The first time I visited Ghent, I listened to the Backstreet Boys, wore a fashionable skater outfit and impressive, matching curly bangs. Four trips later, the outfit is gone, the curly bangs are gone, and the brunch scene has completely reinvented itself. Ghent has become one of the best cities in Belgium for a slow morning with good coffee, and every visit I find something new worth adding to this list. These are my current favorites, including three new additions that have been on every local’s radar lately. For everything else the city has to offer, my complete Ghent city guide has you covered.

Updated in 2026

This blogpost contains affiliate links, so I earn a small commission when you book through my website, at no extra cost to you. Thank you if you do!

Best brunch spots in Ghent

Ghent has the highest percentage of vegetarians and vegans in Belgium, which means the brunch scene here leans creative, plant-forward and anything but boring. That said, there is plenty for everyone: classic Belgian pastries, specialty coffee, shared tables and hidden garden terraces. Below are my 13 favorites.

New brunch spots in Ghent worth knowing

Three places that have risen to the top of every local recommendation list in the past two years.

1. Pain Perdu | Walpoortstraat 9
Currently the most talked-about brunch spot in Ghent, and for good reason. Set on the car-free Walpoortstraat, the interior has wooden floors, hanging plants and a back garden that fills up fast on sunny weekends. The signature pain perdu with brown sugar and maple syrup is the obvious order, but the savoury options are just as good. No reservations accepted except for groups, so arrive early on weekends.

2. Den Hoek Af | Vlaanderenstraat (corner)
A breakfast and brunch spot with a vintage-store feel and a street-side terrace on the corner of Vlaanderenstraat, right around the corner from Vrijmoed. The groot ontbijt comes with fresh juice, coffee, yoghurt, fresh berries, organic bread and a choice of pastry. Later in the afternoon it transforms into a cocktail bar, which is a transition we fully support.

Classic best brunch spots in Ghent

3. Gust | Forelstraat 6
About ten minutes from the city center, Gust is the spot for people who want to enjoy brunch without competing for a table. The food is fresh, the portions are honest and the pace is slower than the spots closer to Gravensteen. A good option if you are spending a full weekend in Ghent and want to explore a neighborhood café.

BOOK: BELGIAN CHOCOLATE WALKING TOUR

4. Barista | Meerseniersstraat (near Zuivelbrug)
The best coffee I had in Ghent. Pastries and bread baked in an organic bakery, focaccias, soup, sandwiches and croques. Simple, done well, no frills needed.
Barista on Facebook

5. Stek | Nederkouter 129
Breakfast, lunch, specialty coffee, art on the walls and the most impressive collection of house plants you will find in any café in Ghent. The açai bowls and organic sodas with flavors like basil are worth ordering even if they sound slightly suspicious.
Stek on Facebook

For the best places to sleep, check my guide to the best boutique hotels in Ghent.

Vegan and vegetarian brunch spots in Ghent

Ghent takes its plant-based scene seriously. These are the best options for a vegan or vegetarian brunch.

6. Le Botaniste | Hoornstraat 13
The owner of this vegetarian and vegan spot owns a vineyard in France, which explains why wine is listed alongside the healthy salads and sushi. They call it Vino Therapy. The café is CO2-neutral and every dish on the menu shows its carbon footprint, which is either interesting or guilt-inducing depending on what you order.
lebotaniste.be

Madam Bakster / Best brunch spots in Ghent

7. Madam Bakster | Brabantdam 142
Owner Laura lost 30 kg but refused to give up on cakes and desserts. So she created her own vegan, guilt-free versions instead. The almond and hazelnut milk is homemade and the avocado cake with lemon is the one to order. Proof that vegan baking does not have to taste like a compromise.
madambakster.be

8. Mie Vie | Serpentstraat 28
A small, cheerful spot with vegan sandwiches, cakes and a good selection of gluten-free options. There is also a dietician on hand for anyone who wants to take the healthy eating thing seriously between bites of cake.
mievie.be

More brunch spots in Ghent worth a visit

9. De Superette | Guldenspoorstraat 29
Open Thursday through Sunday. In 2015 this spot won the award for best new restaurant concept in Belgium. All bread is baked in wood ovens. Go for one of the specials, like pumpkin cake with burrata, honey and quince. Also in my best restaurants in Ghent list for good reason.
de-superette.be

10. Mokabon | Donkersteeg 35
No oat milk, no complicated orders, no fuss. Just real, old-fashioned, homemade coffee the way it has been made here since 1937 when a young Italian opened the place. Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.
Mokabon on Facebook

11. Etablissement Max | Goudenleeuwplein 3
The best waffles in Ghent. I walked past this place at least 15 times on one visit because it was closed, checking each time like someone had reset my memory. When it is open: go. The beignets and pastries are also worth the trip if waffles are not your thing, though I am not sure we can be friends if that is the case.
Etablissement Max on Facebook

Le Botaniste / Best brunch spots in Ghent

Best boutique hotels in Ghent

Finding the right place to stay makes a big difference in Ghent. The city is compact enough to walk everywhere, so location matters. These are the hotels I recommend, including my personal favorite where I always stay.

NH Collection Ghent Belfort

My go-to in Ghent, and for good reason. The hotel is right in the heart of the city, walking distance from all the main sights and restaurants. Rooms are comfortable and well-designed, the staff is helpful, and breakfast is very good. If you want a central, reliable base for exploring Ghent, this is it.
Check rooms and rates at NH Collection Ghent

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof Ghent

Set in an 18th-century mansion, Pillows Reylof has a beautiful courtyard garden and one of the nicest hotel bars in the city. The rooms have a warmth to them that most hotels at this price point manage to miss entirely.
Check rooms and rates at Pillows Ghent

Best brunch spots in Ghent

1898 The Post

A former post office turned into one of the most atmospheric hotels in Ghent. The building is spectacular, the rooms are spacious, and the location on Korenmarkt is as central as it gets. Also home to the Porter’s House cocktail bar downstairs, which is worth a visit even if you are not staying here.
Check rooms and rates at 1898 The Post

ONE TWO FOUR Hotel and Spa

A design hotel with a full spa, indoor pool and rooftop terrace. This one is for trips where you want to balance city exploration with proper downtime. A bit further from the old center, but with its own tram stop right outside.
Check rooms and rates at ONE TWO FOUR

ROOMS AND RATES AT THE NH COLLECTION HOTEL

More good things to know about Ghent

Ghent is more than its brunch scene. The city has medieval castles, world-class art and a street art culture that keeps things interesting. A few things worth knowing:

The Citycard Ghent gives you unlimited public transport, a free bike rental day and entrance to all the main museums and sights. The city also supports environmental initiatives like Het Gentse Restorestje, a doggy bag scheme offered in over 106 restaurants. The government backs organisations like EVA, which promotes vegetarian and vegan food in schools. No surprise the brunch scene here leans so plant-forward.

For street art, head to Werregarenstraat, Ghent’s dedicated graffiti street with constantly changing murals. And at the end of Koestraat there is a small square with a terrace and a couple of good spots for a lighter brunch option, including Le Pain and Pain & Cologne.

For the full picture of what to see and do, read my complete Ghent city guide. And for dinner after your brunch, my best restaurants in Ghent list has everything you need.

BOOK: GUIDED CITY TOUR WITH FOOD TASTINGS

Best brunch spots in Ghent: frequently asked questions

What is the best brunch spot in Ghent?

Pain Perdu on Walpoortstraat is currently the most popular, with a cozy interior, back garden and a signature French toast that earns the name. Simon Says is a close second for the organic approach and Art Nouveau building. Both are best visited on a weekday to avoid the weekend queue.

Are there good vegan brunch options in Ghent?

Ghent has more vegetarians per capita than any other Belgian city, so the vegan brunch scene is very good. Le Botaniste, Madam Bakster and Mie Vie are the top picks, and most other cafes on this list also have solid plant-based options.

Do I need to reserve a table for brunch in Ghent?

Most of the best brunch spots in Ghent do not take individual reservations and work on a walk-in basis. Pain Perdu and Simon Says both fill up fast on weekends, so arrive early or visit on a weekday morning. De Superette does accept reservations.

Where should I stay in Ghent?

The NH Collection Ghent Belfort is my top pick for central location and quality. For something more boutique, 1898 The Post is one of the most atmospheric options in the city.

What else should I do in Ghent besides brunch?

Quite a lot. Read my complete Ghent city guide for the full list of sights, activities and tips. And a boat trip through the medieval center is a great way to see the city after brunch.

Flight delayed or cancelled? AirHelp helps you claim compensation, quickly, easily, and with zero hassle. Whether you fly often or once a year, it is worth checking. Click here to see if you are owed money. It takes just a minute. They paid me 600 euros in compensation already!