Parisian-inspired Belgian€€graslei-korenleiMon-Thu 11:30-19:00; Fri 11:30-20:00; Sat 10:00-20:00; Sun 10:00-19:00
Et Alors near the Graslei brings Parisian bistro energy to Ghent: animated room, seasonal French-Belgian food and a weekend brunch worth booking.
Signature: Weekend brunch, French-inspired lunch plates
Order: The weekend brunch menu, which brings the Parisian concept into the sharpest focus.
Tip: Book at least a week ahead for Saturday or Sunday brunch; the reputation has outgrown the walk-in capacity.
Belgian Brasserie€€€binnenstadMon-Thu 12:00-14:15, 18:30-22:30; Fri-Sat 12:00-14:15, 18:30-23:00; Sun closed
Pakhuis occupies a converted warehouse behind a historic alley in central Ghent. The soaring glass-ceiling interior holds a kitchen that has stayed focused.
Signature: Oysters, Moules frites, Smoked salmon
Order: The oysters: the kitchen sources them daily and the quality is the most consistent in the city.
Tip: Weekday lunch is the most relaxed way in; Saturday evening needs a booking made well in advance.
Traditional Flemish€€patersholMon, Fri-Sat 12:00-14:45, 18:00-22:30; Sun 17:30-22:30; Tue-Thu closed
't Klokhuys is an authentic Patershol brasserie with mirror-and-blackboard interiors, serving stoverij, waterzooi and zurkelplets without compromise.
Signature: Gentse stoverij, Waterzooi, Zurkelplets
Order: The Gentse stoverij, a dark-beer beef braise that defines the dish better than most kitchens in the city.
Tip: Groups of 15 or more can book Monday evening rates; for smaller parties, any other weekday works well.
Belgian€€patershol
Amadeus in Patershol built its reputation on all-you-can-eat spareribs served in warm candlelit rooms since it opened in the city's oldest quarter.
Signature: All-you-can-eat spareribs, Irish Coffee
Order: The all-you-can-eat spareribs format, which is the reason most tables are booked before the week starts.
Tip: Sunday lunch from noon is the most relaxed service; evening bookings go weeks ahead in high summer.
Thai€€patersholWed-Thu 18:30-21:30; Fri-Sat 18:30-22:00; Sun 12:00-14:00, 18:30-21:30; Mon-Tue closed
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 €€.
Signature: Green curry, Tom kha gai, Pad kra pao
Order: Green curry with chicken: the in-house paste.
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.
Basque Grill€€€dok-noordMon-Fri 18:00-23:30; Sat-Sun closed
Bib Gourmand-rated Bar Bask occupies a converted gas station at the edge of Dok Noord, with a wood-fired Basque asador for txuleta, turbot and lobster.
Signature: Txuleta, Turbot over asador, Lobster
Order: The txuleta from the charcoal asador, available when the kitchen has sourced the right cut, which is most.
Tip: Counter seats facing the open kitchen give the best view of the fire and the kitchen's rhythm.