Best Coffee and Brunch in Ghent: My Favourite Cafés - lifeassaar Best Coffee & Brunch in Ghent: 20+ Cafés to Try

If there’s one thing Ghent does really well, it’s coffee and brunch.

After living in Ghent for two years, coffee runs, lazy breakfasts and spontaneous brunch dates became a normal part of my life here. The city has everything from tiny specialty coffee bars and old-school coffeehouses to cosy brunch cafés, plant-based spots and beautiful places where you can spend half your morning.

So if you’re looking for the best coffee and brunch in Ghent, you’ve come to the right place.

These aren’t just places I found while researching Ghent. Many of them are places I actually visited while living here, which makes this list a little more personal than your average café guide.

Whether you want a quick coffee before sightseeing, a proper weekend brunch or somewhere to sit with a laptop for a few hours, these are some of the cafés I’d put on your list.

If you’re planning a trip to Ghent and want to know what else to see, eat and do while you’re here, check out my Ghent Travel Guide: Things to Do, Eat & Local Tips for my complete guide to the city.

If you’re planning to explore more of Belgium beyond Ghent, check out my Belgium Complete Travel Guide: Cities, Food, Festivals & Local Tips for more ideas on where to go, what to eat and how to plan your trip.

Best Coffee Shops in Ghent

Ghent has a surprisingly good specialty coffee scene. You’ll find local roasters, tiny espresso bars and cafés that take their coffee very seriously.

If you’re a coffee lover, these are some of the places I’d check out.

Full Circle Coffee

Full Circle Coffee is one of my favourite options if you want specialty coffee in Ghent.

The café is completely plant-based, and they roast their own coffee in-house. Their menu includes espresso-based drinks, filter coffee, pastries, cakes and other plant-based treats.

Why I like it:

Specialty coffee
100% plant-based
Coffee roasted in-house
Great cappuccinos and flat whites
Pastries and cakes
Relaxed, modern atmosphere

It’s a particularly good choice if you’re looking for somewhere that combines good coffee with a more conscious food concept.

My tip: Get a coffee and something sweet and take your time. This is much more of a place to sit and enjoy than somewhere I’d rush through.

WAY Coffee

WAY Coffee is another name you’ll come across when looking for good coffee in Ghent.

It’s a local coffee roaster and café, and it’s a great option if you’re particularly interested in specialty coffee.

The coffee is the main attraction here, so I’d put this one high on your list if you’re more interested in the quality of the coffee itself than an elaborate brunch menu.

Good for:

Espresso
Cappuccino
Specialty coffee
Coffee lovers
A relaxed coffee break

WAY is also one of those places that feels very Ghent: modern, independent and a little alternative.

Mokabon

If you prefer something with a bit more history, head to Mokabon.

Mokabon is one of Ghent’s classic coffeehouses and has a completely different atmosphere from the newer specialty coffee bars.

It’s small, cosy and old-school, making it a great place to experience a different side of Ghent’s coffee culture.

Go here if you want:

Traditional coffeehouse vibes
A quick coffee in the city centre
Something more historic and authentic
A break from sightseeing

It’s especially nice if you’re already exploring the historic centre.

Peaberry Coffeebar

Peaberry Coffeebar is another good option for specialty coffee.

It’s located close to Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, so it’s particularly convenient if you’re exploring the main sights of Ghent.

That makes it an easy place to combine with a morning of sightseeing.

Perfect for:

Specialty coffee
Cappuccino or espresso
A quick breakfast stop
Coffee before exploring the historic centre

That makes it an easy place to combine with a morning of sightseeing. If you’re only visiting Ghent for one day, check out my 1 Day in Ghent: The Perfect Itinerary for how I’d plan your day from morning to evening.

Goya Coffee

Goya coffee is a small specialty coffee bar with a slightly different feel from some of the bigger cafés.

It’s a lovely place to stop for coffee while exploring the area around the university and city centre.

Why I’d add it to your list:

Specialty coffee
Cosy atmosphere
Good cappuccinos
Great for a slower coffee break

If you’re building a little Ghent coffee crawl, Goya is definitely one I’d include.

Koffeine

Koffeine is another cosy local coffee spot.

It’s the kind of place I’d choose when I want good coffee and something sweet, rather than a full brunch.

Think coffee, cakes and a relaxed atmosphere.

Wild Child

Wild Child is a smaller specialty coffee spot with a creative atmosphere.

It’s worth checking out if you like independent cafés rather than big chains.

El Barista

Koffiebar El Barista – Gent | Specialty Coffee, Pastries & Waffles is another nice option if you want specialty coffee with something sweet.

It’s particularly good if you’re looking for coffee, pastries or waffles rather than a full sit-down brunch.

Barista

Barista is another easy option for coffee and dessert.

It’s a good choice if you’re already in the centre and simply want somewhere to stop for a coffee and something sweet.

Kultur Bakery

Kultur Bakery combines coffee with pastries and baked goods, making it a good option for a quick breakfast.

If you’re the kind of person who would happily replace a full brunch with coffee + pastry, this is the type of place I’d look at.

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Best Brunch in Ghent

If you want more than just coffee, Ghent has plenty of options for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

And honestly, this is where I’d spend more time.

A proper brunch in Ghent is the perfect way to start a day of exploring — especially if you’re not in a rush.

Alice

Alice is one of my favourite options for a proper breakfast or brunch.

It combines traditional recipes with a more modern approach and has a lovely interior and terrace.

What you’ll find:

Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Pancakes
Pastries
Coffee
A lovely setting

It’s a great choice if you want to make your brunch part of the experience rather than simply grabbing something quickly.

Visit Gent also highlights Alice as a brunch spot built around giving old recipes a new twist.

My pick: Go here when you have a slow morning and don’t have anywhere you need to be immediately afterwards.

If you’re staying overnight, I’ve also put together a guide to Where to Stay in Ghent: Best Areas & Hotels with the best neighbourhoods and hotels for different types of travellers.

Pain Perdu

Pain Perdu is one of the classic places I’d recommend for breakfast and brunch in Ghent.

It’s located in the Arts District and has a beautiful covered garden at the back, which makes it especially nice when the weather is good. Visit Gent describes it as a breakfast and lunch spot with a garden, and it serves breakfast and brunch until noon.

Why go here:

Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Coffee
Cosy atmosphere
Beautiful garden
Great for a long, relaxed morning

This is probably one of my first choices if someone asked me where to brunch in Ghent.

Cozette

Eet- en koffiehuis Cozette is a lovely local option if you want something a little more relaxed.

It’s open for breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake, and the menu changes regularly with a focus on fresh and homemade food.

Current breakfast options include things like yoghurt with homemade compote and granola, açai bowls, pancakes and more substantial savoury dishes.

Why I like it:

Local atmosphere
Homemade food
Breakfast
Lunch
Coffee and cake
Less touristy feel

I’d choose Cozette if you want to get slightly away from the busiest tourist areas.

HUSET

HUSET is a warm and stylish café that’s good for both breakfast and lunch.

It’s a nice option if you’re looking for somewhere that feels cosy but modern.

Good for:

Coffee
Breakfast
Lunch
A relaxed morning
Meeting friends

Gust

Gust is another one I’d put high on your list for brunch in Ghent.

It’s known for creative daytime dishes and a focus on good ingredients.

It’s a particularly good option if you want something a little more interesting than a standard breakfast plate.

Gust is also featured by Visit Gent as a trendy breakfast bar using ingredients sourced directly from farmers.

Go here if: you want brunch to feel like an actual meal rather than just eggs and toast.

Smørbrød

Smørbrød is a good option if you’re more interested in lunch than traditional brunch.

The concept is Scandinavian-inspired, with fresh and simple dishes.

I’d put this on your list if you’ve already done the classic Belgian breakfast/brunch thing and want something slightly different.

Coffee vs. Brunch: Where Should You Go?

Not every café on this list is equally good for every occasion.

If you’re mainly looking for really good coffee, I’d start with:

Best for specialty coffee

Full Circle
WAY Coffee
Goya
Peaberry
Mokabon

If you’re looking for a proper brunch, I’d choose:

Best for brunch

Alice
Pain Perdu
Gust
Cozette
STEK

And if you just want coffee + something sweet:

Best for coffee and cake

Full Circle
Koffeine
Kultur Bakery
El Barista
Madam Bakster

Best Coffee and Brunch in Ghent: My Personal Picks

If you don’t want to scroll through a huge list and just want to know where I’d actually go, here are my favourites.

Best overall brunch: Pain Perdu

The garden, location and relaxed atmosphere make it one of my favourite choices for a proper brunch.

Best specialty coffee: Full Circle

Especially if you like plant-based cafés and specialty coffee.

Best traditional coffeehouse: Mokabon

Go here for something that feels more historic and authentically Ghent.

Best brunch for foodies: Gust

A good choice if you want something more creative and food-focused.

Best local-feeling breakfast: Cozette

Perfect for a slower breakfast or lunch away from the busiest tourist streets.

My Tips for Coffee and Brunch in Ghent

Don’t plan every café in advance. One of the best things about Ghent is how many independent cafés you’ll find while simply walking around.

If you’re exploring the historic centre, you can easily combine sightseeing with coffee:

Morning:
Coffee → Sint-Baafskathedraal → Korenmarkt → Graslei & Korenlei

Late morning:
Brunch → wander through Patershol → Gravensteen

Or simply pick a café and let the rest of your day happen around it.

If you’re visiting on a weekend, I’d also check opening hours and whether reservations are possible before going. Brunch is popular in Ghent, and some of the smaller cafés have limited seating.

So, Where Is the Best Coffee and Brunch in Ghent?

After living in Ghent for two years, I’d say there isn’t one single best café. It depends on what you’re looking for.

For specialty coffee, I’d choose Full Circle or WAY. For a proper brunch, Pain Perdu, Alice or Gust would be high on my list. And if you want something more traditional, Mokabon is a classic.

But honestly, that’s what makes Ghent’s café scene so fun.

You can have a specialty coffee in the morning, wander around the historic centre, stop for brunch, grab another coffee in the afternoon and finish the day with drinks by the water.

That’s basically the perfect Ghent day to me.

Still wondering whether Ghent is actually worth adding to your Belgium trip? I’ve shared my honest opinion in Is Ghent Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion About Belgium’s Most Lively City.

Planning Your Trip to Belgium?

Planning a trip to Belgium can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between historic cities, lively student towns, coastal destinations and smaller hidden gems.

That’s why I’ve created my Belgium Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Belgium.

→ START HERE: Belgium Travel Guides
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Ghent Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat & Drink
Is Ghent Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion About Belgium’s Most Lively City
1 Day in Ghent: The Perfect Itinerary
Where to Stay in Ghent: Best Areas & Hotels
20 Things to Do in Ghent, Belgium: Best Places & Experiences
Best Restaurants in Ghent: Where to Eat in Ghent
Bars & Nightlife in Ghent: Where to Drink & Go Out
Bruges vs Ghent: Which Belgian City Is Better? My Honest Opinion

FAQ: Best Coffee and Brunch in Ghent

Where can I get the best coffee in Ghent?

For specialty coffee, I’d recommend Full Circle Coffee, WAY Coffee, Peaberry Coffeebar or Goya Coffee. If you prefer a more traditional coffeehouse, Mokabon is a Ghent classic.

Where is the best brunch in Ghent?

For a proper brunch, my personal favourites are Pain Perdu, Alice, Gust and Cozette. They’re all great options for a slower breakfast or brunch.

What are the best cafés in Ghent for breakfast?

Alice, Pain Perdu, Cozette, HUSET and Gust are all good choices for breakfast in Ghent, depending on whether you want something traditional, healthy or more creative.

Is Ghent good for brunch?

Absolutely. Ghent has a large café and brunch scene, with everything from specialty coffee shops and bakeries to proper brunch cafés. It’s also a great city for a slow morning before exploring the historic centre.

Where can I get specialty coffee in Ghent?

Some of the best options for specialty coffee in Ghent include Full Circle Coffee, WAY Coffee, Peaberry Coffeebar and Goya Coffee.

Where can I get coffee and cake in Ghent?

For coffee and something sweet, check out Koffeine, Full Circle Coffee, Kultur Bakery, El Barista or Madam Bakster.

What is the best café in Ghent for a relaxed brunch?

Pain Perdu is one of my favourite choices for a relaxed brunch, especially because of its cosy atmosphere and garden. Cozette is another great option if you want something with more of a local feel.

Can you have brunch near Ghent city centre?

Yes. There are plenty of brunch and coffee spots within or close to the historic city centre, including Alice, Pain Perdu, Mokabon and Peaberry Coffeebar.

Do I need to book brunch in Ghent?

It depends on the café, but I’d recommend checking in advance if you’re visiting on a busy weekend. Some popular brunch spots are small and can fill up quickly.

What should I eat for breakfast in Ghent?

You’ll find everything from pancakes, pastries and yoghurt bowls to eggs, sandwiches and more traditional Belgian breakfast options. Ghent also has plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices.

What is a good café in Ghent for a quick coffee?

If you just want a quick coffee while sightseeing, Mokabon, Peaberry Coffeebar or WAY Coffee are good options depending on where you are in the city.

What is the best brunch in Ghent for vegetarians and vegans?

Ghent is particularly good for plant-based food. Full Circle Coffee is completely plant-based, while many other brunch cafés offer vegetarian and vegan options.