Ghent Travel Guide for Food Lovers: What to Eat, Drink, and See

Ghent is one of those cities that feels easy to love. It has canals and medieval architecture, but without the intensity that can make some of Europe's more famous city breaks feel a bit exhausting. It is compact enough for a weekend, but with plenty to discover. For travelers who care about food, atmosphere, and places that still feel pleasantly authentic, Ghent makes for a great trip!

Why visit Ghent?

What makes Ghent especially appealing is the combination of beauty and ease. You get the canals, historic sites, and cozy atmosphere, but the city still feels manageable. It is also the kind of place where you can easily center your trip around food: excellent bakeries, proper frites, cozy beer cafés, chocolate shops, and classic Belgian comfort food all fit easily into a weekend.

What Ghent is best for

I'd especially recommend Ghent for:

• a cozy fall or shoulder-season city break
• travelers who want a food-first weekend
• people who like historic cities but do not want a packed itinerary
• art lovers who want to see the Ghent Altarpiece
• anyone who wants a Belgian city that feels a little less obvious than Brussels or Bruges

What to eat and drink in Ghent

Start with a historic bakery

A very good Ghent morning starts at Himschoot, the oldest bakery in the city, dating back to 1880. They have a huge range of sweet treats plus breads and traditional Belgian baked goods that you're unlikely to find anywhere else.

Make time for frites

Belgian fries are the must eat thing in Ghent! For some of the best, head to Frituur Bij Filip. While it can be a bit hard to spot, if you see a line, you're in the right place. Don't worry, the line moves quickly and the fries are totally worth it!

Have a beer in one of Ghent's most memorable cafés

For atmosphere, 't Galgenhuis is hard to beat. Not only is it famous for being the smallest café in the city, it also has an interesting, yet somewhat dark, history. Galgenhuis is located on an old square, and during the Middle Ages, it was a place where the public would sit and watch executions. Gruesome, I know, but today, the mood inside is much more convivial.

Save room for chocolate

Belgium's chocolate is world-famous, and the chocolate shops in Ghent showcase not only tons of bon bons to choose from, but also some incredible works of art made from chocolate. I particularly love Vanden Bouhede.

Try a classic Belgian meal too

When it's time for a proper meal, don't miss the local specialties at Meme Gusta. The best part? Most of the dishes come with a towering portion of more delicious frites.

What to see in Ghent between meals

Gravensteen

Gravensteen, also known as the Castle of the Counts, is one of Ghent's headline sights for good reason. The castle visit includes a comedy audio guide by Wouter Deprez, one of Flanders' best-known comedians, which is a big part of why this one feels more memorable than a standard fortress tour.

Saint Bavo's Cathedral and the Ghent Altarpiece

Even travelers who are not especially church-focused may want to make an exception for Saint Bavo's Cathedral. The cathedral is home to the Ghent Altarpiece, a truly historic work of art. The cathedral also offers an augmented reality tour tied to the altarpiece.

Wandering the canals

Some of the best time in Ghent is not about "doing" much at all. The canals, bridges, and rows of old buildings are part of the point. Spend some time just wandering around and taking in the architecture.

Best little stops and souvenirs

For souvenirs that are actually worth bringing home, check out:

• Tierenteyn-Verlent for its long-standing mustard tradition
• Books & Booze for the very charming concept of pairing books with alcohol
• Het Mekka Van De Kaas for delicious local and international cheese

How long do you need in Ghent?

Ghent works very well as a 2-day city break. That's enough time for a bakery breakfast, fries, chocolate, a long beer stop, Gravensteen, Saint Bavo's, and plenty of aimless walking in between.

Who Ghent is for

Ghent is a particularly good fit for travelers who want:

• a European city break with an interesting food scene
• beautiful historic surroundings without a frantic pace
• an easy long weekend destination
• a trip that feels atmospheric even without a packed itinerary

If someone asked me for a Belgian city that feels charming, flavorful, and a little less obvious, Ghent would be a very easy recommendation.

📍 Note: A pinned Google Map of all of my favorite places is available for my paid Substack subscribers.