Best Restaurants in Ghent: Where to Eat in Ghent, Belgium

If you’re wondering where to eat in Ghent, you’re in for a treat.

Ghent has one of the most diverse food scenes in Belgium. You can have traditional Belgian food, grab a massive portion of pasta for a few euros, discover some of the city’s best vegetarian and vegan restaurants, or sit down for an international dinner overlooking the canals.

And because I lived in Ghent for two years, I got to experience the city’s food scene as more than just a visitor.

I went for quick student meals, spontaneous dinners, brunch dates, drinks by the water and those nights when you just need something good to eat after going out.

So this isn’t just a list of highly rated restaurants in Ghent. These are places I’d actually recommend checking out, depending on what you’re craving and what kind of atmosphere you’re looking for.

If you’re planning a trip to Ghent, make sure to check out my Complete Ghent Travel Guide too. It covers everything from the best things to do and where to stay to nightlife, day trips and my personal tips from living in the city for two years.

But if you’re mainly here for the food, you’re in the right place. From Belgian classics and cheap student favourites to burgers, vegan food, Italian, Mexican, Middle Eastern food and, obviously, something sweet afterwards, here are some of the best restaurants in Ghent.

If you want to know more about the Belgian dishes and specialities worth trying during your trip, check out my Belgian Food Guide: 15 Foods You Need to Try too.

Where to Eat in Ghent

Not sure what kind of food you’re looking for?

Here’s a quick overview:

What you’re looking for	Where I’d go
Belgian food	Pakhuis
Belgian fries	De Frietketel
Cheap student food	Kastart
Burgers	Jilles Beer & Burgers
Vegan food	Le Botaniste
Vegetarian food	Karoot
Italian	Bocca
Mexican	Taco Santo Uno
Middle Eastern	My Tannour
Dumplings	Steamy Windows
Crêpes	KRAZ
Cake	Juli’s House
Chocolate	Mayana

But let’s get into the details.

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Best Belgian Restaurants in Ghent

If you’re visiting Belgium for the first time, you obviously want to try some Belgian food.

And while Ghent has plenty of touristy restaurants serving the usual Belgian classics, there are also some genuinely good places to experience local food.

Pakhuis

Pakhuis is one of the restaurants I’d recommend if you’re looking for a more traditional Belgian dining experience in Ghent.

The restaurant is housed in a beautiful historic building, which already makes the experience feel a little more special.

The menu includes Belgian-style dishes, seafood, oysters, meat and other classic options.

Why go to Pakhuis?

Belgian-style cuisine
Seafood and oysters
Meat dishes
Beautiful historic setting
Good choice for dinner
More upscale atmosphere

This is somewhere I’d choose for a proper sit-down dinner, rather than a quick student meal.

De Frietketel

If you want to experience one of the most Belgian things possible, go to a frituur.

De Frietketel is one of the places I’d recommend in Ghent if you’re craving Belgian fries.

And when I say fries, I mean a lot of fries.

It’s particularly popular for its generous portions and huge selection of vegetarian and vegan snacks.

What to expect:

Belgian fries
Classic frituur snacks
Huge portions
Vegetarian options
Vegan options
Homemade tartare sauce

It’s popular, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait a little.

But honestly? That’s part of the Belgian frituur experience.

If you’re travelling on a budget, this is also a much cheaper option than sitting down at a restaurant.

If you want to know more about how to order and eat Belgian fries like a local, check out my guide to Belgian Fries in Belgium: How to Eat Fries Like a Local.

Kastart

Kastart is a proper Ghent student classic.

If you’ve spent any time around Ghent’s student population, you’ve probably heard of it.

The concept is simple: pasta, huge portions and affordable prices.

Why go here?

Cheap
Huge portions
Pasta and spaghetti
Very casual
Student-friendly
Great after a night out

If you’re looking for somewhere to go after dinner or want to know where to continue your night, check out my guide to Bars & Nightlife in Ghent: Where to Drink & Go Out.

It’s not fancy. And that’s exactly why I like it.

If you’re travelling to Ghent on a budget and want something filling without spending a fortune, Kastart is one of my first recommendations.

Best Burgers & Comfort Food in Ghent

Sometimes you don’t want Belgian cuisine or a fancy dinner.

Sometimes you just want a really good burger.

Jilles Beer & Burgers

Jilles Beer & Burgers is a great option if you’re craving a proper burger.

What makes it particularly Belgian is that they combine burgers with Belgian beers.

You’ll find:

Gourmet burgers
Vegetarian burgers
Vegan options
Belgian beers
Casual atmosphere
Comfort food

It’s a fun choice if you’re travelling with friends and everyone wants something easy.

And honestly, burger + Belgian beer is a pretty good combination when you’re in Belgium.

Chapeluur

Chapeluur is another casual option in the city centre.

It’s particularly popular for late-night food, making it useful to remember if you’ve been drinking around Ghent and suddenly realise you’re starving.

Good for:

Burgers
Comfort food
Casual meals
Late-night food
After-drinks food

If you’re staying in the historic centre, it’s an easy option when you want something quick and uncomplicated.

Want to know where to stay?

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.

Short on time?

Here are my 4 favourite hotels in Ghent:

City Centre / Korenmarkt: 1898 The Post & Porter’s House
Coupure: Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel
Ghent Zuid: Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel Gent
Overpoort: B&B Achilles

Best Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Ghent

Here’s where Ghent really stands out.

Ghent is one of the best cities in Belgium for vegetarian and vegan food.

You don’t have to search very hard to find plant-based options, and you can find everything from healthy bowls to proper comfort food.

So if you’re vegan or vegetarian, Ghent is an incredibly easy city to eat in.

Le Botaniste

Le Botaniste is one of the easiest recommendations if you’re looking for vegan food in Ghent.

Everything is plant-based, and the menu focuses on healthy bowls and comfort food.

Why go here?

100% plant-based
Vegan
Healthy bowls
Comfort food
Lunch and dinner
Central location

It’s also right in the city centre, so it’s particularly convenient if you’re sightseeing.

If you only have a short time in Ghent and want an easy vegan lunch, I’d definitely consider Le Botaniste.

Sociaal Eethuis Karoot

Sociaal Eethuis Karoot is a lovely option if you want something a little more local and relaxed.

It focuses on vegetarian and vegan food using seasonal ingredients.

Good for:

Vegetarian food
Vegan options
Seasonal ingredients
Lunch
Dinner
A more local atmosphere

It’s a nice alternative if you want to get away from the busiest tourist streets.

Dolfijn

Dolfijn is a slightly alternative and cosy spot that I’d recommend if you’re looking for simple vegetarian comfort food in Ghent.

What makes it especially easy is that they have vegetarian lasagne and soup with bread available every day.

Best International Restaurants in Ghent

One of my favourite things about Ghent’s food scene is that you don’t have to eat Belgian food every day.

The city has an amazing range of international restaurants.

You can go from Mexican tacos to Syrian street food, Italian pasta, Lebanese food and Breton crêpes all within a relatively small area.

Mosquito Coast

Mosquito Coast is a fun choice if you’re looking for something a little different.

It serves international and global-inspired food in a cosy setting.

Good for:

International food
Sharing
Dinner
A fun evening with friends
Something different from Belgian cuisine

It’s the kind of restaurant I’d pick when everyone wants to try a bit of everything.

Taco Santo Uno

Taco Santo Uno is where I’d go when I’m craving Mexican food in Ghent.

It’s casual, colourful and flavourful, with tacos and Mexican-inspired dishes.

Why go here?

Tacos
Mexican-inspired food
Casual atmosphere
Good for dinner
Informal and fun

If you’ve eaten Belgian food for a couple of days and want something completely different, this is a good switch-up.

Taco Santo Uno Mexican restaurant in Ghent

Bocca

Bocca is one of my favourite easy options when I want Italian food in Ghent.

There are several Bocca locations in Ghent, but the one I personally recommend is the location on the Recollettenlei, right by the water.

The menu focuses on pasta and Italian classics, and it’s a relatively affordable option when you want something quick and easy.

But honestly, the location is what makes this one special for me.

You can grab some pasta to take away and find a spot along the canal to eat by the water. It’s such a simple thing, but it’s one of those little Ghent experiences I really love.

Why I recommend Bocca:

Italian food
Pasta and Italian classics
Relatively affordable
Takeaway available
Several locations in Ghent
Recollettenlei location is right by the water
Perfect for eating your pasta by the canals

My tip: If you want to recreate one of my favourite easy Ghent meals, go for the Recollettenlei location, get your pasta to take away and find a spot by the water. You don’t always need a fancy restaurant to have a memorable meal in Ghent.od to take away and find a spot along the water. You don’t always need a fancy restaurant to have a memorable meal in Ghent.

My Tannour

My Tannour is a great option for Syrian street food.

It’s casual, quick and full of flavour.

Good for:

Syrian food
Middle Eastern flavours
Quick lunch
Casual dinner
Takeaway

I’d choose this when I want something filling but don’t want to spend ages sitting in a restaurant.

Yalla Yalla

Yalla Yalla Gent serves Lebanese and Middle Eastern food.

The colourful plates and sharing-style dishes make it a particularly nice option if you’re eating with friends.

Why go here?

Lebanese food
Middle Eastern cuisine
Great for sharing
Colourful dishes
Casual and lively atmosphere

Middle Eastern food at Yalla Yalla in Ghent

KRAZ

KRAZ is a Breton and Norman-inspired crêperie.

If you’re in the mood for something different, this is a fun choice.

They serve both savoury buckwheat galettes and sweet crêpes, alongside cider.

Go here for:

Savoury galettes
Sweet crêpes
Cider
A cosy atmosphere
Something different

It’s especially good for a casual lunch or dinner.

Steamy Windows

Steamy Windows is a modern dumpling bar in the heart of Ghent.

And if you’re bored of the usual burger/pasta/Belgian restaurant rotation, this is exactly the kind of place I’d recommend.

On the menu:

Steamed dumplings
Buns
Vegan side dishes
Natural wine
Craft beer
Sake
Homemade lemonades

It’s casual, fun and a little different.

My tip: This is a particularly good option for a group because you can order different things and share.

Best Cheap Eats in Ghent

Ghent is a student city, so thankfully you don’t have to spend €30+ every time you want a meal.

If you’re backpacking Belgium or simply trying to keep your travel budget under control, these are some options I’d consider.

Kastart

Probably my first choice for a cheap and filling meal.

Huge portions of pasta, student atmosphere and prices that won’t destroy your budget.

De Frietketel

A Belgian frituur is naturally one of the easiest ways to eat cheaply in Belgium.

Get fries and a snack and you’re sorted.

Bocca

Affordable Italian food and the option to take it away makes Bocca another good budget-friendly option.

My Tannour

A good choice if you want something quick and filling without going for a full sit-down restaurant.

My tip: If you’re travelling on a budget, also keep an eye out for student restaurants and lunch deals around the university area. Ghent’s student population means there are plenty of affordable food options beyond the tourist centre.

Best Restaurants in Ghent for a Date

If you’re looking for somewhere a little more romantic or want to have a nice dinner with someone, I’d choose somewhere with a good atmosphere rather than just the cheapest option.