What to Eat in Ghent

The signature dish: Waterzooi

Waterzooi: A creamy root vegetable stew (carrots, celery, potatoes, sometimes parsnip), thickened with cream or egg yolk. Ghent invented this in the 17th century; it was peasant food, now iconic. The vegetarian version is standard (meat version exists but is less common). Order at any traditional Flemish restaurant or café. Allow 20 minutes if busy. Cost EUR 12–18. Pairs with crusty bread. Not haute cuisine; honest, warming, local. If you eat one signature dish in Ghent, this is it.

Sweets & souvenirs

Cuberdon (also called "neus", nose): A pyramid-shaped candy filled with fruit liqueur (raspberry, cherry, plum). Ghent invention, 1880s. Crispy shell, chewy inside, slightly alcoholic. EUR 0.50–1 each. A souvenir or street snack. Buy at candy shops clustered near the Belfry. Not substitutable; unique to Ghent.

Tierenteyn mustard: Hand-ground mustard since 1885, still family-run. Flavors: Dijon-style, wholegrain, tarragon. EUR 6–12 per pot depending on size. A souvenir. Pairs with waterzooi or Belgian cheese.

Belgian chocolate: Ghent has dozens of chocolate shops; quality varies. Artisanal shops near Sint-Jacobs square have 3–5 euro pralines. Department stores (Inno) have mass-market brands. A chocolate tour (EUR 60) teaches history; otherwise, buy a small box as a souvenir.

Belgian fries & street food

Belgian fries (Friet): Not thin like McDonald’s. Thick-cut, double-fried, crispy outside, fluffy inside. Served in a paper cone with sauce on the side (mayonnaise, curry ketchup, or peanut sauce typical). EUR 3–4. Top shops: Vleminckx (Graffiti Street, legendary) and van de Markt (corner of Graffiti Street, also famous). Both have queues; arrive off-peak (15:00 or after 20:00). Serve ~200 people per day.

Waffles (Wafel): Two styles: Liege waffle (dense, sweet, caramelized sugar inside) and Brussels waffle (thin, crispy, light). Most street carts sell Liege. Toppings: Nutella, whipped cream, fruit. EUR 2.50–5. Good for a snack; eat while walking.

Other street food: Pita/kebab EUR 4–6. Hot dog EUR 4–5. Sandwich EUR 4–6. All available on Graffiti Street or near markets.

Beer: Gruut & abbey ales

Gruut (the local brewery): Medieval recipe using herbs instead of hops (grut is the herb blend). Flavor is herbal, complex, not bitter like IPA. ABV 5.5%. EUR 5–7 per glass at the tap room or bars. Brewery visit: Located in western suburbs (tram line 4, 15 min from centre). Tap room open 11:00–00:00 daily. Tour + tasting EUR 18, twice daily (10:30 and 14:30). Thursdays packed; go weekday mornings for smallest crowds.

Abbey ales: Belgian abbey beers brewed by monks (Trappist) or in abbey style. Trappist beers from other regions are common. Bars pour local abbey ales. EUR 3–7 per glass. Duvel, Leffe, and Chimay are national standards (less local).

Vegetarian & vegan dining

Ghent as vegan capital: Officially, Ghent adopted a meat-free day (Thursday) in 2009 to reduce environmental impact. Most restaurants now offer solid vegetarian and vegan options. It’s not a vegetarian-only city, but nearly every menu has meat-free mains. Waterzooi (vegetable version) is iconic vegetarian. Endive au gratin (gratin van witloof, Belgian endive in cream) is common. Vegan pizzas, pastas, and salads are standard offerings.

Thursday Veggiedag: Some restaurants feature plant-based menus or discounts on Thursdays. Check visit.gent.be for current participating restaurants. Not every restaurant participates, but many do.

Markets & casual dining

Graffiti Street (Werregarenstraat): Street-food stalls: fries, waffles, kebab, hot dog. Cheapest eats in the city. Peak hours 18:00–23:00 (after drinks). Open weekends; midweek variable.

Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market): Open-air market Fridays 06:00–13:00. Food stalls, vegetables, cheap clothes. Weekend: just a plaza, no market. A few permanent cafés remain.

Graslei & Korenlei (quays): Touristy restaurant row, premium prices (EUR 18–35 mains), nice views. Worth one drink for the sunset. Better restaurants are 100 metres inland (Patershol, Sint-Jacobs area) for the same price, quieter, more local.

Sit-down dining: Flemish (traditional, EUR 15–25 mains): waterzooi, beef stew, endive gratin. Modern (contemporary, EUR 18–35): small plates, tasting menus, wine pairings. Vegan (plant-based, EUR 12–22): plant-forward mains, creative. Ethnic (Turkish, Vietnamese, Italian, EUR 12–20): diverse cuisines, scattered throughout the city. Booking recommended on Fridays/Saturdays; most restaurants open 11:30–14:00 (lunch) and 18:00–23:00 (dinner).

Coffee & breakfast

Bakery (Bakkerij): Croissant (pain au chocolat, butter croissant, almond croissant) + coffee EUR 4–5. Open 07:00–18:00. Most close Mondays. This is the standard breakfast; hotels overcharge (EUR 15–20).

Café coffee: Espresso EUR 2–2.50. Latte or cappuccino EUR 2.50–3.50. Filter coffee (Americano) EUR 2. Standard Italian espresso culture; bean quality is good. Most cafés open 07:00–23:00.

Dietary restrictions

Vegetarian: Easy; most restaurants have vegetarian options. Waterzooli, endive gratin, pasta, salads.

Vegan: Increasingly common. Many restaurants mark vegan dishes on menus. Ghent’s vegan scene is strong. Say "I’m vegan" (or "Ik ben veganist"); staff understand and help.

Gluten-free: Less common than vegan. Waffles and fries typically contain gluten. Some restaurants offer gluten-free bread (ask). Say "glutenvrij"; staff may know it.

Allergies: Communicate clearly at restaurants. Staff are helpful when you explain restrictions.

Frequently asked questions