good eats in Ghent

It depends on what you want to eat.

I'm vegan so my choices might not be what you would find interesting! Last time I was there (2022) I ate several meals on Oudberg which has restaurant after restaurant. I ate twice at Little Asia Thai restaurant.

On a RS tour in 2019 we had the Welcome meal at De Acht Zaligheden. This shows it closed currently but their website says they are just on vacation until Oct 3.

https://www.deachtzaligheden.be/

On my trip in 2022 which was a Road Scholar tour they did a meal at Amadeus which is a rib place. I thought it felt like one of the get "em in, get 'em fed, get 'em out kind of place but I'm not a big rib person anyway, lol.

http://amadeus-resto.be/

editing to add: You didn't ask but if you plan to see the Ghent Altarpiece I'd book ahead and book for the Augmented Reality tour along with the viewing of the actual altarpiece. The augmented reality tour is down in the crypt and is an excellent introduction to the Mystic Lamb. I actually went to see the Augmented Reality program twice I found it so interesting.

https://www.sintbaafskathedraal.be/en/buy-tickets/

We were in Ghent in June. Three restaurants that I would recommend are Meme Gusta, Pakhuis and Al Costello.

there used to be a nice soup and salad shop, great for lunches, near the Great Cannon. I don't see it on the googles anymore. shame.

I'm from the US and live in Ghent. I echo Pakhuis though we just ate there last week and the quality is still good but isn't what it used to be 5 or so years ago. Mussels, fish and desserts are still delicious. Food is very fresh. The interior and the outdoor terrace create a nice atmosphere. If you like mussels, I recommend Brasserie Bridge which is on SInt-Baafsplein. My husband and I go to Cafe Rene once a month or so which is on the corner of the Ajuinlei and Gebroeders Vandeveldestraat. The food is excellent quality but you will need to reserve. The stew (stoofvlees/stoverij) is the best in the city, the vol au vent and garnaalkroketten (shrimp croquettes) are delicious as well. We just ate there today.

There is actually a decent taco place with nice margaritas across from Cafe Rene. Kin Khao is great for Thai, and Royal India is probably the best Indian restaurant I've ever eaten in. Where I'm from in the US, there were a lot of Indian restaurants but this one is by far the best. Turkish food is also quite common here and quite good. There is a ton to choose from but remember that a lot of restaurants aren't open all day. Lunch is from 12-2/2:30 and dinner from 6 PM-9 PM or so. It's best to reserve. Enjoy!

KathyBelgium

do you remember the soup place I mentioned near the great cannon, just 2 or 3 shops in from the bridge towards the Vrijdagmarkt?

Thanks - I appreciate all the replies!

I'd looked at Brasserie Bridge previously, and one other recommendation rang a bell. Per their websites, they're closed Wednesdays, so that doesn't work out for us. But you've all given me new places to consider, so I'll spend the afternoon drooling over menus and making a reservation somewhere.

I really appreciate the suggestions!

Hi Nigel, Do you mean Souplounge on the Zuivelbrug? They're still there and have nice soups and sandwiches for a quick bite.

yes, that's absolutely it!! Many happy lunches there.

I could have sworn blind it was on the other side of the bridge. I never remembered it in Patershol! And yet we usually stayed at the Hotel Harmony until Rick Steves started putting in the tours and book and it became so expensive that we couldn't afford it anymore.

Thanks so much for working out what I was looking for!!

I'm glad they survived the plague

Best meal I had in Ghent was at De Gekroonde Hoofden, near the Castle. Great ribs... all you can eat. Comes with a big bowl of salad and lots of bread. Wash it all down with a nice beer and you can't go wrong.

Again, thanks! :)

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this thread - went to Souplounge today for soups and sandwiches and it was perfect! large portions and super cheap for our grad student budget.

Thanks for the excellent recommendations. I enjoyed lunch at Souplounge and dinner at Brasserie Bridge yesterday.