Vegan€binnenstadDaily 11:00-21:00
Greenway on Nederkouter is one of Ghent's original vegan pioneers, serving a rotating menu of plant-based wraps, bowls and hot plates in a fast-casual format.
Signature: Plant-based burgers, Seasonal vegan plates
Order: The plant-based burger: the kitchen's confidence in a format it has been perfecting since its founding.
Tip: Kitchen closes earlier than most restaurants; aim to arrive before 18:00 for the full hot-food range.
Vegetarian Lunch Bar€groentenmarktMon-Fri 09:30-16:00; Sat-Sun closed
BOON is a vegetarian lunch bar across the street from the Castle of the Counts with a bean-forward menu that takes vegetable cooking seriously. The casual.
Signature: Bean-based vegetarian plates, Daily lunch specials
Order: The daily bean-based special, which gives the kitchen its identity and sits at the core of every menu.
Tip: Grab a terrace table facing the castle if available; the view repays a slightly longer lunch.
Vegetarian€binnenstadWed 11:30-14:30; Thu-Sat 11:30-14:30, 17:30-21:30; Sun-Tue closed
Lokaal is a vegetarian tea room and restaurant on Brabantdam with owners Arno, Jelmer and Bliki sourcing from nearby organic farms and rotating the menu.
Signature: Weekly-changing vegetarian plates, Organic tea selection
Order: Whatever the week's organic delivery has inspired; the kitchen announces the menu via their social channels.
Tip: The tea selection here is serious; combine the lunch with an afternoon spent in the nearby SMAK museum.
New American€€binnenstadMon-Tue 09:00-14:30, Thu-Fri 09:00-14:30, Sun 09:00-14:00
Gust is a trendy breakfast and lunch bar with ingredients sourced directly from local farmers: the freshness shows in everything from bread to eggs.
Signature: Seasonal farmer's breakfast, Farm produce plates
Order: The farmer's breakfast, which is the most direct expression of the sourcing ethos and the most requested dish.
Tip: Weekend queues form before opening; arrive early or accept a wait of 20 minutes on a Saturday.
Contemporary Belgian€€dok-noordMon-Fri 08:30-18:00; Sat 10:00-18:00; Sun closed
Haddok near the Oude Dokken waterfront at Dok Noord serves contemporary Belgian brunch and lunch plates with water views and a convivial mood.
Signature: Weekend brunch plates, Seasonal Belgian dishes
Order: The weekend brunch menu, when the kitchen is fully focused and the water view is at its best.
Tip: The terrace tables facing the dock fill first in good weather; phone ahead to request one.
Vegan€binnenstad
De Frietketel won Best Fast Food at the Belgian Vegan Awards in 2019: a fully plant-based frituur with a wider snack range than any competitor.
Signature: Vegan frites, Vegetarian snacks
Order: Frites with vegan curry sauce: the most-ordered option and clearest expression of this plant-based frituur.
Tip: Good option for mixed groups where one person is vegan; the fried snacks are convincing even to sceptics.