Ghent Restaurants

  1. De Gekroonde Hoofden

    Spare ribs (in honey, natural, and the house version, sweet and sour) are the speciality of this large, airy restaurant situated footsteps from Ghent's castle. You can fill up on them à la carte (from around €15 ) or as part of all-you-can-eat menus (around €24 .20 to around €37 .70), finished off with chocolate mousse. Staff are welcoming and genuine.

    Read more about De Gekroonde Hoofden

  2. Etablissement Max

    This elegant, pale-pistachio-and-gold brasserie serving refined fare is run by Yves Van Maldeghem whose entrepreneurial family started out with a grand mobile fair stall. Yves bakes waffles using his family's 120-year-old waffle irons, and also makes pancakes and sizzling apple fritters. To bake them yourself, pick up Jan Gheysens' book Belgian Waffles and other treats (2006) here, which contains Yves' family recipes.

    Read more about Etablissement Max

  3. Frituur Filip

    There's ongoing debate about who makes Ghent's best fries, but you can't go wrong at this place on Pensmarkt - they've been here as long as anyone can remember.

    Read more about Frituur Filip

  4. Het Groot Vleeshuis

    Only products from the surrounding province are sold at this medieval butchers' hall, which has been converted into a shop selling artisan products (with free counter tastings of cheeses and meats). That means you won't find Coke on the menu in the attached glassed-in restaurant overlooking the old covered market's ceilings strung with hams, but you will find local brews, apple wine and, naturally, meat galore.

    Read more about Het Groot Vleeshuis

  5. La Malcontenta

    One of many restaurants in the quaint Patershol quarter. This one specialises in high-quality cuisine from Spain and the Canary Islands.

    Read more about La Malcontenta

  6. Tête-à-Tête

    Stars twinkle and candles shine in this refined little restaurant that manages to marry lace curtains and modern décor in a winning way. Book a table in the enclosed terrace for canal views, and enjoy typical Belgian cuisine made with aplomb.

    Read more about Tête-à-Tête