15 upscale places in Ghent, editor-picked. occasion restaurants in Ghent: destination kitchens for celebrations and visits. All Ghent food.
Roots ★ 4.7
patershol · Vrouwebroersstraat 5, 9000 Gent
Roots is a Michelin-listed gastro-bistro in Patershol where chef Kim Devisschere's West Flemish heritage drives menus that change with the seasons.
Tip: Book at minimum three weeks ahead; this is one of the most consistently difficult tables to secure in Ghent.
Jigger's Coolers and Cocktails ★ 4.6
patershol · Oudburg 16, 9000 Gent
Jigger's is a subterranean cocktail bar in the Patershol, listed on the World's 50 Best Discovery list. The cellar bar uses seasonal produce and locally.
Tip: Open from 17:00 Tuesday through Sunday; the back terrace on warm evenings is one of the most evocative drinking spots in Ghent.
Jigger's ★ 4.6
patershol · Oudburg 16, 9000 Gent
Jigger's medieval cellar bar in the Patershol stays open until 03:00 at weekends, serving seasonal cocktails and 500+ spirits in a candlelit setting.
Tip: Arrive by 21:00 to guarantee a seat; the bar fills to capacity after 22:00 with no walk-in option on weekends.
Jigger's ★ 4.6
patershol · Oudburg 16, 9000 Gent
Jigger's operates in a medieval Patershol cellar, serving seasonal cocktails and over 500 spirits in a candlelit setting few tourists ever find.
Tip: Arrive by 21:00 to guarantee a seat; the bar fills to capacity after 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays with no walk-in option.
Bar Bask ★ 4.5
dok-noord · Edward Pynaertkaai 115, 9000 Gent
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.
Tip: Counter seats facing the open kitchen give the best view of the fire and the kitchen's rhythm.
Soul Kitchen ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Godshuizenlaan 33, 9000 Gent
Soul Kitchen is the standard-bearer for vegan fine-casual cooking in Ghent, running a changing tasting menu entirely from plants. The kitchen treats root.
Tip: Book two weeks ahead for a weekend table; this is Ghent's best vegan kitchen and demand is consistent.
Volta Wine List ★ 4.4
binnenstad · Nieuwewandeling 2, 9000 Gent
Volta's wine list is one of the most ambitious in Ghent, matching modern Belgian cooking with grower wines from across Europe in a converted turbine hall.
Tip: Walk-in seats at the bar are easier to get than a table booking; the park setting adds to the atmosphere.
Pakhuis ★ 4.3
binnenstad · Schuurkenstraat 4, 9000 Gent
Pakhuis occupies a converted warehouse behind a historic alley in central Ghent. The soaring glass-ceiling interior holds a kitchen that has stayed focused.
Tip: Weekday lunch is the most relaxed way in; Saturday evening needs a booking made well in advance.
Bar Bask ★ 4.3
dok-noord · Edward Pynaertkaai 115, 9000 Gent
Bar Bask does one thing: charcoal-grilled meat and fish in the Basque tradition. A short card changes with market supply, anchored by txuleton dry-aged beef.
Tip: Portions here are large; two sharing the txuleton with one starter is the right call.
Steendam 66 ★ 4.2
binnenstad · Steendam 66, 9000 Gent
Steendam 66, also known as Chez Bolle, is a cosy bistro with a strong French accent housed in a historic building near Sint-Jakobs church, where the kitchen.
Tip: Closed Sunday; Tuesday to Friday lunch is the most accessible and relaxed format.
Volta ★ 4.2
binnenstad · Nieuwewandeling 2b, 9000 Gent
Volta occupies a converted turbine hall on Nieuwewandeling, serving confident Belgian brasserie cooking with a well-annotated wine list and a canal-side.
Tip: The terrace reservations fill first in summer; book the canal side when available and come before golden hour.
Pakhuis ★ 4.2
binnenstad · Schuurkenstraat 4, 9000 Gent
Pakhuis fills a converted 19th-century warehouse behind a central alley. The cavernous glass-roofed interior keeps a menu of daily-fresh oysters, moules.
Tip: Book ahead for weekend dinner; the warehouse vibe is worth it for a big-group celebration.
Steendam 66 Wine Lounge ★ 4.2
binnenstad · Steendam 66, 9000 Gent
Steendam 66 runs a wine lounge attached to its Gault and Millau-listed bistro. The by-the-glass selection pairs with the short, seasonal lunch menu.
Tip: The lounge bar is easier to access than the dining room without a reservation.
Allegro Moderato ★ 4.1
graslei-korenlei · Korenlei 7, 9000 Gent
Allegro Moderato occupies a canal-side house on the Korenlei, with views of the guild houses across the Leie. The kitchen produces carefully plated modern.
Tip: Book the window table for the guild-house view. Closed weekday lunches.
Allegro Moderato Wine Terrace ★ 4.0
graslei-korenlei · Korenlei 7, 9000 Gent
Allegro Moderato has one of the few wine terraces in Ghent with direct views of the medieval guild houses, focusing on Belgian and French grower wines.
Tip: The terrace fills fast on summer evenings; book a table and stay for dinner to hold it.