Jasper Hamerlynck (1981)

Image by Jasper Hamerlynck

Want to get away from the busy center of Ghent for a while but don’t feel like going too far out? Have a drink at the terrace of Brasserie Pakhuis. It’s conveniently located just behind the Veldstraat, the main shopping street of Ghent, but it’s a bit hidden so there are not a lot of people passing by, which makes it a great place to take a pause from an afternoon of frantic shopping.

The Pakhuis is a well-known restaurant that has a great wine list and a menu that has won it a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin guide. Three years ago they decided to get rid of their parking lot and build a terrace instead. Without a doubt, this has become one of the nicest terraces in Ghent. Because it’s on the south side it has sun throughout the afternoon.

If you want to have lunch or dinner there, it’s advisable to book well in advance, but for a coffee or a glass of wine there is usually still a seat available. And if that’s not the case, the terraces of the Graslei and Korenmarkt are just around the corner.

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Pakhuis Terrace | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Brasserie)
Schuurkenstraat 6 | City Center | +3292235555
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 00:00

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Image by Jasper Hamerlynck

Unlike Antwerp, Ghent isn’t really known for its affinity with fashion. However, if you look hard enough there are quite a few boutiques around that sell stuff that is slightly out of the ordinary. The Difference is one of these stores.

It’s located opposite a large clothing store called Movies, which sells most of the popular leisure brands. Therefore The Difference really needs to provide something, well, different. And it does. There are some big brands in this store like Desigual, but most of the clothes come from relatively unknown designers or are satellite brands of larger houses such as D&G. The focus used to be very much on men’s clothing, but nowadays there’s a good women’s section too.

This is not the place where you can buy an entire wardrobe, but you can definitely find that slightly offbeat shirt or accessory that puts the finishing touch to your outfit. It’s usually not very crowded at The Difference, so there’s plenty of time to browse and try out different things. Come to think of it, The Difference is actually one of the only stores where even I don’t mind going…

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The Difference | Shopping
St Pietersnieuwstraat 2 | City Center
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

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Image by Jasper Hamerlynck

When I was a student in Ghent, this was the only one place where I would go to get a shot of caffeine. This shop lives and breathes coffee. Here you will find a variety of blends in a very warm and cozy surrounding. It’s best to go here when it’s rainy and cold and you forgot to bring an umbrella. Once inside you will forget all about the nasty weather.

Don’t go here if you’re looking for a hip place to hang out and play with your iPad. The interior of the place is shabby at best, the chairs are crooked and the tables can barely support two cups of coffee. Waitresses aren’t particularly friendly and it’s located in a dodgy little street. But the place has an indefinable charm and the product they sell is great.

The best advertisement for the Mocabon is the customers. Apart from the occasional student, you will find mostly old locals here. They’ve probably been coming to the Mocabon for ages, which tells you everything about the quality of the coffee!

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Mocabon | Coffee & tea | Cappuccino € 2
Donkersteeg 35 | City Center
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 19:00

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Image by Jasper Hamerlynck

This is one of my favorite warm-up places before a big night out. Lounging in the comfortable couches, listening to some laid back music and sipping on a great mojito is my idea of getting into the mood for an all-night party.

At Limonada they know exactly how to provide the right vibes. The bartenders are expert cocktail shakers, service is fast, yet the atmosphere is very laid back. However, the later it becomes, the more rowdy the crowd gets and occasionally it ends up being a full-blown party in here.

In case you don’t want to stick around and wait for that to happen, Ghent nightlife is just around the corner. The Limonada is slightly hidden but still very much in the center of town, the bars of the Korenmarkt or Beestenmarkt are within crawling distance, so don’t hold back on those daiquiris!

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Limonada | Bars | Cocktail € 6
Heilige Geeststraat 7 | City Center
Mon – Sat from 20:00

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Image by Jasper Hamerlynck

I often go to this place on Sunday evenings. Forgot to buy groceries or too lazy to cook, this is a great place to get a quick bite. The menu is very straightforward, they serve either tajines or couscous based dishes. Both can be ordered in different styles, containing lamb, chicken or both and flavoured with a wide variety of spices.

The wine menu is quite funky, containing mostly Moroccan wines. Unless you happen to be an expert on this subject, better ask the waitress for advice.

One of the really nice things about Sarabande is the location, right in between the Graslei and the Korenlei, overlooking both. The terrace offers a great view of one of the prettiest sights in Ghent and it’s just far enough from the other bars and restaurants to offer a bit more peace and quiet.

The interior of the restaurant is small and cozy, but not too crowded. I personally prefer the second floor because it’s a bit fancier and offers a nicer panorama. In short, a great place to have a relaxed meal after a heavy weekend.

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Sarabande | Restaurants (Moroccan) | Main course € 16
Korenlei 1 | City Center | +3292256475
12:00 – 15:00 & 18:00 – 22:00 daily

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