7 Best Cafés in Ghent, Belgium: My Favourite Coffee and Brunch Spots
Looking for the best cafés in Ghent, Belgium? Here’s my hits for coffee, brunch, book and lunch stops for your trip—from someone who’s visited the city twice!
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I’ve been to Ghent twice now, and the city’s café culture was undoubtedly one of my favourite parts of the trip.
At Ludo Kafe, I read beside the window, matcha in hand while Ghent boat tours drifted past.
At Lloyd, I had brunch before exploring the city, surrounded by yet more books.
And at Le Bal Infernal, I settled in with wine, apple cake and a good book (are you catching a theme here?) while local Ghent students carried on around me.
Not to mention the heaps of Ghent coffee bars and lunch cafés I found worth saving on my trip—from stop-worthy specialty coffee at Café Labath to the loved and local Kaffee Changé for breakfast, lunch and cake.
Shall we?
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
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Quick Overview: The Best Cafés in Ghent
| Café | Best for | Area | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ludo Kafe | Matcha, plant-based food and reading by the window | Historic centre | One of my favourites; try to get a window seat overlooking the water |
| Lloyd Coffee Eatery | A lovely brunch before Ghent sightseeing | Historic centre | Another personal favourite, with a book-lined interior and a very useful location |
| Le Bal Infernal | Books, cake, wine and atmosphere | Historic centre | The café I’d most happily visit again |
| Café Labath | Specialty coffee and espresso | Near St Michael’s Bridge | Choose this if coffee is your main priority (no shame!) |
| Full Circle Coffee | Vegan specialty coffee and plant-based sweets | South of the historic centre | Very vegan-friendly |
| Kaffee Changé | Breakfast, lunch, cake and a local creative space | Onderstraat | Usually only open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday |
| Boekjes en Koekjes | Cake and a smaller bookish setting | Central Ghent | Very cosy and local Ghent spot, similar to Le Bal Infernal |
| De Parkiet | Coffee, lunch and an afternoon drink | Kraanlei | Easy to combine with the castle, river and House of Alijn |
| Panotto | Schiacciata, spritzes and a quick lunch | Kraanlei | Best for food and a coffee in the Kraanlei neighbourhood! |
| ’t Kanon | Late-afternoon coffee, wine and small plates | Central Ghent | It’s very Parisian-café inspired with a lovely terrace too if you’re keen on aesthetics |
Book Your Ghent Trip
Where I recommend staying: For your trip, I’d stay at the stylish and central NH Collection Gent (Ghent), right next to the historic centre. You can also compare more hotels in Ghent here.
Getting to Ghent: Compare train times and prices for Brussels to Ghent, Bruges to Ghent and Antwerp to Ghent, plus Eurostar and onward train connections from London, Paris and Amsterdam.
The tour I’d book for a first trip: I’d choose this 50-minute guided boat trip. It’s scenic, packed with history and short enough that you’ll still have most of the day to explore on foot.
Visiting from Brussels and want to see Bruges too? I’d choose this full-day Bruges and Ghent tour, which includes a guided walk and free time in both cities, plus the option of a canal cruise in Ghent. It’s a packed day, but a useful one when your Belgium itinerary is tight and you’d rather leave the transport, timings and city introductions to someone else.
For food lovers: I’d book this 2.5-hour Ghent food tour. It pairs five local tastings at independent food stops with a walk through the city, so you’ll get plenty of Ghent history along the way too.
Stay connected: Set up your Europe eSIM before your trip. It takes less than five minutes, and you’ll have mobile data ready to use when you arrive.
For extra peace of mind: Take a look at SafetyWing’s travel medical insurance before your trip (it’s the one I personally use and recommend).
1. Ludo Kafe: Best All-Round Café in Ghent
Best for: matcha, plant-based breakfast or lunch, reading and a window seat beside the water.
Ludo Kafe was one of my favourite cafés in Ghent—not simply because the food and drinks were good (a given), but because it so effortlessly blended me in with local life in Ghent.
I took a book, ordered a matcha and sat beside the window while boats drifted past outside and uni students chatted aimlessly around me. Note: Get a window seat if you can.
The young staff were cool, genuinely kind and very welcoming which added even more to my visit.
But their plant-based menu’s nothing to snuff at—with pastries, breakfast, lunch and comfort food all on offer.
Once you’re done hanging you’ll also be just a stone’s throw from Music Mania Records 2 too. In other words, an afternoon coffee, books and an independent record shop. Not a bad day in Ghent!
2. Café Labath: Best Specialty Coffee in Ghent
Best for: espresso, single-origin specialty coffee and a morning stop near Ghent’s main sights.
Café Labath is the place I’d send you when the coffee itself matters more than an elaborate Ghent brunch menu.
Set in a corner building with enormous windows, its crowd makes sense for its art college-adjacent location—with students, locals and in-the-know tourists all passing by for one of the best cups in the city.
It’s also Ghent’s oldest artisanal coffee bar, and only a short hop-and-a-skip from St Michael’s Bridge, so it works great with my one-day Ghent itinerary or weekend in Ghent itinerary.
3. Full Circle Coffee: Best Vegan Coffee Bar in Ghent
Best for: vegan coffee drinkers, in-house roasted beans, plant-based milk and something sweet.
Full Circle Coffee was one of Belgium’s first completely plant-based specialty coffee bars, and it sticks to its tune.
All their milk-based drinks are made with plant milk as standard, while the doughnuts, cakes and other sweets are plant-based too.
Their speciality coffee bar also serves its own roasted coffee, with quite a mean espresso I must say.
They have two Ghent locations, but the one just south of the historic centre is the one I’d recommend.
Otherwise, if you’re coming from Gent-Sint-Pieters station—then go to the second Full Circle Coffee location for a first or final coffee of your trip.
4. Le Bal Infernal: Best Book Café in Ghent
Best for: book lovers, solo travellers, wine and losing track of the afternoon.
Le Bal Infernal was another of my favourite Ghent cafés, and the one I’d most happily return to.
I got cosy for quite a while here with a glass of white wine, a slice of Belgian apple cake (somewhere between cake and strudel), and found a good book and that was my afternoon in Ghent sorted!
Inside you’ll find 20,000 second-hand books lining the walls, but don’t worry– this isn’t a silent reading room disguised as a café.
You can browse, work, exchange a finished book at the bar or stay as the menu moves from coffee and cake into Belgian beer, wine and cocktails.
It’s particularly good for a rainy afternoon in Ghent or any trip in need of a gap between finishing the day’s sights and being ready for dinner.
5. Lloyd Coffee Eatery: Best for Brunch in Ghent
Best for: a proper brunch, coffee or matcha before setting off to explore Ghent.
Lloyd Coffee Eatery is one of the best brunch stops in Ghent, and for good reason.
The menu runs from sweet and savoury pancakes to egg-filled buns, toast, salads, fresh juices, matcha and coffee (all picky eaters be pleased: there’s something for everyone!) with a fabulous city centre location that makes it a very useful base for a morning sit-down before several hours of walking through cobbles.
Which isn’t a bad idea…
P.S. – They don’t take reservations but I’d arrive early if it’s a weekend in Ghent for best service.
And yes, it’s also lined with books…
6. Kaffee Changé: Best for a Local Ghent Café
Best for: breakfast, lunch, cake and a café connected to Ghent’s creative scene.
Kaffee Changé is more than a conventional coffee house.
Alongside breakfast, lunch and cake, the space hosts exhibitions, pop-ups, workshops and other small events in Ghent.
Its Onderstraat location (close to Graffiti Street) makes it the perfect pairing with a walk between Ghent’s historic sights.
The most important caveat is their schedule, which is worth the leeway given they’re community-led vs. here to serve tourists.
At the time of writing, they’re open 3 days a week—so come for Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
Did I mention you can stay here too?
7. Boekjes en Koekjes: Best for Cake and a Homely Atmosphere
Best for: homemade cake, breakfast, a slower morning in Ghent and a small independent café.
Boekjes en Koekjes translates sweetly to “books and biscuits”, which is also a fairly accurate summary of why you’d go.
This is a smaller, more domestic-feeling café than Le Bal Infernal, with fresh breakfasts, baked sweets, books and handmade pieces dotted about.
There’s no reservations, and the space is quite intimate, so treat it as a flexible stop rather than the fixed centrepiece of your itinerary. But if you can squeeze in, it’s worth the visit! And the cake…
8. De Parkiet: Best Café Stop on Kraanlei
Best for: coffee, lunch, a terrace stop and an easy pause between major Ghent sights.
De Parkiet is technically a lunch and apéro bar vs. a bona fide Ghent café spot, but that’s exactly why I like it.
You can stop for an afternoon coffee without committing to a full brunch, order lunch when sightseeing runs over, or stay for wine and small plates later.
Its location on Kraanlei is the real advantage, sitting well for a break between the House of Alijn, Gravensteen Castle and the lanes of Patershol.
9. Panotto: Best Café Lunch to Take to the Waterfront
Best for: generously filled schiacciata, a quick lunch and an Italian-style aperitivo.
Panotto is the one to save when “finding a café in Ghent” really means I need lunch immediately, but I don’t want to lose ninety minutes in a restaurant (been there).
The focus here is simple. Italian schiacciatas filled unapologetically!
…alongside spritzes and aperitivo drinks.
It also sits within spitting distance of De Parkiet on Kraanlei, so I would take your pick between the two and on a dry day, take your winner towards Graslei and Korenlei and eat, or sip, beside the water.
10. ’t Kanon: Best for a Late-Afternoon Café Stop
Best for: when coffee turns into wine and small plates
’t Kanon calls itself a “petit grand café”, and that’s quite accurate.
Parisian-leaning, it opens in the afternoon, starting its show with a little bit of everything—from serious coffee, to a boastful selection of wine, cocktails, and small plates.
The atmosphere is grown-up here, so a better match for a slow afternoon in Ghent with conversation and friends vs. a laptop-and-flat-white work session (in that case, head to Ludo).
Ghent Cafés by Area
Although Ghent is compact, the best café for you will most likely depend on where you are when hunger—or espresso desperation—hits.
- Near St Michael’s Bridge: choose Café Labath before entering the historic centre.
- In the central sightseeing area: use Ludo Kafe, Le Bal Infernal, Lloyd Coffee Eatery, Kaffee Changé, Boekjes en Koekjes or ’t Kanon, depending on whether you want breakfast, books, cake or drinks.
- Near Gravensteen Castle and Patershol: choose De Parkiet for flexibility or Panotto for lunch.
- South of the historic centre or near Gent-Sint-Pieters station: choose one of the two Full Circle Coffee locations.
How to Choose the Right Ghent Café For Your Trip (Sip)
In a nutshell, for the best brunch in Ghent before a day of exploring, choose Lloyd Coffee Eatery. For the most local Ghent café I’d tuck in at Ludo Kafe. For books and the best Ghent café atmosphere, I’d choose Le Bal Infernal or the smaller Boekjes en Koekjes
For the best specialty coffee in Ghent, I’d go to Café Labath. For purely vegan coffee and sweets, choose Full Circle Coffee.
Choose Kaffee Changé if you want a Ghent café with more of a community feel and to see a bit of Ghent’s creative scene (just remember the limited opening days).
For an aesthetic café with a terrace that doubles with wine and small plates, choose ’t Kanon.
And when the location, and perhaps a sandwich, matters more than coffee credentials—use De Parkiet or Panotto beside the House of Alijn and Gravensteen Castle, perhaps taking it to Graslei and Korenlei to enjoy if it’s a lovely day out…
Turn Your Ghent Food Stops Into Part of the Trip
If you’d rather have a local choose what you taste, this 2.5-hour Ghent food tour is an easy way to turn lunch into sightseeing too.
Rather than a checklist of sites, you’ll be beautifully introduced to the city through food, in other words, a very tasty way to experience Ghent.
Or pair coffee or lunch on Kraanlei (home to De Parkiet and Panotto) with this 50-minute guided Ghent boat trip to give your feet a break while keeping you in the prettiest part of the city.
Where to Stay Near the Best Cafés in Ghent
For a first trip, I’d stay in the historic centre so you can reach most of Ghent’s cafés on foot.
And for that, I’d look no further than the stylish NH Collection Gent.
It puts you within an easy walk of Ludo Kafe, Le Bal Infernal, Lloyd Coffee Eatery and the café stops around Kraanlei, while keeping Ghent’s major sights close too.
P.S. – For more hotel options and help choosing an area, read my where to stay in Ghent guide.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cafés in Ghent
The cafés I remember most from Ghent aren’t where I simply drank something good (although there was plenty of that), but where I felt completely at home in the city.
The independent coffee scene is not one to miss wherever you choose, so have the best time—and coffee—in Ghent!
Happy travels,
Candace x
FAQ: Best Cafés in Ghent, Belgium
What Are the Best Cafés in Ghent?
My personal favourites are Ludo Kafe for matcha, plant-based food and the waterside window view, Lloyd Coffee Eatery for brunch, and Le Bal Infernal for books, cake and wine. For specialty coffee, save Café Labath or Full Circle Coffee.
Where Can You Find the Best Coffee in Ghent?
For the best specialty coffee in Ghent, start with Café Labath or Full Circle Coffee. Café Labath is the stronger central choice near St Michael’s Bridge, while Full Circle is ideal for plant-based milk, vegan sweets and their signature roasted coffee.
What Is the Best Café in Ghent for Brunch?
Lloyd Coffee Eatery is my pick for a full brunch, with pancakes, egg buns, toast, salads, matcha and coffee. Choose Ludo Kafe instead if you want an entirely plant-based breakfast or lunch.
Are Ghent Cafés Closed on Sundays?
No, many Ghent cafés are open on Sundays, including Café Labath, Full Circle Coffee, Le Bal Infernal, Lloyd Coffee Eatery and De Parkiet at the time of writing. With that said, independent opening hours can change, so check the official website (or Instagram) on the day you visit.
Which Ghent Cafés Stay Open Late?
Le Bal Infernal is my favourite late-opening option as it shifts from coffee and books seamlessly into Belgian beer and cocktails come evening. ’t Kanon is another good afternoon-to-evening café-bar, and De Parkiet stays useful for apéro and drinks after lunch.
What Is the Best Book Café in Ghent?
Le Bal Infernal is the best book café in Ghent, with around 20,000 second-hand books, a book exchange, coffee, lunch and evening drinks. For somewhere smaller and more homely, try Boekjes en Koekjes.
Where Is the Best Café Near Ghent Castle?
Near Gravensteen Castle, choose De Parkiet for coffee, lunch or an afternoon drink, or Panotto for schiacciata and a quick lunch. Both sit on Kraanlei, close to the House of Alijn.
Do You Need to Book Cafés in Ghent?
Usually not. Several popular cafés, including Café Labath, Lloyd Coffee Eatery and Boekjes en Koekjes, only do walk-ins. But arrive close to opening for weekend brunch to avoid crowds.
Is Ghent Worth Visiting for Its Café Culture?
Oh, absolutely yes. Ghent has every facet of the café scene you could want all in one compact city centre—from speciality coffee to vegan cafés, book cafés, brunch places, café-bars and more.
Not to mention, cafés are a fantastic place to feel part of the local culture in Ghent too, and one of the top reasons I think Ghent is worth visiting.
Plan the rest of your Ghent trip
Still planning? Here’s more of my Ghent guides to help you decide where to stay, what to book and how to make the most of your trip.
Before you book
- Is Ghent Worth Visiting? My Honest Review After Visiting
- Bruges or Ghent? My Honest Comparison After Visiting Both
Ghent itineraries
- One Day in Ghent: My Perfect Ghent Day Trip Itinerary
- My Ghent Weekend Itinerary: How I’d Spend 2 Days in the City
- Brussels to Ghent by Train: My Experience, Ticket Tips & Day Trip Guide
- Bruges and Ghent Itinerary: How to Visit Both in One Belgium Trip
Where to stay and what to book
- The Best Places to Stay in Ghent, Belgium: My Favourite Areas & Hotels for a First Trip
- Gravensteen Castle Ghent: Tickets, Tips & What to Expect
- Best Boat Tours in Ghent, Belgium: My Honest Guide to Choosing the Best One for Your Trip
What to do and where to eat
- The Best Things to Do in Ghent, Belgium: My Favourite Sights, Food Stops & Local Gems
- Unusual Things to Do in Ghent, Belgium: My Favourite Finds
- Free Things to Do in Ghent, Belgium: My Favourite Sights & Local Finds
- 5 of the Best Restaurants in Ghent, Belgium: My Favourite Places to Eat
- Ghent Cafés: My Favourite 7 from My Trip
- 5 Best Chocolate Shops in Ghent, Belgium: My Favourite Finds
