The fastest, cheapest, frequently best food on Ghent's streets.
Vendors, food trucks and stalls: the cheapest, fastest, frequently best food in Ghent.
Sergio Herman's upmarket frites counter at the Groentenmarkt has marble counters and stainless sauces pumped from brass-spigot barrels. The frites are fried.
Order: Classic frites with andalouse sauce: the house sauce is tangier than most and justifies the queue.
Tip: Expect a queue at lunch; the Groentenmarkt location is the busiest. The frites cool fast so eat immediately.
The Sint-Jacobs friturkot has stood on the Friday Market square for generations: double-fried frites and the city's Gentse beef stew sauce served from a green and white wagon.
Order: Frites with stoverij sauce: the Gentse beef stew sauce on twice-fried frites is the dish locals defend as the city's defining street snack.
Tip: Friday morning during the antique market the queue is longest but the frites are freshest. Cash still moves the line faster than card.
The competing cuberdon stalls at the Groentenmarkt are one of Ghent's most famous food rivalries. De Echte Gentse Neuzen sells the authentic cone-shaped.
Order: Classic raspberry cuberdons: eat them within minutes of buying to get the right texture contrast.
Tip: Buy a small bag and eat them standing at the stall; they are best at market temperature, not carried around in a bag.
Tierenteyn-Verlent has ladled its grainy Dijon-style mustard from barrels at the same Groentenmarkt address since 1790. The apothecary-style shop sells.
Order: A 250g pot of the classic mustard: buy it to take home, or ask for a tasting spoon at the counter.
Tip: The shop is open Monday from 13:00 and Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00; closed Sundays. The old barrels behind the counter are original.
De Frietketel on Papegaaistraat is a fully plant-based frituur and Belgian Vegan Awards Best Fast Food winner, with vegan frites, sauces and snacks.
Order: Frites with vegan curry sauce: the most-ordered combination at this plant-based frituur.
Tip: Good option for mixed groups; the fried snacks are convincing even to non-vegans, and prices are on par with standard frituurs.
Waffles and Beer near the Groentenmarkt serves Belgian Brussels and Liege waffles alongside a curated list of Belgian beers. The waffle-and-beer pairing.
Order: Liege waffle with caramelised pearl sugar: the pearl sugar pockets define the authentic Liege style.
Tip: Also runs waffle workshops by prior booking: a 90-minute session teaches both Brussels and Liege styles.
Bobonne is a vintage-styled cuberdon stall run by Nele in the middle of the historic centre. The stall stocks the classic raspberry and a range of other.
Order: Multi-flavour cuberdon selection: try the blackcurrant and violet alongside the classic raspberry.
Tip: The competing stalls at the Groentenmarkt are part of a famous local rivalry; try both and decide for yourself.
Gruut's outdoor kiosk at the city brewery dispenses all five house herb beers direct from tank for Gentse Feesten and summer evenings. The hop-free brewing.
Order: Gruut Amber in a plastic cup from the kiosk: outdoor drinking, city beer, Ghent summer.
Tip: The kiosk runs seasonally, primarily during Gentse Feesten in July and summer weekends. The full taproom is open year-round.
Kroakemandels are fried English maple peas seasoned with salt and vinegar: a Ghent street snack that old-timers call the caviar of the working class. Market.
Order: A paper cone of kroakemandels with malt vinegar: the snap and salt are the whole point.
Tip: Most reliably available during Gentse Feesten (mid-July) and at the Friday morning Vrijdagmarkt; rare outside festival season.
During Gentse Feesten and weekend markets, temporary stalls around the Groentenmarkt and Vrijdagmarkt sell bowls of Gentse stoverij: the deep amber beef.
Order: Stoverij with frites and bread: the trifecta of Ghent food culture in a single bowl.
Tip: Available year-round at many brasseries; the street stall version during Gentse Feesten in July is the most atmospheric way to try it.
De Frietschap is a neighbourhood frituur that serves homemade stoverij, meatballs in tomato sauce and vol-au-vent alongside the standard frites range.
Order: Vol-au-vent with frites: creamy chicken ragout in puff pastry alongside a cone of double-fried frites.
Tip: The Rooigemlaan branch is open until 22:30; the Brugsesteenweg location opens earlier. Both serve the full menu.
The Gentse bolus is a sticky caramel-coated spiral bun unique to Ghent. Market bakers sell them warm from trays at the Saturday and Friday markets. The Baba.
Order: Fresh warm bolus from the market tray: the caramel coating is still tacky and the dough inside is pillowy.
Tip: Available at the Friday Vrijdagmarkt and Saturday Groentenmarkt; also sold year-round from Himschoot at Groentenmarkt 1.
ROK BBQ at Dok Noord smokes brisket, ribs and lamb in a wood-fired pit and serves it at outdoor tables in the industrial port setting. Weekend afternoons.
Order: Half brisket plate with house pickles and white bread: the 12-hour smoke is the entire operation.
Tip: Weekend afternoons only; comes before noon on Saturdays to guarantee brisket availability.
Marijn Coertjens' shop near the Gravensteen produces what Gault and Millau considers the best pralines in Ghent. The seasonal praline range changes monthly.
Order: Seasonal praline tasting box of six: ask for the team's current recommendation.
Tip: Buy pralines here and eat them in the Patershol lanes. They travel better than cuberdons.
Soup Lounge is a counter-service lunch spot where a bowl of daily-changing fresh soup, a bread roll and an apple costs under €9. The formula has been.
Order: Soup of the day plus bread roll: the combination is filling, seasonal and under budget.
Tip: Arrives before 13:00 to get the full daily soup choice; a second or third type runs out first.