Waffles and Beer is a street-food stop in Binnenstad, Ghent.
Waffles and Beer near the Groentenmarkt serves Belgian Brussels and Liege waffles alongside a curated list of Belgian beers. The waffle-and-beer pairing.
Must 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.
Address: Groentenmarkt 7, 9000 Gent, Ghent
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.
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.
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.
