Guidebook for Gent by Trui
Cafés by Trui
Cosy bar and restaurant serving Surinam drinks and food with friendly staff. Very good value, central and great place to sit, any time of day or night.
17 locals recommend
Faja Lobi Bed & Breakfast and Cafe
2 VlaanderenstraatCosy bar and restaurant serving Surinam drinks and food with friendly staff. Very good value, central and great place to sit, any time of day or night.
One of the most famous beer cafés in the city. Check their website for details.
Occasionally they have the rare (and expensive) Westvleteren monastery beer, or Sint-Bernardus (which is brewed in the same way but with different water), old and young Orval, and loads more. 350 types of beer (so they say). [many good, some bad reviews]
41 locals recommend
Dulle Griet
50 VrijdagmarktOne of the most famous beer cafés in the city. Check their website for details.
Occasionally they have the rare (and expensive) Westvleteren monastery beer, or Sint-Bernardus (which is brewed in the same way but with different water), old and young Orval, and loads more. 350 types of beer (so they say). [many good, some bad reviews]
A truly special place. Friends of mine spend many evenings and nights there, enjoying the small enclosed terras, the easy-going atmosphere and most of all the jazz concerts.
It's small so often it's packed too, but a nice place it is for sure.
67 locals recommend
Hot Club Gent
2 SchuddevisstraatjeA truly special place. Friends of mine spend many evenings and nights there, enjoying the small enclosed terras, the easy-going atmosphere and most of all the jazz concerts.
It's small so often it's packed too, but a nice place it is for sure.
I've past a few great afternoons and evenings talking to friends here. The atmosphere is warm and lively, and it's VERY close by the appartement. They write on the fb-page: 'Jazz, Wines & Whiskeys, and sometimes live music'. Open: winter: Every day at 18h / Summer: terras opens at 16h.
40 locals recommend
Minor Swing
56 OttograchtI've past a few great afternoons and evenings talking to friends here. The atmosphere is warm and lively, and it's VERY close by the appartement. They write on the fb-page: 'Jazz, Wines & Whiskeys, and sometimes live music'. Open: winter: Every day at 18h / Summer: terras opens at 16h.
A small, friendly café around the corner, welcoming people from all walks of life. They list as a queer café and have an Arab slogan above the bar. Sometimes they have their pingpong table out :)) and once a month they serve a simple meal for the amount you want to pay. Regular (free) live concerts, usually very good, emerging new groups.
They have a very active fb-page for all the latest events.
7 locals recommend
Blond
2 Edward AnseelepleinA small, friendly café around the corner, welcoming people from all walks of life. They list as a queer café and have an Arab slogan above the bar. Sometimes they have their pingpong table out :)) and once a month they serve a simple meal for the amount you want to pay. Regular (free) live concerts, usually very good, emerging new groups.
They have a very active fb-page for all the latest events.
A true beer café with numerous types of local brews in a centuries old mansion house, right in the heart of the city. Small terrace for summer or sunny winter days. I myself never visited but I loooove their logo and their cosy look. Let me know how it was, if you happen to check it out ;))
Open daily.
Dragòn
A true beer café with numerous types of local brews in a centuries old mansion house, right in the heart of the city. Small terrace for summer or sunny winter days. I myself never visited but I loooove their logo and their cosy look. Let me know how it was, if you happen to check it out ;))
Open daily.
Right across my home. Great coffees, great breakfasts, and more. Wonderful terras. A trendy place. Do take a reservation for breakfast during weekends. (expensive though)
79 locals recommend
Simon Says
8 SluizekenRight across my home. Great coffees, great breakfasts, and more. Wonderful terras. A trendy place. Do take a reservation for breakfast during weekends. (expensive though)
Arts & Culture by Trui
An absolute MUST and one of my favourite places in the city.
Vibrant arts center with large café. Discover it on the www.
Countless cultural events, specifically performing arts, music, books and city.
178 locals recommend
Vooruit
23 Sint-PietersnieuwstraatAn absolute MUST and one of my favourite places in the city.
Vibrant arts center with large café. Discover it on the www.
Countless cultural events, specifically performing arts, music, books and city.
If you're into contemporary art, this is the place to be.
230 locals recommend
Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art
1 Jan HoetpleinIf you're into contemporary art, this is the place to be.
STAM provides the best cultural/tourist introduction to the city of Ghent. On top of that, it's an example of architecture combining old and new. Located on the equally fascinating Bijloke site.
143 locals recommend
STAM Ghent City Museum
2 GodshuizenlaanSTAM provides the best cultural/tourist introduction to the city of Ghent. On top of that, it's an example of architecture combining old and new. Located on the equally fascinating Bijloke site.
My favourite museum in town ! Any given temporary exhibition is GOOD, and so is their permanent collection. They manage to mix (very) renowned + unknown artists, around a theme which has always to do with the human psyche. In a neo-gothic building (19th century), still half serving as a psychiatric clinic. It's also always quiet which makes the experience even more enjoyable. #HIGHLYrecommended
Outside of the center, 20 min walk from my place.
37 locals recommend
Museum Dr. Guislain
43B Jozef GuislainstraatMy favourite museum in town ! Any given temporary exhibition is GOOD, and so is their permanent collection. They manage to mix (very) renowned + unknown artists, around a theme which has always to do with the human psyche. In a neo-gothic building (19th century), still half serving as a psychiatric clinic. It's also always quiet which makes the experience even more enjoyable. #HIGHLYrecommended
Outside of the center, 20 min walk from my place.
VERY good concert hall for classic and contemporary classic music.
Look for them on the www.
(tickets to be bought in advance)
19 locals recommend
Bijloke Music Centre
7 Jozef KluyskensstraatVERY good concert hall for classic and contemporary classic music.
Look for them on the www.
(tickets to be bought in advance)
Cinema’s by Trui
One of the two small cinema’s in town, always showing at least one art house and/or unusual movie.
Café is also great and fully film decorated.
76 locals recommend
Studio Skoop
63 Sint-AnnapleinOne of the two small cinema’s in town, always showing at least one art house and/or unusual movie.
Café is also great and fully film decorated.
The other one of the two small cinema’s in town, always showing at least one art house and/or unusual movie.
Café is also great, but not as great as the cinema café of Studio Skoop.
62 locals recommend
Sphinx Cinema and Cafe
3 Sint-MichielshellingThe other one of the two small cinema’s in town, always showing at least one art house and/or unusual movie.
Café is also great, but not as great as the cinema café of Studio Skoop.
COFFEE ☕ for coffeeholics like Trui
My absolute favourite coffee-bar! No-nonsense, very cosy, large outside terras, very friendly, at a reasonable price, and a queer place too :)) The place is also good for spending hours to work. They have a few small bites and breakfast things, good coffees and teas, wines and beers. // Open : Thursday 5 pm–1 am / Friday 9 am–1 am / Saturday 11 am–1 am / Sunday 9 am–8 pm // MO-TU-WE Closed
chopinchopin
My absolute favourite coffee-bar! No-nonsense, very cosy, large outside terras, very friendly, at a reasonable price, and a queer place too :)) The place is also good for spending hours to work. They have a few small bites and breakfast things, good coffees and teas, wines and beers. // Open : Thursday 5 pm–1 am / Friday 9 am–1 am / Saturday 11 am–1 am / Sunday 9 am–8 pm // MO-TU-WE Closed
A bit out of the center, yet good and friendly place for coffees, breakfasts and afternoon teas.
Nice terras at the back. A good place to work or have meetings. (can get packed at times)
80 locals recommend
clouds in my coffee
104 DendermondsesteenwegA bit out of the center, yet good and friendly place for coffees, breakfasts and afternoon teas.
Nice terras at the back. A good place to work or have meetings. (can get packed at times)
The oldest coffee bar in town and still running strong. They have only a small number of tables, yet when all tables are taken, in this bar it's common to ask if you can join on an occupied table. Many elder people from Gent take their daily coffee here to read the newspapers. Their standard coffee comes with a small plate of home made cream that is impossible to resist ;)) It's a coffee roaster as well, smells wonderful. // Open 9 am–6 pm daily except Sunday
38 locals recommend
Mokabon
35 DonkersteegThe oldest coffee bar in town and still running strong. They have only a small number of tables, yet when all tables are taken, in this bar it's common to ask if you can join on an occupied table. Many elder people from Gent take their daily coffee here to read the newspapers. Their standard coffee comes with a small plate of home made cream that is impossible to resist ;)) It's a coffee roaster as well, smells wonderful. // Open 9 am–6 pm daily except Sunday
One of my favourite coffee bars, also serves light lunch and breakfast stuff. Run by the lady owner, almost all they serve is homemade. They also have VERY good ice cream. Old manor house, smallish inside, nice narrow terras outside, along the river a bit out of the city center. During weekends they serve a breakfast buffet (this one is not cheap though + for this buffet reservation is needed) // Open Thursday to Monday 9:00 – 17:00 (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
6 locals recommend
Valeir
1 Sint-JoriskaaiOne of my favourite coffee bars, also serves light lunch and breakfast stuff. Run by the lady owner, almost all they serve is homemade. They also have VERY good ice cream. Old manor house, smallish inside, nice narrow terras outside, along the river a bit out of the city center. During weekends they serve a breakfast buffet (this one is not cheap though + for this buffet reservation is needed) // Open Thursday to Monday 9:00 – 17:00 (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Food by Trui (including 2 GREAT places to buy chocolate!)
Off the grid, great interior, large terras (side and front), very friendly, no-nonsense staff. Very good dishes, world kitchen. Café + live concerts every week one night. // Closed on SU and MO // Easy to find online.
9 locals recommend
ENTR
147 HamOff the grid, great interior, large terras (side and front), very friendly, no-nonsense staff. Very good dishes, world kitchen. Café + live concerts every week one night. // Closed on SU and MO // Easy to find online.
Very good veggie, buffet style daytime restaurant, with social employment, a so-called 'social restaurant'. Eco/bio. Budget + price based on weight + easygoing.
Remark: close to the main railway station Gent Sint-Pieters so not near my place !
17 locals recommend
Lekker Gec
6 Kon. Maria HendrikapleinVery good veggie, buffet style daytime restaurant, with social employment, a so-called 'social restaurant'. Eco/bio. Budget + price based on weight + easygoing.
Remark: close to the main railway station Gent Sint-Pieters so not near my place !
Highly recommended for their local (Belgian) fresh cuisine and cozy spaces, including some 5 small tables on the waterfront (outside). It's a large place so rarely full. Friendly staff too, and not even 50m from my place.
24 locals recommend
ABA-jour
20 OudburgHighly recommended for their local (Belgian) fresh cuisine and cozy spaces, including some 5 small tables on the waterfront (outside). It's a large place so rarely full. Friendly staff too, and not even 50m from my place.
Daily dishes in amazing setting: a baroque church! CHEAP + quality is fresh and good. Social restaurant engaging deprived people. // Only weekdays lunch time !
7 locals recommend
Parnassus
122 Oude HoutleiDaily dishes in amazing setting: a baroque church! CHEAP + quality is fresh and good. Social restaurant engaging deprived people. // Only weekdays lunch time !
Dumpling restaurant with home made VERY tasty dumplings. Their inside room is very small, yet they have a side corridor with tables but not as cozy, and a small terras. (often quite full so in weekends make a reservation)
Steamywindows
9 HoogpoortDumpling restaurant with home made VERY tasty dumplings. Their inside room is very small, yet they have a side corridor with tables but not as cozy, and a small terras. (often quite full so in weekends make a reservation)
VERY tasty lunch restaurant right next to the castle, for week days (closed in weekends). All homemade, run by the owner and two other women. All veggie and vegan. Very friendly. Can get VERY full over lunch time so make sure you get there early (before 12:00) or late (after 14:00). // Open Monday to Friday 11:30 am–5 pm (closed on Saturday & Sunday)
7 locals recommend
BOON
6 GeldmuntVERY tasty lunch restaurant right next to the castle, for week days (closed in weekends). All homemade, run by the owner and two other women. All veggie and vegan. Very friendly. Can get VERY full over lunch time so make sure you get there early (before 12:00) or late (after 14:00). // Open Monday to Friday 11:30 am–5 pm (closed on Saturday & Sunday)
Rice rolls with a filling to every taste. If you want good and healthy take-away food, this is the place to be. I get some every 2 weeks or so :)) You can also eat the rolls and soups there. // Open Monday to Saturday 11:30 to 21:00 (!) (closed Sunday)
Knees to chin
Rice rolls with a filling to every taste. If you want good and healthy take-away food, this is the place to be. I get some every 2 weeks or so :)) You can also eat the rolls and soups there. // Open Monday to Saturday 11:30 to 21:00 (!) (closed Sunday)
If you're a chocoholic like me, this is your HEAVEN. Expensive and absolutely worthwhile.
19 locals recommend
Joost Arijs
24 VlaanderenstraatIf you're a chocoholic like me, this is your HEAVEN. Expensive and absolutely worthwhile.
New place in the city, and VERY good handcrafted Belgian chocolates, coming with very friendly advise and even tastings. // Expensive and absolutely worthwhile.
Chocolade Ambassade: Handcrafted Belgian Chocolate
New place in the city, and VERY good handcrafted Belgian chocolates, coming with very friendly advise and even tastings. // Expensive and absolutely worthwhile.
KRAZ is a new kid in the city: in Norman and Breton tradition with fresh local (Belgian) produce, they prepare just about everything delicious with apples and buckwheat. A fine selection of salty and sweet crepes (do try the 'Isfahan'!), and even if you are not very fond of cider (like me), they serve ciders with a very fine taste in between cava and exquisite beer.
It's already very popular, so for weekends one needs to make a reservation. // Ham 163, Ghent
Ham 163, 9000 Gent, Belgium
KRAZ is a new kid in the city: in Norman and Breton tradition with fresh local (Belgian) produce, they prepare just about everything delicious with apples and buckwheat. A fine selection of salty and sweet crepes (do try the 'Isfahan'!), and even if you are not very fond of cider (like me), they serve ciders with a very fine taste in between cava and exquisite beer.
It's already very popular, so for weekends one needs to make a reservation. // Ham 163, Ghent
Souvenirs by Trui (just 1 for now :))
The BEST mustard EVER! If you like daily home-made, fresh and HOT mustard, this is where you should go. I regularly take jars as presents, however if you take airplanes with hand luggage only, you need to buy the smallest jars.
27 locals recommend
Tierenteyn-Verlent
3 GroentenmarktThe BEST mustard EVER! If you like daily home-made, fresh and HOT mustard, this is where you should go. I regularly take jars as presents, however if you take airplanes with hand luggage only, you need to buy the smallest jars.