Ghent has a wonderful talent for mixing centuries-old recipes with new habits. A cobbled street may lead to a traditional dining room serving creamy waterzooi, while just around the corner a small café offers a fresh, inventive lunch. The two belong to the same city.
Start with a bowl of waterzooi
If there is one dish to try here, it is Gentse waterzooi. Once associated with fish from the waterways around the city, this rich, warming dish is now made with either fish or chicken, vegetables and a creamy broth. It is not simply a generic Belgian stew: it has a local story, tied to the rivers that shaped Ghent.
For a traditional meal, choose a restaurant whose menu actually names the dish. Rather than hunting for a supposedly definitive 'best waterzooi', take a walk around the historic centre and check the daily menu before committing. Visit Gent has a helpful introduction to waterzooi.
The sweets you meet while wandering
Ghent's cuberdons, often called neuzekes ('little noses'), are cone-shaped sweets traditionally associated with raspberry flavour. They are a charming edible souvenir, but their soft filling means they are best enjoyed fresh.
You might also encounter a gestreken mastel, a sweet bun pressed and caramelised in a waffle iron, or the city's chocolate and praline shops. These are treats to notice as you wander, not a scavenger hunt you must complete. The official Ghent specialities guide offers further context.
More than traditional dishes
Local Tierenteyn mustard is another name worth knowing; it has quite a kick. For something savoury, look for Ghent-style stoverij, a slow-cooked beef stew, sometimes accompanied by fries.
Yet Ghent is also known for a strong vegetarian food culture. Do not assume every classic has to be meat-based: many cafés offer imaginative plant-based dishes, and vegetarian versions of familiar flavours are worth exploring. Ask the kitchen when a dish contains stock, cream or other ingredients you avoid.
Where to spend your mealtime
The historic centre works well for a traditional lunch, especially when you are already exploring the towers and riverfront. For a more contemporary feeling, follow the streets slightly away from the busiest quays and look at the café menus as you go. A simple coffee break by the water can be one of the nicest parts of the day.
Our advice: give yourself a flexible lunch window. Restaurants, markets and independent cafés have different opening days. Check their current hours directly and book ahead if you have a fixed schedule.
For inspiration beyond the tourist centre, explore Visit Gent's eating and drinking guide.