dinner.
Cafe Labath ★ 4.5
binnenstad · Oude Houtlei 1, 9000 Gent
Cafe Labath is the city's best-known specialty cafe, occupying a corner building steps from Sint-Michielsbrug with floor-to-ceiling windows and a big-city.
Tip: Open from 08:00 Tuesday to Saturday; the weekday morning slot before 09:00 is the quietest.
Cafe Labath ★ 4.5
binnenstad · Oude Houtlei 1, 9000 Gent
Labath is Ghent's longest-established third-wave specialty cafe. While not a roaster in the strict sense, the baristas source and rotate single-origin beans.
Frites Atelier ★ 4.5
groentenmarkt · Groentenmarkt 20, 9000 Gent
Sergio Herman's upmarket frites counter at the Groentenmarkt has marble counters and stainless sauces pumped from brass-spigot barrels. The frites are fried.
Tip: Expect a queue at lunch; the Groentenmarkt location is the busiest. The frites cool fast so eat immediately.
Marijn Coertjens Chocolate Stall ★ 4.5
patershol · Burgstraat 151, 9000 Gent
Marijn Coertjens' shop near the Gravensteen produces what Gault and Millau considers the best pralines in Ghent. The seasonal praline range changes monthly.
Tip: Buy pralines here and eat them in the Patershol lanes. They travel better than cuberdons.
Cafe Labath ★ 4.5
binnenstad · Oude Houtlei 1, 9000 Gent
Cafe Labath on Oude Houtlei is Ghent's most established third-wave specialty cafe, with weekend brunch plates and the city's most consistent espresso.
Tip: The corner terrace fills on sunny weekend mornings; arrive by 10:00 for the best outdoor seat at this historic canal-side cafe.
50 fifty ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Ottogracht 10, 9000 Gent
50 fifty runs a bistronomy sharing-plate format on Ottogracht with vegetable-led seasonal plates rated 4.8 out of 5 by local reviewers. Located in Binnenstad.
Tip: Come with four people to try the widest range without over-ordering; the room accommodates groups well.
Soul Kitchen ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Godshuizenlaan 33, 9000 Gent
Soul Kitchen opposite the Bijloke park serves plant-based fine dining in a sharing format: seasonal, organic, locally sourced produce treated with the same.
Tip: Thursday to Saturday evenings for the full menu; Sunday lunch is the shorter but equally well-sourced format.
Vandekerckhove and Bar ★ 4.4
zuidstationstraat · Brabantdam 55, 9000 Gent
Vandekerckhove has roasted coffee in Ghent since 1854. The fifth-generation family roasts on-site and the bar brews espressos and slow coffees daily.
Tip: Open every day except public holidays from 10:00-18:00; the bean shop sells the house blend in 250g bags.
Vandekerckhove Koffiebranderij ★ 4.4
zuidstationstraat · Brabantdam 55, 9000 Gent
Vandekerckhove has roasted coffee on the Brabantdam since 1854. The fifth-generation family roasts on a visible drum roaster inside the shop. The house blend.
Dok Brewing Company ★ 4.4
dok-noord · Dok-Noord 4B, 9000 Gent
Dok Brewing Company occupies a converted metal workshop at Dok Noord with 30 taps: their own house brews plus guest taps from Belgian craft breweries. Long.
Tip: Open Thursday to Saturday until 01:00; this is one of the few places in Dok Noord that works as a late-night destination.
Wijnbar ONA Nederkouter ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Nederkouter 71, 9000 Gent
Wijnbar ONA on the corner of Bagattenstraat and Nederkouter is Ona Van Reybrouck and Arne De Wilde's intimate natural-wine spot, opened in 2015.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday until 8pm only; closed Sunday and Monday. Walk-ins fine early, reserve for after 18:00.
Edelrot Bar ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Belfortstraat 6, 9000 Gent
Edelrot functions as both a natural wine bar and a wild beer bar: the list includes wild-fermented saisons, spontaneous lambics and Belgian farmhouse ales.
Tip: Open from 15:00 Tuesday to Saturday; prices are genuinely fair for the quality of the natural wine selection.
Chubby Cheeks ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Onderbergen 33, 9000 Gent
Chubby Cheeks is a convivial bar-restaurant where a young team serves unusual natural wines by the glass alongside inventive small plates in a relaxed space.
Tip: Walk-ins welcome; Friday and Saturday evenings fill fast and bar seats give the easiest route in without a reservation.
Edelrot Bar and Shop ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Belfortstraat 6, 9000 Gent
Edelrot is a natural wine bar and bottle shop next to the Belfort tower, focusing on low-intervention, natural-process and skin-contact wines by the glass.
Tip: Open from 15:00 Tuesday to Saturday; the bottle shop inside allows you to buy what you tried. Prices are honest for natural wine.
Chubby Cheeks ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Onderbergen 33, 9000 Gent
Chubby Cheeks is a convivial natural wine bar where interesting small-plate dishes are designed to match unusual bottles. The card runs from funky orange.
Tip: A Gault and Millau HIP pick; the menu changes frequently so the best visit is a return one.
Dok Noord Beer Hall ★ 4.4
dok-noord · Dok-Noord 7, 9000 Gent
The Dok Noord complex concentrates several brewing and beer retail operations in one cluster, ideal for sampling by flight on a Saturday afternoon.
Tip: The Dok Noord area is best visited on a Saturday afternoon when Stroom, Dok Brewing, De Hopduvel and OR Coffee are all open simultaneously.
Brouwerij De Leite ★ 4.4
sint-pieters · De Leiteweg 32A, 8020 Oostkamp
Brouwerij De Leite brews spontaneously fermented ales near Ghent in Oostkamp. The small production volumes and wild-fermentation approach place it.
Tip: The brewery is not open to the public for casual visits; bottles are best sourced from De Hopduvel at Dok Noord.
Dok Brewing Company ★ 4.4
dok-noord · Dok-Noord 4B, 9000 Gent
Dok Brewing Company in Hal 16 at Dok Noord is open until 01:00 Thursday through Saturday: 30 taps including house craft IPAs and Belgian guest beers.
Tip: Thursday evening is the quietest late session; the Friday crowd is younger and louder from midnight but the beer quality stays constant.
Vinogradoff ★ 4.4
graslei-korenlei · Ajuinlei 15, 9000 Gent
Vinogradoff on the Ajuinlei specialises in natural and biodynamic wines from Eastern Europe: Georgia, Slovenia and Hungary, a rare focus in Belgian wine bars.
Tip: The wine shop section offers bottles to take away; the staff know each producer personally and can recommend accordingly.
Hotsy Totsy ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Hoogstraat 1, 9000 Gent
Hotsy Totsy has injected Ghent with blues and jazz since the 1970s: the Claus brothers bar hosts live music most evenings from September to June.
Tip: No live music in July and August; the rest of the year, Thursday to Saturday evenings are the most reliably musical.
Vandekerckhove Koffiebranderij ★ 4.4
zuidstationstraat · Brabantdam 55, 9000 Gent
Vandekerckhove has roasted coffee on the Brabantdam since 1854: five generations later, the drum roaster is still visible in the shopfront on a daily basis.
Tip: Go on a weekday morning when the drum is running; the smell of fresh roasting from the shopfront is the best possible advertisement.
Edelrot Bar and Shop ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Belfortstraat 6, 9000 Gent
Edelrot next to the Belfort tower is a natural wine bar and bottle shop consistently overlooked by visitors despite being steps from Ghent's main landmark.
Tip: The bottle shop section has better prices than many Brussels specialists; the staff can advise on shipping or travelling with bottles.
Le Baan Thai ★ 4.3
patershol · Corduwanierstraat 57, 9000 Gent
Le Baan Thai has anchored Thai cooking in the Patershol since 1988 and earned the 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand for a short menu run. Priced at €€.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday; the dining room seats fewer than thirty so book by phone two or three days ahead for Friday and Saturday.
Boris et Maurice ★ 4.3
sint-amandsberg · Antwerpsesteenweg 329, 9040 Sint-Amandsberg
Bib Gourmand-recognised bistro in Sint-Amandsberg run by two former colleagues who built a seasonal French-Belgian menu around local suppliers.
Tip: A ten-minute tram ride from the centre; the relative distance means bookings are easier to secure than more central peers.
't Klokhuys ★ 4.3
patershol · Corduwaniersstraat 65, 9000 Gent
't Klokhuys runs out of a narrow Patershol house and is one of the most cited places in the city for Gentse waterzooi. The room seats fewer than 30 people.
Tip: Book at least two days ahead; the room is tiny and fills weeks ahead in summer.
Le Baan Thai ★ 4.3
patershol · Corduwanierstraat 57, 9000 Gent
Le Baan Thai has been the Patershol reference for Thai cuisine for 37 years and holds a 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, with green and red curries on a short.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday; Sunday lunch service is the quietest slot. Tables are small so reserve a few days ahead.
Lokaal ★ 4.3
binnenstad · Brabantdam 100, 9000 Gent
Lokaal built its reputation on a menu that is 80 per cent vegetarian but never feels restricted. The daily changing board of seasonal Belgian small plates.
Tip: One of the few kitchens in Ghent with a serious gluten-free breakfast; check the board when you arrive.
Baba Jacquet ★ 4.3
zuidstationstraat · Vlaanderenstraat 118, 9000 Gent
Baba Jacquet is a 30-year-old family bakery reinvented as a brunch bar: the gentse bolus (caramel spiral bun) is the best version in the city today.
Tip: Closed Tuesdays; open all weekend from 08:00 with a sunny terrace that fills fast.
Pain Perdu Bakery ★ 4.3
zuidstationstraat · Walpoortstraat 9, 9000 Gent
Pain Perdu bakes wood-fired sourdough daily and serves it as tartines, sandwiches and toast across its full breakfast and lunch menu. The large rear garden.
Tip: The garden fills fast on sunny weekend mornings; the bread sells out by early afternoon. Arrive before 10:00.
Pain Perdu ★ 4.3
zuidstationstraat · Walpoortstraat 9, 9000 Gent
Pain Perdu bakes wood-fired sourdough and runs a sunny rear garden that has made this Walpoortstraat cafe one of Ghent's most loved brunch destinations.
Tip: The garden fills fast on sunny weekends; aim to arrive before 11:00 to get an outdoor table.
Full Circle Coffee Bar ★ 4.3
zuidstationstraat · Zuidstationstraat 5, 9000 Gent
Full Circle was one of Belgium's first fully plant-based specialty coffee bars, with oat or rice milk for all drinks and vegan pastries throughout.
Tip: The Zuid location is the larger; the Astridlaan branch is a useful stop near the train station.
BOON Lunchbar ★ 4.3
patershol · Burgstraat 1A, 9000 Gent
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.
Tip: Kitchen closes in the early evening; this is a daytime spot. The counter fills at lunch so aim for 11:45.