Ghent, with its historic streets, waterways and impressive sights, is a city you would love to take in completely. But what if you only have 24 hours? In this guide, I take you along the best restaurants in Ghent for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Discover unusual shops and explore the best activities and sights. Whether you are exploring or looking for a special place to stay, this guide lets you experience Ghent in all its charm.
With the Citycard - Discover Ghent
Want to discover Ghent at your own pace? The CityCard Gent makes it easy. You travel for free by tram and bus through the city, without worrying about loose tickets or routes. Rather go by bike? Hire one for a day and explore Ghent like the locals do - quickly, sustainably and flexibly. Or hop on board for a guided boat trip along the canals. The hop-on/hop-off water tram is also included. Furthermore, the card gives you access to all top sights, monuments and museums. Temporary exhibitions are also included. Art, history or just wandering around, with this card you have everything at your fingertips.
You can find more information about the CityCard on the Visit Gent website.
Smooth and wheelchair-friendly - On the road through Ghent
Exploring Ghent with a wheelchair? That is surprisingly easy. Ghent on Wheels' is an accessible three-kilometre route that has been compiled and tested by wheelchair users. You pass the most important highlights of the city and along the way get a nice first impression of everything Ghent has to offer. The route is ideal as a short introduction and is guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
You can find more information on the Visit Gent website.
Great places to have breakfast
Nederkouter 55, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
1. Oats Day Long
Step inside Oats Day Long in Ghent and start your day with a healthy boost. In the modern, fresh setting, you'll enjoy nutritious oat bowls and crunchy toasts. Here, it's all about oats. Each dish is prepared with local and seasonal ingredients. For example, try the Lemon Poppy Porridge: creamy oatmeal with lemon curd, poppy seeds, granola, blueberries and toasted almonds.
Leithstraat 51, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
2. Cocotine
Floral lemonades, freshly baked cakes and famous pancakes make Cocotine in Ghent a charming address to enjoy. The 'Charming Roses' pancakes are my favourite: airy soya pancakes with Greek yoghurt, rose blossom jam, red fruit and edible flowers. Everything is prepared with care, using ingredients from their own garden and local suppliers. You sit among white walls, pink accents and vintage details. Like falling into a gentle dream for a moment, but one with really good food.
Sint-Baafsplein 12, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
3. O'yo
Start your day healthy at O'yo in Ghent, the perfect place for a nutritious breakfast or sumptuous lunch. Here you will enjoy tasty dishes prepared with pure, seasonal ingredients that will give you energy without that afternoon dip. For example, try the warm, savoury dahl with red lentils, brown basmati rice and roasted broccoli - a tasty and nutritious choice. Everything can be customised to suit your personal preferences and dietary needs. O'yo is family- and animal-friendly and wheelchair-accessible, making it a fine stop for everyone.
This is where you really want to have lunch
Korenmarkt 37, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
1. WASBAR
WASBAR in Ghent is the perfect place for lunch with a twist. Enjoy delicious bagel burgers or a salad with quinoa and guacamole while doing your laundry. WASBAR is the unique combination of a café and laundrette in one. Meet up for a lunch date or a fun afternoon with friends.
Geldmunt 6, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
2. BOON
Creative, vegetarian lunch dishes with surprising bean combinations, made from local and sustainable ingredients. That's what you can expect at BOON in Ghent. My favourite? The spring salad with green asparagus and string beans. The warm, retro atmosphere completes the picture. Brown vintage chairs and mint-green crockery give the interior a quirky character that perfectly matches the original menu. Weather permitting, the quiet courtyard garden is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Kompasplein 16, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
3. Haddok
For a relaxed lunch by the water, Haddok in Ghent is the place to be. Sample fresh, local dishes such as creative seasonal dishes, croques or one of the veggie options. Like the toast with beetroot hummus and asparagus salsa, a colourful favourite. With a quality coffee from the barista and cocktails on the terrace, you'll feel right at home here. Kids can play in the play corner while you enjoy peace and quiet. Also ideal for lunch to-go.
End the day with a tasty dinner
Dampoortstraat 11, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
1. Golden Gai
Looking for a unique ramen experience in Ghent? Golden Gai, near Ghent-Dampoort station, offers a fixed menu of four ramen, most of which are vegetarian or vegan. Everything is homemade, from the noodles to the soft drinks. Every month, they surprise you with a new ramen special. Discover the extensive cocktail menu, natural wines and homemade lemonades. Fancy ramen with a local accent? At Golden Gai, taste Japanese flavours prepared with local ingredients.
Oude Schaapmarkt 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
2. Guerrilla Streetfood
At Guerilla Streetfood in Ghent, you are treated to etagères full of surprises, inspired by cuisines from all over the world. The Mexican tier is a party on your plate, with patatas, tacos, satay and chicken. Everything is served to share, so invite your friends for a taste explosion. Do you dare to try them all?
Gebroeders Vandeveldestraat 6, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
3. Oh!Ma!
At Oh!Ma! in Ghent, you will discover a completely vegetable world where nostalgic flavours take centre stage. Think classics like stew with fries, creamy pastas, burgers and hot dogs, all 100% vegan. This restaurant emerged from a successful pop-up during the Ghent Festivities and grew into permanent premises. The creative dishes not only surprise vegans, but also manage to convince meat-eaters. Oh!Ma! serves familiar flavours in a new, animal-free jacket.
The best bookstores in Ghent
Hoogpoort 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
1. Bookz & Booze
Bookz & Booze is the place where books and drinks come together. Here you buy a book with a matching bottle, perfectly packaged for a unique reading experience. Ief Stuyvaert, the owner, shares his favourite books and helps you find the perfect copy. An ideal stop for book lovers and foodies.
Kouter 113, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
2. Trojan horse
In Ghent, you will find Paard van Troje, an independent bookshop with a unique selection of 30,000 books and vinyl. From bestsellers to hidden gems, you will find both Dutch- and English-language titles here. Every month you will enjoy several book screenings. A cultural place where stories and people come together.
Nice to visit
Veldstraat 55, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
1. Hotel d'Hane Steenhuyse
This historic city palace in Ghent, Hotel d'Hane Steenhuyse, enchants with its colourful lounges and regal wallpaper. Step back in time and discover the splendour of noble life. Stroll through the peaceful courtyard garden or join a guided tour on Sundays for more background information. CityCard holders join for free after online registration.
Sint-Veerleplein 11, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
2. Castle of the Counts in Ghent
Full of stories about knights, power and the earldom, the Castle of the Counts takes you back to the Middle Ages. This imposing castle in Ghent, with its impressive walls and towers, breathes history. Stroll through the keep and the rooms where battles were once fought and discover the impressive collection of torture instruments. Gravensteen is not only a glimpse into the past, but also a place that reflects Ghent's vibrant history. Are you ready to unravel the mystery of this mighty castle?
Charming concept stores
Kraanlei 61, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
1. Louise & Madeleine
Louise & Madeleine is a charming concept store in the heart of Ghent, where handmade jewellery, vintage finds and unique interior items come together. Each piece is chosen with love and attention to detail by Kim, the creative woman behind the shop. What makes this shop really special is not only the selection, but also the premises themselves. The small red and black tiles on the outside give it a charming look that immediately catches the eye.
Walpoortstraat 30, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
2. Just Waldo
Just Waldo in Ghent takes vintage to a higher level. Owner Grécie and her team select each piece with care: quality basics in wool, cotton or silk from brands such as Levi's and Valentino. Everything is washed, mended and ironed until it feels like new. Why choose fast fashion when you can shop stylishly and sustainably here?
Nice to do
Onderbergen 4A, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
1. Waffles & Beer
Two Belgian icons come together in one tasty workshop at Waffles & Beer in Ghent. You taste different beers, choose your favourite and learn how to bake Brussels waffles with them. With toppings of your choice and a fresh glass of beer, you will finish in style. Ready to get cracking? Book your workshop here.
Staying over?
Rabotstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
1. B&B Petit Prince
B&B Petit Prince is located in the heart of historical Ghent, a stone's throw from the Castle of the Counts. Together with her partner Guy, hostess Polo created a warm place full of light, charm and character. In a stately mansion with angelic facade, you will enjoy stylish rooms with a touch of luxury. A fresh breakfast awaits in the morning, perfect for a day of wandering along the Lys and through winding alleys. With a city garden, fireplace and a touch of royal history, Petit Prince feels like coming home to the city.
Gewad 42, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
2. B&B Great Gent
At Great, you immediately feel like a guest in the story of Greetje, an interior designer with an eye for detail and a heart for hospitality. Her B&B is located in a characteristic corner building in Prinsenhof. Authentic wooden stairs, old walls and a charming tudor gate blend perfectly with the modern design. Each accommodation is unique, with warm colours, art on the wall and a mix of old and new materials. You stay in a quiet spot, close to the bustling centre of Ghent.
Whether you end your day with a dinner in a charming restaurant, an overnight stay in a cosy B&B or a browse through unique shops in Ghent. This city knows how to charm you until the last minute. There is always something to do, from culture, sightseeing and gastronomy to a relaxing day out. One thing is for sure: after 24 hours, you secretly want to stay much longer.
Love,
Hannah-Grethe
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