After five years of living as a student in Ghent and being someone who loves to try out new food, I got to discover quite a lot of restaurants in this beautiful city. As a local I give you the ultimate list to a few of the best restaurants in Ghent!
Bocca Gent
Bocca is my favourite pasta bar. Friends and I used to order this before going out. And I can tell you, as a university student, we went out a lot! You can put your own Bocca together by choosing your favourite size, the pasta you like, the sauce (or even two sauces) you want and some toppings on top.
Locations: Recollettenlei 2, 9000 Ghent OR Citadellaan 4, 9000 Ghent (only take-away)
Mission Masala
Mission Masala is a rather new restaurant in Ghent but it’s so, so, so good! This restaurant serves Indian kitchen with a modern twist. Despite Indian cuisine being served, the food is not too spicy (for those who are not a big fan of spicy food).
Location: Sint-Jacobs 19, 9000 Gent
Beiruti
This gem serves Beiruti street food that takes you on a mouth-watering journey to discover the Lebanese kitchen. My faculty is next to this restaurant and let me tell you it takes lots of discipline not to pick up food every time I walk past here.
Location: Voldersstraat 13, 9000 Gent
Mosquito Coast
For everyone who loves travelling, this is the place to be. Exotic cocktails and world dishes from Ghent beef stew to kangaroo steak are served. Its intercontinental decor takes you on a small world tour and awakens the worldwanderer inside you.
Location: Hoogpoort 28, 9000 Gent
Taco Santo
Eating at this taco bar is like a vacation to Mexico. They serve fresh tacos, cervezas, guacamole, salsas… In short: everything that Mexico does best! On top of that, they are always super friendly in this taqueria.
Location: Gebroeders Vandeveldestraat 3, 9000 Gent
Bicho Malo
Another Mexican restaurant and hotspot in Ghent is Bicho Malo. This one has it all: a top-notch location, the best cocktails and mouth-watering food. Take a look at their Instagram and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Or even better, have a taste!
Location: Serpentstraat 11, 9000 Gent
Yammi Yammi
I believe this by far the most popular sushi restaurant in Ghent. This all-you-can-eat restaurant serves the best sushi and is not that expensive at all. Students also get a 10% discount.
Location: Overpoortstraat 49a, 9000 Gent
First time ordering with Uber Eats? Get 10EUR off a 15EUR order with the code: ‘eats-20f05x‘.
Café René
Your typical Belgian bistro in an amazing interior. I always have a blast coming here. And the food is super tasty. You want to know why? I normally don’t like French fries (I know, what kind of Belgian am I?) but I love them here.
Location: Gebroeders Vandeveldestraat 2, 9000 Gent
Meme Gusta
Most Belgians will remember this restaurant from the tv show ‘My Pop-Up Restaurant’. This restaurant serves traditional Belgian kitchen in a cosy, vintage interior. You will find traditional Belgian options like beef stew, ‘stoemp’ and ‘soezebollekestaart’ on the menu!
Location: Burgstraat 19, 9000 Gent
Balls & Glory
Chef Wim Ballieu serves you the world’s most delicious stuffed balls with stoemp & salads on your plate! On the Balls & Glory menu: oven-baked meat with surprising fillings, supplemented with vegetarian alternatives. The fillings differ almost every day, but each time it’s delicious.
Location: Jakobijnenstraat 6 , 9000 Gent
Julie’s house
This quaint little shop sells everything to satisfy your sweet palate. The artisan cakes and colourful cupcakes are finger-licking good. Perfect to conclude this list and for you to eat as dessert!
Locations: Kraanlei 13, 9000 Gent OR Koningin Elisabethlaan 26, 9000 Gent (take-away only)