Best Restaurants in Genk, Belgium + Ice Cream Spots (2026)

If you’re wondering where to eat in Genk, you’re in for a bit of a surprise.

Genk might not be the first Belgian city that comes to mind when you think about food, but its multicultural history has created a surprisingly diverse food scene.

For this guide to the best restaurants in Genk, I asked my friend Jana, who grew up in Genk, for some of her favourite places to eat.

Her recommendations include everything from Greek food and international flavours to casual restaurants and, of course, the one place you should head to if you genuinely cannot decide what you want to eat.

And if you’re visiting Genk in summer, I’ve also included Jana’s favourite ice cream spots in and around Genk.

If you’re planning to explore more than just Genk’s food scene, check out my Genk Travel Guide for the best things to do, places to visit and local tips.

Best Restaurants in Genk

1. Coppola

If you’re craving Italian food in Genk, Coppola is one of Jana’s recommendations.

This is a Ristorante Coppola Pizzeria Napoletana, so think Italian classics rather than a generic European restaurant. Their menu focuses on pizza and pasta, with vegetarian options available as well.

The restaurant describes its food as authentic Italian cuisine, and the menu includes a dedicated pasta selection alongside its pizzas. So if you’re the kind of person who can never say no to a proper plate of pasta or a pizza for dinner, this is probably one for you.

I also like that this is an easy option when you’re travelling with a group. Italian food is usually one of those cuisines where everyone can find something they like, whether that’s pizza, pasta or a vegetarian dish.

Good for: Italian food, pizza, pasta and a relaxed dinner with friends.

2. Kukina

If you want Italian food with a Sardinian touch, put Kukina on your list.

Kukina is located in Boxbergheide and is run by a family, with the owners describing their food as Italian and their name coming from the Sardinian word for “kitchen”. The menu goes beyond the usual pizza-and-pasta combination, with antipasti, pasta, pinsa, meat and fish dishes.

One thing that caught my attention is the pinsa. It’s similar to pizza but has a different base, and Kukina offers versions such as Margherita, Parma, Porchetta, Tonno and Sardinia. Their pasta menu includes classics such as amatriciana, arrabbiata and spaghetti vongole, while dinner options also include dishes such as ossobuco, tagliata di manzo and lamb chops.

So if you want Italian food but feel like trying something slightly different from a standard pizza, pinsa is probably what I’d go for.

Kukina also works for lunch if you’re exploring the area. Their own website specifically mentions stopping by for a drink or a quick lunch during a walk or bike ride in Genk.

Good for: Italian and Sardinian-inspired food, pinsa, pasta, antipasti and a family-style atmosphere.

3. Gyros Bar

For something much more casual, Jana recommends Gyros Bar.

As the name suggests, this is the place to consider if you’re craving Greek street food, particularly gyros.

And this fits perfectly into Genk’s multicultural food scene. Greek food is particularly relevant to the city’s history, as many Greek families came to Genk in connection with the mining industry. Today, you can still see that heritage reflected in the city’s restaurants and food shops.

Gyros Bar is therefore a nice option when you don’t necessarily want a long sit-down dinner. Instead, you can go for something quick and filling, with gyros and other Greek-style dishes.

If you’re spending the day exploring Genk and just want an easy dinner afterwards, this is the kind of place I’d choose over a more formal restaurant.

Good for: Greek food, gyros, casual dining and a quick dinner.

4. Oniro

If you want Greek food but something a little more restaurant-style, Jana recommends Oniro.

Oniro is located on Stationsstraat in Genk and focuses on Greek cuisine. Its menu goes well beyond just gyros, with a range of Greek starters, meat and fish dishes and traditional favourites.

This is where you can go for dishes inspired by different parts of Greek cuisine rather than simply ordering a takeaway gyros.

If you’re going with a group, Greek food is also great for sharing. You can order several starters and dishes for the table instead of everyone having to stick to one main course.

And if you’re vegetarian, there are also vegetarian options available, so you don’t necessarily have to be a meat or fish eater to enjoy the menu.

Good for: Greek cuisine, sharing dishes, meat and fish, vegetarian options and a proper dinner.

The Best Place to Eat in Genk If You Can’t Decide

But let’s be honest.

Sometimes you don’t want to choose one restaurant.

You want to look at ten menus, change your mind five times and somehow still end up saying “I don’t know, what do you want?”

In that case, don’t choose a restaurant.

Go to Vennestraat.

Eat Your Way Through Vennestraat

If there’s one place I’d recommend for experiencing the multicultural food scene in Genk, it’s Vennestraat.

Vennestraat is also known as the Street of the Senses, and it’s one of the most interesting streets in Genk.

The street reflects the city’s multicultural history, with restaurants, cafés, food shops and businesses representing different cultures.

And that’s what makes it such a fun place to go for dinner.

Instead of choosing one restaurant before you arrive, you can simply walk along the street, see what looks good and decide as you go.

You can basically turn dinner into a little culinary world trip.

One minute you’re looking at Greek food, the next you’re tempted by something completely different.

And if you’re travelling with a group of people who all want something different, Vennestraat makes even more sense.

Everyone can choose what they want, while you still get to explore the same neighbourhood together.

Why Vennestraat Is Worth Visiting

The food is only part of the experience.

Vennestraat is a great place to understand a little more about Genk’s history and identity. The city’s mining industry attracted workers from many different countries, and over time these communities became an important part of Genk.

Today, you can see that multicultural heritage in everyday life, particularly through the food scene.

So if you’re wondering where to eat in Genk, I’d definitely consider making Vennestraat part of your itinerary.

And even if you don’t end up eating there, it’s worth walking through.

My tip: Don’t plan every detail. Walk around, look at the different restaurants and food shops and see what you’re in the mood for.

If you’re still deciding whether Genk is worth adding to your Belgium itinerary, I’ve also shared my honest opinion on whether Genk is worth visiting.

Planning your Belgium trip?

I created a Google Map with 540+ saved places from my years living and travelling around Belgium, including towns, things to do, cafés, nightlife, restaurants, shopping and hidden gems.

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Best Ice Cream Spots in Genk

Now for the most important part.

If you’re visiting Genk during summer, you obviously need ice cream.

And luckily, Jana has some local recommendations for that too.

Lowiegi

Lowiegi is one of Jana’s favourite places for ice cream in Genk, and if you like having a ridiculous amount of flavours to choose from, this is a good one.

Their current menu includes classics such as vanilla, stracciatella and chocolate, but also flavours like Kinder Bueno, speculoos, tiramisu, pistachio, cookie dough and caramel. There are also several sorbets, including passion fruit, lemon and raspberry, as well as rotating flavours of the week.

And because apparently choosing between two flavours wasn’t difficult enough, you can add different sauces and toppings too. Think warm chocolate sauce, Nutella, caramel, speculoos, fresh strawberries when in season and whipped cream.

You can also get a milkshake made with your favourite ice cream flavour, which honestly sounds like a very good idea on a hot summer day.

So if you’re someone who spends 15 minutes staring at an ice cream menu because you want to try everything, Lowiegi is probably for you.

Good for: lots of ice cream flavours, sorbets, toppings and milkshakes.

De Potter

If you want a classic Belgian ice cream experience in the centre of Genk, Jana recommends De Potter.

The Genk location is on Klokstraat, right by the city centre and market square, making it particularly easy to combine with a day of shopping or exploring Genk. De Potter says the Genk shop has been a regular stop for shoppers for more than ten years.

What makes De Potter stand out is the sheer amount of choice. During the ice cream season, they make up to 24 different flavours a day, with fruit flavours being particularly popular. Their ice cream is made fresh and follows a recipe that dates back to 1926.

And it’s not only about the ice cream. You can sit on the benches around the market square and enjoy your cone while taking a little break from exploring the city.

They also sell homemade chocolates and pralines, so if you’re looking for a sweet souvenir rather than just an ice cream, you can pick something up here too.

Good for: classic Belgian ice cream, lots of fruit flavours, a city-centre stop and chocolate.

IJsmeesters

Another one of Jana’s recommendations is IJsmeesters, and this is a particularly good option if you want more than just a scoop of ice cream.

IJsmeesters makes its ice cream in-house and changes its flavours regularly. Their current offering includes 26+ rotating flavours and more than 60 homemade ice cream sundaes. They also have options without sugar and vegan ice cream, making it a good choice if you’re travelling with people who have different dietary needs.

And then there’s the rest of the menu.

You can get freshly baked Brussels waffles, bubble waffles and pancakes, which you can combine with ice cream, whipped cream or fresh fruit. They also serve things like profiteroles and apple strudel with ice cream.

So this is less of a quick “grab a cone and keep walking” place and more somewhere you could actually sit down for a proper sweet treat.

There’s also an outdoor playground, terrace, bike parking and child-friendly facilities, so it’s particularly practical if you’re travelling with children.

Good for: homemade ice cream, waffles, pancakes, bubble waffles, families and a proper dessert stop.

Ice Cream Near Genk

If you’re willing to leave Genk for your ice cream fix, Jana has two more recommendations.

Tropical in Zutendaal

Just outside Genk, you’ll find IJssalon Tropical in Zutendaal.

This is a particularly nice stop if you’ve been out walking, as the ice cream shop specifically positions itself as a place to relax after a walk. The ice cream is made artisanally, and there are plenty of flavours and ice cream sundaes to choose from.

But here’s the thing: Tropical isn’t only about ice cream.

You can also order Brussels waffles, pancakes and profiteroles, and the shop has a large terrace with around 80 seats. Their house speciality is profiteroles with vanilla cream, so if you’re in the mood for something more indulgent than a simple cone, that’s something to keep in mind.

This makes Tropical particularly easy to combine with a day exploring the nature around Zutendaal.

Good for: artisan ice cream, waffles, pancakes, profiteroles and a large terrace.

Ice cream at Tropical in Zutendaal near Genk

Het Mekkertje in Zonhoven

And then there’s Het Mekkertje in Zonhoven, which is probably the most unusual ice cream stop on this list.

Why?

Because the ice cream is made using milk from their own goats.

Yep. Goat’s milk ice cream.

The farm’s ice cream shop is open during the season from around the end of March until October, and besides fresh ice cream, you can also get a drink or a small bite to eat.

But the farm setting is really what makes this one different.

Kids can play in the playground and meet the animals, so this is much more of a little outing than simply stopping for dessert. If you’re travelling with children, I’d definitely consider it.

And even if you’re not travelling with kids, the idea of eating homemade goat’s milk ice cream at a farm in the Limburg countryside is pretty fun.

Good for: goat’s milk ice cream, families, animals and a countryside experience.

What to Eat in Genk: My Local Tips

One of the main things I’d keep in mind when visiting Genk is not to expect a typical Belgian city food scene.

And that’s a good thing.

Genk’s multicultural history has had a huge influence on the city, and food is one of the easiest ways to experience that.

You can have a Greek-inspired breakfast at Orestis, grab coffee at one of Genk’s local cafés, have dinner in Vennestraat and finish the day with ice cream.

That gives you a much better idea of what Genk is about than simply eating somewhere in the city centre and leaving again.

If you’re only in Genk for one day, I’d especially recommend combining food with sightseeing.

For example:

Morning: Have breakfast or coffee in Genk.

Late morning: Explore C-mine.

Lunch: Head towards Vennestraat.

Afternoon: Explore some of Genk’s nature or visit LABIOMISTA.

Evening: Have dinner at one of Jana’s recommended restaurants or return to Vennestraat if you couldn’t decide earlier.

Dessert: Obviously, ice cream if you’re visiting in summer.

If you’re looking for more places to eat earlier in the day, check out my guide to the best coffee and brunch spots in Genk, including local favourites like Orestis, El Verde and Bunker.

Where to Eat in Genk If You Have Dietary Requirements

If you have specific dietary requirements, I’d recommend checking the current menu directly with the restaurant before visiting.

Genk’s multicultural food scene means there are plenty of different cuisines and styles of food around the city, but menus and dietary options can change.

If you’re specifically looking for vegan food, you can also check out El Verde, which Jana recommends in my guide to the best coffee and brunch spots in Genk.

Final Thoughts: Where to Eat in Genk

I think food is one of the more underrated reasons to explore Genk.

It isn’t necessarily the first place you’d think of when planning a Belgian food trip, but once you start exploring, you’ll realise just how diverse the city’s food scene is.

You can go for a proper dinner at Coppola, Kukina, Gyros Bar or Oniro, or skip choosing one restaurant altogether and head to Vennestraat to experience the city’s multicultural food scene.

And then, of course, there are the ice cream stops.

Lowiegi, De Potter and IJsmeesters are Jana’s recommendations in Genk, while Tropical in Zutendaal and Het Mekkertje in Zonhoven are worth considering if you’re exploring outside the city.

So my biggest tip is simple: don’t just see Genk’s food scene as somewhere to eat between attractions.

It’s part of the experience.

The different cuisines, neighbourhoods and local businesses tell you something about Genk’s history and the people who have shaped the city.

And honestly, that’s much more interesting than just finding the highest-rated restaurant on Google.

If you’re interested in trying more traditional Belgian food beyond Genk’s multicultural food scene, have a look at my Belgian Food Guide, where I share 15 Belgian foods you should try.

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
→ GET MY GOOGLE MAP: Belgium Google Map

Genk Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat & Local Tips
Is Genk Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion
Things to do Genk: 10 Best Things to Do in Genk, Belgium
Coffee & Brunch: Best Coffee & Brunch Spots in Genk, Belgium

FAQ: Restaurants & Food in Genk

What are the best restaurants in Genk?

Some of Jana’s favourite restaurants in Genk are Coppola, Kukina, Gyros Bar and Oniro. They cover different types of food, including Italian, Sardinian-inspired and Greek cuisine, so the best choice depends on what you’re craving.

Where should I eat in Genk?

If you want a specific restaurant, you could try Coppola for Italian food, Kukina for Italian and Sardinian-inspired dishes, Gyros Bar for casual Greek food, or Oniro for a more traditional Greek restaurant experience.

If you can’t decide what type of food you want, head to Vennestraat, where you’ll find a much wider range of multicultural restaurants and food shops.

Is Genk good for food?

Yes. Genk has a surprisingly diverse food scene, largely influenced by the many different communities that have settled in the city. You can find Greek, Italian and many other international cuisines alongside Belgian food.

What food is Genk known for?

Genk isn’t really known for one specific dish. Instead, its food scene is known for its multicultural character. The city’s mining history brought people from many different countries to Genk, and their culinary traditions have become part of the city.

Where can I find Greek food in Genk?

There are several options for Greek food in Genk. Gyros Bar is a good choice for a casual meal and gyros, while Oniro offers a more extensive Greek restaurant experience. You can also have a Greek-inspired breakfast at Orestis.

Where can I find Italian food in Genk?

For Italian food, Jana recommends Coppola and Kukina. Coppola focuses on Italian cuisine including pizza and pasta, while Kukina combines Italian cooking with Sardinian influences and also serves dishes such as pinsa, antipasti, pasta, meat and fish.

What is Vennestraat in Genk known for?

Vennestraat, also known as the Street of the Senses, is known for its multicultural atmosphere, restaurants, cafés and food shops. It’s one of the best places in Genk to experience the city’s international food scene.

Where should I eat if I can’t decide what cuisine I want?

Go to Vennestraat. Rather than committing to one restaurant, you can walk along the street and choose from different cuisines, restaurants and food shops. It’s particularly convenient if you’re travelling with a group and everyone wants something different.

Is Vennestraat worth visiting for food?

Definitely. Even if you don’t have a particular restaurant in mind, Vennestraat is one of the best areas to explore if you’re interested in food and Genk’s multicultural character. You can combine dinner with a walk through the neighbourhood.

Where can I get ice cream in Genk?

Jana recommends Lowiegi, De Potter and IJsmeesters for ice cream in Genk. They each offer something slightly different, from a large selection of flavours to homemade ice cream and more elaborate desserts.

Which is the best ice cream shop in Genk for families?

IJsmeesters is a particularly good choice for families. Besides ice cream, they offer waffles, pancakes and other desserts, and there is an outdoor playground for children.

Where can I get ice cream in the centre of Genk?

De Potter is a convenient option in central Genk, close to the market square. It’s easy to combine with a day of shopping or sightseeing in the city.

Where can I get ice cream near Genk?

If you’re exploring outside the city, Jana recommends Tropical in Zutendaal and Het Mekkertje in Zonhoven. Both are good options if you’re travelling by car and exploring the wider Limburg region.

Where can I try goat’s milk ice cream near Genk?

For something different, visit Het Mekkertje in Zonhoven, where the ice cream is made using milk from their own goats. The farm also has animals and a playground, making it a fun stop for families.

What are the best places to eat in Genk for a casual meal?

For something casual, Gyros Bar is a good option if you’re craving Greek food and gyros. Bunker is another option if you only want a drink or a smaller bite rather than a full dinner.

Are there vegetarian or vegan food options in Genk?

Yes. Genk has a varied food scene with options for different diets. El Verde is one of Jana’s recommendations if you’re specifically looking for vegan food, while several of the restaurants and cafés in the city also offer vegetarian choices.

Is Genk a good place for a food-focused trip?

Genk probably isn’t the first Belgian destination you’d choose specifically for a food trip, but its multicultural food scene is one of the city’s strengths. It’s particularly interesting if you enjoy trying different cuisines and want to experience a side of Belgium that feels different from the country’s more famous tourist cities.

Can I combine eating with sightseeing in Genk?

Absolutely. Food is easy to combine with a day of exploring Genk. You could have breakfast at Orestis, visit C-mine, explore Vennestraat, have dinner at one of the recommended restaurants and finish with ice cream during the summer.

How many days do I need to try the food in Genk?

You can experience several of Genk’s food spots in one day, but if you want to explore the city properly as well, two days gives you more time. This allows you to combine restaurants and cafés with places such as C-mine, LABIOMISTA, Thor Park and Genk’s nature areas.