Oak Ghent
Mar 24, 2025

Oak Ghent

Living room cuisine

""Oak" is probably Ghent's best restaurant at the moment. You need to book 3 months in advance to set foot here, since the price and quality is exceptional."

This is probably Ghent's best restaurant at the moment. Chef Marcelo Ballardin, originally from Brazil, worked in different restaurants across Europe before starting his own restaurant in Ghent. The place is tiny and has a living room atmosphere. When we arrived, the chef came out of the kitchen to shake hands and take our jackets. We immediately feel welcome here.

The food is amazing. Local ingredients combined with Asian spices, mixed with Mediterranean herbs and a South American accent. The chef presents the dishes himself and you can see that he's proud of what he created, with good reason. The service is very relaxed and down to earth.

With just 24 seats and amazing food at moderate prices, you can already guess what the downside of this story will be: it's very hard to get a table. You need to book 3 months in advance. Let's plan your trip to Ghent well in time, and you will not regret visiting this spot.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

Burgstraat 16

6-course dinner:

136

+32

93539050

Find your way with 112 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Ghent guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Ghent

MSK Ghent

MSK

Museum voor Schone Kunsten

"MSK" in Ghent, or Museum voor Schone Kunsten (fine arts) doesn't look so big from the outside. For me, a walk there is the perfect Sunday afternoon...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Tahnee

Naesen

Apr 16, 2025

Citadelpark

Green and culture go hand in hand

"Citadelpark" in Ghent, only 800m from Sint-Pieters station, is the oldest and biggest park in the city - the perfect place for picnics and outdoor games.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Dieter

Covent

Apr 15, 2025
Chocolatier Van Hoorebeke Ghent

Chocolatier Van Hoorebeke

Handmade chocolates

"Chocolatier Van Hoorebeke" in Ghent is a shop run by my family that specialises in Belgian pralines, or chocolate! Do try our Brasil mix...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Dieter

Covent

Apr 15, 2025
City Park Ghent

City Park

Green heart of Ghent

"City Park" is a small park next to the much-discussed City Hall - a meeting place for young and old. I enjoy getting philosophical with the view here...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Dieter

Covent

Apr 15, 2025
Le Bal Infernal Ghent

Le Bal Infernal

Used book café

"Le Bal Infernal" in Ghent is a used book cafe where you go inside, admire the beautiful interior and switch the books with one you have already!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Tahnee

Naesen

Apr 9, 2025
Simon Says Ghent

Simon Says

Time for coffee and much more

"Simon Says" in Ghent is more than a coffee bar. They offer breakfast, lunch and great cakes. I don't like coffee but it's said that theirs is the best.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nick

Provoost

Apr 2, 2025
Damberd Ghent

Damberd

Discover Jazzy Ghent

"Damberd" is the best example of that they call a 'Belgisch bruin café' in Ghent and one of its oldest bards. Very popular with the jazz crowd!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Nick

Provoost

Apr 2, 2025
Yoga-on-call Ghent

Yoga-on-call

De-stress like a local

"Yoga-on-call" is a contemporary yoga studio in the heart of Ghent. All the teachers are enthusiastic and helpful and speak English. I'm always energized.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Nick

Provoost

Apr 2, 2025
Rococo Ghent

Rococo

Cozy and romantic

"Rococo" in Ghent's very cozy old neighborhood Patershol is also a cozy and romantic bar. It's known among locals as 'Betty'. Have some 'liquer d'amour'...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Nick

Provoost

Apr 2, 2025
Portus Ganda Ghent

Portus Ganda

Back to basics

"Portus Ganda" is one of the four marinas of Ghent. Its history goes back to the very basis of the city and is my favourite spot - I feel connected here...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Nick

Provoost

Apr 2, 2025
BOON Ghent

BOON

Lunch bar

"BOON" is the most beautiful lunch bar in Ghent and already my all-time favorite lunch place! It is mostly vegetarian. Try the rhubarb soda, trust me.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Tahnee

Naesen

Apr 2, 2025
The Virgin Ghent

The Virgin

A wonderful gift

"The Virgin", a little fresco was revealed on November 18, 2014 in Ghent. I first followed the reaction of Pierre Pierlala, who called it an 'enlarged stamp'

002-building
Art & culture

by

Bennie

de Meulemeester

Apr 2, 2025

Heading to Ghent?

112 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

112 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Ghent

Our team loves Ghent

Get to know our other Spotters from Ghent

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7289
Filters