Of course, our weekend in Ghent was all about food! We’d been told that the city is often considered the culinary capital of Flanders, and we quickly understood why! We found the Belgian specialities we love, with the classic combo of fries, beer, waffles and chocolate. But this trip was also a chance for us to discover Ghent’s own specialities, either made in the city or closely tied to its history. In this article, we give you a “taste” of all of this and share our good (and not-so-good) addresses! What to eat in Ghent and where: follow the guide!
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What to eat in Ghent: local specialities
Cuberdons
One of the specialities you’ll spot on every street corner is the cuberdon. This little cone-shaped sweet is made from sugar and gum arabic and is naturally flavoured with fruit. Its history is a matter of debate in Belgium, as there are two versions of its origin. According to one, a pharmacist discovered the recipe more or less by chance; according to the other, it was invented by a member of the clergy. This second version would also explain its other nickname, the “priest’s hat”. Traditionally, it’s raspberry-flavoured, but today you’ll find more than thirty flavours, from classic fruits such as apple, pear and strawberry to more unusual ones like ginger or Champagne. You can buy cuberdons on the Groentenmarkt, from one of the adorable little carts.
Ghent mustard
Another of Ghent’s specialities is far more surprising! We discovered a local producer of… mustard! When you walk into the little Tierenteyn-Verlent shop, it feels like stepping back in time… As if you were in an old apothecary! The little containers, the shelves, the porcelain… No wonder, the shop has barely changed since it opened in 1867! And that’s not even the most surprising part! The mustard is made right here, in the basement, in a tiny production room! The shop assistant fills the jars with mustard from a big barrel using a huge wooden spoon. A short but really friendly chat with her, and she was delighted to end up on Instagram^^. She didn’t reveal the secret recipe, but at least we learnt that the difference from Dijon mustard lies in the seeds used.
Waffles
As everywhere in Belgium, you can enjoy Brussels or Liège waffles here… We looked for the best waffle in Ghent and, according to several blogs and websites, the best one is at Max. We don’t know if it’s because we have a strong preference for Liège waffles (much more indulgent), but we didn’t find it that exceptional. (OK, I’ll admit that it is, on the other hand, extremely photogenic!)
Snowballs
We didn’t get the chance to try them, but at the Larmuseau confectionery you’ll find snowballs that look incredibly tempting.
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Gruut beer
Ghent also has a rather unusual drink… At the Gruut brewery, you can taste a beer made with herbs and no hops. Unfortunately, we arrived too late in the day to try this very special beer, as the shop was already closed. Guided tours are also available for groups, ending (of course) with a tasting.
Fries
You’ll find fries all over Belgium; in fact, during our weekend in Bruges, we even visited the museum dedicated to them. Here, however, we tried a different approach with Frites Atelier, created by none other than a Michelin-starred chef who wanted to shake up the way we think about potatoes. As well as fries, you can try cheese or shrimp croquettes (another Belgian speciality). To go with your meal, there’s the usual ketchup and mayonnaise, but what really makes the difference is the sauce counter. Classic, truffle, béarnaise or andalouse: they’re all self-service.
➺ And of course, you’ll also find traditional Belgian and Flemish dishes such as croquettes, waterzooi or carbonade flamande (Flemish beef stew). (I also talk about them in our food article “Where to eat in Bruges“, and I’ve finally written an article on Belgian specialities!!)
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Our favourite places to eat in Ghent
We tried several places, from quick bites to fine dining, as well as a few trendy spots.
Lunch/dinner
Frites Atelier – perfect for a quick bite! The fries, the croquettes and even the iced tea are delicious. The chain was created by a Michelin-starred chef who wanted to change the way we see a chip shop… And it works! The icing on the cake is of course the décor, with its “sauce fountains”: truffle or mayonnaise, there’s something for everyone! ➺ Groentenmarkt 20, 9000 Gent
Balls & Glory – a place with trendy décor and a different concept: giant meatballs, with chicken, truffle or vegetarian. ➺ Jakobijnenstraat 6, 9000 Gent
Volta restaurant – ever eaten in a former power station? Here, you can choose between the Volt, Watt or Ampère menus… An industrial setting and cooking that wakes up your taste buds: we loved it! After a few amuse-bouches, we were served one dish, then two, then three, then… we lost count. The menu was in Dutch, so we had the nice surprise of trying veal tongue… and liking it! New flavours, new seasonings… In short, probably the best meal of our trip, the best place to eat in Ghent and surely the best meal we’d had in a long time.
➺ Nieuwewandeling 2B, 9000 Gent
Café-Théâtre – the restaurant of the Ghent Opera House – serves good Flemish specialities, but we were a little disappointed by the setting, which we’d imagined to be much grander…
➺ Schouwburgstraat 5/7, 9000 Gent (temporarily closed for renovation).
Holy Food Market – We didn’t eat there, but we loved the concept! Several restaurants, as in a food hall, have set up shop in a… former church! We spotted Belgian specialities, but also Portuguese and even Mexican food! An unusual and really pleasant place!
➺ Beverhoutplein 15, 9000 Gent
Update March 2026: this place seems to have closed for good… Such a shame!
Sweet treats
Groot Vleeshuis – this covered hall houses a restaurant but, above all, a shop selling 175 Flemish specialities and regional products! ➺ Groentenmarkt 7, 9000 Gent (temporarily closed for renovation).
Temmerman – one of the most renowned confectioners in the city – unfortunately, we missed the shop, as it was already closed when we got there… But its shopfront and window alone are worth the detour!! ➺ Kraanlei 79, 9000 Gent
Neuhaus ice cream – the chocolatier Neuhaus making “made-to-measure” ice cream live on a scorching hot day… We couldn’t resist! I “created” my own ice cream with raspberry, milk chocolate and raspberry shavings… Absolutely divine!
FAQ: what to eat in Ghent
Your questions answered here!
What is Ghent’s culinary speciality?
Ghent’s great speciality is the cuberdon, a small cone-shaped sweet that is traditionally raspberry-flavoured. The city is also known for waterzooi, a creamy stew that originated in Ghent, and for its artisan mustard. And of course, you’ll find all the classic Belgian specialities here: fries, beer, waffles and chocolate.
What can I bring back from Ghent?
To take a taste of Ghent home with you, go for cuberdons, sold from the little carts on the Groentenmarkt, a jar of mustard from the Tierenteyn-Verlent shop, made in its own cellar, a bottle of Gruut beer, brewed with herbs and no hops, or some Belgian chocolates.
What is the most typical Belgian dish?
Belgium’s most iconic dishes are moules-frites (mussels and fries) and carbonade flamande, a beef stew cooked in beer. In Ghent, the local dish is waterzooi, made with chicken or fish in a creamy vegetable broth.
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These two days in Ghent were simply a feast for the eyes, and for the taste buds too! We discovered several Ghent specialities and happily went back for another dose of Belgian chocolate, fries, beer and waffles! The city is full of trendy, healthy and indulgent spots, as well as fine-dining restaurants. So, what do you fancy eating in Ghent?
A huge thank you to Visit Flanders and Visit Gent for putting together such a delicious menu for us, it was perfect!
