Ghent - In Your Pocket
Ghent - In Your Pocket Ghent - In Your Pocket
Hotels Restaurants Cafés Nightlife Sightseeing Events Maps N°3 - € 2.50 www.inyourpocket.com GHENt July 2013 - January 2014 “In Your Pocket: A cheeky, well- written series of guidebooks.” The New York Times Music to your ears Welcome to Ghent: UNESCO City of Music. From the Gentse Feesten to Vooruit 100 and Parkkaffee, there’s a concert this year for everyone Food Discover why Ghent is Belgium’s top culinary destination. Isn‘t life simply njummie?
- Page 2 and 3: Bubble Post, for all your local del
- Page 4 and 5: 4 Foreword Forget Bruges, Antwerp,
- Page 6 and 7: 6 arrival & transport By plane Ghen
- Page 8 and 9: 8 BasiCs Read on and find out why t
- Page 10 and 11: 10 BasiCs Money Since 2002, a large
- Page 12 and 13: 12 history Unwilling to take anymor
- Page 14 and 15: 14 Culture & events minutes’ walk
- Page 16 and 17: 16 Culture & events White Cat B-1,
- Page 18 and 19: 18 Culture & events Rock, Folk, Jaz
- Page 20 and 21: 20 where to stay Cream of the crop
- Page 22 and 23: 22 where to stay Summer to enjoy!
- Page 24 and 25: 24 restaurants It is not an oversta
- Page 26 and 27: 26 restaurants Cuban La Casa del Cu
- Page 28 and 29: 28 restaurants Multatuli C-1, Huide
- Page 30 and 31: 30 restaurants Turkish Aspendos B-1
- Page 32 and 33: 32 CaFÉs Ghent has a fantastic caf
- Page 34 and 35: 34 CaFÉs Simon Says B-1, Sluizeken
- Page 36 and 37: 36 nightliFe Microbreweries Brewery
- Page 38 and 39: 38 what to see There is much to see
- Page 40 and 41: 40 what to see Zwembad Van Eyck C-2
- Page 42 and 43: 42 what to see Museums Design Museu
- Page 44 and 45: 44 what to see Former Dominican fri
- Page 46 and 47: 46 shopping Cheese Het Hinkelspel D
- Page 48 and 49: 48 shopping Mis-en-plis B-2, Hoogpo
- Page 50 and 51: 50 shopping Shoes, Sneakers & Stree
Hotels Restaurants Cafés Nightlife Sightseeing Events Maps<br />
N°3 - € 2.50<br />
www.inyourpocket.com<br />
GHENt<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
“<strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong>: A cheeky, well-<br />
written series of guidebooks.”<br />
The New York Times<br />
Music to your ears<br />
Welcome to <strong>Ghent</strong>: UNESCO City<br />
of Music. From the Gentse<br />
Feesten to Vooruit 100 and<br />
Parkkaffee, there’s a concert<br />
this year for everyone<br />
Food<br />
Discover why <strong>Ghent</strong> is Belgium’s<br />
top culinary destination. Isn‘t life<br />
simply njummie?
Bubble Post,<br />
for all your local deliveries,<br />
visibility and events.<br />
for more information: www.bubblepost.be or mail to hello@bubblepost.be
ESSENTIAL CITY GUIDES<br />
Contents<br />
Arrival & Transport 5<br />
How to get to your hotel<br />
The Basics 8<br />
Getting to grips with <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
History 11<br />
The city’s past on two pages<br />
Culture & Events 13<br />
Concerts, galleries and events<br />
Where to stay 20<br />
Beds for backpackers and business executives<br />
Dining & Nightlife 24<br />
From light drinking to heavy eating<br />
Cafés 32<br />
Classic cafés and bakeries<br />
Nightlife 35<br />
Plunge into one of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s bars: loungy, hip,<br />
dark: a bar to everyone’s taste.<br />
Sightseeing 38<br />
Museums, churches and other sights<br />
Lys, photo by Anke Sanders<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
Vooruit, photo by Anke Sanders<br />
List of small features<br />
Contents<br />
Great Bradley Wiggins 8<br />
Noosebearers 11<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>, UNESCO City of Music 17<br />
Parkkaffee 19<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>’s Culinary Prodigies: The Flemish<br />
Foodies and Beyond 31<br />
Het Lam Gods 39<br />
Shopping<br />
For the ultimate gift & souvenirs<br />
45<br />
Directory<br />
Pharmacies, banks and barbers<br />
Maps & <strong>In</strong>dex<br />
51<br />
Country map 53<br />
Street index 54<br />
City centre map 55<br />
City map 56-57<br />
<strong>In</strong>dex 58<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
3
4 Foreword<br />
Forget Bruges, Antwerp, and even Brussels: it’s <strong>Ghent</strong>,<br />
a modern, buzzing city with a wonderful medieval centre<br />
that should be on top of your ‘things to visit in Belgium’<br />
list. The city’s many beautiful historical buildings, winding<br />
canals, bustling international port, top-rated university,<br />
museums, shops, restaurants and bars are guaranteed<br />
to make a visit worth your while.<br />
What <strong>Ghent</strong> might lack in size (it only has around<br />
250,000 inhabitants), and medieval facades (slightly<br />
fewer than Bruges), it makes up for in jovial atmosphere,<br />
cultural activities, unstoppable entrepreneurial drive,<br />
and unmistakable joie de vivre. A case in point is the<br />
infamous ten-day-long <strong>Ghent</strong> Festival (Gentse Feesten<br />
in Dutch), held every summer. About two million visitors<br />
attend the Stroppendragers’ (see Noose-bearers on<br />
p.11) party each year.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> is a city of contrasts: it effortlessly combines<br />
the old and the new in its architecture, traditions<br />
and citizens alike. Amidst the medieval Saint Bavo’s<br />
Cathedral and Belfroy, young families go about their lives.<br />
Students enjoy a traditional Neuzeke (purple candy) or<br />
a shot of Filliers jenever before exploring the sizzling<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> nightlife. Pensioners can have a beer in the ultramodern<br />
Stadshal (nicknamed the Sheep Pen). One thing<br />
all <strong>Ghent</strong> citizens have in common is the fact that they<br />
take pride in their cultural heritage. This year, <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
invites everyone to celebrate its rich cultural history with<br />
a number of events.<br />
A little over 100 years ago, King Albert I and Queen<br />
Elisabeth inaugurated the World Fair in <strong>Ghent</strong>. The<br />
Exposition universelle et internationale de Gand<br />
was one of the most spectacular world fairs to date.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>’s many cultural institutions and organizations have<br />
seized the hundredth anniversary of the <strong>Ghent</strong> world<br />
exhibition to present a series of exhibitions in which<br />
they highlight the significance of 1913 for society today.<br />
Another birthday girl is the much-loved Vooruit: the<br />
grand old lady of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s cultural scene is 100 this year.<br />
During Vooruit100 (which runs until October 2013) the<br />
building in the Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat opens its doors<br />
Europe <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong><br />
Northern<br />
Ireland<br />
Ireland<br />
Netherlands<br />
Germany<br />
Poland<br />
Belgium<br />
Czech<br />
Republic<br />
Estonia<br />
Latvia<br />
Lithuania<br />
Belarus<br />
Ukraine<br />
Austria<br />
Switzerland<br />
Slovenia<br />
Romania<br />
Croatia<br />
Italy Bosnia<br />
Serbia<br />
Bulgaria<br />
Montenegro Kosovo<br />
FYR Macedonia<br />
Albania<br />
Greece<br />
Russia<br />
to everyone interested in Vooruit history. Activities<br />
include the Cooperette, where you can repair clothes<br />
and make new things, and the Think Bar, a place where<br />
ideas, proposals, scenarios and projects are examined<br />
and shared. During this anniversary year, the Vooruit<br />
Café offers up some unique recipes from well-known<br />
chefs, as well as a specially brewed beer, the Triomfbier.<br />
Moreover, the Vooruit in <strong>Ghent</strong> app guides smartphone<br />
users through <strong>Ghent</strong>’s city centre, hot on the trail of<br />
creativity and transition, key words both of Vooruit,<br />
and of <strong>Ghent</strong>. Finally, the STAM museum hosts an an<br />
intriguing historical exhibition of the Vooruit building, its<br />
significance for <strong>Ghent</strong> and the many activities that have<br />
taken place during the past century.<br />
The Film Festival Gent might be a long way off being<br />
a centenarian, but its 40th edition, scheduled for October<br />
8th-19th, 2013, merits a celebration nonetheless. The<br />
festival was first established as a student film festival, and<br />
has since developed into one of Europe’s most prominent<br />
film events, attracting over 130,000 visitors each year.<br />
Many international guests from the world of film flock<br />
to <strong>Ghent</strong> to present their films to the general public. <strong>In</strong><br />
addition to the screenings, the Film Festival Gent also<br />
organizes film-related exhibitions. What makes the Festival<br />
truly unique, however, is its focus on film music: every<br />
year, the festival organizes film music concerts, giving<br />
composers of film scores the platform they deserve. An<br />
annual highlight are the World Soundtrack Awards, the<br />
most prestigious soundtrack awards in the world.<br />
After exploring these events, and the many other<br />
delights <strong>Ghent</strong> has to offer, it will be hard not to fall for<br />
this exciting, picturesque city. This <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> guide<br />
gladly takes you on a tour of the very best of <strong>Ghent</strong>.<br />
Hungry for more? Check out additional information online<br />
at www.inyourpocket.com/belgium. We welcome all of<br />
your suggestions and comments: send them to ghent@<br />
inyourpocket.com.<br />
All that’s left is for us to wish you a fantastic time in<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>, which is, as they say in <strong>Ghent</strong> slang, ‘vree wijs’!<br />
(‘very cool’)<br />
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<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Publisher<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong><br />
Lariksenstraat 12. B-1050 Brussels, Belgium<br />
Tel. (+32) 473 51 30 02, ghent@inyourpocket.com,<br />
www.inyourpocket.com<br />
ISSN 2034-8975<br />
© BIYP SPRL/BVBA<br />
Printed by PAPERLAND S.A.<br />
Published twice per year,<br />
20 000 copies annualy<br />
Editorial<br />
Editors Sofie Steen, Craig Turp<br />
Contributors Astrid Vandendaele, Kristel Vereecken,<br />
Jean Jacques Haus<br />
Design Vaida Gudynaite<br />
Photography Reine Ortiz, Anke Sanders, Visit-Gent<br />
Cover Visit-Gent<br />
Sales & Circulation<br />
General Manager Reine Ortiz<br />
Sales Reine Ortiz, Sofie Steen<br />
Circulation Reine Ortiz, Bubble Post<br />
Copyright notice<br />
Text and photos copyright BIYP SPRL/BVBA 2013.<br />
Maps copyright cartographer. All rights reserved. No<br />
part of this publication may be reproduced in any form,<br />
except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without<br />
written permission from the publisher and copyright<br />
owner. The brand name <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> is used under<br />
license from UAB <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> (Bernardinų 9-4,<br />
Vilnius, Lithuania tel. (+370) 5 212 29 76).<br />
Maps<br />
AQUATERRA N.V.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> is easily explored on foot with most of the sights located<br />
within the relatively small city centre. Riding a bicycle<br />
around the city is not a bad idea either. The flat terrain and<br />
the generally short distances make cycling a lovely way<br />
to discover town. That being said, <strong>Ghent</strong> also has a well<br />
organised public transport system, reaching nearly every<br />
corner of the city.<br />
All trams and buses in Flanders are operated by the<br />
transport company De Lijn. You can find a route planner,<br />
schedules and network maps at the company’s website,<br />
www.delijn.be, or at a Lijnwinkel or <strong>Ghent</strong> Tourist Office.<br />
Tickets can be bought either directly from the driver inside<br />
buses and trams, at a Lijnwinkel or in most supermarkets<br />
and newspaper shops. Lijnwinkels are located at<br />
Sint-Pieters station, Gent-Zuid (Graaf van Vlaanderenplein)<br />
and at Korenmarkt. A single ticket costs €2 if bought from<br />
the driver or €1.20 if bought in advance. If you plan to use<br />
city transport regularly, you could buy a Lijnkaart for €9,<br />
which allows you to make 10 single journeys. You could<br />
also choose to get a day pass for €5 (€7 if purchased<br />
from the driver) or a 3-day pass for €10 (€12 from driver).<br />
Tickets always need to be validated by using the yellow<br />
machine inside trams and buses. Stick the ticket in the<br />
machine and press the number of zones you are travelling<br />
though. Unless you are travelling outside the city limits,<br />
this will be just one zone.<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
arrival & transport<br />
By car<br />
Driving to the centre of <strong>Ghent</strong> can be a difficult task<br />
and be quite costly.<br />
There are four different zones, and they are split into two different<br />
sections. You have the choice of Kort Parkeren (shortterm<br />
parking, maximum three hours) and Dagparkeren (24<br />
hours). Parking costs vary, from €2 an hour in the centre of<br />
the city up to €10 for a full day. Remember, however, that it’s<br />
hard to find a parking spot in or near the Old Town. Don’t park<br />
without paying unless you fancy a huge fine.<br />
If you’re coming from out of town, free parking at one<br />
of the six Park and Ride locations is your best option. The<br />
only damage is €2 for a tram ticket to town (or €1.20 if you<br />
buy it in advance).<br />
There are Park & Ride facilities at:<br />
P+R Gentbrugge (250 parking places)<br />
P+R Oostakker (200 parking places)<br />
P+R Flanders Expo (106 parking places)<br />
P+R Wondelgem <strong>In</strong>dustrieweg (48 parking places)<br />
P+R Mariakerke (25 parking places)<br />
P+R Gentbrugge Moscou (15 parking places)<br />
If you’re still determined to drive into the Old Town then<br />
look for a parking garage. There are nine parking garages<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong>. Rates vary, but you will pay around €1,50 an<br />
hour. You can find them easily by following the electronic<br />
signs on the billboards when you enter the city from whatever<br />
direction: the signs will also tell you how many free<br />
spaces are available. Further details of parking garages in<br />
town can be found here: www.parkeerbedrijf.gent.be.<br />
Tourist information<br />
Beautiful cities always have a tourist office and <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
is no exception. For information about the city, head to<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> Tourist Office. If you want to know something<br />
about the surrounding region, step inside the office of<br />
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> Tourist Office B-2, Sint-Veerleplein 5, tel.<br />
(+32) 926 65 660, fax (+32) 926 65 673, visit@<br />
gent.be, www.visitgent.be. To find the city’s tourist<br />
information office, walk through the gate in the corner of<br />
the square and you will spot it directly on the left. A large<br />
selection of brochures, leaflets and city maps is available,<br />
including maps with thematic walking routes and a<br />
brochure specifically for vegetarian visitors. Try the futuristic<br />
touch-screen tables, which will provide visitors with<br />
lots of information about the city and ideas for places to<br />
visit. If you still have questions, the knowledgeable staff<br />
will enthusiastically answer them. The tourist information<br />
office is also the departure point for guided walks in the<br />
city. QOpen 15/10 > 14/03: 09:30 - 16:30/ 15/03 ><br />
14/10 : 09.30-18.30. TJAUGW<br />
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen B-3, Sint-Niklaasstraat<br />
2, tel. (+32) 926 92 600, fax (+32) 926<br />
92 609, toerisme@oost-vlaanderen.be, www.tov.<br />
be. If you plan to explore the region around <strong>Ghent</strong>, the<br />
provincial tourist information office is a good place to<br />
start. This office is particularly well equipped with cycling<br />
and hiking maps, which you can buy for a small fee. You<br />
can also pick up brochures about various regions in East<br />
Flanders and the helpful staff will gladly advise you about<br />
journeys into the rural area around the city. QOpen 09:00<br />
- 12:00 & 13:15-16:45. Closed Sat, Sun. J<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
5
6 arrival & transport<br />
By plane<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> does not have its own airport, but getting<br />
to the city from Belgium’s major airports is quite<br />
straightforward.<br />
The country’s largest flight hub, Brussels Airport (Zaventem),<br />
is about an hour away from <strong>Ghent</strong>. Those taking<br />
budget carriers like Ryanair and Wizz to Belgium will land<br />
at Brussels Charleroi Airport, 50km outside of Brussels<br />
proper.<br />
Antwerp Airport only handles a few charter flights,<br />
but if you happen to arrive here, take bus 14 to Antwerp<br />
Central station and hop on a train there. The trip to <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
will take about 1.5 hours.<br />
Flights to Ostend-Bruges Airport are also limited to a<br />
few charters. From here, bus 5 and 6 run to Ostend railway<br />
station, from where trains to <strong>Ghent</strong> are leaving three times<br />
an hour.<br />
By train<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> has two railway stations: Sint-Pieters and<br />
Dampoort.<br />
Most trains arrive at <strong>Ghent</strong> Sint-Pieters (A-6). A tunnel<br />
connects the twelve platforms with the central hall. Entering<br />
the central hall from the tunnel, the ticket office (open<br />
05:45 - 22:00, Sat and Sun 06:00 - 22:00) is located on<br />
the left side. There are three ATMs in the central hall,<br />
several kiosks, some coffee shops and a photo booth.<br />
The toilets are located on the path towards the western<br />
exit and these cost €0.50. You can change currency<br />
at the Europa Bank (open 09:30 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 17:00,<br />
Thu 09:30 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 18:30, closed Sat, Sun), which<br />
is also located towards the western exit. Lockers for luggage<br />
storage are opposite the bank. A small locker costs<br />
€3.00, a medium one €3.50 and a large locker €4.00, all<br />
for a 24 hour period. If have such a large suitcase there<br />
is also a manual luggage storage. For €4.00, the man<br />
behind the counter in the lost and found office (open<br />
06:15 - 21:30) will happily take care of your belongings.<br />
This is also for a 24 hour period and you can find the lost<br />
and found opposite the ticket office.<br />
Getting to town: From Sint-Pieters station, tram 1<br />
is the quickest option to the centre. When you exit the<br />
station, the tram stop is on the left side. Wait at platform<br />
2 and hop on a tram directed at Evergem. You could buy<br />
tickets for buses and trams from the driver, these cost<br />
€2. If you buy a ticket in advance, it costs €1.20. <strong>In</strong> case<br />
you prefer taking a taxi, both railway stations have a row<br />
of taxis lined up in front of the station entrances.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>-Dampoort station (D-2): All trains coming<br />
from and going to Antwerp stop at Dampoort. This small<br />
station is closer to the city centre and usually more convenient<br />
if you are travelling to or from Antwerp. The ticket<br />
office (open 05:45 - 20:00, Sat and Sun 06:00 - 20:30)<br />
is located inside the waiting room, where you will also find<br />
lockers for luggage storage. Beware that the waiting room<br />
closes at 20:30 and you cannot get access to the lockers<br />
after that time. Just outside the main entrance is an ATM.<br />
After 22:00 you have to enter the station through the side<br />
entrance next to the parking area.<br />
Getting to town: The walk from Dampoort station<br />
to the city centre takes about 15 minutes, but you could<br />
also take bus 3, 38 or 39. These buses all leave from<br />
platform 1 on the opposite side of the road next to the<br />
railway bridge.<br />
Waiting for the boats on Korenlei, photo by Reine Ortiz<br />
Brussels Airport Leopoldlaan, Zaventem, tel. (+32)<br />
275 37 753, www.brusselsairport.be. Next to a village<br />
called Zaventem, 12 kilometres from central Brussels, lies<br />
Belgium’s prime international airport. Taking a taxi to central<br />
Brussels will cost about €45. A cheaper option is to make the<br />
15 minute train ride to Brussels Central station, from where<br />
you can change trains to nearly every corner of the country.<br />
The railway station at the airport is at level -1. There are two<br />
direct trains leaving Brussels Airport for <strong>Ghent</strong>: the IR-train<br />
(final destination De Panne) is the quickest and takes 55<br />
minutes to complete the journey to <strong>Ghent</strong>. The other direct<br />
train, (final destination <strong>Ghent</strong> Sint-Pieters) is much slower<br />
due to the many stops on the way. You can also take any<br />
train from the airport to Brussels North railway station and<br />
change there. A ticket from Brussels Airport to <strong>Ghent</strong> costs<br />
€11.80. GW<br />
Brussels Charleroi Airport rue des Frères Wright<br />
8, Charleroi, tel. (+32) 902 02 490, www.charleroiairport.com.<br />
After collecting your luggage you have<br />
essentially two options for travel to <strong>Ghent</strong>: take a shuttle<br />
bus to Brussels Midi and catch a train to <strong>Ghent</strong> Sint Pieters<br />
from there, or take bus A to Charleroi railway station.<br />
The Brussels City Shuttle can be found directly outside<br />
the terminal, leaves every 30 minutes and the €13 ticket<br />
can be purchased online in advance, from the driver, or<br />
via one of the streetside vending machines. Those opting<br />
for Charleroi’s train station will have to change trains at<br />
Brussels Midi.<br />
Buses<br />
Although <strong>Ghent</strong> lacks a central bus station, nearly every<br />
part of the city can be reached by bus. Most towns in<br />
the surrounding area are connected to <strong>Ghent</strong> by bus as<br />
well. The main hubs in the city’s bus network are at Zuid<br />
(Graaf van Vlaanderenplein), Sint-Pieters station and<br />
Dampoort station. Regular buses run from 06:00 until<br />
23:00.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Eurolines A-6, Koningin Elisabethlaan 73, tel. (+32)<br />
922 09 024, www.eurolines.be. If you want to take<br />
a cheap bus to discover another exotic destination, the<br />
Eurolines bus might be your thing! You can take your bottle<br />
of Roomer or your box of chocolates with you to Stockholm,<br />
Paris or even Bratislava. QOpen , Mon, Tue, Wed,<br />
Thu, Fri 08:45 - 12.30&13:30-17:45, Sat 09:00 - 12:30.<br />
Closed Sun.<br />
Car rental<br />
Avis Kortrijksesteenweg 676, tel. (+32) 922 20 053,<br />
www.avis.be. QOpen 08:00 - 12:00 & 13:00-18:00, Sat<br />
08:00 - 12:00. Closed Sun. AL<br />
Hertz Nieuwewandeling 76, tel. (+32) 922 40 406, fax<br />
(+32) 922 40 604, hertzgent@skynet.be, www.hertz.<br />
be. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. TA<br />
Ta xis<br />
There are five official taxi ranks in <strong>Ghent</strong>:Gent-Sint-<br />
Pietersstation, Gent-Dampoort station, Korenmarkt,<br />
Woodrow Wilsonplein and Flanders Expo.The flag-down<br />
rate for all taxis is fixed at €8, which includes the first 3<br />
kilometres and a waiting time of 5 minutes. Every additional<br />
kilometre costs €2 and at night (between 22:00<br />
and 06:00) there is a flat surcharge of €2.50. Taxi<br />
drivers are always required to use the meter, even to<br />
destinations outside the city perimeter. The only exception<br />
to this rule applies to long-distance journeys with<br />
fixed rates. Such destinations include Brussels Airport<br />
(€95) and Brussels South-Charleroi Airport (€140).<br />
CR Taxi Zuidledeplein 19, tel. (+32) 489 22 20 80, fax<br />
(+32) 925 92 188, info@taxicr.be, www.taxicr.be. A<br />
reliable taxi company. It is possible to book a taxi for up to<br />
six passengers. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. PA<br />
Minerva Watertaxi A-3, B-4, Coupure Rechts 2a,<br />
tel. (+32) 923 37 917, fax (+32) 378 91 759, www.<br />
minervaboten.be. This boat rental company offers a water<br />
taxi service along the Leie River, but you will have to book<br />
in advance. Minerva also rents its boats for trips upstream<br />
the scenic Leie River, into the rural area southwest of the<br />
city. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00. Prices: €50/hour, €20/hour<br />
waiting time. J<br />
V-Tax Wiedauwkaai 98, tel. (+32) 922 22 222, fax<br />
(+32) 922 24 436, info@v-tax.be, www.v-tax.be. One<br />
of the largest and oldest taxi companies in the country.<br />
QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. A<br />
Trains<br />
With 3513 kilometres of railroads,Belgium has one<br />
of the densest railway networks in the world. Train<br />
travel is the easiest way to get around in the country.<br />
Gent-Sint-Pietersstation has trains departing in all directions.Every<br />
train that travels to or from Antwerp also<br />
stops at Gent-Dampoort station. Belgium’s national<br />
railway company, NMBS (SNCB in French), runs three<br />
types of trains: <strong>In</strong>tercity trains (IC) are the quickest<br />
ones, <strong>In</strong>terregio trains (IR) usually have a few more<br />
stops and the slowest type is the Local train (L). For<br />
departure times and fares, surf to www.b-rail.be.<br />
Tickets can be bought at ticket offices, vending machines<br />
or from the conductor inside the train. If you buy<br />
a ticket inside the train you have to pay a €3 surcharge<br />
and you will have to immediately notify the conductor<br />
(otherwise you could be fined).First class tickets are<br />
about 50% more expensive than second class tickets,<br />
but not really worth the extra money. A weekend ticket<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
arrival & transport<br />
is about 40 percent cheaper than a normal return<br />
ticket. If you are staying in Belgium for a while, you<br />
could consider buying a Rail Pass (€76), which allows<br />
you to make 10 single journeys within Belgium. Travellers<br />
who haven’t yet reached the age of 26 could get a<br />
Go-Pass for €50.<br />
Trams<br />
Three tram lines run through the city. The most frequent<br />
and perhaps the most useful one is tram 1, which travels<br />
from Flanders Expo, via Sint-Pieters station to Evergem.<br />
Tram 4 tours around the city centre from the suburb<br />
Moscou, via Zuid and Sint-Pieters station to Zwijnaardebrug,<br />
at the city’s southern edge. Trams are frequent<br />
and you will rarely be waiting longer than 8 minutes. The<br />
latest departures are roughly at 23:00.<br />
Bicycle rental<br />
Biker C-2, Steendam 16, tel. (+32) 922 42 903,<br />
www.bikerfietsen.net. Biker sells, repairs and rents<br />
bicycles. The rental fee is €9 per day. QOpen 09:00 -<br />
12:30 & 13:30-18:00. Closed Mon, Sun. J<br />
De Ligfiets D-4, Lange Violettestraat 49, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 50 777, fax (+32) 922 34 496, info@<br />
ligfiets.be, www.deligfiets.be. Have you ever<br />
wanted to ride a recumbent bicycle? Well, here is your<br />
chance. De Ligfiets, which means ‚the recumbent<br />
bike’ in Dutch, rents these relaxing bicycles for €25<br />
per day. The store is only open three days a week,<br />
but you can make an appointment for other days.<br />
QOpen 14:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 17:00. Closed<br />
Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun. J<br />
Max Mobiel A-6, Voskenslaan 27, tel. (+32)<br />
924 28 040, fax (+32) 924 28 049, max-mobiel@<br />
gent.be, www.max-mobiel.be. Located behind<br />
Sint-Pietersstation, you can rent a bicycle here for<br />
€9 per day or €25 per week. Max Mobiel is primarily<br />
aimed at local commuters, but tourists are welcome<br />
as well.<br />
People getting off at Dampoortstation can also collect<br />
a bike there. QOpen 07:00 - 19:00, Sat 09:00<br />
- 17:00. Closed Sun.<br />
Riding a bike is fun for the whole family © <strong>Ghent</strong> City<br />
Council<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
7
8 BasiCs<br />
Read on and find out why the Belgian police do not allow<br />
you to ride a bicycle with a passenger on the back seat,<br />
along with many other useful Belgian facts.<br />
Alcohol<br />
Belgians love to go to the pub and enjoy the country’s<br />
famously fresh beer, considered to be the national drink.<br />
Most pubs serve Belgian beers of which the best known<br />
are Jupiler, Maes and Stella, but in the city centre many<br />
bars serve a much wider range of regional beers. Watch<br />
out for the heavier stuff like Delirium Tremens (9%),<br />
which makes you see pink elephants...For those who<br />
stick around more than a day, city brewery Gruut -C-3- is<br />
worth a visit. Restaurants, pubs and shops serve and sell<br />
beer and wine to anyone over the age of 16, although to<br />
buy and consume spirits you have to be 18. Speaking of<br />
spirits, look out for the infamous Jenever: a potent liquor<br />
that Belgians enjoy inflicting on tourists.<br />
Mail & Phones<br />
Postal delivery in Belgium is generally reliable. Wireless<br />
internet is also sweeping the nation. Read here how to<br />
keep in touch with your loved ones back home. Straight<br />
from the bar or one of the many terraces.<br />
Mobile phones<br />
You can use your mobile phone if your provider has an<br />
international roaming agreement with one of the mobile<br />
phone networks of Belgium. Normally, if you’re abroad,<br />
you have to pay roaming charges on all incoming and<br />
outgoing calls, text messages, mms and internet.<br />
Dialing All <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> guides list country codes<br />
before all telephone numbers. The Belgian country code<br />
is (+32).<br />
Post<br />
The Belgium postal system works more or less infallibly.<br />
Letters and parcels are sent without ado across the whole<br />
world. At post offices you can buy stamps and drop off<br />
parcels. Posting a letter or a postcard within Belgium will<br />
cost you €0.77, within Europe €1,13 and for the rest of<br />
the world you pay €1.34. For parcel shipping prices and<br />
the most up-to-date postage rates check www.bpost.be.<br />
Some supermarkets have a ‚postpunt’, indicating that you<br />
can buy stamps there and post your letters or parcels.<br />
Postkantoor Gent Centrum B-3, Lange Kruisstraat<br />
55, tel. (+32) 220 12 345, www.bpost.be. The post office<br />
at Gent Centrum is the largest in the city centre. If wou want<br />
to avoid the big crowds, come in the quieter periods (between<br />
09:00-10:00, 13:00-14:00 or 17:00-18:00). Mail can also be<br />
posted in the red letter boxes spread all over <strong>Ghent</strong>. QOpen<br />
09:00 - 18:00, Sat 09:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. JU<br />
Wireless internet<br />
If you’d like to check your e-mail or just surf the web while<br />
sipping a chai tea, just look for one of the many hotels,<br />
bars, restaurants and cafes that offer free wireless<br />
internet acces in their rooms. Many times you have to<br />
ask the staff for the current password or fill in their phone<br />
number, which actually also works most of the time. Just<br />
look for the wifi symbol in this guide to find venues with<br />
free wireless access.<br />
Great Bradley Wiggins<br />
Who knew? The first Englishman to ever win the Tour de<br />
France, Bradley Wiggins, is a son of... <strong>Ghent</strong>.<br />
Wiggins, who won Le Tour in 2012 and who will<br />
start this year’s race as the favourite, was born in<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> in 1980, the son of an English mother Linda<br />
and an Australian father, Gary. Wiggins Sr. was also<br />
a professional cyclist, and at the time was riding for<br />
the now defunct Marc-ARD team, which was based<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong>.<br />
After his parents divorced in 1982, Wiggins moved<br />
to England with his mother, and would not see his father<br />
again for more than 14 years.<br />
Living in Maida Vale, north London, Wiggins attended<br />
the St Augustine’s Church of England High School, a<br />
comprehensive in Kilburn at which his mother worked.<br />
He began cycle racing at the age of 12 at the Herne Hill<br />
Velodrome, recalling recently in an interview that: ‘At 12<br />
I told my art teacher, I’m going to be Olympic champion,<br />
I’m going to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour.’<br />
And much more besides, he could have added. Wiggins’s<br />
career began in track cycling, specialising in the<br />
pursuit and the Madison, before he gradually moved<br />
into road racing.<br />
He has won six cycling World Championships, his first<br />
in 2003 and his most recent in 2008. He won a bronze<br />
medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics, a gold, a silver<br />
and a bronze at the 2004 Summer Olympics, two golds<br />
at the 2008 Summer Olympics and another gold at the<br />
2012 Summer Olympics.<br />
After the 2008 Olympics, Wiggins took a break from<br />
the track to focus on the road. <strong>In</strong>itially viewed as a time<br />
trial specialist and as a rouleur, Wiggins showed his<br />
ability in stage races when he came fourth in the 2009<br />
Tour de France (later promoted to third after Lance<br />
Armstrong’s results were voided in 2012). His first victory<br />
in a major stage race came in the 2011 Critérium du<br />
Dauphiné, and later that year finished third in the Vuelta<br />
a España. He then took second in the time trial at the<br />
2011 UCI Road World Championships.<br />
<strong>In</strong> 2012 - besides winning the Tour and taking two<br />
individual stages - Wiggins won the Paris–Nice, the Tour<br />
de Romandie, the Critérium du Dauphiné, and the time<br />
trial at the Olympics. He was then given a knighthood in<br />
the Queen’s New Year honours list, but has since gone<br />
on to say that he will not use the title Sir until he retires<br />
from cycling.<br />
Climate<br />
While it’s usually cold and wet in winter and often warm<br />
and dry in summer, but unfortunately you never really<br />
know in this mild sea-climate. So it’s always wise to bring<br />
a raincoat or an umbrella. Whatever the weather, Belgians<br />
always find a reason to complain about it. A good website<br />
to check the current weather in your favourite Belgian city<br />
is www.meteo.be.<br />
Cycling<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> is a great town to explore by bike. Even though a<br />
lot of monuments are within walking distance of each<br />
other, a bicycle gives you the chance to see more in less<br />
time. A couple of cycling routes will get you to the different<br />
corners of the town and then beyond. Bikers pretty much<br />
reign the city. They can cycle in almost every street and a<br />
part of the historical centre is car-free. Overall, <strong>Ghent</strong> is<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
as flat as a pancake, but don’t misjudge the steep streets<br />
surrounding the Blandijnberg. Those streets make you<br />
crave you had the stamina of a top Belgian cyclist like Tom<br />
Boonen. A couple of things to keep in mind: beware of the<br />
tramlines, as once your wheel gets stuck in it, you will fall.<br />
Remember to always lock your bike because - to the frustration<br />
of many bikers - stealing bikes is the national sport<br />
of Belgium’s rascals. And don’t even think about having<br />
your loved one (or anyone else) riding on the back of your<br />
bike, as the police will hit you with a heavy fine.<br />
Disabled travellers<br />
Most public places and facilities in <strong>Ghent</strong> are accessible<br />
for disabled travellers. Most pavements have<br />
been adapted with rubber strips, and traffic lights at<br />
crossings have clicking systems. Accessible Travel<br />
<strong>In</strong>fo Point is a service of the Flemish Tourist Board that<br />
people with disabilities can consult when travelling to<br />
Flanders. If you’re travelling by train in wheelchair, the<br />
Belgian rail system asks to go get in touch with the station<br />
of departure at least - believe it or not - 24 hours<br />
in advance.<br />
Electricity<br />
The electrical current is 220V AC, 50Hz. European<br />
plugs are a must. At least if you wanna be connected to<br />
the outside world...<br />
Emergency numbers<br />
Dial the European emergency number 112 in case of<br />
emergency. The number will connect you with local police,<br />
ambulance or fire department. For all other cases<br />
(for instance Anonymous Alcoholics, the Drugsline and<br />
Abusement of Elders hotline - really), just surf to www.<br />
noodnummer.be.<br />
Health & Safety<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> is a relatively safe city for residents and tourists,<br />
but you should watch out for pickpockets. Obviously,<br />
don’t leave your belongings unattended and use<br />
common sense at all times. There is a large police<br />
presence in the centre. Nevertheless, try to avoid<br />
unlit streets and parks late at night. As mentioned<br />
elsewhere, bicycle theft is common so a good lock is<br />
essential.<br />
Local time<br />
From the last weekend of March till the last weekend<br />
of October, Belgium is in the Central European Summer<br />
Time Zone, or GMT+2. During the rest of the year the<br />
clock ticks according to the Central European Time<br />
Zone, or GMT+1 .<br />
Facts & Figures<br />
Population (Belgium): 10,839,905 (in 2010)<br />
Longest rivers: Maas (Meuse) an Schelde (Scheldt)<br />
Highest point: Botrange (694m)<br />
Length of Belgian coastline: 66,5 km<br />
Land area: 30.528 km²<br />
Borders: Belgium has borders with the Netherlands,<br />
Germany, Luxembourg and France.<br />
Capital: Brussels<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
Language<br />
BasiCs<br />
Dutch is spoken in Flanders, the upper part of Belgium.<br />
Although it is almost identical to the language used<br />
in the Netherlands, in Belgium the Dutch language is<br />
called Flemish. <strong>In</strong> Flanders, most people have a fairly<br />
good knowledge of English. Next to Dutch, Belgium<br />
also has French and German as national languages.<br />
Almost 60 per cent of the Belgian population speaks<br />
Dutch. French is the common language in Brussels<br />
and Wallonia (the southern part of the country). Only<br />
one per cent of the countrys population uses German<br />
as its mother tongue, spoken in a few communities in<br />
the east of Belgium.<br />
Useful Phrases in Dutch<br />
How are you? Hoe is het ermee?<br />
Pleased to meet you. Aangename kennismaking.<br />
Do you speak English? Spreekt u Engels?<br />
Where is the nearest shop, hotel, restaurant, bar<br />
or toilet?<br />
Is er een winkel, een hotel, een restaurant, een café of<br />
een toilet in de buurt?<br />
What’s your name? Wat is uw naam?<br />
My name is … Mijn naam is ...<br />
What time is it? Hoe laat is het?<br />
How much? Hoeveel kost dit?<br />
Hello Hallo<br />
Good morning Goeiemorgen<br />
Good evening Goeieavond<br />
Goodnight Goeienacht<br />
Goodbye Daaaaag<br />
Yes Ja<br />
No Nee<br />
Maybe Misschien<br />
Thank you Bedankt<br />
Days of the week<br />
Monday maandag<br />
Tuesday dinsdag<br />
Wednesday woensdag<br />
Thursday donderdag<br />
Friday vrijdag<br />
Saturday zaterdag<br />
Sunday zondag<br />
Numbers<br />
1 een 13 dertien<br />
2 twee 14 veertien<br />
3 drie 15 vijftien<br />
4 vier 16 zestien<br />
5 vijf 17 zeventien<br />
6 zes 18 achttien<br />
7 zeven 19 negentien<br />
8 acht 20 twintig<br />
9 negen 21 eenentwintig<br />
10 tien 100 honderd<br />
11 elf 500 vijfhonderd<br />
12 twaalf<br />
Street smarts<br />
Street, road straat<br />
Square / Market plein<br />
Airport luchthaven<br />
Port haven<br />
Bus station busstation<br />
Train station treinstation<br />
Taxi taxi<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
9
10 BasiCs<br />
Money<br />
Since 2002, a large part of the European Union has adopted<br />
the euro as its local currency and Belgium is no exception.<br />
One euro contains 100 euro cents. There are coins<br />
of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 euro cents, and also of 1 and 2<br />
euro. Banknotes are available with the following values:<br />
5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Although a collection of<br />
€200 and €500 bills in your wallet might make you feel like<br />
the richest man on the planet, bear in mind that they’re<br />
almost never accepted in shops or restaurants. You can<br />
exchange and withdraw money at most large banks; there<br />
are plenty in the city centre. All Belgian banks accept<br />
Visa and MasterCard at their cash dispensers and there<br />
are ATMs all over <strong>Ghent</strong>. Many restaurants, hotels and<br />
shops accept credit cards, although a lot of grocery stores<br />
require a minimum purchase. Most bars only accept cash.<br />
Consulates<br />
Central Africa Gouvernementstraat 16, tel.<br />
(+32) 923 42 969, consulaat.centraal.afrika@<br />
pandora.be.<br />
Congo Rozemarijnstraat 47, tel. (+32) 922 32<br />
045, dmdiffusion@skynet.be.<br />
Cote D’Ivoir Kouter 71/72, tel. (+32) 922 30<br />
571, rudycolle@uirr.com.<br />
Danmark Noorwegenstraat 11, tel. (+32) 925<br />
44 480, jarimar@skynet.be.<br />
Finland Gouvernementstraat 20, tel. (+32) 922<br />
59 920, christian.lardinoit@pandora.be.<br />
France H. Frère-Orbanlaan 376, tel. (+32) 922<br />
31 895, francois.deren@yahoo.fr.<br />
Guatemala Prinsenhof 38, tel. (+32) 922 31<br />
043, h.ghuys@skynet.be.<br />
Italy Oude Heirweg 6, tel. (+32) 938 08 668,<br />
barillari.consul@skynet.be.<br />
Jemen J.Plateaustraat 49, tel. (+32) 922 50<br />
174, dirk@bontinck.biz.<br />
Lithuania Coupure 371, tel. (+32) 922 30 258,<br />
consulate.lithuania@hausbe.eu.<br />
Namibia Vinkendal 15, tel. (+32) 922 65 506,<br />
namib.consul@pandora.be.<br />
Oeganda Nelemeerstraat 31, tel. (+32) 928 25<br />
373, cons.uganda.flanders@telenet.be.<br />
Peru Koningin Astridlaan 185, tel. (+32) 922 18<br />
021, vynckier.y@gmail.com.<br />
Poland Lange Kruisstraat 7, tel. (+32) 473 400<br />
277, jmdb@pandora.be.<br />
Rwanda Gentstraat 13, tel. (+32) 938 45<br />
342, rwanda@consul-generaal.be.<br />
Senegal Deinsesteenweg 109, tel. (+32) 927 72<br />
041, alain.goetghebuer@skynet.be.<br />
Slovakia Lange Kruisstraat 7, tel. (+32) 923 54<br />
935, arnold.vanhaecke@unizo-oost-vlaanderen.<br />
be.<br />
South-Korea Bij Sint-Jacob 15, tel. (+32) 922<br />
53 068, info@sadiclaeys.be.<br />
Spain Tentoonstellingslaan 54, tel. (+32) 926<br />
57 632, ingrid.van.royen@pandora.be.<br />
The Netherlands Recollettenlei 12, tel. (+32)<br />
922 51 816, cg.nederland.gent@telenet.be.<br />
Tunisia Kortrijksesteenweg 1004, tel. (+32) 922<br />
14 177, andre.francq@ijv.be.<br />
Smoking<br />
Since July 2011, smoking in all bars and nightclubs has<br />
only been allowed in separate smoking rooms, extending<br />
a smoking ban that forbade smoking in public places and<br />
restaurants. The majority of bars comply with the smoking<br />
ban, but in some places, the owner (usually a smoker<br />
himself) will still allow his clients to smoke. From 2014 (at<br />
the latest) the law will be tightened even more.<br />
Tipping<br />
Tipping is not obligatory, but if you think the service was<br />
fine, a tip is always appreciated by the staff. Tips vary from<br />
20 cents to €5, or a rounding up of the bill.<br />
Toilets<br />
On the occasion of World Toilet Day on 19 November, the<br />
city of <strong>Ghent</strong> highlighted its inner-city public toilet facilities.<br />
It issued a ‚WC map’ in Dutch and English which is available<br />
free of charge from the Tourism Office or the <strong>Ghent</strong> city<br />
shop. A great souvenir, the map currently only shows public<br />
toilet facilities in the inner city where the ring road and the<br />
railway stations of Gent Sint-Pieters and Gent Dampoort<br />
demarcate the border. Within this area, all public toilets,<br />
toilets for the disabled, toilets with nappy changing facilities<br />
and urinals are shown on the map.<br />
Ladies (Dames) or Gents (Heren) is written on ll toilet doors.<br />
When you have to go badly, note that it’s not generally<br />
accepted simply to barge into a café or restaurant: staff will<br />
appreciate if you ask in advance. If you see a saucer by the<br />
toilets, then you’re expected to donate a small amount of<br />
money for toilet maintenance; 20 or 50 cents is fine.<br />
Water<br />
Any of the European countries that are part of the European<br />
Union have very similar, strict standards to drinking<br />
water regulations. You can rest assured that it’s safe to be<br />
drinking water from the tap here, with some experts even<br />
saying it’s better to drink tap water then to drink bottled<br />
water, since the tap variety is filtered of chalk and other<br />
minerals.<br />
National holidays<br />
On national holidays, almost all shops, restaurants and<br />
public places are closed. If the holiday falls on a Tuesday<br />
or Thursday some places make the bridge with the<br />
weekend and take the extra day.<br />
During school holidays expect shopping streets, historical<br />
attractions and public transport to be more crowded.<br />
Take this in consideration when booking your trip.<br />
21 July 2013: Belgian National Day<br />
15 August 2013: Assumption Day<br />
1 November 2013: All Saints’ Day<br />
11 November 2013: Armistice Day<br />
25 December 2013: Christmas<br />
1 January 2014: New Year<br />
School holidays<br />
Summer holiday: 1 July- 31 August 2013<br />
Autumn half-term break: 28 October - 3 November<br />
2013<br />
Spring half-term break: 3 - 9 March 2014<br />
Easter holiday: 7 - 20 April 2014<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
7th century<br />
Amandus (who would eventually be proclaimed a saint after a<br />
long life of hardship and persecution trying to evangelize the<br />
pagans of northern Europe) founded two abbeys: one at Lys<br />
(the Ganda Abbey) and one upstream at Scheldt (the St. Pieters<br />
Abbey). One of his followers, Bavo, a rich nobleman who<br />
gave all his possessions away to live as a hermit in Ganda,<br />
was such an inspiration for so many people in the area that<br />
the abbey of Ganda was later named after him, becoming<br />
the St Baaf’s Abbey we know today. Politically, <strong>Ghent</strong> was<br />
as this stage part of the Germanic empire.<br />
9th - 10th century<br />
After surviving two Viking excursions, Lys and Scheldt - both<br />
boasting harbours - grew around the nucleus of the St. Baaf’s<br />
and St. Pieter’s Abbeys and became increasingly strong,<br />
powerful and rich settlements; by the end of the 10th century<br />
they were part of the French empire.<br />
12th - 13th century<br />
English wool and French grain were imported via the harbours<br />
at Lys and Scheldt. They became the pillars of what turned<br />
out to be a very thriving textile and grain business in medieval<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>. Throughout the Middle Ages <strong>Ghent</strong> had a population<br />
of about 65,000 making it larger than London, Cologne or<br />
Antwerp. Moreover <strong>Ghent</strong> was, after Paris, the biggest and<br />
wealthiest city north of the Alps. During this time the Count<br />
of Flanders, in fact a representative of the French king, had<br />
his wooden castle enlarged, fortified and transformed into<br />
an expensive stone edifice, the Castle of the Counts we<br />
know it today. He had it build not so much to defend the city<br />
against foreign invaders but to impress and keep an eye on<br />
the rich, powerful and - most of all - headstrong and rebellious<br />
citizens of <strong>Ghent</strong>.<br />
Noose-bearers<br />
Why are the citizens of <strong>Ghent</strong> called<br />
the noose-bearers? To answer<br />
this question, we go back to 1540.<br />
Then the people of <strong>Ghent</strong> revolted<br />
against Charles V, the ruler of the<br />
Holy Roman Empire, who imposed<br />
on them yet another war tax. As<br />
the citizens refused to pay, the<br />
emperor decided to personally set<br />
things right in his hometown. He<br />
demanded all aldermen, deans and burghers of the lower<br />
working classes make a public show of contrition. Fifty of<br />
the burghers thus had to wear a noose round their neck,<br />
as if ready the gallows.<br />
<strong>In</strong> the eyes of outsiders, all residents of <strong>Ghent</strong> shared<br />
the fate of the burghers and were thenceforth nicknamed<br />
the noose-bearers. The people of <strong>Ghent</strong> were not<br />
amused with the name and imposed strict sanctions<br />
on people caught using it.<br />
Nowadays, however, the prople of <strong>Ghent</strong> are proud<br />
to be called noose-bearers or ‘stropkes’. The noose is<br />
a symbol of the town’s resistance against every form of<br />
tyranny and misplaced authority. During official ceremonies<br />
or the Gentse Feesten, you will come across people<br />
wearing a noose around their neck. At the Bachtenwalle,<br />
there’s a 1.80m statue of a noose-bearer. A little detail:<br />
he’s looking proudly in the direction of the gate of the<br />
Prince’s Court, where the emperor was born. Another<br />
(not so little) detail, is the ‘masculinity’ of the statue.<br />
They say it only illustrates that there was a strong wind<br />
on the evening of the confession...<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
history<br />
14th century<br />
During the 100 years war between England and France,<br />
Edward III forbade all exports of English wool to Flanders<br />
and to <strong>Ghent</strong>. After all Flanders was, albeit reluctantly, part<br />
of the French crown. As a result, the cloth halls were empty<br />
and about 60 per cent of the population of <strong>Ghent</strong> was unemployed.<br />
After two years of famine and riots, the people<br />
of <strong>Ghent</strong> were starving and desperate.<br />
It was at this point that Jacob Van Artevelde, presumably<br />
a textile businessman, negotiated with the English king and<br />
the ‘weak’ Count of Flanders (who had fled for France when<br />
rioting broke out). His strategy was to convince both of them<br />
to give <strong>Ghent</strong>, from an economic point of view, neutral status.<br />
After all, nobody gained from a starving, rebellious city, which<br />
had nothing to produce and nothing to lose. Van Artevelde<br />
succeeded in his mission and wool once again became the<br />
source of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s well-being. Van Artevelde became a hero<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong> and even today the city is known as the Artevelde<br />
city.<br />
15th century<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> became part of the Burgundian empire and attracted<br />
the rich and famous looking for luxurious textiles, garments<br />
and art.<br />
Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, supported several<br />
Flemish artists (the so-called Flemish Primitives, such as<br />
Jan Van Eyck) and played an important role in establishing<br />
Flanders as an important and trendsetting European arts<br />
centre. It was in this time that the brothers Van Eyck painted<br />
their world famous polyptych, the Adoration of the Mystic<br />
Lamb (1432).<br />
Politically the dukes tried to centralize power and taken<br />
the regions, a policy against which the citizens of <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
often rebelled. Nevertheless, the dukes of Burgundy often<br />
enjoyed their holidays at the Prinsenhof in <strong>Ghent</strong>, a wonderful<br />
palace located at on of the canals. They had it build as an<br />
alternative to the dark and humid Castle of the Counts.<br />
The Prinsenhof was a lusthof, filled with music and<br />
dance, gardens and ponds and even a zoo with lions. Unfortunately,<br />
little now remains of what was once one of the<br />
most spectacular palaces in Europe. The area it occupied<br />
is still called Prinsenhof, however.<br />
16th century<br />
On February 24th of the year 1500, Charles the V was born<br />
at Prinsenhof and later baptized in the St. Baaf’s Cathedral.<br />
Born out of a marriage of Joanna of Castile and Philip the<br />
Fair, Duke of Burgundy, he would become an emperor unlike<br />
few the world had seen. Reigning over what is nowadays the<br />
Netherlands, Belgium, a part of France, Germany, Austria,<br />
Spain, a part of Italy and all the colonies of Spain in South<br />
America made him the ruler of an empire on which ’the sun<br />
never sets.’<br />
Although Charles V spent most of his time abroad battling<br />
against his lifelong enemy Francois I of France, he liked to<br />
return once every few years to his home town of <strong>Ghent</strong>. His<br />
home was of course Prinsenhof. 1540: A crucial date for<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>. After being away for three years, Charles V is called<br />
back urgently to <strong>Ghent</strong> by his sister and governess, Mary of<br />
Hungary, who is facing opposition to the taxes being imposed<br />
on the citizens of <strong>Ghent</strong>. The city, tired of paying for Charles’<br />
wars, refuses to pay. The atmosphere is tense and riots are<br />
frequent.<br />
Charles returns to <strong>Ghent</strong> together with an arms of 10,000<br />
soldiers and punishes his hometown. Symbollically, on<br />
February 24th, his 40th birthday, Charles ordered the most<br />
influential and rebellious citizens to walk in procession to the<br />
Prinsenhof, bare foot, dressed only in a simple white shirt,<br />
with a black and white noose around their neck. They were<br />
then forced to publicly ask him forgiveness.<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
11
12 history<br />
Unwilling to take anymore risks, Charles commissioned<br />
the building of a new fortress in <strong>Ghent</strong> in which numerous<br />
Spanish soldiers would be stationed to make sure that<br />
the citizens of <strong>Ghent</strong> wouldn’t be in a position to rebel<br />
anymore.<br />
These events gave the people of <strong>Ghent</strong> the unfortunate<br />
nickname of Stroppendragers (noose wearers). However,<br />
the nickname soon became a badge of honour, a symbol<br />
of rebelliousness, freedom and of a proud <strong>Ghent</strong> identity.<br />
Besides the political turmoil, Reformation and Counter-<br />
Reformation colored 16th century <strong>Ghent</strong>. Traditionally<br />
a catholic region, the people of <strong>Ghent</strong> were very critical<br />
towards an increasingly decadent catholic church and many<br />
converted to Protestantism, risking life and limb by doing so.<br />
Charles V - and especially his son Philip II of Spain - burned<br />
many of the reformers, and their books, at the stake. It<br />
was at this stage that St Jan’s Church became St Baaf’s<br />
Cathedral and a bishop was inaugurated.<br />
Finally, the international textile business shifted from<br />
refined wool towards less expensive fabrics such as linen,<br />
velvet and flax. These economic changes together with<br />
growing competition hit <strong>Ghent</strong> hard.<br />
17th century<br />
The 17th century was a time of economic decline for <strong>Ghent</strong>.<br />
The power of the guilds was broken and on top of that<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> lost its privileges in the grain business. Due to the<br />
inquisition and the Counter-Reformation, a lot of citizens<br />
fled to the Netherlands as a result of which the population<br />
of <strong>Ghent</strong> declined to 30.000 inhabitants at the beginning<br />
of the 17th century.<br />
18th century<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> became part of the Holy Roman Empire, led by Maria<br />
Theresia and her son, Emperor Jozef II. Under the Austrians<br />
canals were dug, widened and deepened in order to facilitate<br />
bigger ships coming into the harbours of <strong>Ghent</strong>. Times were<br />
starting to look better again, especially at the end of the<br />
century when Lieven Bauwens smuggled a semi-automatic<br />
spinning machine out of England and brought it to <strong>Ghent</strong>. It<br />
marked the start of what would be a thriving 19th century.<br />
At the end of the 18th century <strong>Ghent</strong> once again became a<br />
part of France, only to be handed to the Netherlands after<br />
the battle of Waterloo.<br />
19th century<br />
Willem I and the citizens of <strong>Ghent</strong> found common interest<br />
and connected quite well. Willem founded <strong>Ghent</strong> University<br />
(1817), had the <strong>Ghent</strong>-Terneuzen canal dug as well as a new<br />
harbour (1827) built in the north of the city, thanks to which<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> became an important seaport.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> transformed itself into the most important<br />
cotton city in continental Europe in the 19th century, importing<br />
cotton from the US, <strong>In</strong>dia and many other places.<br />
Over 1500 factories were built within the city walls and<br />
the population exploded: from 55,000 at the beginning<br />
of the 19th century to 160.000 at the end of the century.<br />
Working conditions however were harsh and <strong>Ghent</strong> was<br />
once again rebelling: this time fighting for better working<br />
conditions. Most of modern Belgium’s trade unions were<br />
founded in those days, in <strong>Ghent</strong>. 1830: Belgium became<br />
an independent state. The city council - together with the<br />
wealthy textile class - opposed the new state. They called<br />
themselves Orangists, wanting to remain part of the<br />
Netherlands.<br />
20th century<br />
1911: Maurice Maeterlinck receives the Nobel Prize for<br />
Literature 1913: <strong>Ghent</strong> hosts the World Exhibition, for which<br />
many of the city’s finest buildings were renovated. 1914-<br />
What’s in a name?<br />
The name Gent comes from the word Ganda, an old<br />
Celtic word which means ‘confluence’. The Celts used<br />
Ganda to indicate their settlement at the confluence of<br />
the two rivers in <strong>Ghent</strong>, the Lys (Leie) and the Scheldt<br />
(Schelde). Under Roman occupation (1st-4th century)<br />
the name Ganda survived, changing in the Middle Ages,<br />
when it gradually became Gand, Ghendt, <strong>Ghent</strong> and<br />
finally Gent.<br />
1918: Although the First (and Second) World War hit <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
hard, it was able to save a large part of its architectural<br />
heritage. Many unemployed people were employed during<br />
the war to enlarge <strong>Ghent</strong> harbour.<br />
1934: A panel of the priceless altar piece The Adoration of<br />
the Mystic Lamb is stolen: it has never been found.<br />
1938: Corneille Heymans receivers the Nobel Prize for<br />
Medicine.<br />
Fifties & Sixties: After the Second World War, the port of<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> developed into a modern industrial area, a centre of<br />
the car and steel industries. The port of <strong>Ghent</strong> becomes<br />
the third most important in Belgium, attracting businesses<br />
from all over the world. The textile industry however further<br />
declines.<br />
1968: <strong>Ghent</strong>’s Festivals are revived, and today more than<br />
1.5 million visitors take part in what - at 10 days and 10<br />
nights - is one of the biggest festivals in Europe.<br />
1969: A canal (the Ringvaart) is dug in order to connect the<br />
Lys and the Scheldt and numerous other canals, allowing<br />
ships to reach the new port in the north of <strong>Ghent</strong> without<br />
going through the city centre. Since then the former medieval<br />
harbours at Lys and Scheldt - no longer useful - have become<br />
popular hangouts for <strong>Ghent</strong>’s hippest inhabitants.<br />
1977: <strong>Ghent</strong> unifies all its districts and surroundings into<br />
one big city.<br />
1999: The Belfry, the Cloth Hall and the beguinages are<br />
proclaimed Unesco World Heritage sites.<br />
21st century<br />
2009: <strong>Ghent</strong> is appointed as Unesco Creative City of Music<br />
2012: About 240,000 people currently live in <strong>Ghent</strong>, as well<br />
as about 70,000 students. <strong>Ghent</strong> University is blossoming,<br />
as result of which <strong>Ghent</strong> has become a strong research and<br />
development centre. Contemporary <strong>Ghent</strong> is a vibrant mix<br />
of all kinds of people living in a stunning historical setting.<br />
It is no wonder that both National Geographic and Lonely<br />
Planet have declared <strong>Ghent</strong> as one of 10 must-see places<br />
in the world.<br />
Lichtfestival, lightens up your winter © Visit-Gent<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
Culture & events<br />
Ballet & Opera<br />
Vlaamse Opera B-3, Schouwburgstraat 3, tel.<br />
(+32) 926 81 011, fax (+32) 922 38 726, info@<br />
vlaamseopera.be, www.vlaamseopera.be. The building<br />
we know as the Flanders Opera was opened in 1840.<br />
City architect Louis Roelandt built the opera, together<br />
with the court house and the La Concorde ballroom,<br />
creating a unique architectural effect in the Kouter square<br />
neighbourhood. The three banquet halls are 90 meters in<br />
length, while the auditorium seats 1002 people and has<br />
an impressive three-metre diameter chandelier. QOpen<br />
11:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Sun. Next to working hours,<br />
the box office opens 1 hour before each performance.<br />
JAUL Want to go for a picknick on the river? © Visit-Gent<br />
Markets, Festivals & Events<br />
Friday, Saturday & Sunday mornings<br />
Flea market around St. Jakobschurch (C-2)<br />
Friday morning<br />
Farmers‘ market at Groentenmarkt (B-2)<br />
Sunday morning<br />
Flower market at Kouter (B-3)<br />
Sunday morning<br />
Market around St. Michielschurch (B-2)<br />
Sunday morning<br />
Book market at Ajuinlei (B-3) (if it’s sunny)<br />
Date Event Venue<br />
July<br />
1 July – 31 August Parkkaffee<br />
Parkkaffee<br />
more info&updates @parkkaffee.be<br />
Gent Jazz Festival<br />
11 – 14<br />
BIJ<br />
more info&updates @gentjazz.com<br />
Gentse Feesten<br />
20 – 29<br />
City centre<br />
more info&updates @gentsefeesten.be<br />
31 July – 29<br />
September<br />
August<br />
DOK beach<br />
more info&updates @dokgent.be<br />
9 – 11<br />
Patersholfeesten<br />
more info&updates @patershol.be<br />
Patershol<br />
Every Thursday DOK open air cinema DOK<br />
Every Sunday<br />
September<br />
DOK flea market DOK<br />
8 Open Monumentsday Different locations<br />
14 – 20<br />
OdeGand <strong>Ghent</strong>, Gent Festival of Flanders<br />
more info&updates @gentfestival.be<br />
Different locations<br />
21<br />
October<br />
De Beloften, music festival<br />
more info&updates @democrazy.be<br />
8 – 19<br />
Film Festival Gent<br />
more info&updates @filmfestival.be<br />
Kinepolis, Sphinx, Studio Skoop<br />
17<br />
Scoring for Scorsese<br />
more info&updates @filmfestival.be<br />
BIJ<br />
19<br />
December<br />
World Soundtrack Awards<br />
more info&updates @filmfestival.be<br />
Kuipke Gent<br />
13, 14<br />
Glimps Festival music festival<br />
more info&updates @glimpsgent.be<br />
different locations<br />
DOK<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
13
14 Culture & events<br />
minutes’ walk from the city centre. <strong>In</strong> its four concert halls,<br />
De Bijloke puts on classic music from ancient to symphonic,<br />
from classical western to eastern music and even some<br />
jazz. The music centre forms part of the De Bijloke world<br />
heritage site and combines historical and contemporary<br />
architecture with greenery. Until a quarter of a century ago,<br />
the main activity of the site was to take care of the sick. The<br />
concert hall of the music centre for example is a gigantic<br />
medieval hospital that dates back to the 13th century. Look<br />
out for the spectacular oak ceiling. QOpen 10:00 - 12:00 &<br />
13:00-17:00, Sat 13:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon, Sun. The day<br />
of the concert the ticket office opens one hour before the<br />
concert. AUEKW<br />
Concert halls<br />
Flanders Expo Maaltekouter 1, tel. (+32) 924 19<br />
211, fax (+32) 924 19 325, flandersexpo@artexis.com,<br />
www.flandersexpo.be. Just 10 km from <strong>Ghent</strong> you will<br />
find Flanders Expo, which organizes large-scale exhibitions,<br />
parties and concerts. Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Sting, Tina<br />
Turner and U2 are some of the artists that have performed<br />
here. Q AULE<br />
Handelsbeurs B-3, Kouter 29, tel. (+32) 926 59 165,<br />
fax (+32) 923 35 576, mail@handelsbeurs.be, www.<br />
handelsbeurs.be. Both established artists and new music<br />
revelations play at Handelsbeurs. The concert house offers<br />
world music, jazz, blues and pop rock, but also has a<br />
strong program of classical music. QOpen 10:00 - 12:30<br />
O8 ›19 OCT 2O13<br />
& 13:30-17:30, Sat 10:00 - 12:30 & 13:00-16:30. Closed<br />
Sun. JAULE<br />
www.filmfestival.be<br />
Galleries<br />
Fortlaan 17 B-6, Fortlaan 17, tel. (+32) 922 20 033,<br />
galerie@fortlaan17.com, www.fortlaan17.com. Gallery<br />
Cinema<br />
Fortlaan 17 is two floors of contemporary art. Facing the<br />
Kinepolis C-5, Ter Platen 12, tel. (+32) 926 50 600, fax Citadelpark it exhibits contemporary artists from home and<br />
3-289_inyou_60bx90h.indd (+32) 926 50 606, 1 info@kinepolis.be, www.kinepolis. 6/06/13 abroad, 11:26<br />
young artists and Belgian talents. Fortlaan 17 is lo-<br />
com. Kinepolis is the biggest cinema in <strong>Ghent</strong> and the place cated in one of the few Art Nouveau houses in <strong>Ghent</strong>. QOpen<br />
for commercial and 3D movies. The cinema is located not far 14:00 - 18:00, Sat 12:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Sun.<br />
from Sint-Pieters square. During the Film Festival Gent , most Gallery Tatjana Pieters Nieuwevaart 124, tel. (+ 32)<br />
movies are shown here. Q Weekdays, weekends and holidays 932 44 529, info@tatjanapieters.com. Gallery Tatjana<br />
from 13:00, Christmas holiday from 10:00. TAULG Pieters introduces and supports Belgian talent as well as<br />
Sphinx Cinema B-2, Sint-Michielshelling 3, tel. (+32) promoting international artists. Tatjana Pieters her way of<br />
922 56 086, fax (+32) 923 35 253, info@sphinx-cinema. thinking is: show local, act global, and her gallery is located<br />
be, www.sphinx-cinema.be. Sphinx is another art-house in an old warehouse in the industrial area of <strong>Ghent</strong>. With a<br />
cinema, showing European and non-Western movies. The unique exhibition space of 400 m², this gallery is a must.<br />
building, located near the Korenmarkt, was built in 1912 QOpen 14:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Tue. AL<br />
and has always been used as a cinema. It has five screens Zebrastraat C-5, Zebrastraat 32, tel. (+32) 471 31 00<br />
on three floors, which means lots of stairs. Sphinx cinema 01, www.zebrastraat.be/. Zebrastraat brings together<br />
has a nice bar and terrace, where you can enjoy a pre- or housing, culture and economy. Next to five congress rooms<br />
post-movie drink. J<br />
and 70 residences, you can find ta 750m² exhibition that<br />
Studio Skoop C-3, Sint-Annaplein 63, tel. (+32) 922 50 displays the work of artists who combine contemporary art<br />
845, fax (+32) 923 37 522, info@studioskoop.be, www. with technology. Zebrastraat is located just outside the city<br />
studioskoop.be. A small art-house cinema, close to the Zuid centre, but occasionally hides a gem that makes it worth a<br />
site, that shows quality non-commercial films on five screens. visit. On the roof of the Zebrastraat site, there are two glossy,<br />
Studio Skoop has been around for 40 years and even though yellow constructions, each 12 metre long, 6 metres wide and<br />
the seats were recently renewed, the cinema still gives off an 3 metres high. Don’t forget to look up when you are in the area!<br />
old, but cosy, atmosphere. After the movie, don’t leave without QOpen 14:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Tue. GB<br />
having a drink at the Studio Skoop Café where old cinema<br />
seats, retro movie posters and portraits of Scarlett Johansson<br />
and Marlene Dietrich make you feel part of it all. Q Ticket office Live Music<br />
opens 30 minutes before each movie. TJL<br />
Café De Loge A-3, Annonciadenstraat 5, tel. (+32)<br />
922 53 438, www.deloge.be. This congenial bar puts on<br />
a free concert every Wednesday evening with many singer<br />
Classical music<br />
songwriters passing through. Every fourth Tuesday of the<br />
De Bijloke C-4, Jozef Kluyskensstraat 2, tel. (+32) month, Café De Loge gives an open stage to a handful of<br />
923 36 878, fax (+32) 922 56 582, info@debijloke.be, beginner songwriters. QOpen 11:30 - 01:00, Sat, Sun<br />
wwww.debijloke.be. De Bijloke Music Centre is located 10 09:00 - 01:00. JAB<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Café Video C-2, Oude Beestenmarkt 7, info@cafevideo.be,<br />
www.cafevideo.be. Café Video is a popular<br />
bar with live music from up-and-coming bands during the<br />
week and live DJ’s on Fridays and Saturdays. All concerts<br />
are free and start at 21:30. QOpen 20:00 - 06:00. Closed<br />
Sun. Open on Sunday when there is a concert planned.<br />
JEGB<br />
Charlatan C-2, Vlasmarkt 6, tel. (+32) 922 42 457, info@<br />
charlatan.be, charlatan.be. Charlatan has a live band or DJ<br />
more or less daily. Music genres vary from rock, rhythm & blues<br />
and soul to indie, pop and punk. Everything find its way to Charlatan:<br />
as long as it’s cool. Charlatan’s motto: Lean back and relax<br />
or get up and dance. Concerts start at 22:00, unless otherwise<br />
stated. QOpen 19:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon. JEGB<br />
Club Reserva B-2, Jan Breydelstraat 32, tel. (+32) 489<br />
11 63 95, info@clubreserva.be, www.clubreserva.be.<br />
Every Thursday a fine concert takes place here, either in the<br />
afternoon or in the evening. Club Reserva mainly offers jazz, but<br />
now and then you can come here to listen to a classical violinist,<br />
some country, blues, rock and roll or folk. Brand new is the<br />
‚mastel’ stand outside this bar, where you can buy this typical<br />
speciality from <strong>Ghent</strong>. A mastel is a round bread, similar to a<br />
sandwich roll, spiced with cinnamon with a hole in the middle.<br />
Younes Benzaza opened Mastelle&Co, and he will serve you<br />
savoury and sweet variations of this typical bun with a big smile!<br />
QOpen , Thu 19:00 - 03:00, Fri, Sat 16:00 - 03:00. Closed<br />
Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun. JE<br />
DOK D-1, Koopvaardijlaan, tel. (+32) 922 41 940,<br />
www.dokgent.be. Port area Dok provides a space for<br />
small scale rock and pop concerts. Many of these concerts<br />
are organized by Democrazy, an event organizer with an eye<br />
for everything that’s hot and new. Concerts can take place<br />
at the DOKcanteen (free) or at the DOKarena, an amphitheatre<br />
made of earth and grass. When it’s raining those<br />
concerts move to the DOKbox. Dok also installs a beach<br />
every summer, where you can enjoy movies, concerts or even<br />
flea markets on this city beach. Very child- and dogfriendly.<br />
T6UILENGBKXW<br />
Hot Club de Gand B-2, Schuddevisstraatje - Groentemarkt<br />
15b, tel. (+32) 486 74 07 99, gerben@hotclubdegand.be,<br />
www.hotclubdegand.be. This music venue offers<br />
a wide range of music: mainly jazz but there’s also room for<br />
Exhibitions<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
Culture & events<br />
flamenco, folk, classical music, blues, chanson, musette, ethnic<br />
music and gypsy music. Live music more or less every day.<br />
QOpen 15:00 - 02:00. JEGBX<br />
Hotsy Totsy A-2, Hoogstraat 1, tel. (+32) 922 42 012,<br />
hotsy1@skynet.be, www.hotsytotsy.be. At Hotsy Totsy,<br />
known for its poetry and music in a 1920/30s inspired-interior,<br />
the music ranges from jazz, swing and 20s-30s tunes to blues<br />
and French chansons. From October until May, an artist hits the<br />
stage on Thursday and every third Wednesday of the month.<br />
During the Gentse Feesten, this pub keeps going on a diet of<br />
French chansons and rockabilly. JE<br />
Kinky Star C-2, Vlasmarkt 9, tel. (+32) 933 57 342,<br />
info@kinkystar.com, www.kinkystar.com. For 15 years,<br />
music center Kinky Star has been an independent record<br />
label, a radio show and a club with two weekly concerts.<br />
Kinky Star does not limit itself to one specific style and<br />
plays Flemish hiphop, electro and heaps of rock: indierock,<br />
garagerock, bluesrock, noiserock, surfrock, stonerrock... You<br />
get the idea. All concerts start at 21:30, sharp. DJ sets at<br />
22:00. QOpen 18:00 - 03:00, Tue, Sun 18:00 - 01:00. Closed<br />
Mon, Wed. JEGW<br />
La Resistenza C-3, Brabantdam 82, tel. (+32) 925<br />
60 967, info@la-resistenza.com, www.la-resistenza.<br />
com. <strong>In</strong> its cellar, music venue La Resistenza hosts jazz<br />
concerts with expansions to funk, soul and other genres.<br />
Every Friday and Saturday, DJ Cellar Sessions at 21:45.<br />
QOpen 11:45 - 05:00, Sat 18:00 - 05:00. Closed Wed, Sun.<br />
JEBKW<br />
Minor Swing C-1, Ottogracht 58, tel. (+32) 494 90 64<br />
83. At this tiny bar, there’s only room for up to 30 people but<br />
there is always room for some swing. Every first and third<br />
Tuesday of the month, they play live swing and jazz. QOpen<br />
18:00 - 03:00. JENGB<br />
Trefpunt C-2, Bij Sint-Jacobs 18, tel. (+32) 922 53 676,<br />
fax (+32) 923 31 037, info@trefpunt.be, www.trefpunt.<br />
be. Every Monday evening, a soloist, a small band or a theatre<br />
company play here. During the weekend, things get louder at<br />
their concert hall. As with many venues in <strong>Ghent</strong>, it’s hard to<br />
lump the music of this place together: it goes from jazz and<br />
folk to blues and world music. During the Gentse Feesten, the<br />
Trefpuntfestival stages more than 160 concerts at nine locations.<br />
QOpen 17:00 - 03:00, Fri 16:00 - 03:00. JEG<br />
Date Event Venue<br />
To 18 August Koen Theys – Home-made victories SM<br />
To 25 August 2013 Evgenia Arbugaeve SPA<br />
To 15 September 2013 En avant, marche HVA<br />
To 29 September Onder Stroom MIAT<br />
To 31 December 2013 1001 Dots: exhibition for children KT<br />
1 May - 1 December 2013 100 years Vooruit STAM<br />
22 May – 6 October 2013 Fondation Francès – <strong>In</strong> alle staten GUI<br />
22 May – 6 October 2013 Gideon Kiefer – Drawings GUI<br />
11 July-25 August<br />
Private collection selected by #1 / Collection vqc by Anneke<br />
Eussen<br />
GTP<br />
19 July – 27 October 2013 Peter de Greef, illustrator of sheet music DES<br />
11 October- 26 January 2014 Expo Martin Scorsese CK<br />
15 September-20 October Bart De Clercq GTP<br />
27 October – 21 December Heide Hinrichs GTP<br />
27 October – 21 December Allison Hrabluik GTP<br />
1 November– 29 June 2014 War and Trauma GUI<br />
8 December 2013 – 12<br />
January 2014<br />
Im-/Ex-Plicit / Concept by Luc Derycke & Tatjana Pieters GTP<br />
To 01 July 2017 artworks MSK<br />
To 31 December 2017 The <strong>Ghent</strong> Alterpiece CK<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
15
16 Culture & events<br />
White Cat B-1, Drongenhof 40, tel. (+32) 496 18 91<br />
89, nicolas@whitecat.be, www.whitecat.be. White Cat<br />
is a seventies bar with James Bond interiors and lots of live<br />
jam sessions and DJ’s giving you hip hop, soul, funk, rock ‚n<br />
roll and disco. It’s also the place to go and score a good drink,<br />
and even to try out your dancing shoes... QOpen , Wed, Thu,<br />
Fri, Sat 21:00 - .... Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. JEG<br />
Classical & Opera<br />
Theatre & Music<br />
Arts centre Vooruit C-4, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 23,<br />
tel. (+32) 926 72 820, fax (+32) 926 72 838, info@<br />
vooruit.be, www.vooruit.be. At Vooruit Arts Centre, located<br />
in an art-deco monument built in 1913, the historic decor<br />
reconciles with the theatre, dance, literature, new media<br />
Date Time Event Venue<br />
July<br />
21 15:00 Pascal Amoyel&Mickaël Lipari-Mayer SBA<br />
22 15:00 Severin von Eckardstein & Simone Easthorpe SBA<br />
24 15:00 Ekaterina Levental, Eva Tebbe & Anouk Sturtewagen SBA<br />
25<br />
September<br />
15:00 Olalla Alemán & Jan van Outryve SBA<br />
18 20:15<br />
Openingsconcert: Sara Mingardo (alt) & Stefano Gibellato (klavecimbel,<br />
piano)<br />
HB<br />
28<br />
October<br />
20:00 Le Poème Harmonique : Te Deum! BIJ<br />
3 20:00 deFilharmonie BIJ<br />
4 20:15 Daniil Trifonov (piano) HB<br />
5 20:00 Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen : Feesten tot der dood BIJ<br />
10 20:00 Severin von Eckardstein (piano) BIJ<br />
11 20:15 Isabelle van Keulen (violinl) & Ulrike Payer (piano) HB<br />
17 20:00 Auryn Quartett MZ<br />
17,20,23,26<br />
15:00,<br />
18:00<br />
Tristan & Isolde DVO<br />
20 11:00 Tom Van der Schueren(piano) HB<br />
21 20:15 Patricia Kopachinskaja (violin) & Markus Hinterhauser (piano) HB<br />
25 20:00 Spectra: birthday concert BIJ<br />
26<br />
November<br />
20:15 Ictus HB<br />
13 20:15 Fauré Quartett (pianoquartet) HB<br />
17 15:00 L'orchestre des Champs-Elysées : Requiem Fauré BIJ<br />
20,22,23,24,26 15:00,<br />
20:00<br />
Tosca DVO<br />
22 20:00 Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen BIJ<br />
21 20:15 Tae-Hyung Kim (piano) HB<br />
28 20:15<br />
Antje Weithaas (violin), Tanja Tetzlaff (cello) & Alexander Lonquich<br />
(piano)<br />
HB<br />
30<br />
December<br />
20:00 Cuarteto Casals MZ<br />
7 20:15 Daan Vandewalle (piano) & Keiko Shichijo (klavecimbel) HB<br />
20<br />
January<br />
20:00 De Filharmonie BIJ<br />
11 20:00 Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen BIJ<br />
9,11,14,17,19<br />
15:00,<br />
20:00<br />
Der Rosenkavalier DVO<br />
15 20:15 Isabelle Faust (violin) & Alexander Melnikov (piano) HB<br />
19 15:00 Belgische Kamerfilharmonie BIJ<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
and music on offer. <strong>In</strong> the indoor café all ages mingle to have<br />
something to eat, drink, work or read the newspaper. Now<br />
and then upcoming musicians play free gigs at the café. Come<br />
here during the Gentse Feesten, for a special treat of 10<br />
days of techno, house and electro. And yes, attentive readers<br />
may have noticed that we have a birthday to celebrate:<br />
Vooruit exists exactly 100 years! Between the 1st of May and<br />
the 1st of December, there will be a lot of extra activities,<br />
putting ‘100’ in the picture. Check the website regularly! And<br />
let’s drink a Triomfbeer to that ( a beer brewn especially for<br />
this occassion, don’t you just love the Belgians?) QOpen<br />
10:00 - 02:00, Mon, Tue 10:00 - 01:00, Sun 16:00 - 01:00.<br />
JAUEGKW<br />
bij’De Vieze Gasten Haspelstraat 31, tel. (+32) 923<br />
70 407, dvg@deviezegasten.org, www.deviezegasten.<br />
org. ‚De Vieze Gasten’ is a socio-cultural platform located<br />
at the heart of the Brugse Poort, a multicultural area on the<br />
outskirts of <strong>Ghent</strong>. Music, theatre, cabaret, stand up comedy<br />
shows, circusacts, all of this and many more activities are<br />
to be enjoyed here.<br />
Campo C-2, Nieuwpoort 31-35, tel. (+32) 922 30 000,<br />
info@campo.nu, www.campo.nu. Art centre CAMPO creates<br />
and hosts small and big productions from home and<br />
abroad. Plays take place at three different sites: Victoria<br />
(Fratersplein 7), Nieuwpoort (Nieuwpoort 31-35) and Boma<br />
(Bomastraat 36). J<br />
Capitole C-4, Graaf Van Vlaanderenplein 5, tel. (+32)<br />
923 30 388, fax (+32) 922 58 896, info@capitolegent.<br />
be, www.musichall.be. Capitole was once one of the most<br />
beautiful cinemas in the country, but in the 1980s it was<br />
closed, and then stood empty for fourteen years. <strong>In</strong> October<br />
2001, the totally renovated art deco theater opened again<br />
with the musical Camelot. Now Capitole still is a venue for<br />
musicals, but also hosts international dance, Dutch comedy<br />
and music from past and present. QOpen 12:00 - 18:00, Sat<br />
12:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. PTJALEGW<br />
<strong>In</strong>tercultural centre De Centrale Kraankinderstraat<br />
2, tel. (+32) 926 59 828, fax (+32) 926 59 824, decentrale@gent.be,<br />
www.decentrale.be. <strong>In</strong>tercultural centre<br />
De Centrale supports culture from all over the world. Beside<br />
theatre and music classes, this venue focuses on world music<br />
with cultural diversity as its starting point. E<br />
Check out this graffiti @Lammerstraat, photo by Anke Sanders<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
Culture & events<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>, UNESCO City of Music<br />
When visiting <strong>Ghent</strong>, you might be tempted to dance<br />
instead of walk down the streets, as the city simply oozes<br />
music. It comes as no surprise then, that in June of 2009,<br />
UNESCO appointed <strong>Ghent</strong> that year’s ‘City of Music’.<br />
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural<br />
Organization judged <strong>Ghent</strong> the winning city based on a<br />
list of criteria including its centres of musical creation and<br />
activity, its musical festivals and events, the promotion<br />
of the music industry, its music schools etc.<br />
<strong>In</strong> fact, long before the UNESCO nod, <strong>Ghent</strong> had been<br />
considered a well-established centre for music with a rich<br />
tradition. For one, the city boasts an impressive number<br />
of concert halls: Concert Hall De Bijloke (classical music),<br />
Capitole (musicals), Flanders Expo (concert & event hall),<br />
Kuipke (concert and event hall), Handelsbeurs (world<br />
music, jazz, singer-songwriters etc.), Kunstencentrum<br />
Vooruit (major travelling (international) productions), De<br />
Vlaamse Opera (opera house), <strong>In</strong>tercultural Centre ‘de<br />
Centrale (world music) to name but a few.<br />
Furthermore, local and international young artists are<br />
enabled and encouraged to develop their interest and<br />
career in music thanks to education facilities such as <strong>Ghent</strong>’s<br />
School of Arts, and research centres. Besides this,<br />
different organizations, including the Federation of Music<br />
Festivals in Flanders (FMiV) and the European Festivals<br />
Association (EFA) back the city’s musical ambitions.<br />
The proof of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s musical efforts is in the pudding.<br />
Simply glancing over the city’s rich pop and rock scene,<br />
with over 600 pop and rock bands, proves they pay off:<br />
artists such as Soulwax, Sioen, 2Many DJ’s, An Pierlé,<br />
Arid, Das Pop, and Gabriel Rios call the city their musical<br />
home. Important musical promoters based in <strong>Ghent</strong> are<br />
Democrazy and Kinky Star. Spectra, Logos and collegium<br />
vocale are just a few examples of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s flourishing<br />
classical and contemporary music scene. <strong>Ghent</strong> also<br />
contributes to the world of musical theatre. LOD, for<br />
instance, is an important production and development<br />
centre for (contemporary) music. Finally, <strong>Ghent</strong>’s opera<br />
house stages many national and international productions,<br />
and in former movie theatre, the Capitole, musicals<br />
are produced and presented.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> supports many musical genres through a variety of<br />
festivals. The Festival of Flanders (14-28/9/2013) in the<br />
heart of the city is a wonderful example of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s celebration<br />
of music. The <strong>In</strong>ternational Film Festival <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
(8-19/2013) has a special emphasis on film music and<br />
organises film music concerts during which composers<br />
such as Ennio Morricone, Howard Shore, Hans Zimmer,<br />
and Maurice Jarre have taken the stage. Since 2001, the<br />
Film Festival Gent has also been organising the World<br />
Soundtrack Awards, the most prestigious soundtrack<br />
awards in the world. Jazz in <strong>Ghent</strong> is alive and kicking too.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>’s many jazz cafés and clubs and its annual July<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> Jazz festival attest to that. The ‘Gentse Feesten’<br />
or ‘<strong>Ghent</strong> (City) Festivities’, is a yearly tradition: every July<br />
the city is alive with concerts, parties etc for ten days.<br />
There are also numerous smaller festivals throughout<br />
the year, catering to everyone, from jazz lovers to classical<br />
music buffs.<br />
So if you’ve got the music in you, <strong>Ghent</strong> is the place<br />
to be!<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
17
18 Culture & events<br />
Rock, Folk, Jazz & More<br />
Date Time Event Venue<br />
July<br />
20 – 29<br />
Gentse Feesten<br />
more info&updates<br />
@gentsefeesten.be<br />
City<br />
centre<br />
August<br />
13 19:30<br />
Nosedrip presents: Julia<br />
Holter, Lynn Cassiers<br />
DOK<br />
27 19:30 Sam Amidon DOK<br />
September<br />
12 20:00<br />
Ensemble<br />
Modern&Synergy Vocals<br />
Three Tales<br />
BIJ<br />
15 19:30 The Revival Hour DOK<br />
25 20:00 Trio Stelios Petrekis<br />
Marjan van Rompay<br />
BIJ<br />
26 20:15<br />
Group / Sonic Boom: Uri<br />
Caine & Han Bennink<br />
(double bill)<br />
HB<br />
October<br />
3 20:15<br />
De Beren Gieren / Too<br />
Noisy Fish (Double Bill)<br />
HB<br />
10 20:15<br />
AMATORSKI 'Deleting<br />
Borders'<br />
HB<br />
15 20:00 Joshua Redman Quartet BIJ<br />
24 20:15 Vijaj Iyer Trio HB<br />
26 19:30 Vive la Fête VO<br />
28 19:30 Spinvis NTG<br />
November<br />
5 20:15<br />
Lionel Beuvens quartet /<br />
Splashgirl<br />
HB<br />
21 20:00 Kellylee Evans BIJ<br />
December<br />
3 20:15<br />
Henri Texier Hope<br />
Quartet<br />
HB<br />
5 20:00 Imani Winds BIJ<br />
14 20:00 Flat Earth Society BIJ<br />
17 19:30 Daan NTG<br />
18<br />
January<br />
20.15<br />
Marockin' Brass feat.<br />
Byron Wallen<br />
HB<br />
22 20.15<br />
Joachim Badenhorst +<br />
OakTree Trio (double bill)<br />
HB<br />
29 20.00 Antiduo & Chambertones BIJ<br />
www.inyourpocket.com<br />
Kopergietery C-1, Blekerijstraat 50, tel. (+32) 926<br />
61 144, fax (+32) 922 42 980, nele@kopergietery.<br />
be, www.dekopergietery.be. The Kopergietery used to<br />
be a copper foundry (kopergieterij) and now serves as a<br />
theatre focusing on children and adolescents. National and<br />
international youth theater companies play here. QOpen ,<br />
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 10:00 - 17:00. T<br />
Minard Theater C-4, Walpoortstraat 15, tel. (+32) 926<br />
58 830, fax (+32) 923 33 011, info@minard.be, www.<br />
minard.be. On the steps of this theatre is a statue of Romain<br />
Venues<br />
Venue Code<br />
De Bijloke BIJ<br />
Capitole Gent CA<br />
Café Video CF<br />
Caermersklooster CK<br />
Campo Boma CMB<br />
Campo Nieuwpoort CMN<br />
Campo Victoria CMV<br />
City Centre CC<br />
Design museum DES<br />
De Kouter DK<br />
DOK DOK<br />
De Vlaamse Opera DVO<br />
Flanders Expo FE<br />
Festivalterrein Krijzeltand FK<br />
Film Plateau FP<br />
Galerij Tatjana Pieters GTP<br />
Museum dr. Guislain GUI<br />
Handelsbeurs HB<br />
Huis van Alijn HVA<br />
Kinepolis KI<br />
Kouter KO<br />
De wereld van Kina: de Tuin KT<br />
Logos Tetrahedron LT<br />
Museum voor <strong>In</strong>dustriële Archeologie en<br />
Textiel<br />
MIAT<br />
Museum of Fine Arts MSK<br />
Miryzaal MZ<br />
NTGent NTG<br />
St-Baafsabdij SBA<br />
Stadsmuseum Gent STAM<br />
SMAK SM<br />
Sphinx SP<br />
Sint-Pietersabdij SPA<br />
Studio Skoop ST<br />
De Tinnen Pot TP<br />
VIP School VIP<br />
Vooruit VO<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Deconinck, an icon of Flemish folk theatre who used Minard<br />
as the base for his theatre company. This is the reason<br />
why every July and December, Minard revives folk theater<br />
with performances in the <strong>Ghent</strong> dialect. J<br />
NTGent C-3, Sint-Baafsplein 17, tel. (+32) 922 50<br />
101, fax (+32) 926 93 543, info@ntgent.be, www.<br />
ntgent.be. Civic theater NTGent, founded in 1965, lies<br />
within the triangle of the cathedral, the Belfort and the<br />
city hall. A theatre with its own company that also hosts<br />
international players, the classical auditorium has room for<br />
650 spectators. There are two other venues, too: Arca<br />
Parkkaffee<br />
People from <strong>Ghent</strong> simply itching to get away from the busy<br />
city centre during the sunny summer months can take a<br />
mini-holiday at the Parkkaffee: the grounds of a private<br />
castle in Mariakerke, a district of <strong>Ghent</strong>.<br />
This year, owner Marco ‘Kazzen’ Cassiman (55), is<br />
opening the doors to his castle’s beautiful grounds for<br />
the thirteenth time. Cassiman used to be a musician, but<br />
decided to buy the castle at a surprisingly low price back<br />
in 1992. “Everyone thought I was crazy,” he recalls, “and<br />
maybe they were right. What can I say? I had fallen head<br />
over heels… It was a complete leap in the dark, but sometimes<br />
you have to show some guts.” Thirteen years later,<br />
the many Parkkaffee fans can testify how Cassiman’s<br />
audacity paid off.<br />
Parkkaffee has become a unique outdoor cafe with<br />
antique caravans and tents surrounding a pond, in the<br />
middle of a spacious park. This fairytale spot is open to<br />
couples looking for some romance, families in search of<br />
a carefree afternoon of fun, and groups of city-dwelling<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
Culture & events<br />
and Minnemeers. Arca is located behind the Castle of<br />
the Counts, while Minnemeers is situated next to the<br />
Museum of <strong>In</strong>dustrial Archaeology and Textiles (MIAT).<br />
JAL<br />
Uitbureau Veldstraat 82 B, www.uitbureau.be. <strong>In</strong> <strong>Ghent</strong>’s<br />
main shopping street, you will also find this ‘uitbureau’<br />
where you can ask for information about theatre plays,<br />
performances, musicals, guided city walks, etc and you can<br />
even buy tickets here. So don’t forget to pay them a visit if<br />
you want to dive into <strong>Ghent</strong>’s cultural life. There is so much<br />
to discover! QOpen 10:30 - 17:30. Closed Sun.<br />
friends who just want to hang out in a lush garden.<br />
<strong>In</strong> the afternoons, Parkkaffee is a great place for kids:<br />
they can enjoy the park, play in the sandpit, swing from<br />
the vines in the trees and take part in theatre and circus<br />
workshops. There is even a magic school, where magicians<br />
just might teach you some of their best card tricks. At night,<br />
you can huddle around the campfires dotted around the<br />
lawns while enjoying excellent food and some of the best<br />
cocktails in town. A variety of bands provide the perfect<br />
soundtrack to your summer. Curious? Parkkaffee is open<br />
to all every day in July and August, from 14:00 to midnight.<br />
And while you’re there, you can find out how quickly you<br />
will be back by consulting one of the mysterious fortune<br />
tellers.<br />
Groenestaakstraat 37, 9030 Mariakerke, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 79 994, info@parkkaffee.beQOpen from<br />
July 1 to August 31, 14:00-24:00. Entrance fee: €5. For<br />
details of this year’s activities, go to www.parkkaffee.<br />
be.<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
19
20 where to stay<br />
Cream of the crop<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> Marriott Hotel B-2, Korenlei 10, tel. (+32) 923<br />
39 393, fax (+32) 923 39 394, info@marriottghent.com,<br />
www.marriottghent.be. Perfection doesn’t come cheap,<br />
and the only downside of this luxury hotel is the price tag.<br />
However, the quality of the <strong>Ghent</strong> Marriott is of mind-blowing<br />
proportions. It is a wonderfully designed building in a location<br />
that can’t be beaten: overlooking the Korenlei on the banks<br />
of the Lys, just a short walk from just about everywhere you<br />
will want to go. It goes without saying that the rooms are<br />
probably the best in the city. There are good on site drinking<br />
and dining options too. Worth saving up for. Q 150 rooms<br />
(doubles from €149 to 219). PZTJHARUFL<br />
GBKW hhhh<br />
Sandton Grand Hotel Reylof A-2, Hoogstraat 36,<br />
tel. (+32) 923 54 070, fax (+32) 923 54 079, gent@<br />
sandton.eu, www.sandton.eu. Hotel Reylof - in a building<br />
from the 18th century - is within walking distance from the<br />
centre of <strong>Ghent</strong> and a recommendable spot for those who<br />
like to be spoilt. The large rooms in this wonderful building<br />
are equipped with the right things, the beds are huge, the<br />
breakfast extensive and the staff very attentive. The hotel<br />
has a cocktail bar and a historical garden courtyard that is<br />
great during sunny months. Those who’d like to work on their<br />
health can do so in the wellness centre with a fitness equipment<br />
and a solarium. Q 158 rooms (doubles from €125 to<br />
238, suites from €179 to 1250, apartments from €169 to<br />
209). THAFLGBKDXW hhhh<br />
Upmarket<br />
Hotel Harmony B-2, Kraanlei 37, tel. (+32) 932 42<br />
680, fax (+32) 932 42 688, info@hotel-harmony.be,<br />
www.hotel-harmony.be. Hotel Harmony offers excellent<br />
accommodation in the heart of the oldest neighbourhood<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong>. Those who want a taste of the real medieval<br />
atmosphere and, at the same time, want to be taken care<br />
of, have to book a room here. The prices are a bit high, but<br />
the price/quality ratio here is very good. Even the smallest<br />
rooms have large beds, wireless internet and some of them<br />
even have a terrace. Those who’ve booked a suite can count<br />
on designer baths, fruit baskets and a fireplace. The staff in<br />
this hotel, a family business, will do absolutely anything to<br />
make you feel at ease. And if you’ve had enough of strolling<br />
through <strong>Ghent</strong> and need a rest, you can always sit in the<br />
private garden of the hotel with a plate of tapas and a good<br />
glass of wine. Highly recommended. Q25 rooms (doubles<br />
from €139 to 229). PZTHAR6ULGBCW<br />
hhhh<br />
NH Gent Belfort B-2, Hoogpoort 63, tel. (+32) 923 33<br />
331, fax (+32) 923 31 102, nhgentbelfort@nh-hotels.<br />
com, www.nh-hotels.com. On the corner of Hoogpoort<br />
and Belfortstraat stands the proud building of NH <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
Belfort. Thanks to both the police station and the city hall<br />
opposite, you can feel safe in your room and perhaps even<br />
spot a wedding going on from your window. The interior of<br />
the hotel, as well as the rooms, are colourfully designed,<br />
thereby creating a genuinely warm atmosphere. Rooms are<br />
comfortable and well up to those of a four-star hotel. The<br />
breakfast buffet is very good and the basement dining hall<br />
is lovely. Q174 rooms (doubles €99 - 165, suites €169).<br />
PTJHA6UFLGBKDXW hhhh<br />
NH Gent Sint Pieters A-5, Koning Albertlaan 121, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 26 065, fax (+32) 922 01 605, nhgentsintpieters@nh-hotels.com,<br />
www.nh-hotels.com. Although<br />
this hotel is about a twenty minutes walk from the Kuip van<br />
Symbol key<br />
P Air conditioning 6 Animal friendly<br />
O Casino A Credit cards accepted<br />
T Child friendly J City centre location<br />
H Conference facilities U Facilities for the disabled<br />
R <strong>In</strong>ternet L Guarded parking<br />
F Fitness centre G Non-smoking rooms<br />
K Restaurant M Nearest metro station<br />
D Sauna C Swimming pool<br />
W Wi-Fi connection<br />
Gent, it’s an excellent base for city trips as well as business<br />
trips. The rooms are tidy and clean, the beds are comfortable<br />
and you can’t really be complaining about the extensive<br />
breakfast buffet. A fine hotel. Q49 rooms (doubles €86 -<br />
125, suites €125). PZTHA6LGW hhhh<br />
Novotel Gent Centrum B-2, Goudenleeuwplein 5,<br />
tel. (+32) 922 42 230, fax (+32) 922 43 295, H0840@<br />
accor.com, www.novotel.com. The Novotel offers efficient<br />
service, spacious and clean rooms and an outdoor swimming<br />
pool, a sauna and a gym. If you are looking for a comfortable<br />
stay and bright interior design then this really might be the<br />
place for you. The location next to St-Baafsplein is great, you<br />
have a splendid view. Q 117 rooms (doubles from €99 to<br />
189). PTJA6UFLBKDCW hhh<br />
Parkhotel D-3, Nieuwebosstraat 1, tel. (+32) 922 39<br />
147, fax (+32) 922 39 107, parkhotel@telenet.be,<br />
www.parkhotelgent.be. The Parkhotel has recently been<br />
renovated completely and it shows: the tastefully decorated<br />
rooms, like the rest of the hotel, are impeccable. The staff<br />
clearly shares its fresh mood: upon entrance, everyone will<br />
answer you in a friendly, open way, and there’s a nice exchange<br />
of tips on what to do in <strong>Ghent</strong>. You’ll even get a little<br />
map, so finding the historical centre of <strong>Ghent</strong> is easy - plus<br />
it’s only a ten minutes’ walk from the hotel. The rooms are<br />
clean and the breakfast is fine, though a bit on the pricey<br />
side. The on-site restaurant La Provence offers you a good<br />
look at the Belgian and French cuisine - the service of the<br />
staff don’t get better. <strong>In</strong> the summer months, breakfast is<br />
served in the courtyard. Q 20 rooms (doubles €74-109).<br />
JALGBKW hhh<br />
Boutique hotels<br />
Charme Hancelot Hotel D-4, Vijfwindgatenstraat 19,<br />
tel. (+32) 923 43 545, fax (+32) 923 35 545, info@<br />
hancelot.be, www.hancelot.be. This renovated Town<br />
House, built in 1840, is a hotel full of character. <strong>In</strong> this stylish<br />
and authentic mansion you could almost imagine you belong<br />
to 19th century nobility. The breakfast room could serve<br />
as a ballroom, and all the guest rooms come with antique<br />
furniture. Spread over three floors, there are different kinds<br />
of accomodation. The most basic ‘charm room’ is equipped<br />
with a sitting area, flat-screen TV, free wireless internet and<br />
a bathroom with shower, sink and toilet. Others include a<br />
bath with separate massage shower or a two-person bath<br />
and a shower. For all guests, there’s free access to the fitness<br />
room. At extra cost, you can make use of the private<br />
sauna or wellness facilities. A hidden pearl in the centre of<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>. Q12 rooms (doubles €119 - 179). JHAI<br />
FLGBDW<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Mid-range<br />
Best Western Hotel Chamade A-6, Koningin Elisabethlaan<br />
3, tel. (+32) 922 01 515, fax (+32) 922 19<br />
766, info@chamade.be, www.chamade.be. A standard<br />
three-star hotel, ideal for those who like to stay close to the<br />
railway station. The centre of the city is, however, also easily<br />
accessible: the tram that stops just outside the hotel, takes<br />
you in 10 minutes to the historical centre. The hotel has a<br />
limited underground parking (€12) but the public parking at<br />
the station is a good alternative. Each room has a private<br />
bathroom with hairdryer, a color TV, telephone, minibar<br />
and high speed internet. There are both smoking and non<br />
smoking rooms that were redecorated not so long ago. The<br />
breakfast buffet they serve on the sixth floor provides not only<br />
an extensive choice but also a panoramic view of the city.<br />
Q (singles €114 - 132, doubles €130 - 149, triples €1575).<br />
PTA6LW hhh<br />
Best Western Residence Hotel Cour St Georges<br />
C-2, Botermarkt 2, tel. (+32) 922 42 424, fax (+32) 922<br />
42 640, info@courstgeorges.com, www.courstgeorges.<br />
be. Smack in the centre of town is the oldest hotel in Europe.<br />
Well, at least that is how they call themselves. When we<br />
viewed the rooms of this18th century building, we actually<br />
became quite convinced that this claim might be true, because<br />
some rooms could use a bit of renovation. Facilities<br />
are modern though, staff are very helpful and the location<br />
is hard to beat. On the downside, the breakfast is really not<br />
the best and overall we would conclude that the Hotel Cour<br />
Saint-Georges doesn’t provide enough value for money. Q31<br />
rooms (doubles €117 - 139). TJA6LGW hhh<br />
Carlton A-6, Koningin Astridlaan 138, tel. (+32) 922<br />
28 836, fax (+32) 922 04 992, info@carlton-gent.be,<br />
www.carlton-gent.be. Three brothers took over this hotel<br />
and now manage it with style. At the Carlton you’ll find 21<br />
nicely decorated rooms with a private bathroom, digital TV<br />
with two movie channels, a coffee/tea set, a spacious desk,<br />
minibar and even a lounge with couches and mood lighting.<br />
The brothers give the hotel a personal touch to make your<br />
stay as pleasant as possible. The hotel is 200 meters away<br />
from Sint-Pietersstation. The centre is easily accessible<br />
by tram or bus. Q21 rooms (singles from €84 to 120,<br />
doubles from €101.50 to 175, triples from €122.50 to 175)<br />
TA6LGW hhh<br />
Huis van Alijn, photo by Anke Sanders<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
where to stay<br />
Europahotel A-5, Gordunakaai 59, tel. (+32) 922 26<br />
071, fax (+32) 922 00 609, info@europahotel-gent.<br />
be, www.europahotel-gent.be. You’re at the right place<br />
for a quiet hotel half way between the city centre and the<br />
railway station. This family hotel is located on the banks of<br />
the Lys and is an ideal base for cycling and walking, and with<br />
the bike route maps cyclists get when they check in, they<br />
can immediately hop on their bikes. The modern single and<br />
double rooms are equipped with shower, bath and toilet but<br />
apparently the wireless internet doesn’t reach all the rooms.<br />
The hotel also has a gastronomic bistro with lunch at €15<br />
and a menu with a large choice of fish, meat and vegetarian<br />
dishes. Q37 rooms (singles €110, doubles from €114 to<br />
129). THA6LGBKW hhh<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> River Hotel B-2, Waaistraat 5, tel. (+32) 926<br />
61 010, fax (+32) 926 61 015, info@ghent-river-hotel.<br />
be, www.ghent-river-hotel.be. Just north of Vrijdagsmarkt<br />
lies a former industrial building that has been turned into a<br />
large hotel along the Lys River. The 77 rooms are generally<br />
good value and, unlike many other accommodation options<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong>, the hotel’s facilities include a fitness room, a<br />
sauna and quite a nice bar. Not all the rooms are of the<br />
same value though and some of them can be a bit noisy.<br />
The breakfast, which is not included in the price, is pretty<br />
expensive for what you get. Q80 rooms (doubles €102 - 150).<br />
TJHAFBD hhhh<br />
Holiday <strong>In</strong>n Gent Expo Maaltekouter 3, tel. (+32) 922<br />
02 424, fax (+32) 922 26 622, www.higentexpo.com.<br />
If you have business in or around Flanders Expo or need to<br />
be next the motorway, then Holiday <strong>In</strong>n is a good choice.<br />
<strong>In</strong> all other situations, we would say there are much better<br />
options in town. The hotel is efficiently designed, but lacks a<br />
bit of atmosphere. Rooms are quite noisy and the fact that<br />
there is a motorway just 100 metres from your room doesn’t<br />
particularly help. Apart from that, there is nothing wrong with<br />
the Holiday <strong>In</strong>n, but it is not hard to find a place that offers<br />
higher quality for the same price. Q169 rooms (singles<br />
€72 - 99, doubles €105 - 149). PTHAR6UFL<br />
GKW hhhh<br />
Hotel Adoma B-6, Sint Denijslaan 19, tel. (+32) 922<br />
26 550, fax (+32) 924 50 937, info@hotel-adoma.be,<br />
www.hotel-adoma.be. This hotel, near the Citadelpark, and<br />
only minutes away from Sint-Pieters station, might look a bit<br />
miserable from the outside - it reminded us of an East Berlin<br />
bunker - but inside you’ll be provided with everything you need:<br />
you can even park your car here for free. The hotel is a fine<br />
spot for a weekend in <strong>Ghent</strong>, and the prices of the room are<br />
reasonable. We’ve seldom seen such an extensive breakfast<br />
for the price. Moreover, the great beds and the attentive staff<br />
will make you stay an extra night. Q 15 rooms (doubles €70,<br />
triples €94, suites €97). TALW hhh<br />
Hotel Astoria Gent B-6, Achilles Musschestraat 39,<br />
tel. (+32) 922 28 413, fax (+32) 922 04 787, info@<br />
astoria.be, www.astoria.be. Whenever you visit a foreign<br />
city, the hotel is usually the first place to look for information.<br />
At the Astoria, located in the Kunstenkwartier, the staff will<br />
do everything they can to inform you about their city. Full of<br />
pride, they’ll tell you about the nicest streets and the most<br />
special places. The same kind of care is evident in the hotel<br />
itself, too. There are kingsize beds and luxurious bathrooms<br />
with Jacuzzis (if you’re in luck). <strong>In</strong> the mornings, a breakfast<br />
buffet is ready for you - the only thing missing here being<br />
freshly squeezed juice. The prices are quite cheap for the<br />
quality you get, however, and the hotel offers free parking,<br />
too. Q25 rooms (doubles €89 - 135, suites €114 - 145).<br />
HA6LGBW hhh<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
21
22 where to stay<br />
Summer to enjoy! © Visit-Gent<br />
Hotel de Flandre A-2, Poel 1-2, tel. (+32) 926 60 600,<br />
fax (+32) 926 60 609, info@hoteldeflandre.be, www.<br />
hoteldeflandre.be. A lot of time and attention went into the<br />
appearance and atmosphere of this hotel near the Korenlei.<br />
The standard rooms might be standard when it comes to<br />
facilities, but the beds are truly lovely. The suites in this hotel<br />
have been equipped with all sorts of luxurious features such<br />
as a Jacuzzi and fireplace. Although the hotel is situated on a<br />
noisy street, and, at night, a stray drunk from <strong>Ghent</strong> (or tourist)<br />
might stumble past your window, inside, it’s like an oasis of<br />
peace. <strong>In</strong> the mornings, an extensive and very good breakfast<br />
awaits you, and if you’re really lazy, or just hung-over from all<br />
the triple beers, just have breakfast in bed. Q 46 rooms<br />
(prices from €97-214). TJALGBW hhhh<br />
Hotel Gravensteen B-2, Jan Breydelstraat 35, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 51 150, fax (+32) 922 51 850, info@gravensteen.be,<br />
www.gravensteen.be. As the name suggests,<br />
this hotel lies right by the castle of Gravensteen, and if you’re<br />
in luck, you’ll get a view of the medieval building from your<br />
room. When it comes to the number of nearby hotspots, this<br />
hotel scores high points: the Design Museum is on the same<br />
street, and the centre of <strong>Ghent</strong> is within walking distance.<br />
Although the rooms are provided with all sorts of extras<br />
like free wireless and a bath, the rooms are quite cramped.<br />
Parking, unfortunately, isn’t free - you’ll have to buy a parking<br />
card - and breakfast could’ve been a bit more substantial.<br />
This hotel could use a makeover and the price - quality ratio<br />
isn’t optimal, but the location makes up for a lot. Q49 rooms<br />
(singles €129 - 139, doubles €116 - 139). TJHA6U<br />
FLGBDW hhh<br />
Ibis St. Baafs Kathedraal C-3, Limburgstraat 2, tel.<br />
(+32) 929 39 000, fax (+32) 923 31 000, H0961@accor.<br />
com, www.accorhotels.com. A tall corner building next to<br />
St Bavo’s Church houses the Ibis hotel. Rooms are comfortable<br />
and modern, and those with a view over the church are<br />
particularly nice. From the breakfast room, you can see trams<br />
passing through the square and see the morning activity at<br />
one of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s central squares. A word of warning for those<br />
travelling by car: navigating through <strong>Ghent</strong>’s historical centre<br />
to find the Ibis car park us not easy! Q120 rooms (doubles<br />
€75 - 82). PTJA6ULGKW hh<br />
Monasterium PoortAckere A-3, Oude Houtlei 56,<br />
tel. (+32) 926 92 210, fax (+32) 926 92 230, info@<br />
monasterium.be, www.monasterium.be. A former monastery<br />
turned into a hotel. It is in a beautiful location and<br />
at every corner of the gorgeous building you can feel how<br />
its former residents used to live. So while the hotel has<br />
kept the old charm of the monastery, this is unfortunately<br />
visible in the rooms as well. Most rooms desperately need<br />
renovation and simply don’t meet the expectations of a<br />
twenty-first century guest. The cheaper rooms in the<br />
nunnery wing even present a truly Spartan experience.<br />
Due to a general lack of comfort and frequent complaints<br />
about rooms being dirty, a stay at the Monasterium is not<br />
worth its price. It really is a shame, because the building<br />
is indeed very special and the location could hardly be<br />
better. Q20 rooms (doubles €46 - 175). JHAUL<br />
GBKXW h<br />
Budget<br />
Campanile Hotel Gent Akkerhage 1, tel. (+32) 922<br />
00 222, fax (+32) 922 19 908, gent@campanile.com,<br />
www.campanile-gand.be. <strong>In</strong> this Campanile Hotel, you will<br />
find basic rooms with a somewhat outdated décor. There<br />
are some free extras, however, such as wifi and a kettle,<br />
coffee/tea set and biscuits. With its location just off the<br />
motorway and its free parking, the hotel is very convenient<br />
when you’re passing though by car. The hotel is close to<br />
an industrial complex and there is not so much to see in<br />
the neighbourhood. Fortunately the Campanile has a bar<br />
for drinks, a terrace and a hotel restaurant that serves<br />
good fresh, seasonal food with friendly service. Breakfast<br />
is not included. Q51 rooms (doubles from €80 to 103).<br />
HA6ULGBKW hhh<br />
Holiday <strong>In</strong>n Express Gent Akkerhage 2, tel. (+32)<br />
922 25 885, fax (+32) 922 01 222, hotel@hiexgent.<br />
be, www.hiexpress.com. This is the kind of hotel you only<br />
sleep at when you’re on the road. Holiday <strong>In</strong>n Express is a<br />
typical chain hotel without much charm but is very clean.<br />
The rooms are spacious and equipped with telephone,<br />
TV, free WiFi, a desk and bathroom with shower, toilet and<br />
hairdryer. The staff are friendly and will help you if you need<br />
anything. Too bad that they charge for parking as you can<br />
only really come here by car. Q120 rooms (doubles €59 -<br />
75). PZTHA6ULGBKXW hhh<br />
Hotel Onderbergen B-3, Onderbergen 69, tel. (+32)<br />
922 36 200, info@hotelonderbergen.be, www.hotelonderbergen.be.<br />
Irish hospitality is the creed of this nice<br />
hotel. Below the hotel, there’s an Irish pub and the Englishspeaking<br />
staff will do anything to advise you about the best<br />
Belgian beer spots in <strong>Ghent</strong>. The atmosphere among the<br />
staff and guests is relaxed - it’s like a backpackers hostel,<br />
but without the backpackers. The standard rooms aren’t<br />
huge, but very cosy - especially the rooms in which the<br />
woodwork of the old roof is still visible. <strong>In</strong> the thoroughly<br />
renovated building, there’s no lift, so at night, you’ll have<br />
to climb the endless stairs, tough after a whole day of exploring<br />
downtown <strong>Ghent</strong>. Q 24 rooms (doubles €85-120).<br />
TALGBKW<br />
Ibis Gent Centrum Opera B-4, Nederkouter 24-26,<br />
tel. (+32) 929 39 001, fax (+32) 922 35 907, H1455@<br />
accor.com, www.ibishotel.com. This Ibis is what we<br />
expect from it: fine budget accommodation in the centre of<br />
the city. Standard rooms with internet, television, bathroom<br />
and free parking below the hotel – big plusses. At walking<br />
distance from the main sights.Q134 rooms (doubles €62<br />
- 72). PTJA6ULGW hh<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Bed & Breakfast<br />
B&B Brooderie B-2, Jan Breydelstraat 8, tel. (+32)<br />
922 50 263, hilde@brooderie.be, www.brooderie.be.<br />
Right next to the best oasis in <strong>Ghent</strong>, the Applebrugparkje,<br />
you’ll find this little bed and breakfast. There are three rooms<br />
on the first and second floor of this historical building. The<br />
smallest - thus the cheapest - room is our favourite, with its<br />
view over the Lei and the ancient buildings of the inner city.<br />
The other two rooms are a lot more colourful, larger and more<br />
comfortably furnished. The only complaint about this place is<br />
that you have to share a shower and toilet with other guests.<br />
On the ground floor, a complete breakfast is served. Q 3<br />
rooms. Prices from €50 to €75. JAGKW<br />
B&B De Waterzooi B-2, Sint-Veerleplein 2, tel. (+32)<br />
933 07 721, info@dewaterzooi.be, www.dewaterzooi.be.<br />
When you wake up in the morning and you open the window<br />
from one of the three suites of this B&B, you will have a gorgeous<br />
view over the Castle of the Counts. From the moment<br />
you step out of bed you will see that every aspect of this B&B<br />
is perfection. The building itself dates from 1713 and looks very<br />
elegant, the luxurious suites are brilliantly decorated and the<br />
hosts are incredibly hospitable. We have tried very hard to spot<br />
some downsides or imperfections, but we just couldn’t find any.<br />
QSuites priced from €170 - 215. PJALGBXW<br />
B&B Engelen aan de Waterkant C-6, Ter Platen 30,<br />
tel. (+32) 476 40 25 23, annwillems.interieur@skynet.<br />
be, www.engelenaandewaterkant.be. ‘Angels along the<br />
waterfront’ is what the name of this small and quiet B&B<br />
means. The angels are located along the Scheldt on the<br />
southern side of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s city centre and, as the name subtly<br />
suggests, this is quite a romantic place. The two large rooms<br />
are charmingly furnished, with all the necessary amenities.<br />
Perhaps the only thing missing is a shower in the bathroom,<br />
yet on the other hand the bathtub does add to the romantic<br />
ambiance. Breakfast is served in the room and, due to the<br />
hostess’ exceptional cooking skills, is remarkably nice.<br />
Q Singles €120, doubles €140. ALGW<br />
B&B Simon Says B-1, Sluizeken 8, tel. (+32) 923 30<br />
343, info@simon-says.be, www.simon-says.be. Next to<br />
the Patershol neighbourhood lies one of the best B&Bs in<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>. The two rooms are spotlessly neat, breakfast is one<br />
of the best you could imagine and the staff are helpful and<br />
friendly. The B&B is housed in a colourful building above Simon’s<br />
coffee shop, which offers one of the best cups of coffee<br />
in town. So Simon not only says things, he also provides a<br />
fantastic and welcoming accommodation option. Q Double<br />
room €105. TJAGBKW<br />
Guesthouse PPP A-2, Poel 9, tel. (+32) 933 46 377,<br />
info@ppp-gent.be, www.ppp-gent.be. Taking your shoes<br />
off before entering - a house rule - kind of reminds visitors<br />
that this is a guesthouse and not a hotel. A friendly and cosy<br />
little place, the rooms offer the comfort and privacy of a<br />
luxurious hotel and, combined with the homely atmosphere,<br />
are worth every penny. Each of the five rooms has a different<br />
style, all with an elaborate design. Rooms are spacious,<br />
clean and just superbly furnished. The ‘modern room’ is<br />
noteworthy for having an attached bedroom for children.<br />
Perhaps the only downside is the absence of a lift, which<br />
could be troublesome for people who have difficulties climbing<br />
stairs. Q5 rooms (doubles €100 - 130, suites €110 - 130).<br />
PZTJHAILGBW<br />
Nebula B&B C-2, Kwaadham 52, tel. (+32) 484 15<br />
53 28, info@nebula-gent.be, www.nebula-gent.be. This<br />
nice b&b right at the heart of the city has lots to offer : all<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
where to stay<br />
main buildings at walking distance, a nice gallery underneath<br />
and a jewelry shop to keep him and her happy, a nice foyer<br />
where you can enjoy a great breakfast, coffee and cake and<br />
small snacks. The rooms are decorated in a very stylish<br />
way, and they are definitely worth the money. Q €65 - 120.<br />
TJABKW<br />
Snooz<strong>In</strong>n C-1, Ham 89, tel. (+32) 496 24 14 26,<br />
snoozinnbb@gmail.com. Walking in this part of town, where<br />
tourists don’t dwell that often, makes you realise what a nice<br />
city <strong>Ghent</strong> is to live in. Booking a room in this lovely b&b is a<br />
must for the epicurists amongst us. Great beds, a delicious<br />
breakfast with splendid homemade jam. What a perfect way<br />
to start a day. Q from €85 to 95. TJAW<br />
Hostels<br />
Jeugdherberg De Draecke B-2, Sint-Widostraat 11,<br />
tel. (+32) 923 37 050, gent@vjh.be, www.jeugdherbergen.be/gent.<br />
This neat HI hostel is nicely located around<br />
the corner of the Castle of the Counts. The hostel has about<br />
100 beds spread over 21 small dorms of which the largest<br />
ones have six beds. There are also six double rooms on offer<br />
and every room has an en suite bathroom. You can expect all<br />
the usual hostel facilities, the usual hostel atmosphere and a<br />
hearty breakfast is included in the price. Staff members are<br />
friendly and they will join their guest every now and then at<br />
the hostel’s bar. On the downside, you should bring your own<br />
towels, breakfast lasts only until 09:30 and if you are not an<br />
HI-member you will have to pay a €3 surcharge. Q Doubles<br />
€23 - 25, dormitory €19 - 21. TJHAGKW<br />
Apartment rental<br />
Aparthotel Castelnou D-3, Kasteellaan 51, tel.<br />
(+32) 923 50 411, fax (+32) 923 50 404, info@castelnou.be,<br />
www.castelnou.be. This accommodation option,<br />
located in a quiet area southeast of the city centre, could<br />
be described as something between hotel and apartment<br />
rental. Castelnou offers spacious and clean apartments,<br />
but with the facilities and personal touch of a hotel. The<br />
recently renovated rooms are fully furnished and equipped<br />
with all the accessories you might have deliberately forgotten<br />
to bring from home. This includes a small kitchen,<br />
but in case you are not in the mood for cooking, the Dali<br />
restaurant offers a convenient alternative. Q48 rooms<br />
(singles from €79.50 to112.50, doubles from €96.50 to<br />
129.50)PTHALGBKW hhh<br />
MidiSud C-6, Bellevuestraat 30, tel. (+32) 477 28 90<br />
60, stay@midisud.be, www.midisud.be. Here, you can<br />
rent a large apartment for the same price as a cheap hotel,<br />
provided with many extras, like a large bathroom, a big living<br />
room, Wi-Fi and a nice kitchen with everything you need. However,<br />
the apartment is cleaned only once a week. But if you<br />
plan on staying a bit longer in <strong>Ghent</strong> and want to prepare your<br />
own meals, this is a fine place. The biggest disadvantage,<br />
however, is the distance to the centre - it’s about 45 minutes<br />
on foot - but you can park for free here, and by car you are<br />
only about 10 minutes from the city centre. Q3 rooms (3<br />
Total rooms ). TJLNGBW<br />
Onderbergen 37 B-3, Onderbergen 37, tel. (+32) 475<br />
27 09 10, anne-sophie@onderbergen37.com, www.<br />
onderbergen37.com. The fact that the owner, who lives<br />
next door, is an interior designer explains the stylishness of<br />
the rooms. The building consists of four floors, each with a<br />
bedroom decorated in a different style. It’s all gorgeous, the<br />
kitchens are well equipped and your friendly host is usually<br />
around to answer any questions. TJ<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
23
24 restaurants<br />
It is not an overstatement to suggest that <strong>Ghent</strong> is home<br />
to some truly fantastic eateries. We have eaten at them<br />
all, and have come up with a selection that includes not<br />
only the very best, but also the quirkiest, the best value<br />
and - in some cases - the downright bizarre.<br />
Local dishes? Steak tartare is one, as - of course - is a<br />
big cone of Belgian fries.<br />
Argentinean<br />
Argenvino B-2, Donkersteeg 25, tel. (+32) 927 91<br />
792, info@argenvino.net, www.argenvino.net. What if<br />
the summer isn’t as sunny as we have expected, or what if<br />
autumn is sunnier than we’ve expected? One solution: tapas<br />
y vino in this nice Argentinean bar. They serve excellent wine<br />
and fine tapas, the churrasco al plato and choripan being<br />
our favourites. The only downside is that the lightning could<br />
have been warmer, no one really fancies white lamps above<br />
the table... but a couple of vinos will even make you forget<br />
about that. QOpen 18:00 - 23:30, Sat 12:30 - 15:30. (€15-<br />
25). JAGK<br />
Belgian<br />
Belga Queen B-2, Graslei 10, tel. (+32) 928 00 100,<br />
fax (+32) 923 52 595, info.gent@belgaqueen.be, www.<br />
belgaqueen.be. This 13th-century Romanesque house has<br />
been converted into a very good restaurant that’s all about<br />
Belgian food and drinks. On one of two floors you can choose<br />
to sit at high bistro tables (not so comfortable), communal<br />
tables or large leather armchairs (far too comfortable). Bon<br />
vivants can finish their meal in the Cigar Lounge Bar to<br />
enjoy a cigar Belgian Congo-style. Carefully prepared and<br />
exceptionally tasty food, but bear in mind that you pay for the<br />
excellent service and the top location. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00,<br />
Thu, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 24:00. (€21 - 35). PJHA6UB<br />
KXS<br />
Brasserie Ha’ B-3, Kouter 29, tel. (+32) 926 59 181,<br />
brasserie@handelsbeurs.be, www.brasserieha.be.<br />
Even with a magnifying glass, it’s hard to find any flaws in<br />
Brasserie Ha, the indoor restaurant of the Handelsbeurs<br />
concert hall. Every detail here seems to have been given<br />
thought, without it ever becoming clinical or soulless. The<br />
menu might be small, but it offers more than enough French/<br />
Belgian delicacies, all of which have been given a special<br />
touch by the chef. The pretty female waitresses, elegantly<br />
set tables, an interior that will make interior designers<br />
jealous, and high quality products make every visit to this<br />
brasserie feel like a small feast. You’re in the right place for<br />
cocktails, too. QOpen 12:00 - 14:30, 18:00-22:00. (€20 - 24).<br />
JALGK<br />
Symbol key<br />
P Air conditioning 6 Animal friendly<br />
Z Anti-allergy O Casino<br />
J City centre location T Child friendly<br />
A Credit cards accepted U Facilities for the disabled<br />
L Guarded parking R <strong>In</strong>ternet<br />
E Live music M Nearest station<br />
G Non-smoking areas S Take away<br />
De Stokerij A-1, Tichelrei 2 A, tel. (+32) 927 99 585,<br />
www.destokerij-gent.be. Multatuli is already one of our<br />
favourite places, and the brother brain behind this njummie<br />
restaurant recently opened a new restaurant, following the<br />
same recipe for success: good food, friendly staff, a beautiful<br />
interior (in an old distillery, which has been completely renovated)<br />
and to spoil us even more, they serve their own-brew beer -<br />
Staminée (both here and at Multatuli). Best to enjoy their<br />
steak tartaar and a nice beer on the terrace. A must. QOpen<br />
16:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 16:00 - 24:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed.<br />
(€9-17). TJABK<br />
De Tempelier B-2, Meerseniersstraat 9, tel. (+32) 923<br />
30 305, www.brasseriedetempelier.be. Cozy bistro in a carfree<br />
alley close to the Vrijdagsmarkt. De Tempelier used to be<br />
a bar, and the couple that runs this place have kept much of the<br />
original interior, which looks like it came from a church. <strong>In</strong>deed,<br />
all Frederik and <strong>In</strong>geborg did was add a long, red leather sofa<br />
and some wooden bistro tables. The choice at De Tempelier<br />
is very limited but Frederik - who cooks - makes good, honest<br />
meals with quality products. If the ten to fifteen tables are full,<br />
you might have to wait a while until you get served. QOpen<br />
18:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon, Tue. (€8 - 15). PJNBK<br />
Keizershof B-2, Vrijdagmarkt 47, tel. (+32) 922 34 446,<br />
www.keizershof.net. Couples over candlelight, families with<br />
three generations, boisterous groups of friends - Brasserie<br />
Keizershof is popular enough to be all things to all people,<br />
and with good reason. Situated on the busy Vrijdagmarkt it<br />
boasts a meandering three floors (the top offering the best<br />
views of the square), a lush outdoor terrace and a simple<br />
menu of reliable dishes like spaghetti Bolognese and hefty<br />
stews. A reasonably priced wine list and a staff that seems<br />
happy to let guests linger whether they’ve committed to<br />
cocktails or full meals complements the experience. QOpen<br />
11:30 - 22:30, Fri, Sat 11:30 - 23:00. Closed Mon, Sun. (€15<br />
- 20). JA6UGBK<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Korenhuis B-2, Korenlei 10, tel. (+32) 926 97 744,<br />
info@korenhuis.be, www.korenhuis.be. <strong>In</strong> the heart of<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>, you won’t find many restaurants with a prettier view<br />
and a better menu than at Korenlei, part of the worldwide<br />
Marriott chain of hotels. However, the attentive staff won’t<br />
serve you standardized food in this stylish setting. <strong>In</strong>stead,<br />
the experienced chef draws inspiration for his own dishes<br />
from traditional Belgian cuisine, but gives them a modern<br />
twist. Many dishes are in fact little artworks that you can<br />
enjoy to the last bite without feeling guilty. Four intimate<br />
rooms are available for dinner, although the two with a<br />
view over the Leie River are the best. Those who can’t get<br />
a place there need not complain: in the other two rooms<br />
you get a view of the kitchen and a culinary artist at work.<br />
QOpen 12:00 - 15:00 & 18:30-22:00, Sun 11:00 - 15:00.<br />
(€26 - 32). TAULBK<br />
Lepelblad B-3, Onderbergen 40, tel. (+32) 932 40 244,<br />
info@lepelblad.be, www.lepelblad.be. Honest and fresh<br />
food is what you’ll find at Lepelblad, Dutch for the common<br />
herb scurvygrass. The restaurant serves tasty salads with<br />
spicy shrimps or a veggie burger, but also does daily specials<br />
and many pasta and stew dishes. Even though the numerous<br />
wooden tables are close to each other, it is not a bad idea<br />
to make a reservation because this place is - especially at<br />
noon - packed with shopping or working people looking for<br />
some no-nonsense food. QOpen 11:30 - 20:30. Closed<br />
Mon, Sun. (€13 - 16). TJA6GBK<br />
Martino C-3, Vlaanderenstraat 125, tel. (+32) 922 50<br />
104, www.martinogent.be. Martino is a <strong>Ghent</strong> staple,<br />
serving burgers, omelettes and steak. Our personal favorite<br />
is the cheeseburger served with tomato-onion sauce,<br />
fries and a salad. Have your meal at the counter or at a<br />
table together with the diverse clientele. Couples ready to<br />
go to the theatre, young students and party people of all<br />
ages come here as Martino serves till early in the morning.<br />
It’s always busy so make a reservation and don’t be late<br />
because manager Pascaline runs this place with a firm<br />
hand. QOpen 18:00 - 01:00. Closed Mon, Tue. (€12 - 20).<br />
PJUNGBKS<br />
Patyntje Gordunakaai 91, tel. (+32) 922 23 273, info@<br />
patyntje.be, www.patyntje.be. This restaurant is not in<br />
the city centre, but nothing so lovely as to discover a city<br />
by bike, and one of these paths might lead you to Patyntje,<br />
a restaurant overlooking the river Lys. On the menu a fine<br />
selection of meat and fish, to everyone’s liking. We would<br />
recommend their steak tartare, one of the best we have<br />
had in <strong>Ghent</strong>, served with delicious fries and mayonnaise.<br />
QOpen 12:00 - 14:30, 18:30-22:00, Sun 12:00 - 14:30,<br />
18:00-22:00. (€19-28). TAGBK<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
restaurants<br />
Chilean<br />
El Negocito C-3, Brabantdam 121, tel. (+31) 495<br />
27 44 94, info@mi-negocio.net, www.mi-negocio.<br />
net/elnegocito. If you unsuspectingly enter this Chilean<br />
restaurant, don’t be startled. A door that jams, crumbling<br />
walls that need some paint, and an arrangement of furniture<br />
that’s a far cry from perfect. But the real surprise is that a<br />
visit to this unknown South American eatery is an outright<br />
delight - if only for the traditional Malta con Huevo (beer with<br />
egg) that you have to try at least once in your life. Genuine<br />
hospitality, a very reasonably priced menu, and the relaxed<br />
ambience make up for everything the decor lacks. The list of<br />
more than fifty different kinds of rum will also please lovers<br />
of alcohol. Every Monday evening, there’s live music. It’s a<br />
great place. QOpen 18:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 18:00 - 01:00.<br />
(€6 - 11). JGKX<br />
Belgian Fries<br />
De Dulle Friet C-2, Vlasmarkt 1, tel. (+32) 475<br />
38 29 23, an.roegies@telenet.be, www.dullefriet.<br />
be. <strong>In</strong> an area where <strong>Ghent</strong>’s nightlife is at its best,<br />
unfortunately Belgian chips are not. <strong>In</strong> fact, after several<br />
repeated visits in the last year, we can only say<br />
that this chippie is not all it should be. Not only are you<br />
confronted with the smell of burnt chip fat, but hygiene<br />
also leaves a lot to be desired. The only positive thing<br />
we have to say about this enormous place is that the<br />
staff were not at fault. And the mussels in vinegar were<br />
good. QOpen 11:00 - 02:00, Thu 11:00 - 03:00, Fri<br />
11:00 - 05:00, Sat 12:00 - 05:00, Sun 12:00 - 24:00.<br />
(€2 - 6). JLNBKS<br />
De Frietketel A-3, Papegaaiestraat 89. If Michelin’s<br />
culinary experts are ever going to hand out<br />
stars for the best chippie in Europe, De Frietketel is<br />
bound to come up trumps. Even vegetarians praise<br />
this business which can afford to be closed large parts<br />
of the day, like a proper restaurant. Ever since 1980<br />
you’ve been able to come here for the usual deep fried<br />
snacks (fried in palm oil), but this trendy place also<br />
sells all kinds of vegetables pressed into a burger.<br />
More often than not there are long queues stretching<br />
outside. Specialities of the house are the cheese<br />
croquettes and the homemade vegan tartare sauce,<br />
which is the closest to deserving the label heavenly of<br />
the 20 (!) available sauces. Flush this down with one<br />
of the biological soft drinks. QOpen 11:00 - 14:00 &<br />
17:00-23:00. (€2 - 5). LNKS<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
25
26 restaurants<br />
Cuban<br />
La Casa del Cubano C-3, Brabantdam 123, celine@<br />
skynet.be, www.lacasadelcubanogent.be. Years ago a<br />
wonderful fusion of a Colombian chef and a cigar smoking<br />
Italian led to La Cuba del Cubano. Although the food that’s<br />
served here is very much traditionally Italian, the name refers<br />
to the back of this tiny restaurant. The name plate over<br />
the entrance, Havana Room, makes it very clear that the<br />
best known Cuban export is central here. From the subtle<br />
Montecristo’s to classy bricks from Havana, all upmarket<br />
cigar brands are for sale. As long as the chain smoking owner<br />
hasn’t smoked them all himself.... QOpen 11:00 - 15:00 &<br />
18:00-02:00. (€8 - 13). LNGBKS<br />
French<br />
Brasserie Pakhuis B-3, Schuurkenstraat 4, tel. (+32)<br />
922 35 555, fax (+32) 922 57 105, info@pakhuis.be,<br />
www.pakhuis.be. Just for the impressive interior alone,<br />
Pakhuis is worth a visit. As its name suggests, this place was<br />
once a warehouse, but is now a lively brasserie with more<br />
than a hint of chic. Pakhuis serves authentic brasserie cuisine<br />
with Belgian classics like steak tartare - the meat coming<br />
from the restaurant’s own farm. The house specialties also<br />
include oysters (14 kinds!) and seafood. For a small bite, the<br />
bar serves shrimp croquettes or salads, with or without a solid<br />
jenever, whisky or cocktail. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat<br />
12:00 - 24:00. Closed Sun. (€30 - 40). PA6UBK<br />
De 3 Biggetjes B-2, Zeugsteeg 7, tel. (+32) 922 44<br />
648, www.de3biggetjes.com. At this classy restaurant<br />
hidden in the Patershol, you can expect carefully prepared<br />
meals at a reasonable price. The three course menu (€34)<br />
gives you a choice of meat and fish and always includes<br />
seasonal products. Chef Ly Chi Cuong worked at a couple of<br />
Belgium’s top restaurants and now serves classic Belgian-<br />
French cuisine. Not a typical Flemish lad you can expect a hint<br />
of his Vietnamese roots on your plate. QOpen 12:00 - 14:00<br />
& 19:00-21:00, Sat 19:00 - 21:00. Closed Wed, Sun. €34.<br />
JAGBK<br />
The ultimate sacrifice: sharing Belgian fries © <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
City Council<br />
Domestica B-3, Onderbergen 27, tel. (+32) 922 35<br />
300, restaurant.domestica@skynet.be, www.domestica.be.<br />
This is one of the best spots in town to be pampered<br />
in the culinary sense. The combination of classic and modern<br />
is not just visible on the menu, but also in the style of these<br />
premises, which date from 1870. Because the restaurant<br />
consists of several rooms, you can choose the space that<br />
best suits your mood. The bar, which is five metres long, is<br />
a work of art in itself, yet we simply adore the black room<br />
with its sober golden details and the gorgeous chandelier. We<br />
can also recommend the private terrace at the back, where<br />
you can catch the last few rays of sunshine. It is possible to<br />
enjoy a Bienvenue from South-Africa for €224 or a single malt<br />
whisky from Taiwan for €22. For those of us who have slightly<br />
less spending money, the leftovers from the cellar are sold<br />
for a lot less. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Mon, Sat 18:00 - 22:00.<br />
Closed Sun. (€36 - 45). PJA6UBK<br />
Godot B-2, Hooiaard 8, tel. (+32) 932 98 208, info@<br />
godotgent.be, www.godotgent.be. Grand Café Godot is one<br />
of the most attractive places in <strong>Ghent</strong>. The white terrace will try<br />
and entice you to order a cocktail and stay outside, but make<br />
sure you also go inside and try the Westmalle stew or any other<br />
dish from the Belgian menu, in order to taste the rich culture of<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>. Godot is typically <strong>Ghent</strong>: authentically Belgian, young<br />
and sparkling and perfect in the culinary sense. On warm days<br />
you can have a good time sipping your Cosmopolitan on the<br />
terrace outside, with its view of the Hooiaard. There are worse<br />
jobs imaginable than being a reviewer for this guide… QOpen<br />
11:00 - 01:00. (€17 - 23). TJA6ULBK<br />
Sorelle B-3, Onderbergen 38, tel. +32 923 30 015.<br />
Maybe it is the doll’s house interior of Sorelle that attracts<br />
a mainly female crowd, or maybe it is the cappuccinos. They<br />
come with whipped cream instead of milk and are accompanied<br />
by a piece of cake and a little glass of advocaat,<br />
a sweet drink made of eggs. The simple menu consists of<br />
steaks, croques, pancakes, pies, daily specials and sometime<br />
whatever the staff suggests. Try their chicken with ‚dragon’<br />
sauce: it’s extremely tender. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Mon<br />
10:00 - 20:30. Closed Tue, Sun. (€14 - 17). JK<br />
Steendam 66 C-2, Steendam 66, tel. (+32) 478 34 28<br />
71, www.steendam66.be. When you go to Steendam 66,<br />
you might think you’ve landed in a Parisian bistro, even though<br />
you are in fact just a stone’s throw from St. James’ Church. <strong>In</strong><br />
this bistro - with seating for up to 24 guests - the chef and his<br />
waiter serve you with a smile but have no time for chat. The<br />
menu includes French-Flemish dishes like fried sole, tomato<br />
with hand-peeled shrimps and hand-cut fries and the specialty<br />
of the house: grilled king crab. An address for food lovers who<br />
expect that little extra. QOpen 12:00 - 14:00 & 18:30-22:30,<br />
Sat 18:30 - 22:30. Closed Sun. (€20 - 38). JAGK<br />
Fusion<br />
A Food Affair B-3, Korte Meer 25, tel. (+32) 922 41<br />
805, www.afoodaffair.be. Good food usually comes with<br />
a higher bill, but if that’s no problem for you and your wallet,<br />
head straight down to the trendy and stylish A Food Affair.<br />
Since 2003 the two Belgium owners have created a small<br />
paradise for fusion lovers in downtown <strong>Ghent</strong>. The best of<br />
the Asian cuisine is perfectly mingled with some of the better<br />
Belgium recipes. The result is haute cuisine with a slightly<br />
different touch. Make sure you’re not in a rush, because<br />
everything is freshly prepared. Our favorites are the <strong>In</strong>dian<br />
style beef meatballs in a curry of spicy tomato sauce, and the<br />
Japanese-style chicken. Save some space for the homemade<br />
snickerice. QOpen 18:30 - 21:30, Thu, Fri 12:00 - 14:00.<br />
Closed Mon, Sun. (€21.50-34.90). JAGK<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Grill<br />
Amadeus B-2, Plotersgracht 8, tel. (+32) 922 51 385,<br />
fax (+32) 925 98 210, www.amadeusspareribrestaurant.<br />
be. <strong>In</strong> <strong>Ghent</strong> and beyond, Amadeus is known for its spare ribs<br />
à volonté (all you can eat). Amadeus opened in 1987 and ever<br />
since their recipe for success hasn’t changed: all you can eat<br />
spare ribs, side-salad and jacket potato with special herb butter<br />
(€15.95). Next to this, they have waterzooi with chicken, mixed<br />
grill, gambas, vegetarian salad… but as they state themselves,<br />
this is ‘a place for ribs’. At Amadeus, tourists, students and<br />
people from <strong>Ghent</strong> in small or big groups enjoy their meal in<br />
authentic surroundings with art deco mirror walls in the main<br />
room and a charming book collection in the other. On each table,<br />
a red checkered tablecloth is standard. Wine is charged by the<br />
centimetre (really) and in summertime you can eat in the inner<br />
courtyard, complete with greenery and pond. QOpen 18:30 -<br />
23:00, Fri, Sat, Sun 18:00 - 23:30. Also at Gouden Leeuwplein<br />
7 & Bagattenstraat 199. (€10 - 16). JAGBK<br />
‚t Gents Fonduehuisje B-2, Jan Breydelstraat 30, tel.<br />
(+32) 923 43 405, info@gentsfonduehuisje.be, www.<br />
gentsfonduehuisje.be. This was the first place in <strong>Ghent</strong> to<br />
put fondue on the menu. Surrounded by a lot of wood, sitting<br />
on your wicker chair you can enjoy an old-fashioned, you’ve<br />
guessed it, fondue. Fondue Bourguignonne, fish fondue,<br />
Swiss cheese fondue, mixed fondue, and... chocolate fondue<br />
as dessert. The wine list is a bonus, as ‘t Fonduehuisje<br />
has selected a number of wines which go very well with<br />
the fondue. Although many people might find the decor<br />
somewhat corny, it actually suits this wonderfully homely<br />
way of eating perfectly. QOpen 18:00 - 23:00. Closed Wed.<br />
(€23-28). ABKX<br />
<strong>In</strong>ternational<br />
Cafe Rene B-3, Gebroeders Vandeveldestraat 2-4, tel.<br />
(+32 ) 922 32 700, caferene@live.be, http://cafe-rene.<br />
tumblr.com/. One of Café Rene’s biggest crowd pullers is<br />
the terrace which covers two sides of this stylish business. On<br />
Sunday mornings you almost have to fight for a chair, when the<br />
road’s closed to motorised traffic to facilitate the weekly book<br />
market. Once inside you can enjoy local products which the<br />
chef lovingly prepares in his half open kitchen. On your way to<br />
the toilets you can watch this professional at work or enjoy the<br />
smells of his cookery. If you’re still suffering from your <strong>Ghent</strong> adventures<br />
the night before, try a large glass of freshly squeezed<br />
Lemon squash, guaranteed to give you enough energy to run a<br />
half marathon. Surprisingly enough the top item on the menu is<br />
the not very common combination of raw egg yolk on equally<br />
raw steak tartare. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00, Sun 09:00 - 15:00.<br />
Closed Mon. (€15 - 17). TJAULGBKXW<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
restaurants<br />
De Graslei B-2, Graslei 7, tel. (+32) 922 55 147, info@<br />
restaurantdegraslei.be, www.restaurantdegraslei.be.<br />
Absolutely one of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s better restaurants: you will leave<br />
this place feeling as though you have had your money’s<br />
worth, and you will probably want to come back. The food<br />
looks fantastic, and it’s all served by smiling, friendly and<br />
attentive young staff. Spread over two floors of a gorgeous<br />
old <strong>Ghent</strong> house (with a terrace when the weather<br />
allows) the setting - on the canal - is terrific, and overall it<br />
is a treat to dine here. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. (€22 - 28).<br />
TA6UBK<br />
J.e.F. B-1, Langesteenstraat 10, tel. (+32) 933 68 058,<br />
info@jefgent.be, www.j-e-f.be. <strong>In</strong> this stark and ultra trendy<br />
eatery one of the better chefs in <strong>Ghent</strong> produces his small<br />
masterpieces, which obviously go down well with most guests,<br />
considering how many songs of praise we’ve heard. Jef (a<br />
name combining those of the two owners Jason En Famke)<br />
doesn’t just do lunch or dinner, but you can also come here<br />
on Friday nights for ‚J.E.F. eat late’ and be served five small<br />
dishes for €20. They are considerably healthier than the usual<br />
kebab or fried snack you might have at that late hour. QOpen<br />
12:00 - 22:00, Fri 12:00 - 01:00, Sat 19:00 - 22:00. Closed<br />
Mon, Sun. (€25 - 30). JAK<br />
Korenlei Twee B-2, Korenlei 2, tel. (+32) 922 40 073,<br />
info@korenleitwee.be, www.korenleitwee.be. Admittedly<br />
this may be one of the most popular places in town for tourists,<br />
but the surroundings of the Graslei, Korenlei and the<br />
Sint-Michielsbrug is unique. Korenlei Twee’s cherry on the<br />
cake is that you can have lunch or dinner here with a view of<br />
the ‘Kuip van Gent’. Obviously this restaurant comes with<br />
a price tag, but it’s worth every cent. The place in town to<br />
go for lobster, steak tartare or fine wine. The restaurant has<br />
been dressed to perfection and is larger than it seems from<br />
the outside. The advantage of this restaurant, its location,<br />
also carries a negative point: it sometimes takes a long<br />
time to get a table. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon, Sun.<br />
(€28 - 42). PJAUBKX<br />
Mondada C-4, Woodrow Wilsonplein 4, tel. (+32) 922<br />
57 525, fax (+32) 922 57 325, info@mon-dada.be,<br />
www.mon-dada.be. The last months we’ve been testing<br />
almost every food joint in <strong>Ghent</strong> as a mystery guest. This fact<br />
justifies our conclusion that no other eatery in <strong>Ghent</strong> has a<br />
menu as extensive as the modernly decorated Mondada.<br />
Notoriously indecisive people had better look for another<br />
place - there are that many choices - or they could go and<br />
look for inspiration at the large display bins with dozens of<br />
ingredients. It’s been a long time since we found a place in a<br />
mall so worthy of recommendation. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00.<br />
Closed Sun. (€6-16). PA6UBKXS<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
27
28 restaurants<br />
Multatuli C-1, Huidevetterskaai 40, tel. (+32) 922 30<br />
711, fax (+32) 922 32 311, info@eetkaffee-multatuli.be,<br />
www.eetkaffee-multatuli.be. The name Multatuli won’t<br />
ring a bell with many foreigners, but as early as 1867 this<br />
socially aware Dutchman questioned atrocities being carried<br />
out in <strong>In</strong>donesia, and the Fair Trade brand was a direct result<br />
of his campaign. A pub with the same name and the same<br />
objectives can be found in a former director’s residence in<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>. The stylish premises, beautiful courtyard garden and<br />
the attractive setting are definitely worth a detour. If you own<br />
a boat you can even moor it right outside. The menu may be<br />
limited in choice, but if you like meat, fish, chicken or vegetarian<br />
dishes you’re bound to find something to your taste. On the<br />
other hand, it’s a lot harder if you’re after a drink. Few places<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong> offer such an extensive list of warm, cold and alcoholic<br />
drinks. Also check out their brand new restaurant De Stokerij.<br />
QOpen 16:00 - 22:30, Sun 17:30 - 22:00. Closed Mon. (€7-24).<br />
TJALBK<br />
Roux A-3, Papegaaistraat 79, tel. (+32) 922 41 120,<br />
info@roux-gent.be, www.roux-gent.be. One of the coolest<br />
places in <strong>Ghent</strong> lies just outside the city centre. <strong>In</strong> 2010,<br />
Roux came up with a new concept by offering many types<br />
of wine by the glass (you could normally only order by the<br />
bottle). It was a success right from the start. The carefully<br />
chosen interior is designed to model the latest trends, but<br />
it might not be everybody’s cup of tea. Loads of luxury:<br />
brown leather chairs and golden flower vases adorn the<br />
beautifully decorated room. Besides regular coffee, you’ll<br />
find Cuban, Russian, French and even love coffee here.<br />
This all, of course, comes at a higher price, of about €7.<br />
QOpen 17:00 - 22:00, Thu, Fri 12:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon,<br />
Sun. (€25-57). AK<br />
‚t Oud Klooster B-3, Zwartezustersstraat 5, tel. (+32)<br />
923 37 802. Oud Klooster is therefore a non-pretentious<br />
brown pub/food joint serving portions big enough to feed<br />
even a famished reporter’s hunger. The spaghetti, lasagne<br />
and brochette are the best sellers here. As for the decor,<br />
expect statues of saints, icons and Jesus prints everywhere.<br />
And note that since many of the the treasures of this former<br />
monastery have never been found, it might be a good idea<br />
to bring your metal detector. QOpen 18:00 - 23:00. Closed<br />
Sun. (€6 - 11). JGBKX<br />
Villa Bardon C-1, Sluizeken 10, tel. (+32) 933 61<br />
713, info@villabardon.be, www.villabardon.be. Sharing<br />
and passion for food, seems to be the big themes of this<br />
restaurant that serves mediterranean dishes. The quality<br />
of the food is excellent, friendly staff, nice interior. But when<br />
you eat ravioli with crabmeat and it costs €22 it is nice to be<br />
served a bit of bread, without having to ask for it yourself...<br />
But the great chili chocolate mousse made us quite happy<br />
and forgiving. QOpen , Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun 18:00 - 22:00,<br />
Fri 12:00 - 14:00, 18:00-22:00. Closed Tue, Wed. (€15-28).<br />
JAGBK<br />
Italian<br />
Aperto Chiuso C-1, Sleepstraat 82, tel. (+32) 923 37<br />
264. <strong>In</strong> the middle of a neighborhood packed with Turkish<br />
shops and restaurants you might not expect to find an Italian<br />
restaurant, even less so if you pass by during the day, when<br />
all you will see is a parked Vespa and an old map of Italy. It is<br />
only at night that Aperto Chiuso reveals itself as a restaurant,<br />
one serving authentic Italian dishes with a little twist;<br />
Vegetarians have plenty of choice here. If you’re lucky enough<br />
to come during beautiful weather, try to get hold of a table out<br />
in the garden. QOpen 18:30 - 23:00. Closed Wed. (€15 - 22).<br />
TLNBK<br />
Eat Love B-3, Ajuinlei 10a, tel. (+32) 479 87 93 87, pizzeriagent@eatlove.be,<br />
www.eatlove.be. Eat Love serves<br />
no meatloaf but traditional, paper-thin pizzas with not so traditional<br />
combinations. We liked the ‘half and half’ (two different<br />
pizzas in one) with one half pizza with rucola pesto, stracciata<br />
and tartar of tomato and the other half with mushrooms, truffle<br />
cream and rucola. The pizzas also come with a gluten free<br />
base or in a mini-version with grilled vegetables and salad. The<br />
trendy interior with lots of wood and black accents is rather<br />
dark, so try to come at night. Between 17:00 and 19:00 it is a<br />
real aperitivo bar, snacks being served with your drink. QOpen<br />
11:30 - 15:00 & 18:00-23:00. (€9 - 15). JGKS<br />
Il Mezzogiorno C-2, Baudelokaai 17, tel. (+32) 922 43<br />
329, www.ilmezzogiorno.be. We are calling it Italian, but<br />
that’s actually selling this restaurant short. Sicily isn’t only<br />
famous for its Mafia gangs, ancient ruins and the volcano<br />
Etna, but its cuisine is one of the best in the world, too. That<br />
was the reason why the owner started this small food joint in<br />
1997. <strong>In</strong> a cozy, homely setting, you can enjoy traditional antipasti<br />
and homemade pasta. Note: no prefabricated rubbish<br />
is used here, but only honest Italian products and ingredients.<br />
Even in the men’s room you’ll see the love the owners have for<br />
their products, by way of the drawings of pasta on the walls.<br />
Privacy might be hard to find in this quirky restaurant, but<br />
the food here is amongst the best in <strong>Ghent</strong>. QOpen 12:00 -<br />
14:00 & 18:00-22:30, Sat 18:00 - 22:30. Closed Mon, Sun.<br />
(€9-23). JNK<br />
Quick bites<br />
McDonald’s B-2, St. Michielshelling 1, tel. (+32)<br />
922 32 420, fax (+32) 922 43 251, www.mcdonalds.be.<br />
Belgium in total has 63 outlets of this American<br />
hamburger chain, <strong>Ghent</strong> has its fair share with two<br />
branches. This McDonald’s has actually put some effort<br />
into its interior design, but the food isn’t any different<br />
from its other locations. As always, burgers and fries are<br />
cheap, fast and filling.One plus: the view towards <strong>Ghent</strong>’s<br />
biggest market square is unbeatable. QOpen 09:00 -<br />
23:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 24:00, Sun 10:00 - 23:00. Also at<br />
Martelaarslaan 17. PTJA6ULGKSW<br />
Snack Tosi B-5, Overpoortstraat 18, tel. (+32) 934<br />
20 369. If there were a competition for latest closing<br />
time, Snack Tosi would have a good chance of winning.<br />
Until 5am you can fill yourself with fries, doner kebabs<br />
and sandwiches at this Turkish fast food place. It is one<br />
of the few late-night eating spots in this student populated<br />
area, so it can get quite lively here even long after<br />
midnight. Quite unexpectedly, the restaurant is stylishly<br />
decorated, nicely lit and has a very neat and clean appearance.<br />
The kebabs are tasty and attractively served<br />
in a basket, but the meals are definitely not the cheapest<br />
in town. QOpen 11:00 - 05:00, Sat, Sun 17:00 - 05:00.<br />
(€3 - 5). GKS<br />
Subway C-4, Lammerstraat 14, tel. (+31) 933 55<br />
325, www.eatsubway.be. Subway is another American<br />
fast food chain that’s quickly infiltrating European cities.<br />
Albeit not as numerous or successful as McDonald’s<br />
or Burger King, it’s a pleasant step up from those two.<br />
The food menu is almost identical to that of the other<br />
20 Belgium Subway restaurants, so if you’re craving a<br />
meatball parm or a healthy tuna sub, then take a seat in<br />
this tiny place. QOpen 08:30 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 19:00.<br />
Closed Sun. Also at Groentenmarkt 16 (+32 933 55 128).<br />
(€3 - 5). PTJAGKSW<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Japanese & Sushi<br />
Ikurasushi B-1, Oudburg 7, tel. (+32) 922 37 083, info@<br />
ikurasushi.be, www.ikurasushi.be. The location in a popular<br />
shopping/food street is a big bonus, and this stylish restaurant<br />
is a must for hungry yuppie shoppers who can choose dishes<br />
from separate menus: sushi or general Asian food prepared by<br />
a Korean chef. Most regulars go for the combo mix, served by<br />
the friendly Nepalese staff. While the somehow dissapointing<br />
food won’t have you sending a raving text message to all your<br />
friends, Ikurasushi is still a good place to go, especially if the<br />
other sushi bar in this street is completely full and you love Asian<br />
food. Keep some space for the delicious red bean ice, which<br />
tastes much better then it sounds... QOpen 11:30 - 14:30 &<br />
17:00-23:00. (€15 - 21). JLVKS<br />
Ramen Noedelbar B-1, Oudburg 51, tel. (+32) 472<br />
337236, info@eetramen.be, www.eetramen.be. Studio<br />
Simple has turned this mini-space into a very cosy noodlebar,<br />
where you can enjoy a great Ramen (a specific type of noodles)<br />
meal, alongside fish, meat or vegetarian options. The food is<br />
great - maybe a bit on the pricey side given that Ramen is<br />
street food and sold quite cheaply - and they serve the best<br />
lemonades and teas. Make sure either to be on time or have<br />
a late lunch, since the place is really small and always packed.<br />
QOpen 12:00 - 14:30. Closed Mon, Sun. (€8-14). JGK<br />
Sushi-food C-3, Limburgstraat 36, tel. (+32) 922 52<br />
506, fax (+32) 923 42 570, gent@sushi-food.be, www.<br />
sushi-food.com. Besides well-known sushi and teriyaki, this<br />
popular place has a special item on the menu: one of Japan’s<br />
favourite desserts, dorayaki. These red bean pancakes are<br />
crepe-like sweet pancakes that are popular all over Asia. You<br />
can nest yourself down in the 25 seated restaurant to eat,<br />
or take your food home and wash it down with sake. Sushifood<br />
also sells ingredients so you can make you own sushi.<br />
Unfortunately the skills of the qualified staff is something you<br />
have to acquire yourself... QOpen 11:30 - 18:00. Closed Mon,<br />
Sun. (€12 - 15). JALBKS<br />
Sushi Palace B-1, Oudburg 37, tel. (+32) 933 60 102,<br />
gent@sushipalace.be, www.sushipalace.be. As far as top<br />
sushi restaurants go, you’d have a hard time finding a better<br />
place than Sushi Palace, which is located in picturesque<br />
Oudburg, in the vibrant heart of Patershol. Sit down at one<br />
of the small, intimate tables and eat as much sushi as you<br />
can stuff down your throat from the Grote Mix Combo: a<br />
half-metre long tacky wooden boat filled to the rafters with<br />
48 kinds of sushi. The cheerful and cosy area near the large<br />
windows to the front, and upstairs, are excellent, although<br />
the romantic seats in the long alley are inviting too. QOpen<br />
12:00 - 14:30 & 17:30-22:30, Tue 17:30 - 22:30. Closed Mon.<br />
(€9 - 15). JALGKS<br />
Spanish<br />
Hogar Español A-2, Hoogstraat 75, tel. (+32) 922 59<br />
517. About four decades ago, many Spaniards emigrated<br />
to <strong>Ghent</strong> and its surroundings for work. Many since have<br />
returned. Those who have stayed are often seen at Hogar<br />
Español, a Spanish enclave on Belgian territory. Don’t bring<br />
your passport but do come with your most friendly mood so<br />
you will fit right into this relaxed setting. Grandma Sinda rules<br />
the kitchen and makes every meal a tribute to Iberian cuisine.<br />
Even half a Spanish omelette will feed an entire football team.<br />
The homemade sangria is another must. Feel free to order<br />
something that’s not on the menu, because this aged culinary<br />
star will cook it for you and no doubt she’ll give it her own<br />
twist. QOpen 18:00 - 24:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed. (€10 -<br />
15). ZTJLNGBKXS<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
restaurants<br />
Student restaurants<br />
De Brug C-4, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 45. Although it’s a<br />
decent life writing for this guide, every once in a while we yearn<br />
for the time when we were carefree students. Especially when<br />
you look at what dining possibilities students have in <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
these days. There is a choice of eight student restaurants<br />
and eleven cafeterias, where students can eat very cheaply<br />
five days a week. Let’s face it, you don’t go to these places for<br />
their interior designs; even a crematory has more character.<br />
Moreover, even though there’s plenty to choose from, none<br />
of the food was amazing. Still, it’s cheap, and packed with<br />
beautiful students. QOpen 11:15 - 14:00 & 17:30-21:00.<br />
Closed Sat, Sun. Check the website for all locations and<br />
opening times. KS<br />
Surinamese<br />
Faja Lobi C-3, Vlaanderenstraat 2-4, tel. (+32) 922 35<br />
533, fajalobigent@telenet.be, www.fajalobi.be. Suriname<br />
is one of the lesser known countries in South America. Its<br />
cusine too, which is is a fascinating mix of Asian and African<br />
influences, is very much underestimated. However, inhabitants<br />
of <strong>Ghent</strong> are lucky enough to have Faja Lobi, which brings a<br />
little bit of subtropical warmth into <strong>Ghent</strong> on even the bleakest<br />
of days. Don’t expect haute cuisine in this simple and cosy<br />
place, but just let yourself be surprised by affordable unknown<br />
dishes including pomtayer sandwich, fried banana and spicy<br />
tuna. The massala lamb stew with roti is another finger licking<br />
dish, which is literally the case here as many dishes are eaten<br />
without cutlery. Watch out: the steep stairs to the toilets on<br />
the first floor are not easy to climb, even when sober, let after<br />
a few shots of Caribbean rum... QOpen 08:00 - 01:00. Also at<br />
Tarbotstraat 31. (€13 - 15). TJLNGBKXS<br />
Tapas<br />
La Malcontenta B-2, Haringsteeg 7/9, tel. (+32) 922<br />
41 801, info@lamalcontenta.be, www.lamalcontenta.<br />
be. <strong>In</strong> 1987 Marisbel Rodriguez -from La Palma- introduced<br />
the Canarian kitchen in <strong>Ghent</strong>, at La Malcontenta. The name of<br />
the restaurant survived but the concept changed : Marisbel’s<br />
sons and a friend transformed the restaurant into a tapasbar.<br />
Unconventional tapas in a very nice surrounding, what more can<br />
a person wish for? (maybe only for the climate of La Palma?)<br />
QOpen 16:00 - 01:00. Closed Mon. (€3-10). JAK<br />
Thai<br />
Le Baan Thaï B-2, Corduwaniersstraat 57, tel. (+32)<br />
923 32 141, fax (+32) 923 32 009. Without doubt the<br />
best Thai restaurant in <strong>Ghent</strong>. Unfortunately not the cheapest<br />
though: as anywhere else, quality comes at a price.<br />
Visiting this wonderfully located restaurant is a true treat for<br />
your taste buds. If you can actually make a choice from the<br />
very large menu, that is. The decor deserves a compliment<br />
as well. <strong>In</strong> contrast to most Thai restaurants this place is<br />
not dominated by cheap knick-knacks, but the rooms have<br />
instead been furnished with stylish elements which give this<br />
establishment that little bit more atmosphere. Even the<br />
cutlery exudes style. We recommend the Thaise Wandeling<br />
(Thai Walk), which takes you on a culinary exploration of one<br />
of the best cuisines in the world in four abundant courses, for<br />
only €35. QOpen 18:30 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 18:30 - 22:30, Sun<br />
11:00 - 14:00. Closed Mon. (€14 - 18). PAK<br />
€1= GBP £0.85; US$1.30<br />
(2 June 2013)<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
29
30 restaurants<br />
Turkish<br />
Aspendos B-1, Oudburg 11, tel. (+32) 923 35 770. It<br />
might not be the cheapest Turkish restaurant in Gent, but<br />
it is certainly one of the better ones, and moreover, a spot<br />
where sincere hospitality is still the rule and not the exception.<br />
Even our clumsily knocked over glass of wine was filled to the<br />
brim again: no fuss, no bother and no extra charge. It’s these<br />
small things that sets the place apart from its competitors;<br />
especially when you realize that Aspendos is only a stone’s<br />
throw away from the Sleepstraat, where dozens of other similar<br />
restaurants are fighting for the same customers. Also, the<br />
(reasonably priced) portions that are served here are to be<br />
praised for both their taste and size. QOpen 11:30 - 24:00.<br />
Closed Tue. (€10 - 14). TJLNBK<br />
Vegetarian<br />
Avalon B-2, Geldmunt 32, tel. (+32) 922 43 724, info@<br />
restaurantavalon.be, www.restaurantavalon.be. Try the<br />
dish of the day, which is always a surprise : your plate is filled<br />
with little heaps of njammie food. And why not try their freshly<br />
made carrot, apple and ginger juice? If you had a rough night<br />
out and you are planning to start a healthier life, this is the<br />
place to be to detox or just simply enjoy a nice vegetarian<br />
meal. QOpen 11:30 - 14:30. Closed Mon, Sun. (€11-15).<br />
ZTJNGBKS<br />
Cuisine OuVerte Annonciadenstraat 4, tel. (+32)<br />
489 10 56 05, info@veggie-cuisineouverte.be, www.<br />
veggie-cuisineouverte.be. <strong>In</strong> the mood for some veggie<br />
grub? One of the latest additions to <strong>Ghent</strong>’s ever expanding<br />
list of vegetarian restaurants is Cuisine ouVerte. Albeit small,<br />
the all-green lunchroom feels warm and welcoming, with<br />
beautifully tiled walls and a charming chalk board explaing<br />
today’s menu. During lunchtime, the friendly staff opt for the<br />
tried and tested buffet formula: you can enjoy hearty soups<br />
and there’s a choice between a hot and a cold buffet. Cuisine<br />
ouVerte also offers a takeaway formula as well. At night, the<br />
chef goes all out and prepares a three-course meal, which<br />
changes weekly. Vegans will be happy to hear most dishes<br />
are fit for them, although staff urge you to mention it as you<br />
order. The food is lovely (the mushroom ragout is an absolute<br />
must), surprising and comes at a reasonable price. QOpen i<br />
11:45 - 14:30, 18:00-22:30, Sat 18:00 - 22:30. Closed Mon,<br />
Sun. (€6-13). ZTJGKS<br />
De Appelier C-6, Citadellaan 47, tel. (+32) 922 16 733,<br />
deappelier@belgacom.net, www.deappelier.be. How<br />
fitting for a vegetarian restaurant to be situated near one of<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>’s green lungs, the Citadel Park. Admittedly, to get to De<br />
Appelier, one of the oldest vegetarian eateries in <strong>Ghent</strong>, you<br />
first have to cross the busy Citadellaan. However, once you<br />
enter, you will feel as if you’ve set foot in another world: the<br />
lunchroom is rather grand but cosy, but the showstopper (in<br />
summertime) is the lovely back garden. On sunny evenings<br />
you could pretend to be in the South of France as you sip your<br />
organic beer. Every day, De Appelier offers two dishes of the<br />
day, consisting of a wide variety of ingredients, all depending<br />
on the eight (!) chefs’ creativity on that particular day.. There is<br />
also a seasonal salad on offer. (The blue cheese one is worth<br />
a try) At night, a simple pasta dish is added to the menu. The<br />
restaurant labels itself as ‘ovo-lacto vegetarian’, meaning its<br />
chefs prepare every meal using all organic ingredients, including<br />
eggs and dairy products: sorry, vegans. One final tip: the<br />
salad dressing accompanying the plat du jour is truly one of<br />
the best we’ve tried. Consider getting the recipe to try out<br />
at home your challenge if you decide to eat at De Appelier.<br />
Good luck! QOpen 11:30 - 14:00, 17:30-20:30. Closed Sat,<br />
Sun. (€9-13). ZTGBK<br />
Out of town<br />
Nenuphar Afsneedorp 28, tel. (+32) 922 12 232,<br />
reserveer@restaurant-nenuphar.be, www.restaurant-nenuphar.be.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> is a lovely city, but what many<br />
people don’t realize is that the city is surrounded by a few<br />
idyllic picturesque small villages, where the rivers Scheldt<br />
and Lys meander through the green flat countryside. Here<br />
painters and writers were inspired in places like St.-Martens-Latem,<br />
Afsnee and Deurle.<strong>In</strong> Afsnee we stumbled<br />
upon a nice restaurant, named Nenuphar, where you can<br />
choose from a dazzling menu, serving a selection of fine<br />
food. Try the Gentse Waterzooi, a typical dish from <strong>Ghent</strong>,<br />
or the ‚paling in het groen’, eel served in a delicious green<br />
sauce. Their secret ingredients? The lovely surroundings<br />
and the beautiful view on the river and small town church<br />
might just be their muse. Definitely worth the detour.<br />
QOpen 12:00 - 14:30, 18:30-22:00, Sat 18:30 - 22:00.<br />
Closed Wed, Thu. (€16-33). ABK<br />
De Walrus A-3, Coupure Links 497, tel. (+32) 927 93<br />
848, info@walrus-gent.be, walrus-gent.be. De Walrus is<br />
‘een lichtbruin café’, Dutch for ‘it is not fancy enough to take<br />
fashionistas to but the place to be at if you fancy a typical place<br />
where the locals hang out.’ There is a huge selection of beer,<br />
other alcoholic beverages (Belgians are pretty good at that) and<br />
they also serve delicious vegetarian food for less than €13. It is<br />
a bit of a walk from the city centre, but in that way you can walk<br />
off all the extra calories from the beer or food on your way back.<br />
QOpen 11:00 - 01:00, Sat 12:00 - 01:00, Sun 14:00 - 24:00.<br />
Closed Mon. (€5-12). TAGBKW<br />
Komkommertijd C-3, Reep 14, tel. (+32) 485 73 16<br />
17, info@komkommertijd.be, www.komkommertijd.<br />
be. This place advertises itself as a ‚vegan all you can<br />
eat’ buffet, the only restriction being that you need to finish<br />
your plate first before you go for some more of their very<br />
tasty vegan goodies. The food is delicious, the setting isn’t<br />
that nice though, but drink an extra glass of that biological<br />
wine, and you may not even notice this anymore. Another<br />
plus : vegetarian restaurants tend to be open only during<br />
lunchtimes, here at least vegetarian and vegan fellows can<br />
fill their stomachs at a later hour. QOpen 11:45 - 14:30,<br />
18:00-22:30, Sat only evening. Closed Mon, Tue. (€13.50<br />
- 16). ZTJGKS<br />
Lekker Gec A-6, Koningin Maria Hendrikaplein 5, tel.<br />
(+32) 924 28 750, lekkergec@yahoo.com, www.lekkergec.be.<br />
You’ll find no fastfood meals or a varied menu<br />
here, but rather, a ‚what you see is what you get’ mentality.<br />
From their semi-open kitchen, the cooks keep filling the<br />
biological salad bar and five caskets with food. A soup of<br />
the day completes your vegetarian menu. And since you’re<br />
paying for your meal by weight, you will automatically find<br />
yourself buying less than usual, so waste is marginal here.<br />
Those who do not only look but also see, will find that the<br />
whole concept of Lekker Gec is also ecologically sound -<br />
not only do you pay for a healthy meal but you’ll also help<br />
create a better environment. And that feeling is priceless.<br />
QOpen 12:00 - 21:00, Sun 12:00 - 15:00. (€1.50 / 100 gr).<br />
ZTJ6NGKSW<br />
Tasty World B-2, Hoogpoort 1, tel. (+32) 225 74 07,<br />
info@tastyworld.be, www.tastyworld.be. This chain<br />
of (healthy) fast food restaurants aims for an eco-friendly,<br />
green image and this has been applied literally inside this<br />
colourful place, from the dark green walls to the light green<br />
wooden floor. The young staff care about preparing your fresh<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
juice, milkshake or sandwiches which are so fresh they are<br />
still warm. If you want more to choose from, have a look at<br />
the blackboard on the wall which shows the daily specials,<br />
neatly categorised as Juice, Soup and Burger. Although the<br />
seats are quite comfortable, most visitors choose to take<br />
their food out. QOpen 11:00 - 20:00. Closed Sun. Also A<br />
Tasty World at Walpoortstraat 38, Mon - Sat 11:00 - 20:00<br />
(€6-12). ZTJ6GBKSW<br />
Belgians are nicknamed ‘Burgundians’, because - just<br />
like the Burgundians of the Middle Ages - they adore their<br />
food and drink. The people of <strong>Ghent</strong> are no exception.<br />
As <strong>Ghent</strong> is a hub of creativity, it comes as no surprise<br />
that Flemish Foodies have chosen the city as a breeding<br />
ground for their innovative culinary experiments.<br />
Jason Blanckaert, Olly Ceulenaere and Kobe Desramaults,<br />
the so-called Flemish Foodies, are three<br />
slightly unruly chefs with a unique culinary philosophy.<br />
Each recipe that comes out of their kitchens is not only<br />
delicious, but is topped with a substantial amount of<br />
rock and roll.<br />
Jason Blanckaert recently<br />
opened his place j.e.f.<br />
(which stands for Jason<br />
and Famke, his girlfriend)<br />
right in the city centre. The<br />
restaurant’s stark interior<br />
with white-washed walls<br />
and wooden tables reflect<br />
the straightforward style<br />
of Jason’s cuisine. ‘Refined<br />
rural’ is the label it<br />
was given by those in the<br />
know, because the young<br />
chef likes to keep it simple. This simplicity does not<br />
detract from his talent, passion and basic culinary guts,<br />
though. Prices are reasonable to boot: having lunch at<br />
j.e.f. will set you back a mere €25. And nighthawks<br />
can rest assured: every Friday you can have a bite at<br />
j.e.f.’s until 1 AM.<br />
Always pushing boundaries<br />
is what Flemish Foodies are<br />
known for. This is especially<br />
true for Olly Ceulenaere, who<br />
will be taking over De Avonden<br />
(The Evenings) during<br />
2013. Olly is leaving Volta to<br />
open his own business with<br />
his girlfriend Kelly. Thanks<br />
to Olly, Volta, located in a<br />
unique brick building, with<br />
a lively mezzanine bar, has<br />
become synonymous with gourmet cuisine in a relaxed<br />
atmosphere, at affordable prices. Olly has not yet<br />
named his new ‘baby’, but one thing is for sure: the new<br />
restaurant will stay true to the Flemish Foodies’ style,<br />
i.e. good food prepared from good products, grown with<br />
love and respect, yet accessible to all.<br />
2012’s ‘Chef of the Year’ Kobe Desramaults’ bistro restaurant<br />
De Vitrine has been much loved from the word go: without<br />
reservations chances of getting in are slim. This tiny restaurant<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
restaurants<br />
Warempel C-2, Zandberg 8, tel. (+32) 922 43 062,<br />
warempel@skynet.be. The name of this restaurant<br />
sounds pretty exotic but means nothing more than ‚sure<br />
enough’. <strong>In</strong>deed, this cosy restaurant serves good food,<br />
and sure enough it will even please the carnivores amongst<br />
us to convert to the vegetarian kitchen -even only for this<br />
once-. The dish of the day is a true delight! QOpen 11:45<br />
- 14:00. (€9-13). ZTJNGK<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>’s Culinary Prodigies: The Flemish Foodies and Beyond<br />
used to be a butcher’s, but<br />
now the storefront makes for<br />
a cosy bar where you can have<br />
a pre-dinner drink. The dining<br />
room itself might be quite<br />
small and noisy, but the no<br />
frills approach to contemporary<br />
gastronomy and the reasonable<br />
prices, make for an<br />
excellent dining experience.<br />
The Foodies’ have certainly<br />
stirred things up in <strong>Ghent</strong>’s culinary<br />
scene. Michaël Vrijmoed –<br />
previously Belgium’s masterchef<br />
Peter Goossens’ right-hand-man<br />
– opened his restaurant Vrijmoed<br />
just a few months ago. His<br />
style can be termed a bit more<br />
traditional, as Vrijmoed takes<br />
his lead from classic Belgian-<br />
French cuisine. Still, fans of<br />
good honest food are sure to<br />
enjoy Vrijmoed’s rising culinary<br />
star. Another promising young foodie is chef de patissier<br />
Joost Arijs. His brand-new chocolatier and patissier in the<br />
centre of <strong>Ghent</strong>, has been attracting lovers of chocolates,<br />
pralines and patisserie from all over the world. After tasting<br />
one of his unique ‘Diamant’-chocolates, you can’t but<br />
agree with renowned culinary guide Gault Millau, who gave<br />
Joost ‘the best Patissier of Belgium’-award.<br />
j.e.f. B-1, Lange Steenstraat 10, tel. (+32) 933 68<br />
058, www.j-e-f.be. QOpen 12:00 - 14:00 and 19:00 -<br />
22:00, Fri 12:00 - 14:00 and 19:00 - 01:00, Sat 19:00<br />
- 22:00. Closed Sun, Mon.<br />
Volta Nieuwewandeling 2b, tel. (+32) 932 40 500,<br />
www.volta-gent.be. QOpen 12:00 - 14:00 and 19:00<br />
- 21:00. Closed Sun, Mon.<br />
De Avonden C-2, Ham 39<br />
More information on this new concept soon.<br />
De Vitrine C-3, Brabantdam 134, tel. (+32) 933 62<br />
808, www.de-vitrine.be.QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Sat<br />
18:00 - 23:00. Closed Sun, Mon.<br />
Vrijmoed C-3, Vlaanderenstraat 22, tel. (+32) 927<br />
99 977, www.vrijmoed.be. QOpen 12:00 - 13:30 and<br />
19:00 - 21:30. Closed Sun, Mon.<br />
Joost Arijs C-3, Vlaanderenstraat 24, tel. (+32)<br />
933 62 310, info@joostarijs.be, www.joostarijs.<br />
be. QOpen 9:00 - 18:30, Sun 09:00 - 16:00. Closed<br />
Mon, Tue.<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
31
32 CaFÉs<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> has a fantastic café culture, and it is difficult for<br />
visitors not to be caught up in its all-encompassing, warm<br />
atmosphere.<br />
Look out too for our selection of Museum Cafés:<br />
great little places located right in the heart of some of the<br />
city’s best museums.<br />
Ice cream<br />
Australian Homemade C-4, Woodrow Wilsonplein,<br />
www.australianicecream.be. This large<br />
chain specialises in gourmet chocolates and ice<br />
cream that can be enjoyed on the premises of the first<br />
floor in this shopping centre. It also offers sorbets<br />
and so-called ‘farm creams’ that are supposedly<br />
made according to outback recipes from Down Under.<br />
Although this last claim seems a little dubious since<br />
the chocolate they use is Belgium-made, the final<br />
product is tasty nonetheless. This outlet has limited<br />
seating to enjoy one of the 18 choices. Don’t leave<br />
without having tried the Didgeridoo sorbet. Q Also<br />
at Veldstraat 21. TJA<br />
Gelateria Ferrara C-3, Vlaanderenstraat 127,<br />
tel. (+32) 922 55 550, fax (+32) 922 55 560,<br />
info@gelateriaferrara.be, www.gelateriaferrara.be.<br />
This truly Italian gelateria perfectly blends<br />
in with this hip and trendy neighbourhood. Lots of<br />
shoppers take a break from shopping here for the<br />
delicious homemade ice cream and when we saw<br />
the mouth-watering selection of gelato we understood<br />
why. <strong>In</strong> case your stomach needs something<br />
more than ice cream, you will also find ciabattas,<br />
pancakes and the ‘pasta of the day’ on the menu.<br />
QOpen 09:00 - 20:00. Closed Sun. (€5 - 10).<br />
TJAGBKXS<br />
Moochie B-2, Klein Turkije 14, info@moochie.<br />
be, www.moochie.be. Moochie is quite simply<br />
heaven-on-earth for frozen yogurt lovers (and yes,<br />
they write it without the h). Since May 2012 this<br />
American invention has been improved in true Belgian<br />
style, with everything made from local cow’s milk.<br />
There’s a deli-style counter where you can pick any<br />
decadently rich topping you like from a wide selection<br />
of fruit or crunchies, and make your own delicacy.<br />
It’s 100 per cent natural, uses fresh ingredients and<br />
sounds almost too good to be true, but isn’t. It’s the<br />
real deal. QOpen 11:00 - 20:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 -<br />
20:00. Closed Mon. TJS<br />
Nonno C-3, Kortedagsteeg 22, tel. (+32) 475 23<br />
62 62, nonno@ilmondogelato.be, www.nonno.be.<br />
As soon as the sun appears from behind the clouds<br />
and the temperature just slightly rises, people begin<br />
lining up at this tiny ice cream shop. Delicious homemade<br />
and daily fresh gelato is what makes Nonno<br />
one of the most popular spots for local ice cream<br />
addicts. The Belgian-Italian owner has continued<br />
what is a family ice cream making tradition and in<br />
all modesty he told us he just tries to make the best<br />
gelato in <strong>Ghent</strong>. <strong>In</strong> our equally modest opinion, we<br />
think he has succeeded. Note that the opening times<br />
are somewhat dependent on the weather; Nonno<br />
often closes early on days when the sun stays at<br />
home. QOpen 13:00 - 22:00, Sat 13:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Sun. TJS<br />
Coffeehouses and Breakfast venues<br />
Barista<br />
C-3, Hippoliet Lippensplein 25, tel. (+32) 488 46 98 30,<br />
barista@telenet.be, www.mybarista.be. Barista can be<br />
found on the corner of the Vlaanderenstraat and Brabantdam,<br />
and there’s another one near Vrijdagmarkt. Both places are<br />
charming and offer a nice selection of coffees, sandwiches,<br />
cakes, fruit juices and organic delicacies. The staff -a smile<br />
on their face- and the excellent service and quality of the<br />
food and drinks, gives you the feeling you never want to go<br />
home anymore. If you want to impress your better half, go<br />
and rent their picturesque and romantic Barista boat, for a<br />
private lunch or dinner (don’t worry : the skipper is included<br />
in the price). QOpen 08:00 - 18:30, Sat 09:30 - 18:30, Sun<br />
09:30 - 18:00. Also at Meerseniersstraat 16. Open Tue - Fri,<br />
08:00-18:00, Sat, Sun 09:30 - 18:00. ZJBSW<br />
Den Hoek Af C-3, Vlaanderenstraat 1, denhoekaf@<br />
gmail.com. Den Hoek has to be one of our favourite spots.<br />
Finally, here’s a cafe owner who’s not led by marketing concepts<br />
but who speaks and serves from the heart. While this<br />
approach might have resulted in a hodgepodge of different<br />
styles, it provides the place with an atmosphere that would<br />
thaw even the most cold-hearted person in the world. Sit down<br />
on one of the many second-hand chairs or sofas and enjoy<br />
a fresh juice, homemade soup or one of the delicious cakes.<br />
QOpen 08:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun. TJBW<br />
Huize Colette C-2, Belfortstraat 6, tel. (+32) 478 90<br />
64 73, huizecolette@gmail.com. Chocolate, coffee and<br />
second-hand books: that basically sums up the lovely Huize<br />
Colette, a tranquil hideaway right in the busiest part of <strong>Ghent</strong>.<br />
If you’re looking for a place to kick back and enjoy the most<br />
delicious things in life, just order a scrumptious scone, a spicy<br />
‘17th Century’ hot chocolate and take a seat in the iconic green<br />
sofa. Early birds can enjoy a lovely breakfast, with a brownie<br />
to boot. Have a read in one of the books displayed all over the<br />
quaint shop, and why not buy one to take home as a souvenir.<br />
There’s free wifi, which is especially appreciated by <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
students, who often set up camp with their course books and<br />
a brownie... or two! QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 -<br />
19:00. Closed Mon. TJGW<br />
Julie’s House B-2, Kraanlei 13, tel. (+32) 923 33 390,<br />
info@julieshouse.be, www.julieshouse.be. Cup-cakes are<br />
what Julie’s House does best. You can enjoy all different kinds<br />
in this English like coffeehouse, where you can feel like Alice in<br />
big sweet Wonderland. Even if you don’t like the sweet stuff,<br />
this friendly two-storey cafe is still a great place for a long, lazy<br />
breakfast. With free internet, a cool atmosphere and lots of<br />
locals around it’s little short of perfect. The banana cake is<br />
a house favourite. QOpen 09:00 - 18:30. Closed Mon, Tue.<br />
TJAGBSW<br />
Mokabon B-2, Donkersteeg 37, tel. (+32) 922 57 195,<br />
info@mokabon.be, www.mokabon.be. Mokabon is where<br />
you can arguably find ‘the best coffee in <strong>Ghent</strong>’. And at a reasonable<br />
price at that! Although the coffee is definitely great,<br />
and invariably served with a lush dollop of whipped cream,<br />
the people alone are worth the visit. As the tiny tables are<br />
quite close together and the place is always buzzing, you get<br />
the opportunity to have a chat with the locals. This authentic<br />
little coffee shop was established in 1937 by a young Italian,<br />
one of those habitués told us. He then urged us to try one<br />
of Mokabon’s delicious waffles with powdered sugar, which<br />
turned out to be a lovely treat. Aside from a wide selection<br />
of coffees and teas, you can also try a healthy smoothie or a<br />
homemade caramel iced coffee. Mokabon’s muffins, donuts<br />
and baguettes make for an excellent excuse to hang around<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
a little longer. If you’re in a rush, just grab a coffee to go, from<br />
the colourful take-away window. And don’t forget to take home<br />
some freshly ground Mokabon coffee for your mum. QOpen<br />
11:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JGS<br />
OR C-3, Walpoortstraat 26, tel. (+32) 922 36 500,<br />
www.orcoffee.be. If someone would ask us where you can<br />
get the best coffee and the best brownies of <strong>Ghent</strong>, at OR<br />
would be the correct answer. This nice little place offers you<br />
a fantastic selection of coffees, homemade lemonades and<br />
splendid teas. It’s also the only place in <strong>Ghent</strong> where they<br />
serve bagels, and that also deserves an extra star! Don’t<br />
hesitate to walk inside if the windows are steamy, just hop<br />
in and enjoy this nice little gem. QOpen 07:30 - 17:30, Sat,<br />
Sun 09:00 - 17:30. TJNGSW<br />
Lunchrooms<br />
Balls & Glory C-2, Sint-Jacobsnieuwstraat 103, tel.<br />
(+32) 486 67 87 76, www.ballsnglory.be. Wim Ballieu<br />
is the Flemish version of Jamie Oliver (in his earlier years),<br />
presenting a cool new formula: meatballs (even vegetarian<br />
ones). Ever tried a meatball filled with cherries, black olives or<br />
even rhubarb? You can enjoy your lunch in this nice setting, and<br />
your meatballs will be accompanied with stoemp (mashed<br />
potatoes). You can even buy some meatballs to surprise<br />
your other half in the evening with a romantic dinner (you<br />
can always pretend you’ve turned into a fantastic cook with<br />
aspirations for your own culinary TV-programme). QOpen<br />
10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sat, Sun. JAGKS<br />
Café Labath<br />
A-2, Oude Houtlei 1, tel. (+32) 922 52 825, info@cafelabath.be,<br />
www.cafelabath.be. Café Labath is situated in a<br />
unique corner building, and is known around town because<br />
of its warm retro design. A distinctive vintage bar, a colourful<br />
mosaic wall and comfy white designer chairs make you perk<br />
up as soon as you walk in. To chase that bad mood away<br />
for good, try one of Labath’s yummy ‘slow coffees’, skillfully<br />
prepared on the spot by their award winning baristas. This is<br />
more than coffee, this is art. Feeling peckish? Why not order<br />
a sandwich with real <strong>Ghent</strong> Tierenteyn mustard, freshly<br />
made soup, or a piece of delicious cheesecake (made by<br />
Julie’s House). QOpen 08:00 - 19:00, Sat 09:00 - 19:00,<br />
Sun 10:00 - 18:00. TJGBSW<br />
De Poort Croissanterie D-2, Oktrooiplein 12, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 39 822. Located right next to Dampoort railway<br />
station, this place has everything a passenger might need.<br />
You can buy newspapers, magazines, cigarettes, soft drinks,<br />
sandwiches and bus tickets here. <strong>In</strong> case you have to wait a<br />
while for your train, why not sit down and have a coffee or a<br />
beer on the outside terrace? If you really have a long waiting<br />
time, you could order a soup or toasty. De Poort is just left<br />
of the main entrance to the station: follow the signs with<br />
‘taverne’ written on them. QOpen 06:00 - 19:00. Closed<br />
Sat, Sun. (€2 - 6). GBKXS<br />
Gwenola B-3, Volderstraat 66, tel. (+32) 922 31 739,<br />
marie-christine.rogiest@telenet.be, www.gwenola.be.<br />
Gwenola belongs to the heart of the culinary scene in <strong>Ghent</strong>;<br />
maybe not when it comes to high-quality dishes, but most<br />
certainly because of its authentic feel. Since 1963, students,<br />
shopping ladies and pensioners have been eating pancakes<br />
here - be it with a twist, because in the two separate Gwenola<br />
joints the pancakes are served according to a recipe from<br />
Breton, in France. The majority of the staff here might not<br />
be young and hip, but their sincere friendliness and speedy<br />
service are textbook. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun.<br />
Also at Donkersteeg 12-16. TJLGBK<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
CaFÉs<br />
Het Leescafé C-4, Graaf van Vlaanderenplein 40, tel.<br />
(+32) 477 77 27 63, leescafe@telenet.be. You’ll find this<br />
spacious lunchroom on the first floor of the public library. This<br />
reading café is also open for non-members of the library and,<br />
aside from the reasonably priced soups, sandwiches and pastas,<br />
it offers (hot) drinks and alcoholic beverages (in Belgium,<br />
reading a good book or an interesting magazine requires an<br />
ice cold pint of beer by your side). There is a large sunny terrace<br />
with a panoramic view of thousands of commuters, and<br />
you can also go and have fun by studying the monumental<br />
stained glass window here, by the artist Herman Blondeel.<br />
QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun.<br />
(€3- 8). TJULNBK<br />
Het Salon C-4, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 194, tel. (+32)<br />
922 50 355. Het Salon is a typical student bar. It is literally<br />
located at the foot of the Boekentoren, which is characteristic<br />
for <strong>Ghent</strong> and exudes knowledge and literature. The place is full<br />
of tables where students sit working at their laptops. You have a<br />
choice of many kinds of tea,coffee or student-friendly affordable<br />
cakes and sandwiches. Surrounded by books, paintings and<br />
students that sandwich tastes just that little bit better. QOpen<br />
08:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. (€3 - 6). AUGKW<br />
Le Bar Depot, Bistro & Brocante C-2, Beverhoutplein<br />
14, tel. (+32) 485 44 04 25. Le Bar Depot opens at 6am<br />
on flea market days. Despite the early hour, bubbles are the<br />
most served drinks here. While sipping Champagne, Cava<br />
or Kirr Royal, art lovers get in the mood before the market<br />
starts. The heated terrace is extremely popular but the huge<br />
chandeliers, intimate seats and paintings from great artists<br />
also make the inside a nice place to sit. As you might expect<br />
from a chic place like this, the service is good. Prices are very<br />
reasonable though. QOpen 06:00 - 14:00, Sat 06:30 - 14:00.<br />
Closed Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu. Breakfast €5 - 11. JG<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
33
34 CaFÉs<br />
Simon Says B-1, Sluizeken 8, tel. (+32) 923 30 343,<br />
info@simon-says.be, www.simon-says.be. At the edge<br />
of Patershol, one of the loveliest districts of <strong>Ghent</strong>, at<br />
a major traffic artery, there’s Simon Says. <strong>In</strong> an artistic<br />
setting, inside or outside, you can enjoy all sorts of coffee,<br />
smoothies, chai teas, one of the four draft beers, or<br />
something from a whole list of wines. The homemade<br />
pies, too, are an attraction. The mosaic-covered tables,<br />
the paintings by Flemish artist Panamarenko on the wall<br />
(married to Eveline Hoorens, who delivers the coffee beans<br />
here) and the lounge music create a relaxing atmosphere.<br />
The fresh soup of the day and the Club Simon sandwich<br />
are also good reasons to visit as often as possible. QOpen<br />
09:00 - 18:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. (€3 - 8).<br />
JA6GBKXSW<br />
Soep+ C-4, Lammerstraat 33, tel. (+32) 922 31 688,<br />
soepplus@skynet.be, www.soepplus.be. If you’re up for<br />
a freshly made soup or a sandwich at Soep+, you’d better<br />
take a good look at the opening hours. This sleek joint is only<br />
open for four hours a day, Monday to Friday. Besides three<br />
different kinds of soup, you can choose between five varying<br />
sandwiches and three salads every week. QOpen 11:00 -<br />
15:00. Closed Sat, Sun. (€4 - 9). JKS<br />
Ventura Sint-Jacobsnieuwstraat 25, tel. (+31) 933<br />
54 759, www.linoventure.be. This place offers a nice<br />
alternative to all the other places offering the same old (ham<br />
& cheese, the old time classic prepare (raw meat), chicken<br />
Bakeries<br />
Jacquet C-3, Vlaanderenstraat 118, tel. (+32)<br />
922 54 725, Jocelyn.jacquet@skynet.be. A visit to<br />
Jacquet is like lowering yourself into a nice warm bath.<br />
Although the original French owner of this lunchroom<br />
sadly passed away years ago, his kind spirit still floats<br />
about in this cosily decorated joint. The whole left side<br />
of this recently renovated place is filled with displays of<br />
homemade pies, biscuits and other sweets, while on the<br />
right you’ll find six sets of tables and chairs that fill up<br />
every inch of space. Privacy might be hard to find here,<br />
but the relaxed ambiance, the attentive staff and the<br />
charming owner make a visit all the more worth it. QOpen<br />
06:00 - 19:00. Closed Tue, Wed. ZJAGBKS<br />
Oud Huis Himschoot B-2, Groentenmarkt 1, tel.<br />
(+32) 932 90 904. For over a century the charming<br />
Bakkerij Himschoot, located at the Groentenmarkt, has<br />
been known for its tasty homemade bread. The process<br />
of crafting and baking the artisan Himschoot bread has<br />
remained largely the same as a hundred years ago:<br />
quality ingredients are mixed, hand shaped, and baked<br />
in small batches in masonry ovens on site. Every nook<br />
and cranny of the tiny bakery is filled with tasty treats,<br />
such as the infamous ‘Gentse neuzen’. Recently, the<br />
bakery opened a second shop, Oud Huis Himschoot,<br />
near St Pieters station. Here you can also grab a loaf of<br />
your favourite specialty bread, but why not hang around<br />
and enjoy a simple but generous breakfast. The cosy<br />
breakfast area boasts a large table and a few smaller<br />
ones, surrounded by a collection of quirky sixties paraphernalia.<br />
The syrupy jam and the croissants are particularly<br />
delightful. An ideal way to get your energy levels up<br />
before exploring <strong>Ghent</strong>. QOpen 07:30 - 18:00, Sat, Sun<br />
08:00 - 18:00. Also check out Oud Huis Himschoot at<br />
Koningin Elisabethlaan 57. Opens daily at 08:00. Closed<br />
on Wednesday. TJSW<br />
Walpoortstraat café, photo by Reine Ortiz<br />
curry). You can enjoy soup, a sandwich here, while trying to<br />
decipher the Flemish newspapers. Don’t forget to try a piece<br />
of homemade cake before you’re off on the streets again.<br />
QOpen 11:00 - 16:00. Closed Sat, Sun. TJNGS<br />
Vooruit C-4, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 23, tel. (+32) 926<br />
72 820, vooruit.be. One of the most popular places to<br />
have lunch in <strong>Ghent</strong>. The monumental building itself is worth<br />
a look even if you are not eating. <strong>In</strong> 1914, the labour movement<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong> started using this place as a cultural centre<br />
for its members and factory managers alike. Yet while the<br />
original socialist mentality might have been lost years ago,<br />
you can still have lunch here for highly reasonable prices.<br />
Chalkboards announce the dish of the day, there’s also a<br />
vegetarian option. If you like to finish your meal with a good<br />
cup of coffee, we advise you to check our list of coffeehouses,<br />
since the coffee here isn’t the best you’ll find in <strong>Ghent</strong>. QOpen<br />
10:00 - 02:00, Mon, Tue 10:00 - 01:00, Sun 16:00 - 01:00.<br />
TJALEGKCW<br />
Museum cafes<br />
Mub’art B-6, Fernand Scribedreef 1, tel. (+32) 922 14<br />
489, bart@mubart.be, www.mubart.be. This eatery is<br />
located in the cellar of the Museum voor de Schone Kunsten<br />
(Museum of Fine Arts) and its grey, green and orange colours<br />
form a great contrast to the high ceilings and light rooms<br />
inside the museum. Don’t expect a culinary feast, but instead<br />
affordable dishes, some of whose names alone will tickle your<br />
fancy, unless you are already familiar with dishes like the Flemish<br />
tutjespap (a particular kind of mashed potato) with sorrel<br />
or almond croquette. Also, the extensive wine list stands out.<br />
QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Thu, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 22:00. Closed<br />
Mon. (€7 - 13). THAULBKS<br />
STAMcafe A-5, Godshuizenlaan 2, tel. (+32)928 58<br />
350, stamcafe@gent.be, www.stamgent.be. This museum<br />
presenting the city’s history opened in October 2010,<br />
and is definitely worth a visit. But even without visiting the<br />
museum, you should try to have lunch at the museum’s café<br />
: a nice selection of sandwiches and typical dishes of <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
: you must try the Gentse stoverij (a kind of goulash). The<br />
location, Bijloke, is a former medieval hospital, where you<br />
can still feel the ghosts’ presence of former plague victims...<br />
Don’t tell us we didn’t warn you... QOpen 09:30 - 18:30.<br />
Closed Mon. (€9 - 12).<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Once again, the number of pubs in <strong>Ghent</strong> has increased<br />
this past year. It would almost certainly be possible to visit<br />
a different pub every day of the year, without ever visiting<br />
the same place twice. It is also worth noting that, even<br />
though <strong>Ghent</strong> is a genuine student city, it doesn’t die at the<br />
weekend, when many students go back to their home cities.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> also has more than its fair share of good clubs.<br />
Bars<br />
Café Afsnis C-2, Bij Sint-Jacobs 10. Of the handful of<br />
alternative cafes in <strong>Ghent</strong>, this one is our favourite. Located<br />
at the attractive square of Bij Sint-Jacobs, there are a wide<br />
range of restaurants and bars nearby, but the unpretentious<br />
Afsnis has stole our hearts the moment it opened in 1996.<br />
On sunny days, make sure you arrive here early, because the<br />
sun-bathed patio chairs are in high demand, and not only with<br />
the exhibitors and visitors of the flea market that takes place<br />
here every weekend. The charm of Afsnis is that it attracts a<br />
wide variety of cafe lovers who all admire and praise the cosy<br />
and homely atmosphere of the place. And with a choice of<br />
nearly thirty different beers, you don’t have to stay thirsty in<br />
this rather sparingly furnished bar. QOpen 10:00 - 04:00, Fri,<br />
Sat, Sun 08:00 - 04:00. T6LNGBXW<br />
Café den Turk C-2, Botermarkt 3, tel. (+32) 923 30 197,<br />
info@cafedenturk.be, www.cafedenturk.be. The oldest<br />
cafe in <strong>Ghent</strong> (1228) is still one of the most popular. <strong>In</strong> 1944,<br />
this was even the homebase of the Canadian allied forces<br />
during the liberation. <strong>In</strong> fact, the interior of this brown cafe has<br />
not changed much since World War Two. With wonderful retro<br />
lamps, the black and white chequered floor, the wooden tables<br />
with red cloths and the lace curtains, this pub could well be a<br />
location for a historic drama. The Belgian beer menu is rich with<br />
choices and you all beer comes in the correct glass. QOpen<br />
11:00 - 01:00. JG<br />
Café Jan van Gent A-3, Annonciadenstraat 1, tel. (+32)<br />
925 60 203. Although bird watchers won’t find the tough sea<br />
bird Jan-van-Gent in urban <strong>Ghent</strong>, the relaxed atmosphere<br />
makes visiting this cosy pub with the same name definitely<br />
worth your while. Although the furniture is a wild mix of styles,<br />
somehow it all comes together perfectly. Come and have one<br />
of the five beers on draft, if you’re interested in the story of<br />
the many stuffed animals on the wall and the large window. Our<br />
tip: the blond Keizer Karel (Charles Quint). The two different<br />
outdoor terraces, with heated chairs, are also real crowd pleasers.<br />
QOpen 10:00 - 01:00. LGBKXW<br />
De Belleman B-2, Botermarkt 8, tel. (+32) 922 40 152,<br />
roelandt.willy@skynet.be. Long before the introduction of<br />
the <strong>In</strong>ternet, radio and television, town criers or bell men went<br />
around to make loud public announcements of all important<br />
new laws and (naturally) gossip. This age old profession may<br />
have died out in most of Europe, but in pub De Belleman this<br />
tradition is still honoured. Over the years landlady Marie-Paul<br />
has collected a large number of bells which are nicely put on<br />
show in her authentic pub. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Sat 11:00<br />
- 01:00, Sun 11:00 - 20:00. Closed Mon. JNB<br />
De Spinnekop Einde Were 42, tel. (+32) 922 30 088,<br />
spinnekop@scarlet.be. You have to put a little effort in to<br />
finding this place, as De Spinnenkop isn’t exactly in the centre<br />
of <strong>Ghent</strong>. But those who are tired of student-like behaviour and<br />
like to turn their backs on the groups of tourists every once in a<br />
while, are welcome in this authentic watering hole. One look at<br />
the opening hours and you’ll realize that the owner of the place<br />
couldn’t care less about what everyone else does, as he keeps<br />
his little pad inconventionally closed on Fridays and Saturdays.<br />
A look at the exteriors reveals that the property has seen better<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
nightliFe<br />
times - a lick of paint and a bit of putty could work miracles. On<br />
the inside, too, the past glory is hinted at, but it does not seem<br />
to bother any of the patrons at all: they’re only interested in the<br />
affordable price of their Jupiler beer, at only €1.40. QOpen<br />
20:00 - 02:00. Closed Fri, Sat. LNGX<br />
Dreupelkot B-2, Groentenmarkt 12, tel. (+32) 922 42<br />
120, fax (+32) 922 40 479, info@dreupelkot.be, www.<br />
dreupelkot.be. This small but very cosy pub has a selection<br />
of more than 200 kinds of jenever (Dutch gin). The owner even<br />
regularly distills his own stuff. Just never say to him that all jenevers<br />
are similar, because he won’t be amused and will teach<br />
you a thing or two. He will explain the art of producing jenever<br />
in detail, so you will never again consider it to be just something<br />
old men drink. QOpen 16:00 - 24:00. Closed Sun. JG<br />
Geus van Gent C-5, Kantienberg 9, tel. +32 922 07 825,<br />
geusvangent@telenet.be, www.geuzenhuis.be. Café Geus<br />
van Gent offers a second home to the free spirits of <strong>Ghent</strong>. They<br />
come here to talk about life, play some pool, receive inspiration<br />
or sit back and get drunk. With either a glass of wine, a cocktail<br />
or a home brewed bear. Or two. The different areas, the mix<br />
of homely furniture and the relaxed background music, make<br />
that everybody feel instantly at ease here. Wednesday night<br />
you can attend jam sessions for free. QOpen 16:00 - 3:00,<br />
Sat, Sun 19:00 - 5:00. . JLG<br />
Herberg De Dulle Griet B-2, Vrijdagmarkt 50, tel. (+32)<br />
922 42 455, fax (+32) 922 42 305, info@dullegriet.be,<br />
www.dullegriet.be. Brown bars are rarely as brown as De<br />
Dulle Griet. Take a seat in the ‘old Flemish interior’, as the sign<br />
outside says, and choose from over 250 different beers on<br />
offer. If you pick the ‘beer of the month’ you get a second one<br />
for free, but the speciality is definitely the ‘Max on the house’,<br />
a beer which is served in such a special glass that it requires<br />
you to hand over your shoe as deposit! Yet another oddity,<br />
this is probably the only bar in Belgium which is named after<br />
a canon; the red canon dating from 1431 down the road on<br />
Groot Kanonplein to be precise. QOpen 12:00 - 01:00, Mon<br />
16:30 - 01:00, Sun 12:00 - 19:30. JGB<br />
Live Music<br />
Kinky Star C-2, Vlasmarkt 9, tel. (+32) 933 57<br />
342, info@kinkystar.com, www.kinkystar.com.<br />
Every new metal band in Belgium seems to have been<br />
founded in Kinky Star. The last fifteen years, thousands<br />
of (wannabe) rock artists have been baptised here. But<br />
mind you: Kinky Star does not limit itself to one specific<br />
style - you’ll also hear Flemish hiphop, electro music and<br />
plenty of rock here. The stage out back turns into a seating<br />
area later in the evenings. And believe it or not, Kinky<br />
Star is also an excellent place for cocktails. For those<br />
who like the ambience, but hate the music, you can get<br />
free earplugs at the bar. QOpen 18:00 - 03:00, Tue, Sun<br />
18:00 - 01:00. Closed Mon, Wed. JLEGB<br />
La Resistenza C-3, Brabantdam 82, tel. (+32)<br />
925 60 967, info@la-resistenza.com, www.laresistenza.com.<br />
As far as food’s concerned La Resistenza<br />
is no more than average. Yet as far as small<br />
scale live performances are concerned this music pub<br />
is definitely one of the better places in town, where you<br />
can enjoy intimate jazz concerts or see new bands. The<br />
beer here is actually cheaper than water, just like in the<br />
Middle Ages. QOpen 16:00 - 02:00, Sat 18:00 - 02:00.<br />
Closed Wed, Sun. JLEGBX<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
35
36 nightliFe<br />
Microbreweries<br />
Brewery Gruut C-3, Grote Huidevettershoek 10,<br />
tel. (+32) 926 90 269, fax (+32) 922 52 332, ingrid.<br />
vdg@skynet.be, www.gruut.be. <strong>In</strong> the Middle Ages<br />
city dwellers had a valid excuse to drink beer on a daily<br />
basis. This alcoholic brew had been boiled and was therefore<br />
a much safer drink than the polluted water. The only<br />
remaining city brewery in <strong>Ghent</strong>, Gruut, is unique in that<br />
it doesn’t use hops in its five different beers, but a mix of<br />
herbs. Even after having tried them several times, we are<br />
not really able to tell you which one is our favourite. The<br />
White, Blonde, Amber, Brown and <strong>In</strong>ferno beer each have<br />
their own characteristic flavour. There are regular tours of<br />
the brewery, when you are given a torrent of information<br />
in just forty minutes. Allegedly, the mayor of <strong>Ghent</strong> can<br />
be observed naked on a large painting, even when you’re<br />
sober... QOpen 11:00 - 22:00. JEBK<br />
Het Spijker B-2, Pensmarkt 3 - 5, tel. (+32) 932 94 440.<br />
Even though Het Spijker might not be very clear about what<br />
audience it’s targeting, the place is packed every single day, and<br />
everybody in this centuries-old spot seems to be fine with that.<br />
From old hippies to students, from shopping women to rockers.<br />
Even though the large terrace at the front side is filled to the<br />
last spot once there’s a tiny bit of sunshine, the rear (through<br />
the smoking area) reveals a small hidden terrace with a lovely<br />
view over the Leie. Don’t leave Het Spijker without having a look<br />
at the inside of this monumental building, too - be it for the cool<br />
girls that serve you, or the swinging blues rock music they play<br />
here. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. JA6LGBXW<br />
Het Trefpunt C-2, Bij Sint-Jacobs 18, tel. (+32) 922<br />
53 676, fax (+32) 923 31 037, info@trefpunt.be, www.<br />
trefpunt.be. It’s been around for decades and yet Trefpunt<br />
Café has never lost its hip image. This is a pub for real music<br />
lovers of all types and styles of music. Whether you’re looking<br />
for singer-songwriter classics or house music, you can find it<br />
here at weekends. Even on a hangover Monday this place is full<br />
of people chatting away while nipping on their Jupiler. QOpen<br />
17:00 - 02:00. JLB<br />
Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant B-2, Groentenmarkt<br />
9, tel. (+32) 922 50 680, fax (+32) 922 40 479, info@<br />
waterhuisaandebierkant.be, www.waterhuisaandebierkant.be.<br />
It won’t be easy to find another pub in <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
where beer is as important as in this place. With a selection<br />
of no less than 160 Belgian beers and 17 of those on draft,<br />
you can’t go wrong. Name any Belgian beer and they’ll pour<br />
you one, from Aardbeienbier (Strawberry beer) to Zinnebir<br />
(a Belgian ale). Add the good atmosphere in this typically<br />
Belgian pub - few are more authentic - and the staff who<br />
are always willing to give you an explanation of the beer<br />
they’ve just poured for you, and suddenly you’ll be six beers<br />
further down the line. Simply brilliant. QOpen 11:00 - 02:00.<br />
JA6UEB<br />
Jos C-2, Vlasmarkt 7. Jos is located on the best square<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong> for going out, the Vlasmarkt. It’s not the kind of<br />
pub where you go for a chat, because the music is too loud,<br />
although there are usually quite a few couples and groups of<br />
friends desperately trying to communicate with each other.<br />
It’s also impossible to detect a particular style in the DJ’s<br />
choice of music. On the other hand, Jos’ artistic atmosphere<br />
is fabulous. Black and white photographs of artists and murals<br />
of lascivious objects combine well in this pub. It’s also<br />
a good place for cocktails. QOpen 16:00 - 04:00. Closed<br />
Mon, Sun. JLNG<br />
Kaaiman C-3, Reep 9, tel. (+32) 923 43 410, www.<br />
kaaimancafe.be. Kaaiman calls itself another kind of<br />
bar with another kind of interior, menu and music. So yes,<br />
it’s not the kind of bar you’ll find at the nearby hotspots<br />
of the Vlasmarkt and the Oude Beestenmarkt. At this<br />
spacious bar with lounge music, the interior is modern but<br />
modest. All tables are widely spaced out and the menu<br />
gives a fairly wide selection of beer, aperitifs and spirits.<br />
The atmosphere is relaxed and the two bar owners rarely<br />
rush. Still, Kaaiman is missing some schwung. Perfect<br />
for a quiet drink in a stress-free ambience though. QOpen<br />
15:00 - 02:30. Closed Mon, Tue. JGBW<br />
Limonada B-3, Heilige-Geeststraat 7, tel. (+32) 923<br />
37 585, info@limonada.be. With its trendy and cosmopolitan<br />
look, this pub offers the opportunity to step outside<br />
typically Belgian nightlife for a while. Slightly hidden in the<br />
Heilige-Geeststraat, with a front door that hardly stands<br />
out, you get the feeling you’ve found a hidden gem when you<br />
come here for the first time. Relaxed, trendy and loungy are<br />
words that describe Limonada best. But above all this is<br />
one of the better places to come to in <strong>Ghent</strong> for a cocktail.<br />
The strawberry daiquiri in particular is worth a try, although<br />
the expert staff will be able to give you a number of other<br />
tips. QOpen 20:00 - 04:00. Closed Sun. J<br />
Old Fashioned Koning Albertlaan 115, tel. (+32) 927<br />
95 215, info@old-fashioned.be, www.old-fashioned.<br />
be. Since February 2012, <strong>Ghent</strong> has its own cocktail and<br />
absinthe bar. At this peaceful place close to St-Pieters<br />
station, you drink your cocktail at a reasonable price. Tom<br />
and Steve, the bartenders in white shirts and braces, make<br />
the cocktails according to the original recipe. For the longbanished<br />
absinthe, you have to ask for the separate menu.<br />
On a week night, it is very quiet at the bar but the suitable<br />
old-fashioned décor makes you feel at home. The menus in<br />
English are an extra plus. QOpen 20:00 - 01:00, Fri 19:00 -<br />
01:00, Sat 17:00 - 01:00. Closed Sun. (€8 - 9). G<br />
Rococo B-2, Corduwaniersstraat 57, tel. (+32) 922<br />
43 035. If you’re having trouble finding Rococo in Patershol’s<br />
medieval surroundings, look for an establishment<br />
solely lit by candles. <strong>In</strong> this restful environment, which is<br />
further enhanced by classical background music and a<br />
crackling fire (in winter), you cannot help but relax. For nearly<br />
25 years owner Betty has been the driving force behind this<br />
oasis. The landlady pampers her guests, usually consisting<br />
of artists, creative minds and the occasional tourist, without<br />
being in the way. Lovebirds receive a free, home made love<br />
potion... QOpen 22:00 - 03:00. JG<br />
Cocktails<br />
Jigger’s B-2, Oudburg 16, tel. (+32) 933 57 025,<br />
welcome@jiggers.be, www.jiggers.be. You have to pass<br />
the face check at the door here, before you’re allowed to<br />
descend to the cellar. The handwritten menu is packed with<br />
recipes for delicious cocktails with extraordinary names<br />
like Green Beast, Horses Neck and Run Crusta. But the<br />
booklet also mentions the house rules: ‚Behave like real<br />
men and women’ and ‚No loud talking and no talking about<br />
fighting.’ The well-dressed staff, with suspenders and bow<br />
ties, supervise the place and are always ready to advise<br />
you. A must! QOpen 17:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 17:00 - 02:30.<br />
Closed Mon, Sun. (€9 - 11). JLG<br />
Polé Polé Café C-4, Lammerstraat 8, tel. (+32)<br />
935 66 700, fax (+32) 935 66 710, info@polepole.<br />
be, www.polepole.be. Two exotic cocktail bars in one.<br />
Polé Polé café is decorated in African spheres and has a<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
large wooden bar with all the necessary cocktail-making<br />
equipment. Attached to this African style bar is a Mexican<br />
style bar called the Gringo. Here you will see sombreros<br />
on the ceiling and drink ... you guessed it, exotic cocktails.<br />
The Gringo bar opens a bit later than Polé Polé, at 20.30.<br />
Both bars use the same entrance, the same toilet facilities<br />
and at both you can enjoy the same Latin music. QOpen<br />
19:00 - 02:00. J6GX<br />
Poppi Cocktail & Lounge bar B-2, Korenlei 10, tel.<br />
(+32) 926 97 745, info@marriottghent.com, www.<br />
marriottghent.be. An absolute eyecatcher in the centrallylocated<br />
Marriott hotel, whose large glass dome functions as<br />
the beating heart of this luxurious place. At the foot of this<br />
six-floor transparent wall, you’ll find an oasis of peace and<br />
quiet. By day, this red-and-black coloured lounge area serves<br />
as a meeting place for hotel guests and anyone who wants to<br />
be pampered. Later in the evening, the relaxing music here is<br />
often disturbed by the sound of shaking, when the bartenders<br />
do their best Tom Cruise moves with their cocktail shakers.<br />
With prices way below those of similar bars, this spacious<br />
spot is an absolute must. Every Wednesday, there’s live<br />
piano music; every Friday, it’s Happy Hour from 5pm to 7pm.<br />
QOpen 07:00 - 01:00. PJAULGKW<br />
Jazz bars<br />
Hot Club de Gand B-2, Groentenmarkt 15b, tel.<br />
(+32) 486 74 07 99, gerben@hotclubdegand.be,<br />
www.hotclubdegand.be. You will have to pay attention to<br />
find the entrance to this place, which is in a narrow alley off<br />
Groentenmarkt that is easily missed. Once you found the<br />
entrance, chances are that you will then be searching for a<br />
spot to sit down. The Hot Club is often packed, and we totally<br />
understand why. Five days a week (Friday and Saturday are<br />
the exceptions) jazz bands play for a generally young crowd,<br />
making it a great place to spend a relaxing evening. Live music<br />
is performed on the ground floor, but you could also sit at the<br />
somewhat improvised upper floor or on the lovely terrace<br />
outside. QOpen 15:00 - 02:00. JEGBX<br />
Hotsy Totsy A-2, Hoogstraat 1, tel. (+32) 922 42<br />
012. Check out the wallpaper at this fancy jazzbar : you<br />
will immediately feel in the mood to order a cocktail or just<br />
sip a Martini. If you’re less in the mood to watch around<br />
and feel fancy, you can always invite your friends to come<br />
over for a board-game or a game of pool. QOpen 18:00,<br />
Sat, Sun 20:00. JN<br />
Jazz Café Damberd B-2, Korenmarkt 19, tel. (+32)<br />
932 95 337, damberd@pandora.be, www.damberd.<br />
be. For more than 25 years Damberd has been a wellestablished<br />
name in <strong>Ghent</strong>. Jazz enthusiasts of all ages<br />
have made it their fave spot, but really anyone who enjoys<br />
good music, a drink and a chat is welcome here. It can be<br />
difficult to find a seat on busy nights, but once you’ve found<br />
one it won’t be easy to drag yourself home. Damberd’s beer<br />
list is quite extensive. QOpen 11:00 - 01:00, Sat 12:00 -<br />
01:00, Sun 13:00 - 01:00. 6EBX<br />
Minor Swing C-2, Ottogracht 56, tel. (+32) 494<br />
90 64 83, minorswinggent@gmail.com. This jazz bar<br />
might just be one of our favourite ones in <strong>Ghent</strong> : nice<br />
atmosphere, good music, very good wine and friendly staff.<br />
Every first Sunday of the month, there’s a live gig. QOpen<br />
18:00 - 03:00. JN<br />
Misterioso C-1, Krommewal 96, tel. (+32) 474 72<br />
11 06, info@misterioso.be, www.misterioso.be. The<br />
location, along a busy road in the middle of a residential<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
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area on the edge of the city centre, is not the best. However,<br />
this is the only downside we can think of. Misterioso is a<br />
lovely jazz bar with a great vibe. It is one of those places<br />
designed for conversations about literature, philosophy<br />
and, of course, music. Every once in a while you can see live<br />
jazz bands playing here, usually on Wednesday evenings.<br />
The interior features dusty sofas and a piano that looks<br />
like it has survived both World Wars, but in our opinion the<br />
rickety furniture creates a nicely warm ambiance. Another<br />
prominent element in the interior is the bumper-billiard table,<br />
but you might want to ask the staff about the rules of the<br />
game first. QOpen 16:00 - 03:00. JENGBX<br />
Pubs<br />
Mosquito Coast B-2, Hoogpoort 28, tel. (+32)<br />
922 43 720, info@mosquitocoast.be, www.mosquitocoast.be.<br />
For a moment we imagined ourselves in a<br />
backpacker\s pub on the Caribbean Mosquito Coast.<br />
That was until we looked outside the window and saw rain<br />
drizzling on Hoogpoort shopping street. On rainy days, this<br />
traveller’s pub can severely trigger the imagination and just<br />
seeing all the lovely photographs, maps and souvenirs from<br />
exotic places around the world makes us sometimes forget<br />
the beauty of our own city. Mosquito Coast not only is a<br />
source of travel inspiration, it is also the place to meet<br />
fellow globe trotters. Drinks and dishes from all continents<br />
can be ordered, of which the local favourite is the Mac Marrakech.<br />
There is even a travel agency conveniently located<br />
at the entrance. QOpen 11:00 - 01:00, Sun 15:00 - 01:00.<br />
Closed Mon. J6GBKX<br />
Billiards & Pool<br />
Café De Ploeg C-4, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat<br />
13, tel. (+32) 477 55 83 78. This large bar is a<br />
great place to hang out and play a few games of pool.<br />
An hour of pool at one of the three excellent tables<br />
costs €8. You can also play foosball, throw darts<br />
or try to beat the high-score on the pinball machine.<br />
Owner Danny has enough CDs stacked behind the<br />
bar to make sure you will have a nice evening and<br />
thanks to a large balcony, smokers will also feel very<br />
welcome. The bar is located in the section of Sint-<br />
Pietersnieuwstraat just north of Vooruit. Look for the<br />
door with number 13a and walk up the metal stairs.<br />
The entrance is the left door with a ‘non-smoking’<br />
sticker on it. QOpen 11:00 - 01:00, Sat 20:00 -<br />
02:00. Closed Sun. JGBKX<br />
Overpoort Bowl B-5, Overpoortstraat 38, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 42 418, info@overpoortbowl.be, www.<br />
overpoortbowl.be. If we didn’t know any better, we<br />
would think the only thing local students do is hang<br />
around here. Or to put it differently, it wouldn’t surprise<br />
us if the Overpoort Bowl was amongst the top<br />
five reasons for lecture absenteeism. This large bar,<br />
located in the heart of the student district, is often<br />
flooded with students playing games of pool, trying<br />
to hit a strike at the bowling lane or pressing buttons<br />
on arcade machines. There are also foosball tables,<br />
dart boards, large TVs showing football matches and,<br />
not unimportantly, inexpensive drinks on offer. <strong>In</strong> any<br />
case, you don’t need to be a student to come here.<br />
Pool costs €6 per hour and there are seven tables to<br />
choose from. QOpen 10:00 - 02:00, Sat, Sun 14:00<br />
- 02:00. GBX<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
37
38 what to see<br />
There is much to see in <strong>Ghent</strong>, from the old industrial parts<br />
of the city which have become hip, trendy arts venues to<br />
the fine Gothic architecture of the city centre.<br />
There are fine parks and gardens too, and some seriously<br />
good museums. We have a guide to the best of it all.<br />
Essential <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> Illuminated Tel. (+32) 926<br />
67 760, fax (+32) 926 67 799,<br />
www.gent.be/gentverlicht. Due to<br />
a comprehensive light plan, <strong>Ghent</strong> can<br />
be wonderfully re-explored after sunset.<br />
All of the city’s main monuments<br />
are attractively illuminated at night,<br />
which brings a different perspective to<br />
the medieval sights. Details of buildings<br />
which are concealed during the<br />
day become accentuated at night. The Graslei is superbly<br />
lit and the illuminated Belfry shouldn’t be missed either. The<br />
city has developed a two hour walking tour past <strong>Ghent</strong>’s<br />
illuminated highlights, and you can pick up a brochure with<br />
the walking route at the tourist office, or you can download it<br />
from the website. TJ6<br />
Graslei B-2, Graslei. It’s very<br />
simple. You haven’t really been<br />
to <strong>Ghent</strong> if you haven’t seen<br />
the Graslei. Together with the<br />
Leie River and the Korenlei on<br />
the opposite side of the water,<br />
this is <strong>Ghent</strong>’s prime highlight<br />
and the bustling heart of the<br />
city. From the 11th century until<br />
the late Middle Ages, the quays of Graslei and Korenlei served<br />
as the city’s main port as well as a major trade centre for<br />
grain. The buildings at number 9 and 12 are former guildhalls<br />
of grain traders and the building at number 10 used to be<br />
a wheat storehouse. The latter building is also the oldest<br />
step gable house in the world, and dates from the 12th<br />
century. On sunny days, the quays of Graslei and Korenlei<br />
are usually packed with people, simply because locals love<br />
to hang out at this picturesque spot. The best views of the<br />
Graslei are from St Michael’s bridge or from Korenlei across<br />
the Leie River. J<br />
Great Beguinage Groot Begijnhof<br />
67, tel. (+32) 922 82<br />
308, info@grootbegijnhof.be,<br />
www.grootbegijnhof.be. This<br />
remarkably large beguinage is<br />
an oasis of serenity within the<br />
bustling city. The walled village<br />
was constructed in 1873 as<br />
a replacement for the older St<br />
Elisabeth’s beguinage, which by<br />
that time had almost completely lost its closed character due<br />
to the city’s expansion. Over 700 devout women moved to the<br />
new location at Sint-Amandsberg to continue their religious<br />
life in quietness. Throughout the 20th century, the number of<br />
beguines continuously decreased until the last beguine died<br />
in 2003. Despite the fact that the Great Beguinage has now<br />
lost its original function, the gates are still closed from 23:00<br />
until 06:00 and it truly remains a haven of tranquillity. At the<br />
centre of the largely neo-gothic beguinage stands a tall church,<br />
which is surrounded by eight hectares of greenery and houses,<br />
making it a beautiful place to spend a quiet afternoon. Together<br />
with several other beguinages around Flanders, the Great<br />
Beguinage of <strong>Ghent</strong> is listed as UNESCO world-heritage sight<br />
for its historical value. QOpen 06:00 - 23:00. 6B<br />
The Belfry B-2, Sint-Baafsplein,<br />
tel. (+32) 937 53 161, www.belfortgent.be.<br />
The Belfry is the middle<br />
of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s famous row of three-towers<br />
and the proudest symbol of the city’s<br />
independence. The dragon on top of<br />
the tower is the symbolic guardian of<br />
the city privileges, which were kept in a<br />
trunk in the ‚secrecy room’ until 1539.<br />
You can’t make it to the dragon, but you<br />
can climb a long way up and enjoy an<br />
amazing view over the city. Every Friday and Sunday, <strong>Ghent</strong>’s<br />
carillons perform concerts. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Admission:<br />
adults €5. JL<br />
Town Hall B-2, Botermarkt<br />
1. Both the interior<br />
and exterior of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s<br />
City Hall faces many different<br />
styles of architecture,<br />
from Gothic to Renaissance,<br />
from flamboyant<br />
to sober. The City Hall is<br />
probably the most popular<br />
spot in <strong>Ghent</strong> for weddings,<br />
and since 2011, it’s even possible to get married in the<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> dialect here. Q Opening times vary, closed on Fridays<br />
and weekends. J<br />
Boat tours<br />
Rederij De Gentenaer B-2, Groentenmarkt, tel. (+32)<br />
926 90 869, fax (+32) 923 15 484, info@rederijdegentenaer.be,<br />
www.rederijdegentenaer.be. Standard guided<br />
tours at De Gentenaer will take you for 50 minutes along the<br />
Leie River, allowing you to view the city’s highlights from a<br />
different perspective. Boats are decent and large enough for<br />
at least 20 people. Beware though that the boats are roofless,<br />
so if dark clouds are appearing in the sky, it might be<br />
wise to postpone the river journey for a while. Guides are well<br />
equipped with all sorts of fun facts and trivia, which they will<br />
narrate in Dutch, English and French. The point of departure<br />
is near Groentenmarkt, next to the entrance of ‘Waterhuis<br />
aan de Bierkant’. Departure times depend upon the weather,<br />
with intervals between leaving boats varying from 10 to 30<br />
minutes. QOpen 10:00 - 17:00. Adults €6.50, students and<br />
60+ €6, children under 12 €3.50. TJ<br />
Buildings<br />
Achtersikkel C-2, Biezekapelstraat. Walk through the<br />
narrow S-shaped street just north of St Bavo’s Church and<br />
you will find a delightfully quiet courtyard surrounded by<br />
14th and 15th century buildings. Achtersikkel is named<br />
after the aristocratic Vander Sickelen family, which resided<br />
here for several centuries. The tall round tower has a renaissance<br />
style gazebo dating from 1566, which unfortunately<br />
is inaccessible to the public. Since the early 20th century,<br />
Achtersikkel has housed <strong>Ghent</strong>’s conservatoire, so you<br />
might be able to enjoy some classical music while admiring<br />
the medieval architecture. J<br />
Castle of the Counts B-2, Sint-Veerleplein 11, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 59 306, fax (+32) 923 35 037, www.gent.be.<br />
The Gravensteen Castle, originally a fortress built by Count<br />
Boudewijn I in about 868, was rebuilt as a castle at the behest<br />
of Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders. The structure, situated<br />
in the heart of <strong>Ghent</strong>, was once a residence of the Count and<br />
was later used as a cotton mill but is now a tourist attraction in<br />
itself, as the only remaining medieval castle in Flanders. This<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
impressively restored castle reveals much about its history,<br />
residents, medieval weaponry and jurisdiction. The icing on<br />
the cake is the unforgettable view over the historic centre of<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Admission: adults: €8, 19-26<br />
years: €6, under 19: free. TJAL<br />
Hotel d’Hane-Steenhuyse B-3, Veldstraat 55. This<br />
stately building with its rococo frontage is located in the<br />
heart of one of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s most important shopping streets.<br />
Although the name Hotel is somewhat misleading, as you<br />
cannot stay here any more, the rich past of this building from<br />
1767 is still tangible in every detail. Where the architectural<br />
heritage association is now housed, important visitors such<br />
as the French king Louis XVIII, Tsar Alexander I of Russia and<br />
King William I of the Netherlands once spent the night. The<br />
large, octagonal hall is a model of architectural beauty, while<br />
the pick of the interiors however is the ballroom, two floors<br />
high. <strong>In</strong> the 1990s the premises were thoroughly renovated,<br />
making sure future generations can relive the grandeur of<br />
its past. Unfortunately you can only look at the impressive<br />
interior a few days each year. J<br />
Masons’ Guild Hall B-3, Sint-Niklaasstraat 2, tel.<br />
(+32) 926 92 600, toerisme@oost-vlaanderen.be. The<br />
building opposite St Nicolas’ Church, which now houses the<br />
regional tourist office, was drastically reconstructed in 1852<br />
and at the time everyone thought the original façade of the<br />
masons’ guildhall was lost with the rebuilding. When the city<br />
decided it wanted to show the architecture of guildhalls at<br />
the World Expo of 1913, however, a copy of the façade was<br />
erected at Graslei. The original masons’ guildhall was once<br />
again reconstructed in 1976 and to everyone’s surprise, the<br />
gothic façade was found under a thick layer of plasterwork.<br />
The restored façade of the building dates from 1526, when<br />
masons demonstrated their masonry skills in their own<br />
guildhall. At the top of the beautiful stepped gable, six bronze<br />
figures that ‘dance with the wind’ can be spotted. For the copy<br />
of the façade from 1912, look for the building named Den<br />
Enghel at Graslei 8. J<br />
The Aula Academica<br />
B-3, Voldersstraat 9.<br />
Once you see the auditorium<br />
of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s University,<br />
you will probably consider<br />
taking up studying again.<br />
Judging from the facade,<br />
it’s hard to imagine how<br />
glorious the interior is.<br />
Entering the lecture hall<br />
instantly makes you feel<br />
underdressed since it’s more like entering an ancient theatre.<br />
The bad thing: the Aula Academica is not open to public. But if<br />
you’re lucky, you can usually enter the building without being<br />
reprimanded. J<br />
The Castle of Gerald the Devil C-3, Geraard de Duivelstraat<br />
1, tel. (+32) 495 45 36 91, info@duivelsteen.be,<br />
www.duivelsteen.be. Few buildings have such a fascinating<br />
history as the Castle of Gerald the Devil. The grim fortress<br />
was constructed in the early 13th century by the legendary<br />
Gerald Vilain, who was the son of the viscount of <strong>Ghent</strong> and<br />
got nicknamed ‘the devil’ due to his dark appearance and<br />
black hair. From its construction until 1378, the castle had<br />
been inhabited by nobles and knights. After that, the city<br />
bought the colossal building and used it for a whole variety<br />
of purposes. To sum it up briefly, the castle has been: an<br />
orphanage, a monastery, an asylum for the mentally insane,<br />
a music academy and a fire station. At the end of the 19th<br />
century, the Belgian state bought Gerald the Devil’s castle<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
what to see<br />
and since 1904, the state archives’ office has been housed<br />
here. Only the reading room of the archive office is accessible<br />
to the public. You get the best view of this intriguing structure<br />
from Reep. J<br />
The Episcopal Palace<br />
C-3, Bisdomplein<br />
2, www.kerknet.be/<br />
bisdomgent. Sin c e<br />
1845, this white palace<br />
has been the residence<br />
of the Bishop of <strong>Ghent</strong>.<br />
<strong>In</strong> order not to create too<br />
much contrast with St<br />
Bavo’s Church, the architect added neo-gothic elements to<br />
the mainly neo-classical structure. Look for instance at the<br />
typically gothic tracery in the windows or the crockets at the<br />
balcony. The palace by itself might not be very impressive,<br />
but with the National Bank on the left, some white-coloured<br />
buildings on the right and the Episcopal Palace in the middle,<br />
the square as a whole does look rather nice. J<br />
The Little Toll House Graslei 11. If you don’t pay attention,<br />
you’ll walk past this house without even noticing it.<br />
Nevertheless, there lies a history in what is the narrowest<br />
house on the Graslei. The little Toll House is built in an alley<br />
that provided quick access to the water in case of fire and is<br />
squeezed between the storehouse (now Belga Queen) and<br />
the Tweede Korenmetershuis. <strong>In</strong> the 17th and 18th century,<br />
the Toll House was used as a place to collect taxes on grain.<br />
Clearly, the public servants didn’t need much room. The<br />
gable of the house dates from the 17th century and probably<br />
replaced a wooden medieval façade. <strong>In</strong> 1912, the house was<br />
restored and now serves as a tiny pub.<br />
‚t Toreken C-2, Vrijdagmarkt 36, tel. (+32) 922 52 225,<br />
www.poeziecentrum.be. The oldest building at Vrijdagmarkt<br />
was once the guildhall of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s leather tanners. It<br />
fell into decay in the early 20th century, but in the 1980s the<br />
building was renovated. It now houses a poetry centre. ‘t<br />
Toreken is named after its main feature: the tall watchtower.<br />
On the top of the tower, you can see a mermaid who turns<br />
with the wind and symbolically protects the inland waterways.<br />
There are no stairs in the whole building, because its former<br />
inhabitants used ladders to climb the tower. The logic is that<br />
ladders could be pulled up in case someone attacked the<br />
building. Renovations brought an elevator, which is said to be<br />
the slowest in Belgium, because too much vibration would<br />
damage the monument. J<br />
Het Lam Gods<br />
<strong>In</strong> the autumn of 2012, a<br />
five year renovation programme<br />
began, intended<br />
to renovate and restore the<br />
panels of the Lam Gods.<br />
The restoration is necessary<br />
to prevent further<br />
hardening of old layers of<br />
varnish. The panels will be<br />
treated in the Museum of<br />
Fine Arts in <strong>Ghent</strong> in different<br />
stages. Throughout the<br />
whole process, the panels<br />
of the Lam Gods that are<br />
not being restored will remain<br />
in the Sint-Baafskathedraal for all to admire.<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
39
40 what to see<br />
Zwembad Van Eyck C-2 & C-3, Veermanplein 1, tel.<br />
(+ 32) 923 52 740, www.gent.be. Zwembad van Eyck is<br />
the most monumental bathhouse in Belgium: the history of<br />
the eleven tubs, showers, and 68 tiled changing cubicles<br />
here go back a hundred years. The roof with glass elements<br />
completes the art deco feel of the building. At the start of<br />
construction in 1886, Van Eyck was the third bathhouse<br />
in Belgium to be built in this style, a trend that had been<br />
started in Liverpool in Britain earlier that century. <strong>In</strong> 2003,<br />
the architectural masterpiece got a new entrance. On the<br />
first floor, you’ll find the restaurant Au Bain, from which you<br />
can enjoy the gorgeous interior of the building. Q Opening<br />
times vary depending on school holidays, so check the<br />
website. TJLC<br />
Churches<br />
Augustine Monastery B-1, Academiestraat 1, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 51 659, fax (+32) 922 42 033, klooster.<br />
gent@online.be, www.osabel.be. Since 1295 the Order<br />
of Saint Augustine has been housed in this large monastery<br />
and it is still inhabited today by a small community of monks.<br />
As the monastery is large and the living community is small,<br />
the gorgeous building is frequently rented out by various<br />
organisations for exhibitions and conferences. Nevertheless,<br />
visitors are welcome to walk around the courtyard and see the<br />
monastery’s St Stephen’s church, which became a popular<br />
site of pilgrimage thanks to a chapel dedicated to Saint Rita<br />
of Cascia. Another treasure is the impressive library, dating<br />
from 1720, which can be visited on request or as part of a<br />
guided city tour. Like many other monasteries and abbeys in<br />
Belgium, the Augustine monastery once brewed its own beer.<br />
It is now brewed by Van Steenberge yet by drinking Augustijn<br />
you contribute to the restoration works in the monastery.<br />
QOpen 07:00 - 12:30 & 14:00-18:30. JHU<br />
Carmelite Monastery A-2, Burgstraat 46, tel. (+32)<br />
922 55 787, info@karmel-gent.be, www.karmel-gent.<br />
be. Through the ages, the Carmelite monastery has been a<br />
centre of quietness and spirituality. <strong>Ghent</strong>’s Carmelite monks<br />
were known for their particularly strict and sober lifestyle,<br />
which is still observed by the current community of nine<br />
monks. The monastery basically consists of a large garden<br />
surrounded by several buildings, of which only the 18th century<br />
church is open to visitors. But if you kindly ask one of the<br />
monks, chances are that you can see the beautiful garden as<br />
well. On request, it is even possible to stay at the monastery,<br />
though it is only intended for people who are seriously looking<br />
for serenity, reflection and quietness. QOpen 07:00 - 11:30 &<br />
14:30-19:00, Sat 07:00 - 11:30 & 14:30-18:00, Sun 09:00 -<br />
11:30 & 14:30-18:00. HUL<br />
St Anne’s Church<br />
D-3, Sint-Annaplein<br />
1, tel. (+32) 922 38<br />
009, www.kerk-ingent.be.<br />
<strong>In</strong> the early<br />
nineteenth century,<br />
the Het Zuid neighbourhood<br />
developed<br />
rapidl y, causin g a<br />
sh arp p opula ti on<br />
growth in the area. For the increased local population,<br />
construction of a new church started in 1853 to replace<br />
the small Saint Anne’s chapel. Saint Anne’s church, built in<br />
the eclectic Rundbogenstil, was never fully completed, but<br />
opened anyway in 1862. The façade was recently renovated<br />
and currently renovation works on the western side are taking<br />
place. Unfortunately, the church only opens its doors for<br />
Sunday mass and is not open for visitors. Q J<br />
St Bavo’s Cathedral<br />
C-3, Sint-Baafsplein,<br />
tel. (+32) 926 92 045,<br />
sint-baafskathedraal@<br />
kerknet.be, www.<br />
sintbaafskathedraal.<br />
be. Th e Saint Bavo<br />
Cathedral, originally a<br />
chapel from 942 built<br />
for Saint-Jean-Baptiste,<br />
is the location where<br />
Emperor Charles was<br />
baptised. During that period<br />
the church changed<br />
from Romanesque to<br />
a grand Gothic church.<br />
The only remnant of the<br />
Romanesque church is<br />
the crypt, which is open<br />
to visitors. Despite many gifts from the emperor, the church<br />
remained unfinished for 58 years. The Saint Bavo Cathedral<br />
houses a number of special art works, including the rococo<br />
pulpit by Laurent Delvaux and many sculptures and wood<br />
carvings. The high altar dates back to the beginning of<br />
the 18th century. The cathedral’s undisputed show piece<br />
is the master piece Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (aka<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> Altarpiece) by the brothers Jan and Hubert van Eyck.<br />
The polyptych can be admired in a chapel which has been<br />
equipped with a special secured glass cage. An €4 entrance<br />
fee is charged for this. QOpen 08:30 - 18:00, Sun 13:00 -<br />
18:00. Admission: €4, children up to 12 years: €1,50. J<br />
St. James’ Church<br />
C-2, Bij Sint-Jacobs,<br />
tel. (+32) 922 32 526,<br />
www.kerk-in-gent.be.<br />
<strong>In</strong> 1093 a wooden chapel<br />
was constructed for pilgrims<br />
on the St. James’<br />
Way to Santiago de Compostella<br />
and in the middle<br />
of the 12th century, the<br />
chapel was replaced by a<br />
Romanesque church. St<br />
James’ Church was then<br />
however reconstructed several times during the Middle Ages<br />
and different architectural styles can today be admired.<br />
Take for instance the western towers. One of the towers<br />
interestingly has a Gothic peak, while the whole western<br />
façade was erected in Romanesque style. Local Calvinists<br />
destroyed the interior during the 16th century iconoclastic<br />
fury and this has been reconstructed in Baroque style.<br />
Current highlights of the church include an alter dating from<br />
1657, several 17th century paintings and the tomb of Jan<br />
Palfijn, who was an 18th century obstetrician. The church<br />
can only be visited on Friday and Saturday mornings, when<br />
there is also a flea market on the square in front of the<br />
church. QOpen , Fri, Sat 09:30 - 12:30. Closed Mon, Tue,<br />
Wed, Thu, Sun. Free admission. JU<br />
St Michael’s Church B-2, Sint-Michielsplein, tel.<br />
(+32) 923 42 869, www.cultuurinkerken.be. This<br />
Gothic church is a bit overshadowed by its larger brothers<br />
dedicated to Saint Nicolas and Saint Bavo, but a visit to<br />
Saint Michael’s Church is well worth it. Construction of the<br />
church began in 1440 and, due to a variety of political and<br />
financial slowdowns, was finally completed 200 years later.<br />
The church tower was once planned to be the highest in<br />
Flanders, but, due to a lack of funds, never exceeded the<br />
current 47 meters and wasn’t roofed until the early 19th<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
century. Today visitors can admire the bright interior, featuring<br />
an organ dating from 1817, a gorgeous neo-gothic<br />
pulpit and several baroque paintings. Another element is<br />
the exceptional amount of memorial tables (Obiit), which<br />
demonstrates the large number of wealthy families that<br />
once resided in <strong>Ghent</strong>. The incontestable pride of the church<br />
however is the painting ‘Golgotha’, dating from 1630 and<br />
executed by Anthony Van Dyck, who was a collaborator of<br />
Rubens. QOpen 14:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun. Admission:<br />
free. JU<br />
<strong>In</strong>teresting places Boekentoren (Book<br />
Tower) B-4, Rozier 9,<br />
tel. (+ 32) 926 43<br />
851, libservice@<br />
ugent.be, www.boekentoren.be.<br />
Lo cals<br />
either love or hate this<br />
gigantic concrete tower.<br />
The colossal, modernist<br />
masterpiece of architect<br />
Henry Van de Velde<br />
was built in the 1930s,<br />
when concrete was still<br />
a symbol of modernism,<br />
and it houses the library<br />
of <strong>Ghent</strong> University. Over three million books are stored<br />
in this 64-metre tall building, which is why it is called the<br />
Book Tower. Visitors are welcome, as long as you don’t<br />
make too much noise. After all, you are in a library. Take the<br />
elevator up to the belvedere and you can enjoy a view over<br />
the whole city. <strong>In</strong> 1992, Boekentoren was given the status<br />
of protected monument and the building will be thoroughly<br />
renovated from 2012 until 2017. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00,<br />
Sat, Sun 09:00 - 18:00. UG<br />
Bridge Portus Ganda D-3, Julius de Vigneplein,<br />
www.portusganda.be. Ever fancied recreating the most<br />
romantic scene in Titanic? You know, the one where Jack<br />
and Rose are at the very end of the boat and Rose says:<br />
‘I’m flying!’. Well, at this bridge of Portus Ganda you can do<br />
just that. <strong>Your</strong> view is not the Atlantic Ocean, but the point<br />
where the Lys and Scheldt rivers meet. From the bridge is<br />
visible the new marina for passing boat traffic and Belgium’s<br />
oldest indoor swimming pool, the Van Eyck, which was fully<br />
restored in 2001. B<br />
Hof van Ryhove B-2, Onderstraat 22. One of the things<br />
we love about <strong>Ghent</strong> is exploring the city’s many hidden<br />
corners. Hof van Ryhove is such a place. Looking at it from<br />
Onderstraat you will see a step gable building like many<br />
others, but walk through the gate with the green doors<br />
and you will enter a delightful medieval courtyard. From<br />
the courtyard, the 13th century palace, once inhabited by<br />
wealthy nobles, reveals its true magnitude. Hof van Ryhove<br />
became quite notorious during <strong>Ghent</strong>’s Calvinist period in<br />
the 16th century, when Catholic Bishops were locked up in<br />
the basement by its owner Francois Vander Kethulle, a key<br />
political figure at that time. The building currently functions<br />
as an office for the city’s administration. J<br />
Prinsenhof A-1 & B-1, Between Prinsenhof and Lievekaai.<br />
<strong>In</strong> 1500, Charles V, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire,<br />
was born in a huge palace named Hof ten Walle. The<br />
palace covered almost the entire present-day neighbourhood<br />
and later became known as Prinsenhof (Princes’<br />
Court). Nowadays, only the ‘Dark Gate’ is left of the palace,<br />
which can be found at the northern end of Prinsenhof<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
what to see<br />
Street. The eponymous neighbourhood, roughly between<br />
Lievekaai and Prinsenhof, is one of the loveliest areas<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong>. Try to get lost in the maze of narrow streets, sit<br />
down under a willow tree along the Lieve River, look at<br />
the statue of Charles V on Prinsenhofplein or walk past a<br />
row of step gabled houses on St-Widostraat. During the<br />
first weekend of September, <strong>Ghent</strong>’s largest flea market<br />
is held at Prinsenhof.<br />
Rabot A-1, Opgeëistenlaan 1, rabot@rt68.com, www.<br />
rabot.be. This structure was built in the late 15th century<br />
and it is one of the few remainders of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s medieval<br />
rampart. The Lieve River that flows underneath Rabot<br />
once connected <strong>Ghent</strong> to the North Sea and it used to be<br />
the only entrance for ships into the city. Every boat sailing<br />
into <strong>Ghent</strong> was checked here. Rabot also functioned as a<br />
floodgate and 15 square kilometres of land around the city<br />
could be flooded in case of an attack. The sluice building<br />
was strengthened with the addition of two towers after a<br />
failed siege by Maximilian of Austria in 1488. Rabot is therefore<br />
also known as ‘Drie Torekens’, the Three Towers. The<br />
building is not open to the public, but a visit is sometimes<br />
included in guided city tours. JH<br />
Small Beguinage<br />
(Klein Begijnhof)<br />
D-4, Lange Violettestraat<br />
77-273,<br />
tel. (+32) 922 41<br />
790, olvterhoyen@<br />
skynet.be, www.<br />
kleinbegijnhofgent.be.<br />
Like the<br />
Great Beguinage at<br />
Sin t-A man d s b er g<br />
an d el even oth er<br />
© <strong>Ghent</strong> City Council<br />
beguinages around<br />
Flanders, the small beguinage is listed as a UNESCO world<br />
heritage site. This serene and religious haven was built<br />
around 1240 and was thoroughly reconstructed during the<br />
17th century. Nonetheless, it is one of the best preserved<br />
as well as one of the most beautiful beguinages in Flanders.<br />
At the centre of this quiet spot stands the baroque Church<br />
of Our Lady Ter Hoyen. You can also see two chapels and<br />
the gorgeously red beguines’ houses around the central<br />
lawn. According to tradition, the gate is closed from 22:00<br />
until 06:30. QOpen 06:30 - 22:00.<br />
Werregarenstraat<br />
B-2, Werregarenstraat.<br />
Ask someone<br />
from <strong>Ghent</strong> for the<br />
Werregarenstraat and<br />
they probably have no<br />
idea what you’re talking<br />
about. If you ask<br />
them for the graffiti<br />
alley, however, they’ll<br />
guide you to this alley<br />
between Hoogpoort<br />
and Onderstraat. Tourists<br />
love to walk through this shady but colourful place<br />
where street artists can let themselves go. While graffiti<br />
is of course prohibited in <strong>Ghent</strong>, the city makes a couple of<br />
exceptions, and the Werregarenstraat is one of them.<br />
www.inyourpocket.com<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
41
42 what to see<br />
Museums<br />
Design Museum<br />
Gent B-2, Jan Breydelstraat<br />
5, tel. (+32)<br />
926 79 999, fax (+32)<br />
922 44 522, museum.design@gent.be,www.designmuseumgent.be.<br />
The Design<br />
Museum mainly offers<br />
exhibitions of 20th century<br />
and modern-day<br />
design, although there<br />
© <strong>Ghent</strong> City Council<br />
are some objects from<br />
earlier times. The design of the museum in itself makes<br />
a visit worthwhile. Behind an 18th century frontage you’ll<br />
find a modern and light building which more does the<br />
various exhibits justice. There are permanent as well as<br />
changing exhibitions. Art-deco and art nouveau lovers<br />
can indulge themselves walking through the spacious<br />
exhibition rooms. However, the name of this museum is<br />
slightly misleading. This is not really a design museum<br />
in the wider sense of the word, as the focus is mainly on<br />
furniture and home accessories. Nevertheless, it’s definitely<br />
worth a visit. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon.<br />
TJU<br />
Huis van Alijn B-2, Kraanlei 65, tel. (+32) 926 92<br />
350, fax (+32) 926 92 358, info@huisvanalijn.be,<br />
www.huisvanalijn.be. This delightful and intimate museum,<br />
situated in a splendid listed building, offers you a<br />
glimpse at the lives of Belgians in the twentieth century. <strong>In</strong><br />
the distinct rooms, each with its own theme, you can see<br />
just how people lived a hundred years ago. Themes such<br />
as weddings, births, social life, school and even death are<br />
covered in a museum that is a voyage of discovery for small<br />
children and a trip down memory lane for older visitors.<br />
The museum often has temporary exhibitions. QOpen<br />
11:00 - 17:00, Sun 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon. Admission:<br />
adults: €5, 19-26 years: €1, under 19: free. TJ<br />
Kunsthal Sint-Pietersabdij C-5, Sint-Pietersplein<br />
9, tel. (+32) 924 39 730, fax (+32) 924 39 734,<br />
sintpietersabdij@gent.be, www4.gent.be/sintpietersabdij/.<br />
Saint Peter’s Abbey is a former Benedictine<br />
Abbey from 811 whose buildings are now used by Kunsthal<br />
Saint Peter’s Abbey and the De Wereld van Kina museum.<br />
It is located on the quiet Saint Peter’s Square on top of<br />
the Blandijnberg (<strong>Ghent</strong>’s highest point). The buildings<br />
represent several architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance,<br />
Roman and Baroque are all evident in buildings<br />
oozing history. The venerable Amandus of <strong>Ghent</strong> commissioned<br />
the building of the abbey in the eighth century.<br />
The emperor Charlemagne used the abbey as a defensive<br />
position against the Viking invaders in a time when it was<br />
surrounded by open countryside. The first earls of <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
were buried in the abbey grounds. <strong>In</strong> 1566 the abbey was<br />
badly damaged by the Iconoclastic Fury that ravaged the<br />
Low Counties, so that only the refectory still remains<br />
today. When the last monks were expelled in 1796 the<br />
building was subsequently used as a military barracks<br />
and up until 1948 it was used as a prison. Nowadays the<br />
abbey is used as an art gallery with changing exhibitions<br />
and a permanent exhibition on the history of the abbey<br />
itself. The Abbey of Our Blessed Lady Saint Peters was<br />
originally built in Romanesque style in the twelfth century.<br />
The current church that now stands in Baroque style was<br />
built in 1651. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. Admission:<br />
adults €5. J<br />
MIAT (Museum of <strong>In</strong>dustrial<br />
Archaeology<br />
and Textiles) C-1, Minnemeers<br />
9, tel. (+32) 926<br />
94 200, fax (+32) 923<br />
30 739, publiekswerking.miat@gent.be,<br />
www.<br />
miat.gent.be. During the<br />
second half of the 18th<br />
© <strong>Ghent</strong> City Council<br />
century, Belgium became<br />
the first industrial nation in continental Europe and <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
was the first city in the country to embrace the new technologies.<br />
The city rapidly developed as a major centre for<br />
textile production, which brought wealth to town, but also<br />
led to a vast transformation of society. The Museum of<br />
<strong>In</strong>dustrial Archaeology and Textiles aims to preserve <strong>Ghent</strong>’s<br />
industrial heritage and tells the story of this significant<br />
period in the history of Belgium. The museum is housed in a<br />
former cotton mill and it has three outstanding exhibitions,<br />
each on a different floor in the building. Visitors can learn<br />
everything about the cotton industry on the third floor.<br />
The collection ‘Wereld Wijd Werken’ interactively shows<br />
the hardship of ordinary workers and explains the societal<br />
changes since the 18th century. The top floor chronologically<br />
displays the history of industrialisation and houses<br />
the museum’s prime showpiece: the Spinning Jenny textile<br />
machine. Detailed information is provided on each floor in<br />
Dutch, English, French and German. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Mon. Admission: €5 for adults, €3.75 for visitors<br />
older than 55, €1 for visitors aged 19 - 25, free for children<br />
up to 18. TJUK<br />
Museum Arnold Vander Haeghen B-3, Veldstraat<br />
82, tel. (+32) 926 98 460, fax (+32) 926 98 479,<br />
boekjebezoek@gent.be, www.visitgent.be. This building<br />
used to be the residence of Joost Clemmen, a wealthy<br />
18th century cotton magnate, and this small museum offers<br />
a glimpse at the lifestyle of the richest of inhabitants in<br />
industrial-era <strong>Ghent</strong>. The museum consists of two rooms,<br />
while the rest of the building currently functions as an office<br />
for the cultural department of the city. One of the two rooms<br />
shows a unique Chinese drawing room with hand painted silk<br />
wallpaper. According to the curator it’s the only one of its kind<br />
in the world and certainly, it reveals that cotton magnates<br />
had lots of money to spend. The other room is completely<br />
dedicated to Belgium’s only Nobel laureate in literature:<br />
Maurice Maeterlinck. This room features a reconstruction of<br />
his work chamber, the place where Maeterlinck once wrote<br />
his masterpiece L’Oiseau Bleu (The Blue Bird). The museum<br />
can only be visited as part of a guided tour and it is advised<br />
to book tickets in advance. Tours start at 14.30 on Fridays<br />
and Saturdays and it includes a visit to the 18th century Hotel<br />
d’Hane-Steenhuyse. QOpen Fri, Sat 14:30 - 16:00. Closed<br />
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun. Adults €5, children until 18 years<br />
free admission. J<br />
Museum dr. Guislain<br />
Jozef Guislainstraat 43,<br />
tel. (+32) 921 63 595, fax<br />
(+32) 921 63 535, info@<br />
museumdr guislain.b e,<br />
www.museumdrguislain.<br />
be. The most extraordinary<br />
museum in <strong>Ghent</strong> must be<br />
without a doubt the Dr. Guis-<br />
© <strong>Ghent</strong> City Council<br />
lain Museum. <strong>In</strong> this imposing<br />
building, you’ll find everything<br />
concerning the history of psychiatry and mental health care<br />
- or rather, the lack of knowledge and scientific proof and<br />
arguments in this area, since those who take a good look at<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
the information signs will probably feel no more than mere<br />
shame for all those poor patients who’ve been guinea pigs<br />
in the most horrible, painful and degrading experiments in<br />
the name of science. The fascinating exhibition takes you<br />
on a global trip through the history of psychiatric care. The<br />
buildings themselves are worth a visit. On sunny days, you<br />
can take a break from all the commotion and lay yourself<br />
down on the large pretty fields of grass in the courtyard<br />
here. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00, Sat, Sun 13:00 - 17:00.<br />
Closed Mon. Admission:adults €6, under 26 years €1.<br />
Tram 1 starts at the P+R stop at Flanders Expo, goes to<br />
Gent Sint-Pietersstation, continues through Korenmarkt<br />
and then goes on to Evergem. Make sure you get off at the<br />
Guislainstraat stop. LB<br />
Museum of Fine Arts (Museum voor Schone<br />
Kunsten) B-6, Fernand Scribedreef 1, tel. (+32) 924<br />
00 700, fax (+32) 924 00 790, museum.msk@gent.be,<br />
www.mskgent.be. Seeing the Belgian masters in their<br />
country of origin; that’s what makes this Museum of Fine<br />
Arts so special. The masterpieces are done full justice in<br />
this wonderful building from 1904, which was completely<br />
renovated in 2007. The natural light comes through the<br />
windows in exactly the right way so you can keep admiring<br />
the paintings by Jheronimus Bosch, Pieter Brueghel de<br />
Jonge and Frans Hals in all their splendour time and again.<br />
Besides art works from the Middle Ages to the first half of<br />
the 20th century, there are special exhibitions every year:<br />
on the 2nd of March there’s the opening of the Belgian<br />
Modernism exhibition.The museum is quite small - don’t<br />
expect a Flemish Louvre - but it should not be skipped<br />
during your visit to <strong>Ghent</strong>. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed<br />
Mon. Admission: €5. TAL<br />
Museum of the History of Medicine B-3, Onderbergen<br />
1, tel. (+32) 922 30 832, fax (+32) 926 48 396,<br />
museumgeneeskunde@UGent.be, www.ugent.be.<br />
Formerly a Dominican monastery, the building just south of<br />
St Michael’s church now belongs to <strong>Ghent</strong> University. The<br />
university decided to use part of this building for storing<br />
its collection of ancient surgical instruments and some<br />
enthusiastic doctors and emeriti turned it into the Museum<br />
of the History of Medicine in 1991. The collection includes<br />
Roman medical instruments as old as the 1st century A.D.,<br />
surgical tools from the 18th and 19th century and a copy of<br />
Jan Palfijn’s renowned obstetric forceps. The museum can<br />
only be visited after making an appointment for a one and<br />
a half hour guided tour by a professor, which discouragingly<br />
has to be be arranged three weeks in advance. QOpen<br />
09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. J<br />
Museum of the History of Sciences Krijgslaan<br />
281, tel. (+32) 926 44 930, fax (+32) 926 44 973,<br />
sciencemuseum@ugent.be, www.sciencemuseum.<br />
ugent.be. This small museum at the university campus<br />
displays the history of sciences by all types of old scientific<br />
instruments. Visitors can see a large collection of microscopes,<br />
telescopes, topographic instruments, all kinds of<br />
laboratory glassware and a massive analogue computer.<br />
Attached to the exhibition room is a small library with old<br />
scientific works and books about the history of science.<br />
Currently, detailed information about the museum pieces<br />
is only provided in Dutch, but we were told that descriptions<br />
in English will come soon. The museum is located<br />
in building S-30 on university campus ‘De Sterre’. You can<br />
get here by taking tram 1 to ‘Maaltebruggestraat’, from<br />
where a short walk will get you to the museum. QOpen<br />
10:00 - 12:00 & 14:00-17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Adults<br />
€2.50, students €1.50, visitors under 18 or over 65: free<br />
admission. T<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
what to see<br />
Museum<br />
Dr. Guislain<br />
22 June 2013 — 6 October 2013<br />
Man in the<br />
contemperary<br />
art collection of<br />
the Fondation<br />
Francès.<br />
Gideon Kiefer<br />
illustrates<br />
the human as a<br />
inexhaustible<br />
scienceproject.<br />
Jozef Guislainstraat 43, B-9000 Gent<br />
S.M.A.K. Municipal<br />
Museum of Contemporary<br />
Art B-6, Citadelpark,<br />
tel. (+32) 924<br />
07 601, info@smak.be,<br />
www.smak.be. The current<br />
Municipal Museum of<br />
Contemporary Art (Flemish<br />
Acronym S.M.A.K.)<br />
© <strong>Ghent</strong> City Council was established in 1999<br />
and goes back to 1957,<br />
when Karel Geirlandt founded the ‘Association for the Museum<br />
of Contemporary Art’, driven by his great ambition to realise<br />
an autonomous museum for contemporary expressions in<br />
the art world. The exhibition programme is varied. QOpen<br />
10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. Admission: adults: €6, 19-26 years:<br />
€1,under 19 years: free. PTAULGK<br />
STAM - City Museum <strong>Ghent</strong> A-5, Godshuizenlaan 2,<br />
tel. (+32) 926 71 400, fax (+32) 926 71 498, stam@<br />
gent.be, www.stamgent.be. The town’s most modern<br />
museum will take you on a journey through eight centuries of<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> history. <strong>In</strong> an entertaining and lighthearted manner you<br />
will encounter <strong>Ghent</strong>’s rich history in three different groups of<br />
buildings, which are all very attractive. For centuries the former<br />
abbey, which houses the STAM, was hidden behind high walls.<br />
<strong>In</strong> the spot where the sick were looked after for 750 years,<br />
the cultural soul is now anointed. The old convent buildings,<br />
with their roots in the Middle Ages, have been turned into this<br />
modern museum in an artistically attractive way. If this is your<br />
first visit to the city, you can get truck loads of relevant information<br />
here, which will liven up your visit even more. A gigantic<br />
aerial photograph of the city, which is dozens of metres in size<br />
and projected onto a mirror floor, is in itself reason enough to<br />
visit STAM. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon.<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
43
44 what to see<br />
Former Dominican friary Het Pand, photo by Reine Ortiz<br />
The World of KINA C-5, Sint-Pietersplein 14, tel. (+32)<br />
244 73 73, fax (+32) 244 73 74, kinahuis@gent.ne,<br />
www.dewereldvankina.be. This museum has been split<br />
into two parts at different locations: The House and The Garden.<br />
The Garden is a beautiful spot with borders full of special<br />
plants and a room with information about the world of plants.<br />
You should also take a look at the tarantulas. The House is a<br />
colourful museum located in wonderful premises and seems<br />
very modern at first glance. The way information is provided is<br />
somewhat dated, however, and you would expect a museum,<br />
particularly one aimed at kids, to offer a bit more interactivity.<br />
That doesn’t mean that the large rooms with stuffed animals,<br />
the dinosaur skeletons and the Neanderthals have lost any<br />
of their appeal since the museum first opened its doors in<br />
1924, however. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00, Sun 14:00 - 17:30.<br />
Closed Sat. Admission: adults €2,50, between 12-25 years:<br />
€1,25, children free till 12 years. TJAL<br />
Parks & Gardens<br />
Appelbrugparkje B-2, Jan Breydelstraat. Those who<br />
are looking for a resting point in the middle of the bustling<br />
historic centre can just take a fifteen minute break at the<br />
little Appelbrug park. Walk all the way to the water and enjoy<br />
the view: on your left the Old Fish Market and your right the<br />
Great Butchers’ Hall. J<br />
Baudelopark Baudelostraat. Baudelopark was the first<br />
public park in the city. <strong>In</strong> the 16th century, this was the garden<br />
of the Baudelo Abbey and during the French occupation it<br />
became a botanical garden (which has now moved to the<br />
edge of the Citadelpark). At the beginning of the last century,<br />
a street (the Bibliotheekstraat) was constructed in the<br />
middle of the park but at the request of the local residents<br />
the street has been transformed into a bike and pedestrian<br />
path that unites the park once more. Baudelopark includes<br />
a playground and a small basketball court, and attracts a<br />
young and more alternative public. During the Gentse Feesten,<br />
this park is a Mecca for dance lovers with workshops in<br />
different styles. TJ<br />
Blaarmeersen Sport and Recreation Park Zuiderlaan<br />
5-10, www.blaarmeersen.be. Blaarmeersen is 87<br />
hectares of green space. This vast domain - with a gigantic<br />
lake - offers numerous recreational activities. It includes an<br />
athletics track, an adventure trail, climbing rocks and facilities<br />
for minigolf, tennis and volleyball. There are three cafeterias<br />
and a camping site with hiker’s huts. At Blaarmeersen, lots of<br />
youngsters enjoy the sunny days at the beach area, because<br />
they can take a refreshing dive in the pond or have fun on the<br />
water slide. Access to Blaarmeersen is free, although from<br />
May to August car-drivers pay an entrance fee of €2.50. T<br />
Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen Nature Reserve Driepikkelstraat.<br />
Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen is a green area just three<br />
kilometers from the Castle of the Counts. Here you’ll find<br />
210 hectares of wet grassland full of ditches and streams.<br />
Birdwatchers love this place as it is one of the most birdrich<br />
nature reserves in Flanders. <strong>In</strong> the area, no cyclists are<br />
allowed but there are three marked trails of two or five and<br />
a half kilometres. One of them takes you along the route of<br />
the old railway which was used for the <strong>Ghent</strong> World Fair of<br />
1913 when visitors could admire this showpiece section of<br />
the Belgian railways. Every first Saturday of the month, there<br />
is a free guided tour at 14:30. TU<br />
Citadelpark Citadelpark. With its two museums (S.M.A.K<br />
and Museum of Fine Arts), a botanical garden, a cast-iron<br />
bandstand, an animal shelter and various artworks, Citadelpark<br />
is undoubtedly the most versatile park in <strong>Ghent</strong>. The<br />
park was named after the large-scale citadel that was built<br />
on the site following the fall of Napoleon. <strong>In</strong> the park, you<br />
can still see caves with remnants of primitive bunkers. As<br />
in all other parks in <strong>Ghent</strong>, mainly students - with or without<br />
textbooks - love lying in the grass. Plans are currently being<br />
made to renovate the entire park. TJ<br />
Garden of St Peter’s Abbey C-5, Sint-Pietersplein 9,<br />
tel. (+32) 924 39 730, sintpietersabdij@gent.be, www.<br />
gent.be/sintpietersabdij. Behind St Peter’s abbey lies a<br />
lovely green garden with a grass field that, particularly on<br />
sunny days, is a tempting place to just lie down for a while.<br />
That is exactly what students from the neighbourhood<br />
and all sorts of other people do when the sun shines. The<br />
garden of the abbey is nicely situated between the former<br />
monastery buildings and the Scheldt River. <strong>In</strong> addition to the<br />
lawn, the garden features a vineyard, a small orchard and a<br />
herb garden. You could also spot the ruins of the monastery’s<br />
infirmary, which adds to the charm of this relaxing spot. Unlike<br />
the abbey buildings, the garden is freely accessible. QOpen<br />
10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon.<br />
Keizerpark Brusselsesteenweg. Keizerpark was redeveloped<br />
in 2009 and ever since has been an attractive place,<br />
easily accessible thanks to the two bridges. On sunny days<br />
local residents and students gather here, and children are<br />
more than welcome. The little ones can enjoy themselves in<br />
the playground while for older kids there is a skate park and<br />
a basketball court. Via the wooden pontoon, anglers have<br />
access to the banks of the Scheldt and also those who like<br />
to barbecue can live it up here. T<br />
Sightseeing Tours<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong>-Authentic C-3, Keizer Karelstraat 97/201,<br />
tel. (+32) 498 109 961, info@ghent-authentic.com,<br />
www.ghent-authentic.com. <strong>Ghent</strong>’s cobblestone<br />
streets can get to even the most hardy of travelers.<br />
One of the best ways to avoid unnecessary walking is<br />
therefore to join these local experts. Sightseeing tours in<br />
English, French, Dutch and German. Very knowledgeable<br />
guides take you beyond the classic sights, and lace their<br />
tours with wonderful anecdotes and stories. There are a<br />
range of tours to choose from, including Mystic Middle<br />
Ages, <strong>Ghent</strong> by Night and UNESCO <strong>Ghent</strong> to name<br />
just three. <strong>Ghent</strong>-Authentic can also arrange private,<br />
customized tours. J<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Antiques<br />
Antiek Depot C-2, Baudelostraat 15, tel. (+32) 477 60<br />
61 99, info@antiek-depot.com, www.antiek-depot.com.<br />
Two floors full of furniture, paintings and all kinds of other old<br />
stuff. Not everything is antique, some things are just old.<br />
QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Tue. J<br />
Burkelbloem D-2, Dampoortstraat 92, tel. (+32) 922<br />
34 737. If you happen to get off at Gent-Dampoortstation<br />
(the closest station to the city) , and you take the road<br />
to the city centre, you will walk by this nice shop filled<br />
with antiques and vintage goodies. Want to jump back in<br />
time? Here you’ll find the teapot your grandmother used<br />
in the 50’s, haircombs from the <strong>In</strong>terbellum, and all kinds<br />
of curiosities of which you never thought you’d encounter<br />
them again. QOpen 14:00 - 20:00. J<br />
Design 7 C-2, Nieuwpoort 7, tel. (+32) 485 41 01 49,<br />
info@fredericrozier.com, www.design7.be. Frederic<br />
Rozier, the brains behind vintage design lovers’ favourite<br />
Design Market, is truly passionate about design; this<br />
shows as soon as you enter Design7. The gallery carries<br />
a unique mix of 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s design furniture,<br />
ranging from cool tables and unique chairs to striking lighting<br />
fixtures and funky cabinets. Originality and affordability<br />
are key: to this end, all items can be rented as well. QOpen<br />
, Thu 14:00 - 18:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 12:00,14:00-18:00,<br />
Sun 11:00 - 13:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed. JA<br />
Het Archief C-2, Steendam 110, tel. (+32) 922 35<br />
200, www.het-archief.be. There are many reasons<br />
why they opened antique and vintage shop Het Archief.<br />
To us the most important is because good design lasts<br />
forever and because old things have a soul. Het Archief<br />
specializes in old school posters and breathes a homely<br />
feeling. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 17:00. Closed<br />
Mon. JA<br />
Bookshops & Media<br />
Atlas & Zanzibar A-5, Kortrijksesteenweg 19, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 08 799, www.atlaszanzibar.be. This huge<br />
travel shop specialises in maps, atlases, globes and, of<br />
course, loads and loads of guides in Dutch and English.<br />
Travel lovers could spend days in this temple. QOpen<br />
10:00 - 13:00 & 14:00-18:00. Closed Tue, Sun. Also<br />
at: Kortrijksesteenweg 1036, (+32) 937 14 101, closed<br />
Tue. TA<br />
Audivox C-4, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 15, tel. (+32)<br />
922 42 488, info@audivox.net, www.audivox.net. This<br />
small bookstore primarily sells English language teaching<br />
material for middle school students. You can pick up some<br />
classic English novels here, but there is not much on offer<br />
besides the Penguin Classics. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed<br />
Sat, Sun. J<br />
Limerick A-6, Koningin Elisabethlaan 142, tel. (+32)<br />
922 21 757. Limerick is one of just a few independent<br />
bookshops left in <strong>Ghent</strong>. This charming place looks like a<br />
genuine bookshop is supposed to: tall wooden bookcases<br />
crammed with books in all shapes and sizes, from children’s<br />
fairy tales to world literature classics. If you happen to discover<br />
a hidden treasure at the very top, there’s even a little<br />
ladder to help you reach it. Can’t wait to dive into your novel<br />
of choice? <strong>In</strong> the back of the shop, you can take a seat and<br />
have a read, while enjoying a cup of freshly brewed tea and<br />
a bit of Mozart in the background. QOpen 10:00 - 18:30.<br />
Closed Mon, Sun. TA<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
shopping<br />
Paard Van Troje Bookshop B-3, Kouter 113-114, tel.<br />
(+32) 933 00 883, gent@paardvantroje.be, www.paardvantroje.be.<br />
You would really have to come up with a good<br />
excuse not to be tempted to pop in Paard van Troje (Trojan<br />
horse), a cosy bookshop come bar. Browsing through the<br />
stacked shelves, you’ll notice how the owners have tried to<br />
steer away from what’s on offer in any other chain bookstore.<br />
The selection, which contains of a good number of titles in<br />
English, is updated regularly, and you can always expect a few<br />
surprises. Bring your kids, as the children’s corner boasts a<br />
number of great reads, you could easily get lost in yourself.<br />
Music lovers will be equally charmed by an interesting choice<br />
of alternative and indie albums. Take your time to make up<br />
your mind about what to buy; the owners make a point of<br />
letting costumers feel free to browse as long as they like.<br />
To be honest, once you’ve decided on which book(s) to take<br />
home, you probably won’t want to leave. Grab a table, order<br />
the soup of the day (we were pleasantly surprised by the butternut<br />
squash, parsley, Absolut Black vodka (!) and Tierenteyn<br />
mustard soup, served with organic sweet pepper bread) or a<br />
tasty baguette, and dive into the latest Murakami, McEwan,<br />
or some obscure author you have yet to discover. When<br />
the sun’s out, move to the terrace with a pint of refreshing<br />
Belgian beer, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Kouter<br />
square. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Mon 13:00 - 18:00, Sun<br />
09:00 - 13:00. TJAB<br />
Walry B-6, Zwijnaardsesteenweg 6, tel. (+32) 922 29<br />
167, boekhandel@walry.be, www.walry.be. Everyone in<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> is familiar with book and magazine shop Walry. Recently,<br />
the shop has been refurbished, and now has room for an even<br />
larger collection of books, with a special focus on (Dutch, Flemish,<br />
Italian and Spanish) literature, history, philosophy, art and<br />
linguistics. The little ones won’t be disappointed by what Walry<br />
has in store for them either. While browsing through stacks<br />
of great reads, you almost feel as if you’re in the courtyard<br />
garden adjacent to the store. But Walry is much more than a<br />
bookshop; owner Paul Luyten regularly hosts book launches<br />
and signings. And if there’s one place in <strong>Ghent</strong> where you<br />
can have a relaxed, hassle free lunch, it’s Walry’s lunch<br />
café. This is where you go to enjoy grandmother’s kitchen<br />
at a reasonable price. We tasted the yummy meat balls with<br />
pommes dauphinoises and Walry’s take on the iconic <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
stew, while having a peak at the Marquez we just bought. You<br />
can also have breakfast at the café, or dig into a pancake in<br />
the afternoon. The no-nonsense cuisine is reflected in the<br />
décor, which is equally straightforward, yet pleasant. The real<br />
appeal of the place, however, is the hosts, who always offer<br />
a warm welcome. QOpen 09:00 - 18:30, Sat 10:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Sun. TA<br />
Papaver in Jan Breydelstraat, photo by Reine Ortiz<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
45
46 shopping<br />
Cheese<br />
Het Hinkelspel D-3, Lousbergskaai 33, tel. (+32) 922<br />
42 096, info@hethinkelspel.be, www.hethinkelspel.<br />
be. This place, where they until recently produced their own<br />
cheese (they moved the cheese factory out off <strong>Ghent</strong>) offers<br />
a fine selection of the best cheeses, organic wines, bread<br />
and icecream. QOpen 10:00 - 13:00, 14:00-18:00. Closed<br />
Sun. TJA<br />
Mekka Koestraat 9, tel. (+32) 922 58 366. This shop<br />
is situated near Kouter-square, in a part of <strong>Ghent</strong> that resembles<br />
Paris. The cheese here is artisanal, and the owners<br />
go to Paris (Rungis) once a week to buy their cheese on the<br />
market there. Their specialities are goat cheese and farmers’<br />
cheese. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Sun.<br />
Delicacies<br />
Aula B-3, Voldersstraat 24, tel. (+32) 922 50 514, info@<br />
slagerij-aula.com, www.slagerij-aula.com. Named after<br />
the Aula, the grand <strong>Ghent</strong> University auditorium across the<br />
street, the Aula butcher’s and delicatessen, <strong>Ghent</strong>’s famous<br />
food shop, is a feast for eyes and tastebuds alike. If you don’t<br />
fancy preparing something at home, you can have a quick bite<br />
to eat among the colourful produce, at the Aula Toog. Simply<br />
grab a white leather stool at the bar, which surrounds the open<br />
kitchen, and take your pick. Good luck deciding between all<br />
the sandwiches, soups, salads, pastas and meat dishes<br />
on offer. A team of chefs prepares everything on the spot.<br />
We were pleasantly surprised by the rich chicken salad, and<br />
immediately bought the ingredients right then and there to<br />
try and emulate the chefs’ creation. QOpen 09:00 - 18:30.<br />
Closed Sun. ZJA<br />
Belartisan B-3, Ajuinlei 14, tel. (+32) 922 57 330,<br />
info@belartisan.com, www.belartisan.com. On the<br />
lookout for original and delicious Belgian products, to delight<br />
friends at home with? You will be amazed to discover the<br />
great variety of tasty treats Belartisan has in store. Apart<br />
from the obvious assortment of chocolates and beers,<br />
we were especially surprised by Belgian Owl, a single malt<br />
whisky, made in Belgium. Furthermore, the shop offers a wide<br />
variety of (sparkling) wines, <strong>Ghent</strong>’s very own signature liqueur<br />
Roomer and more jams than you can think of. If you’re lucky,<br />
you can attend a tasting session, which the friendly owners<br />
have regularly. We challenge anyone to have a sip of real <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
‘jenever’, and turn down a second one. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00,<br />
Sun 10:30 - 13:30. Closed Tue, Wed. TJA<br />
Bernard Junior A-6, Koningin Elisabethlaan 43, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 24 820. If you’re on the hunt for an excellent<br />
bottle of wine, Bernard’s the place to go. Loved by wine lovers<br />
all over <strong>Ghent</strong> because of the wide selection of wines and spirits<br />
- and by most <strong>Ghent</strong> children because of the life-size white<br />
horse welcoming you at the entrance - Bernard’s wine shop<br />
is a must-see, if only for the grand town house it’s located<br />
in. Moreover, Bernard caters to any budget: after a day out<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong>, we were left with just five euros to spend, but the<br />
affable owner suggested what turned out to be a wonderful<br />
bottle of red to accompany our pasta dish - we even left with<br />
some change! QOpen 08:00 - 21:00. Closed Sun. A<br />
Boxy B-3, Hoornstraat 13, tel. (+32) 923 34 535, info@<br />
boxyfinefoods.be, www.boxyfinefoods.be. A delicatessen<br />
which uses ‘Variety is the spice of life. That gives it all<br />
its flavour’ as its tagline promises to offer a great diversity<br />
of delicious dishes. Boxy Fine Foods delivers just that, and<br />
more. <strong>In</strong> a striking white 19th century townhouse near the<br />
river, brothers Stefan and Kristof Boxy have managed to build<br />
a little gourmet’s paradise. From simple soups and salads to<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> specialties, everything is fresh, of the highest quality<br />
and presented with great attention to detail. Prepare to be<br />
tempted by fragrant spices, fine wines, and even kitchen<br />
accessories. At Boxy Fine Foods you do spend a little more,<br />
but this luxurious experience will get any foodie going. QOpen<br />
10:30 - 19:00. Closed Mon, Sun. JAS<br />
Mobile Liquor Store C-2, Ham 31, tel. (+32) 922 534<br />
13, mobile.liquor.store@skynet.be, www.mobileliquorstore.be.<br />
<strong>In</strong> need of a nice bottle of wine, or you want to get<br />
that exclusive bottle of Zacapa rum from Guatemala? <strong>In</strong> this<br />
shop you’ll find a nice selection of wines, sparkling wines<br />
and liquors. The street where it’s located at, has nothing<br />
in particular to offer, but their selection of drinks and the<br />
friendly service is worth the detour. QOpen Mon 11:00 -<br />
19:00, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 13:00 - 19:00.<br />
Closed Sun. JA<br />
Tierenteyn-Verlent B-2, Groentenmarkt 3, tel. (+32)<br />
922 58 336, tierenteyn-verlent@telenet.be, www.<br />
tierenteyn-verlent.be. Mustard speciality shop Tierenteyn<br />
is situated in a listed building and the family’s love for tradition<br />
has left everything in this shop the way it used to be.<br />
The famous mustard is prepared behind closed doors in the<br />
cellar according to traditional methods dating back to 1790.<br />
QOpen 08:30 - 18:00. Closed Sun.<br />
Trattoria della mamma Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 36, tel.<br />
(+32) 923 41 701, info@trattoriadellamamma.be, www.<br />
trattoriadellamamma.be. Close to <strong>Ghent</strong>’s favourite café,<br />
Vooruit, you will find the Italian delicatessen Trattoria della<br />
Mamma. If you feel like preparing an Italian feast at home, you<br />
can select your favourites from an ever-changing assortment of<br />
pastas, desserts, salads, cheeses, wines, sauces, meats and<br />
sausages and other antipasti. For a quick lunch on the go, there<br />
are plenty of delicious sandwiches (try the vegetarian panini!) to<br />
choose from. Those with a little more time to spend can have<br />
lunch on the spot. The generous pasta dishes are all reasonably<br />
priced and served with freshly baked Italian bread. The fettucini<br />
with salsiccia (Italian sausage) and gorgonzola cheese and<br />
the rich tiramisu are worth a mention. A no nonsense, homely<br />
place to escape the hustle and bustle of the shopping streets,<br />
especially with a lovely glass of red. QOpen 10:00 - 18:30,<br />
Mon 11:30 - 18:30. Closed Sun. TJAKS<br />
Fashion<br />
Café Costume C-3, Brabantdam 135, tel. (+32) 922 56<br />
323, gent@cafecostume.com. If you just cannot find the<br />
perfect fitted jacket in retail stores, at Café Costume you can<br />
simply make it yourself: at this stylish store men are encouraged<br />
to design their ideal tailor made suit from scratch. From<br />
the fit and the fabric, to the buttons and pockets - everything<br />
is tailored ‘à la carte’, while you sit banck and sip on some<br />
champagne. The experienced staff will help you along, aiming<br />
to make any man look his best. A word of warning: Looking that<br />
good does come at a price! For film buffs out there: the shop<br />
features in Flemish hit movie ‘The Broken Circle Breakdown’<br />
as actrice’s Veerle Baetens’ tattoo shop! QOpen Tue, Wed<br />
09:30 - 18:00, Thu 09:30 - 19:00, Fri 11:00 - 19:00, Sat<br />
10:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon, Sun. A<br />
Cream B-2, Hoogpoort 9, tel. (+32) 922 40 085, info@<br />
cream.be, www.cream.be. Cream caters mainly to younger<br />
fashion addicts out there: the items on offer are usually different,<br />
hip, and up-to-date. <strong>In</strong> one of the largest multi-brand<br />
boutiques in <strong>Ghent</strong>, both boys and girls can have their pick of<br />
fashionable brands such as Sessun, Eleven Paris, Carhartt,<br />
Wesc, Ben Sherman, Only, Nudie Jeans, Alprausch, Cheap<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Monday, and Junk de Luxe, while listening to the in-store DJ’s<br />
beats. There’s also a great selection of accessories on offer<br />
(frisbees, skateboards, headphones), as well as some trendy<br />
sneakers. If you want more, check out Cream’s ‘older brother’<br />
Limits, for even more skate wear. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Sun. JA6<br />
Cube B-3, Onderbergen 34, tel. (+32) 922 57 380,<br />
fax (+32) 922 55 674, info@cube-menswear.be, www.<br />
cube-menswear.be. Men in need for a tailored suit no longer<br />
need to travel to Milan, London or Paris. Fashionable guys with<br />
(a little) cash to spend from as far as Amsterdam pay Cube,<br />
situated across from the historic Het Pand, a visit. The store<br />
sells high end brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchi,<br />
Dsquared², and Lanvin. The building, in which the shop<br />
takes up the ground floor, is impressive in itself. <strong>In</strong>side, the<br />
recently finished black and white interior makes just browsing<br />
an experience. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00, Mon 14:00 - 19:00.<br />
Closed Sun. PJA<br />
Elle et Gand C-2, Jan Palfijnstraat 36, tel. (+32) 923<br />
42 333, www.elleetgand.be. Elle et Gand is a cute little<br />
shop in a beautiful corner building tucked away from the<br />
bustle. The collection of shoes and clothes from Scandinavion<br />
brands and young Belgian designers, is girly. And so are the<br />
pillows, jewellery and little artworks they sell here. QOpen<br />
11:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon, Sun. J6L<br />
Eva Bos C-3, Vlaanderenstraat 66, tel. (+32) 495 49<br />
61 64, boseva@pandora.be, www.evabos.be. Two things<br />
on the outside of this store give away what you shop for at<br />
Eva Bos: gold and cocktail glasses. When you need a party<br />
dress and matching accessories, get here. QOpen Tue, Wed<br />
10:30 - 18:00, Thu, Fri 14:00 - 18:00, Sat 11:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Mon, Sun. JA6U<br />
Humør B-3, Bennesteeg 19/21. Humør is an ecological<br />
concept store, linked to the Rewind shop. On offer are top<br />
Scandinavian fashion and interior design, all produced with<br />
Mother Nature in mind. Unique to the store are the homemade<br />
lighting fixtures. Humør also serves as a place for upcoming<br />
designers to showcase their products in a specially<br />
designated ‘shop in shop’. For wine lovers out there: once a<br />
month, on Sundays, you can attend winetastings in the store’s<br />
outdoor bar. QOpen 10:30 - 18:30. Closed Tue. First Sunday<br />
of the month: open from 11:00 - 18:00 JA<br />
Kollektie Eva-Stoffen Janssens B-2, Korenlei 5,<br />
tel. (+32) 923 39 445, eva@kollektie-eva.be, www.<br />
kollektie-eva.be. This is how it works: Kollektie Eva is<br />
a small selection of prototype dresses from designer Eva<br />
Janssen. You pick one, Eva measures your size, and together<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
shopping<br />
you select the most suitable fabrics from the shop and in two<br />
weeks you will have a highly exclusive dress. QOpen 10:00 -<br />
18:00, Mon by appointment. Closed Sun. JA<br />
La Fille d’O A-2, Burgstraat 21, tel. (+32) 933 48 010,<br />
lafilledo.com. Murielle Scherre has a thing with women,<br />
she not only makes women friendly porn but also (and<br />
maybe more importantly) women friendly underwear. La Fille<br />
d’O tries to redefine the very alphabet of lingerie-making.<br />
As she spells it out herself :La Fille d’O = Libertine. Animal.<br />
Footloose. <strong>In</strong>dulgent. Legendary. Long-term. Electric.<br />
Determined. Oddly overwhelming. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Mon, Sun.<br />
Les Filles et Les Chiens C-3, Zuidstationstraat 9,<br />
info@lesfillesetleschiens.be, www.lesfillesetleschiens.<br />
be. This ‚fashion concept store’ is for both ladies&gentlemen<br />
(not only for girls and dogs, as the shop’s name might mislead<br />
you), the nice sellers offer you a cup of tea, while you’re sniffing<br />
around the clothes, jewelry, T-shirts, shoes and nice gadgets.<br />
The interior of the shop itself is already worth the visit : this<br />
building used to be an old hotel, and is decorated with 18th C<br />
frescoes and paintings. The shop is open on a Sunday, which<br />
is great for the shopaddicts among us. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00,<br />
Sun 14:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Tue. JA<br />
Maaike Kleedt A-2, Zuivelbrugstraat 8, tel. (+32) 933<br />
55 840. Maaike, Maaike kleedt’s owner, has long been a fan<br />
of Scandinavian fashion. Her unique (and crooked!) corner<br />
store, near <strong>Ghent</strong>’s charming Patershol, sells pure, feminine<br />
clothes by mainly Swedish and Danish designers. Luxurious<br />
items, but with an ecological twist: that is what Maaike is<br />
going for. Swedisch brand Dagmar and Danish brand Costum<br />
made are but a few examples of this ‘eco luxury’ trend. If<br />
you’re into beauty products, Maaike kleedt also carries the<br />
Odd Molly beauty collection - if it’s good enough for Helena<br />
Christensen, it’s good enough for us! FYI: The shop’s interior<br />
was designed by Jan Hoet Jr., son of Jan ‘<strong>Ghent</strong>’s king of<br />
contemporary art’ Hoet. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00, Mon 14:00<br />
- 18:00. Closed Sun.<br />
Mieke C-2, Baudelostraat 23, tel. (+32) 933 07 144,<br />
info@mieke.tv, www.mieke.tv. Mieke claims to cater for<br />
‘every woman’. This pretty shop, owned by the eponymous<br />
trendwatcher Mieke De Winter, seems to be well on its way<br />
to make that statement come true. De Winter is constantly<br />
browsing the web looking for creative designers from all over<br />
the world. Hence, the ever changing collection. Keep an eye<br />
out for truly original clothing brands such as Niche, Eucalyptus<br />
and Friday On My Mind. The accessories (necklaces, buttons,<br />
hair pins) make for wonderful presents. QOpen 11:00 -<br />
18:00, Sun 12:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Tue. JA<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
47
48 shopping<br />
Mis-en-plis B-2, Hoogpoort 31, tel. (+32) 486 80 45<br />
29, loo@mis-en-plis.be, www.mis-en-plis.be. All primary<br />
colors are represented at Mis-en-Plis. If not in the form of a<br />
cool retro dress or skirt, then in one of the leather bags. 100<br />
per cent Belgian, 100 per cent cool. QOpen 12:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. JA<br />
Modesalon Seraphine B-2, Hoogpoort 30, tel. (+32)<br />
923 40 237, info@modesalonseraphine.be, www.modesalonseraphine.be.<br />
At Seraphine you don’t just browse<br />
the racks, you’re getting dressed by one of the stylists. And<br />
they’re willing to devote hours to you. Or days if you need<br />
a complete make-over... QOpen 11:00 - 18:15, Fri 11:00 -<br />
20:00, Sat 11:00 - 17:30. Closed Mon, Sun. JA<br />
Rewind C-4, St-Pietersnieuwstraat 13 & 44, tel. (+32)<br />
932 48 404, info@rewindstore.be, www.rewindstore.<br />
be. Lovers of exclusive and high quality designer labels<br />
should pay Rewind a visit. Two Rewind stores across the<br />
road from each other cater to either men or women. The<br />
focus lies mainly on Scandinavian brands. The collections on<br />
offer are quite different, at times playful and always unique.<br />
Don’t forget to check out the accessories: the sunglasses,<br />
rings and necklaces make for great presents, for you or your<br />
loved ones. And: your (undoubtedly many) purchases won’t<br />
break the bank either. QOpen 11:00 - 18:30, Mon 14:00 -<br />
18:30. Closed Sun.<br />
Suite B-2, Hoogpoort 59, tel. (+32) 923 38 391, suite@<br />
pandora.be, www.suite-gent.be. Suite is a neat fashion<br />
store for elegant ladies who can afford themselves the pieces<br />
of Flemish designers and brands like Acne. QOpen 10:30 -<br />
18:00. Closed Sun. PJA6U<br />
Zoot B-2, Serpentstraat 8, tel. (+32) 923 37 075, zootgent@hotmail.com,<br />
www.zootcostumiers.be. Cute, arty<br />
and colourful, that’s what the dresses, shoes and jewellery at<br />
Zoot are. Situated in a lovely, small street, but it will guarantee<br />
you heaps of shopping fun. Also check out the Zoot shoestore at<br />
Hoogpoort. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JAU<br />
For children<br />
Bach C-4, Lammerstraat 7, tel. (+32) 922 57 813. <strong>In</strong> this<br />
store parents can find everything for their kids, from giant rabbits<br />
to postcards. QOpen 10:30 - 18:30. Closed Sun. TJA<br />
Krat C-3, Keizer Karelstraat 144-150, tel. (+32) 922 36<br />
188, www.krat.be. Since 1997 this shop has been a favourite<br />
of local children. The owner is the driving force behind this colourful<br />
children’s paradise, where all goods are made from natural materials.<br />
QOpen 10:30 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Sun. TJL<br />
Petit Bazaars B-2, Oudburg 13, tel. (+32) 922 33 699,<br />
www.petitbazaar.be. Online, Petit Bazaar already had a<br />
crowd of fans. Especially for them <strong>Ghent</strong> opened a boutique<br />
where you can find a selection of goods for babies and children<br />
from five different web shops every month. The graphically<br />
awesome fabrics of Koekepeertje and the nostalgic items<br />
of Whoost can also be found here. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. JA6<br />
Gifts & Souvenirs<br />
Achter de Maan B-3, Sint-Niklaasstraat 1, tel. (+32)<br />
923 32 891, fax (+32) 934 93 402, www.achterdemaan.<br />
com. Vintage in all its glory can be found at this centrally<br />
located shop. Two stores full of bags, jewellery and other<br />
colourful items. Also modern kitchen stuff. QOpen 10:00 -<br />
18:00. Closed Sun. A<br />
Au Bon Marché B-3, Hoornstraat 4, tel. (+32) 926<br />
90 260, www.aubonmarchegent.be. Where to look first<br />
in this wood-dominated shop full of things you don’t really<br />
need? Just go with the flow of the Cuban music, breathe in<br />
the smell of leather and chat along with one of the shop’s<br />
relaxed girls. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 18:30.<br />
Closed Sun. JA<br />
Rouge et noir Hoogpoort 19, tel. (+32) 477 32 04<br />
71, www.rougenoir.be. <strong>In</strong> this little shop, you’ll find small<br />
decorative objects in red and black, and if you look hard<br />
enough, also some small objects in white, all wrapped up in<br />
nice paper if you ask the friendly owner to do so. Ideal as a<br />
gift, or why not as a little treat for yourself? QOpen 11:00 -<br />
18:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. JA<br />
The Fallen Angels B-2, Jan Breydelstraat 29-31, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 39 415, info@the-fallen-angels.com, www.<br />
the-fallen-angels.com. If you walk in this small street, this<br />
shop is one not to be missed! If you don’t find a nice gift for<br />
your mother-in-law or your brother here, then you won’t find<br />
it anywhere else... There are 2 shops, next to one another,<br />
one is more specialised in antique toys, posters and more<br />
to your vintage likings, the other one has modern versions<br />
of vintage goodies. Their own collection of postcards is a big<br />
must. Flying outside with our bags filled to the brim, we feel a<br />
bit like leaving paradise. QOpen 11:00 - 12:00, 13:00-17:45.<br />
Closed Sun. The shop specialised in antiques is closed on<br />
Mondays, Tuesdays & Sundays, and only open between<br />
13:30 -18:00 JA<br />
Home & Garden<br />
A puur A B-3, Onderbergen 56, tel. (+32) 922 30 241,<br />
apuura.com. This shop offers a fine selection of bags,<br />
shoes, interior design and they recently added a new line of<br />
clothes : Katrien Buyle, owner of the shop, designs clothes<br />
herself, and they also sell Aiayu (a Bolivian brand), Momoni<br />
(Italian), Humanoid (Netherlands). QOpen 10:00 - 12:30,<br />
13:30-18:00. Closed Sun. JA<br />
Bijhuis C-3, Sint-Baafsplein 66, tel. (+32) 922 37 084, info@<br />
bijhuis.be, www.bijhuis.be. The wide collection of designer<br />
household/kitchen stuff and accessories they sell at Bijhuis is nice<br />
but not unique for a shop of this kind. But not every gift shop can<br />
say that it’s situated in a 13th Century cellar with columns though.<br />
QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Sun. JA6<br />
Huiszwaluw B-2, Hoogpoort 3B, tel. (+32) 923 32<br />
737, info@huiszwaluw.com, www.huiszwaluw.com.<br />
Huiszwaluw is the kind of shop where you buy more than<br />
you were planning to. It’s not your fault, the slick design and<br />
colourful prints of their interior products, wallpapers and baby<br />
goods are simply irresistible. Huiszwaluw is specialised in<br />
Scandinavian brands Rice, Ferm, Housedoctor as well as<br />
some local handbag&jewelry&paperware designers. It’s not<br />
about not being able to spot the right present here, it’s all<br />
about making the hard decision which present would score<br />
the best. QOpen 10:30 - 18:00. Closed Sun. TJA<br />
Kelim Gent Kraanlei 3, tel. (+32) 922 43 834, info@<br />
kelimgent.be, www.kelimgent.be. Herman Vermeulen,<br />
who started this shop, was the first person who introduced<br />
the Kelim carpets in <strong>Ghent</strong>, he made his job out of this hobby,<br />
and soon he was known as an expert not only in Kelims from<br />
Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus, but also in raffia textile from<br />
Congo. Herman Vermeulen passed away sadly enough in<br />
2003, but his friendly wife Nadine Engels runs the shop now,<br />
with a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge. QOpen Fri, Sat, Sun<br />
14:00 - 18:00. JA<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Jewellery & Watches<br />
Bouverne Bijouterie C-3, Kortedagsteeg 37-39,<br />
tel. (+32) 922 39 572, fax (+32) 922 40 887, www.<br />
bouverne.be. Since 1976 Bouverne Bijouterie has been<br />
selling, producing and repairing jewellery and watches. A<br />
wide selection of top watch brands and fine jewellery can be<br />
found in this stylish shop. Famous brands of the Swiss watch<br />
industry as well as exclusive names of the Italian, Swiss and<br />
French jewellery are present. When you visit you can expect<br />
perfect service. Bouverne is also the only official Rolex<br />
dealer for <strong>Ghent</strong> and around. The after-sales service on site is<br />
recognized by themain brands. Highly recommended. QOpen<br />
09:00 - 18:30, Mon 14:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JAL<br />
Elisa Lee - Glasjuweel B-2, Hoogpoort 33, tel. (+32)<br />
932 90 878, shop@elisa-lee.com, www.elisa-lee.be.<br />
Funny, colourful and fairylike. Wandering around Elisa Lee’s<br />
jewellery shop is like strolling through a fantasy forest. Besides<br />
being a jewellery designer and goldsmith, Elisa is also<br />
a passionate glass blower. Check her website too. QOpen<br />
11:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. JA<br />
M.A.R.T.H.A B-3, Onderbergen 19, tel. (+32) 933<br />
06 640, m.a.r.t.h.a.juwelen@gmail.com. When strolling<br />
through up-and-coming Mecca for luxury goods Onderbergen,<br />
it is hard to simply walk past M.A.R.T.H.A’s colourful window display.<br />
The lovely little shop sells a diverse collection of trendy yet<br />
affordable necklaces, earrings, rings, scarves, hats, and bags,<br />
in a range of striking colours. Just go in with your favourite colour<br />
in mind and try to narrow down your choices. Still not sure? The<br />
friendly owner offers style and colour advice as well. QOpen<br />
10:00 - 12:30, 13:30-18:00. Closed Mon, Sun. J<br />
Phulkari B-2, Jan Breydelstraat 40, tel. (+32) 922 51<br />
895, post@phulkari.be, www.phulkari.be. If you can’t<br />
afford to take the plane to <strong>In</strong>dia, but you just love <strong>In</strong>dian<br />
jewerly, this nice shop is the place to be! They don’t only<br />
sell jewelry, but also clothes, scarves and tissues, if you’re<br />
handy enough to sew your own clothes. QOpen 11:00 -<br />
18:00. Closed Mon.<br />
Zahia C-3, Beverhoutplein 13, tel. (+32) 923 36 220,<br />
an.derickx@zahia.be, www.zahia.be. Looking for a truly<br />
unique piece of jewellery? At Zahia, you are encouraged to simply<br />
make it yourself. This charming store carries a diverse collection<br />
of ethnic and glass beads, gemstones and clasps in all shapes<br />
and sizes, all at reasonable prices, to help you on your way. High<br />
time to get started then! If you feel like you might be needing<br />
some help, the shop offers a range of workshops. Besides the<br />
colourful necklaces, rings, bracelets and ornaments, you can<br />
discover Asian, Moroccan and Chinese antiques displayed on<br />
Zahia’s many shelves. Tip: Zahia is conveniently situated on a<br />
cozy square near Sint-Jacobs, where you can browse the weekly<br />
flea/antiques market. QOpen 10:30 - 13:00, 14:00-18:00.<br />
Closed Sun. JA<br />
Lingerie<br />
Belgrado C-3, Henegouwenstraat 83, tel. (+32) 923 30<br />
184, info@belgrado.be, www.belgradobodywear.be. Men<br />
with style buy their underwear, beachwear and homewear at<br />
Belgrado, a small homely shop full of indulgences for men.<br />
QOpen 11:00 - 18:30. Closed Wed, Sun. PJA<br />
Lineos C-3, Henegouwenstraat 47, tel. (+32) 923 32<br />
433, www.lingerie-lineos.com. Cool retro style shop with<br />
ultra feminine underwear, swimwear from designers with style.<br />
The house poodle completes the look of the shop. QOpen<br />
10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:30. Closed Sun. JA6<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
shopping<br />
Sensi B-2, Hoogpoort 3, tel. (+32) 933 00 327,<br />
sensi2@telenet.be, www.sensiwear.com. Although<br />
Sensi is a shop for fine lingerie, beach and bodywear, there’s<br />
quite an erotic atmosphere whirling through it. QOpen<br />
11:00 - 18:00. Closed Wed, Sun. PJA6<br />
Music shops<br />
Music Mania C-4, St-Pietersnieuwstraat19, tel. (+32)<br />
477 77 07 43, fax (+32) 477 43 62 13, info@recordstoreday.be,<br />
www.musicmaniarecords.com. A record<br />
shop as it was meant to be. You could easily spend hours<br />
browsing through the classic vinyl records, with everything<br />
from AC/DC to Miles Davis. <strong>In</strong> case you don’t own a record<br />
player, you could either get one here or just browse through<br />
the CDs. QOpen 11:30 - 18:30. Closed Mon, Sun. J6<br />
Music Zombi C-3, Keizer Karelstraat 21A, info@musiczombi.com,<br />
www.musiczombi.com. A music shop selling<br />
only vinyl? This is the place to come. The sales person isn’t<br />
really a zombie - he’s actually very friendly - so where the<br />
name of his shop comes from beats us, but the selection of<br />
vinyl is great. QOpen 11:30 - 18:30. Closed Mon, Sun.<br />
Markets<br />
Antique, flea and second hand market C-2,<br />
Sint-Jacobs and Beverhoutplein. If you’re a bargain<br />
hunter or like your interiors to be vintage, then go hunting<br />
on the square in front of the Sint-Jacobs church on<br />
Friday, Saturday or Sunday morning. The atmosphere is<br />
good and there are enough cafes along the market where<br />
you can take a break and think of a haggling strategy<br />
for that great find you just made. QOpen Fri, Sat, Sun<br />
08:00 - 13:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu. J<br />
Flower Market B-3, Kouter. At the Kouter, market<br />
venders sell fresh cut flowers or plants on a daily basis.<br />
On Sunday however, the flower market is larger and more<br />
alive. Families, couples or anyone who loves some early<br />
liveliness comes here to buy flowers or just have a cup<br />
of Illy coffee at the coffee caravan La Dolce Barista. To<br />
start your Sunday with some flair, go to De Blauwe Kiosk<br />
(the blue kiosk) on the other side of the square. This<br />
oyster and aperitif bar serves oysters with wine, cava<br />
or champagne on Saturday (11:00-14:00) and Sunday<br />
(11:00-16:00). Between April and September, the plaza<br />
gets even more animated with an orchestra in the bandstand<br />
(10:30-12:00). QOpen 07:00 - 13:00. JL<br />
Second hand book market B-3, Ajuinlei & Recolletenlei.<br />
For a couple of years now the book stand<br />
holders at Ajuinlei and Recolletenlei have been trying<br />
to create a sort of Paris on the Lys. Passer-bys or book<br />
lovers stroll between the narrow tray tables covered with<br />
(mainly) second hand books, posters, comics and vinyl<br />
records. Whether you will be able to find the purchase of<br />
your life here is questionable, but it’s definitely worth the<br />
walk on a sunny Sunday morning. QOpen Sun 09:00 -<br />
13:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat. J<br />
Vrijdagmarkt B-2 & C-2, Vrijdagmarkt. Sundays<br />
the Vrijdagmarkt transforms into a giant pet shop. Fish,<br />
birds, rabbits and other animals are patiently waiting for<br />
a new owner while traditional bagpipe players take care<br />
of the music. Popular with elderly people and families<br />
with kids. QOpen Sun 07:00 - 13:00. Closed Mon, Tue,<br />
Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat. TJ<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
49
50 shopping<br />
Shoes, Sneakers & Streetwear<br />
Catwalk C-3, Vlaanderenstraat 116, tel. (+32) 933 09<br />
174, info@catwalk-gent.be, www.catwalk-gent.be. A<br />
must-visit if you’re on the lookout for your new favourite pair of<br />
(party) shoes. From a small monumental pawn Catwalk sells<br />
extremely feminine footwear, all made of quality leather. QOpen<br />
10:30 - 18:00, Mon 14:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JA6<br />
Imagine C-3, Henegouwenstraat 46, tel. (+32) 922 37<br />
525, www.imaginegent.be. Imagine you would have an<br />
infinite amount of money. Imagine you live in <strong>Ghent</strong>. Imagine<br />
a small shop full of sexy designer shoes... We would see you<br />
here a lot. QOpen 10:30 - 18:00, Mon 13:30 - 18:00. Closed<br />
Sun. PJA6<br />
Obius B-2, Meerseniersstraat 4, tel. (+32) 923 38 269,<br />
info@obius.be, www.obius.be. <strong>In</strong> a pretty street on the<br />
Vrijdagmarkt Obius sells shoes, tops, bags and perfumes<br />
from big name designers. QOpen 10:30 - 18:30, Mon 13:30<br />
- 18:30. Closed Sun. JA6<br />
Touché C-3, Brabantdam 56, tel./fax (+32) 923 31 422,<br />
info@touche-gent.be, www.touche-gent.be. Both men<br />
and women can find shoes of their taste in this new fresh<br />
shoe shop. When you’re trying on your possible new shoes<br />
on the apple green sofa and the attendant is sitting there<br />
with you, you feel instantly at home. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Sun. JA<br />
Speciality shops<br />
Bietini Design C-3, Brabantdam 88 & 90, tel. (+32)<br />
923 43 120, info@bietinidesign.be, www.bietinidesign.<br />
be. Trend watchers feel at home in this well equipped shop<br />
with lots of stuff for a modern home, like wooden furniture and<br />
lamps. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Sun. JAL<br />
Candela Verlichting Antwerpsesteenweg 1066a,<br />
info@candela-verlichting.be, www.candela-verlichting.<br />
be. Modern and traditional lighting is available in this well<br />
designed shop. QOpen 10:00 - 12:00 & 13:30-18:30, Sat<br />
10:00 - 12:00 & 13:30-18:00. Closed Tue, Sun. AL<br />
Hadhi C-3, Brabantdam 53, tel. (+32) 470 09 67 20,<br />
info@hadhi.com, www.hadhi.be. Home of ethnic crafts<br />
and ceramics from Colombia. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00, Mon<br />
13:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JAL<br />
Oxfam wereldwinkel C-4, Lammerstraat 16, tel. (+31)<br />
922 34 602, www.oww.be. This organisation of shops in<br />
Vlaanderen is run by volunteers who believe strongly in supporting<br />
vulnerable workers in Third World countries by giving<br />
them fair compensation for products like toys, clothing and<br />
jewellery. QOpen 10:00 - 18:30. Closed Sun. TJA<br />
Tierenteyn-Verlent B-2, Groentenmarkt 3, tel. (+32)<br />
922 58 336, tierenteyn-verlent@telenet.be, www.<br />
tierenteyn-verlent.be. Mustard speciality shop Tierenteyn<br />
is situated in a listed building and the family’s love for tradition<br />
has left everything in this shop the way it used to be.<br />
The famous mustard is prepared behind closed doors in the<br />
cellar according to traditional methods dating back to 1790.<br />
QOpen 08:30 - 18:00. Closed Sun. J<br />
Timmermans 1845 B-2, Kortemunt 5, tel. (+32) 922<br />
33 257, fax (+32) 922 38 271, info@timmermans1845.<br />
be, www.timmermans1845.be. If you want a man to feel<br />
special, buy him one of the prestigious gifts from Timmerman.<br />
<strong>In</strong> their unique, listed 17th-century building you’ll find the<br />
biggest pen collection in Belgium. Leather goods are another<br />
specialty here. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JA<br />
Twiggy C-3, Notarisstraat 3, tel. (+32) 922 39 566,<br />
info@twiggy.be, www.twiggy.be. Great selection of<br />
Belgian designers, no need to take the Thalys to Paris! Here<br />
you’ll also find trendy French designers, with a wide selection<br />
from cheap to more expensive. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Thu<br />
10:00 - 20:00. Closed Wed, Sun. A6U<br />
Tea & Coffee shops<br />
Simon Lévelt B-2, Kleine Vismarkt 5, tel. (+32) 923 42<br />
059, fax (+32) 923 42 060, gent.kv@simonlevelt.com,<br />
www.simonlevelt.nl. Tea and coffee from all over the world,<br />
most of it is organic and has a fair trade label. The person<br />
behind the counter will be happy to give advice about the best<br />
way to prepare each type of tea or coffee, in case you have<br />
no idea! QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. J<br />
Sweets<br />
Chocolaterie Van Hoorebeke B-2, Sint-Baafsplein<br />
15, tel. (+32) 922 10 381, (+32) 922 42<br />
510, lvh.chocolates@yucom.be, info@chocolatesvanhoorebeke.be,<br />
www.chocolatesvanhoorebeke.<br />
be. Criticizing an institute like the chocolate shop of<br />
Hoorebeke won’t be appreciated by many people in <strong>Ghent</strong>,<br />
since this family business has two locations in the<br />
city and is known for what are called the ‚most delicious<br />
chocolate bonbons in <strong>Ghent</strong>, maybe in the whole of Flanders’.<br />
The shop at the Sint-Baafsplein even has an open<br />
workshop place where, like a true voyeur, you can watch<br />
in awe and be tantalized by these chocolate artists. Yet<br />
we found that, even after a few visits, the quality of the<br />
handmade bonbons and pralines was not as it should<br />
be. And that’s disappointing considering you’re paying a<br />
ridiculously high price for any of the beautifully displayed<br />
‚artworks’ in this <strong>Ghent</strong> temple of sweets. There’s also<br />
a second shop with a beautiful range of sweets at Jan<br />
Breydelstraat 1. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. PAU<br />
Joost Arijs C-3, Vlaanderenstraat 24, tel. (+32)<br />
933 62 310, info@joostarijs.be, www.joostarijs.be.<br />
This place was awarded in the prestigious Gault&Millau<br />
for best patisserie in Belgium, need we say more? Their<br />
pralines, macarons, biscuits, tarts and even ice cream<br />
are heavenly! Don’t skip this one. QOpen 09:00 - 18:30,<br />
Sun 09:00 - 16:00. Closed Mon, Tue.<br />
Temmerman B-2, Kraanlei 79, tel. (+32) 922 40<br />
041. You shouldn’t eat too much of the sweet <strong>Ghent</strong><br />
specialties from Temmerman. If you do, you won’t be<br />
able to move around anymore in this pretty, tiny shop<br />
full of old fashioned sweets. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Mon, Tue. J<br />
Yuzu C-4, Walpoortstraat 11a, tel. (+32) 473 96 57<br />
33, yuzu-nvc@hotmail.com. Nicolas Vanaise used to<br />
be a historian, and changed his professional career and<br />
dived into the history of chocolates instead. Served in<br />
nice, yellow boxes, no one is able to resist these square<br />
chocolates filled with tobacco, mustard, cheese, olive<br />
oil or even <strong>Ghent</strong> specialities : Roomer and Ganda ham.<br />
Definitely a must-go and a must-taste; this place. And<br />
if you’re there, ask the owner why his shop was named<br />
Yuzu, he will happily explain. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00.<br />
Closed Mon, Sun.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
Hairdressers & Barbers<br />
Coiffure Rassahaert & zoon C-4, Lammerstraat 18,<br />
tel. (+32) 922 57 134. This has been a good place to get a<br />
decent haircut since, well, God knows when. No appointment<br />
needed, just head in an take your place in one of the stylish,<br />
old-fashioned chairs. Men only. QOpen 08:00 - 17:45, Sat<br />
08:00 - 16:45. Closed Mon, Sun. Haircut: €13,50. J<br />
Cut Paste&Paint B-3, Onderbergen 43, tel. (+32) 922<br />
44 120, www.cutpastepaint.be. Hairdresser and makeup<br />
artist Lieve Michiels and her team do hair, make-up and<br />
much much more. Dreadlocks, braids, extensions, a perm or<br />
a fancy do à la Grace Kelly: you name it, they do it. Michiels<br />
uses mainly Tigi hair products and Make-up Studio cosmetics,<br />
as these are not tested on animals. Looking great and being<br />
kind to Mother Nature at the same time: a win-win situation.<br />
Word to the wise: The groovy salon has a great many fans<br />
in <strong>Ghent</strong>, so always book your appointment well in advance.<br />
QOpen Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 09:30 - 18:30, Sat 09:00 - 17:00.<br />
Closed Mon, Sun. J<br />
De Cliént Walpoortstraat 4, tel. (+32) 932 99 441, info@<br />
declient.be, www.declient.be. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Thu,<br />
Fri 09:00 - 20:00, Sat 08:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. A<br />
Don y Doña Sluizeken 31, tel. (+32) 922 51 236, info@<br />
dondona.be, www.dondona.be. If not for your hair, then at<br />
least go there to look at the art stuff in their window. Love it!<br />
QOpen 09:00 - 18:30, Thu 09:00 - 19:30, Sat 09:00 - 17:00.<br />
Closed Sun. A<br />
Gino’s Hairclub Dampoortstraat 28, tel. (+32) 922 38<br />
733, gino@ginos-hairclub.be.<br />
Y&D kapper C-4, Wilsonplein 1, tel. (+32) 923 37 575,<br />
younganddynamickapsalon.be. At three different places in<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> you can find these modern salons. This one is conveniently<br />
located at the entrance/exit doors of the Gent Zuid<br />
mall. Haircuts from €26. QOpen 09:00 - 18:30, Mon 10:00<br />
- 18:30, Sat 08:30 - 18:00. Closed Sun. PTJA<br />
Banks<br />
BNP Paribas Fortis B-3, Zonnestraat 2, tel (+32)<br />
2 762 20 00. QOpen 09:00-16:00, Sat 09:00-12:00,<br />
Closed Sun.<br />
Europabank Burgstraat 170, tel. (+32) 922 47 311,<br />
info@europabank.be, www.europabank.be. QOpen<br />
09:30 - 17:00, Thu 09:30 - 18:30. Closed Sat, Sun.<br />
ING Bank Antwerpsesteenweg 37, tel. (+32) 921 88<br />
100, fax (+32) 921 88 108, www.ing.be.<br />
SG Bank De Maertelaere Rijsenbergstraat 148,<br />
tel. (+32) 924 22 222, fax (+32) 924 22 244, www.<br />
sgbdm.be.<br />
Spas & Beauty<br />
Beauty Queen B-2, Donkersteeg 22, tel. (+32) 933 62<br />
451, info@beauty-queen.be, ww.beauty-queen.be. ‘Beautique’<br />
Beauty Queen is one of <strong>Ghent</strong>’s few city spas. Prepare<br />
to be pampered with pedicures, manicures, facials etc. This is<br />
a (girly) bit of heaven, tucked away in the Donkersteeg. If you<br />
want to continue the beauty fest in your own bathroom, Beauty<br />
Queen carries a wide range of products for you to take home.<br />
The owners make a point of selecting brands that you wouldn’t<br />
normally find in Belgium, such as Principessa, Bombay Duck,<br />
Face Boutique, and Cake. Still unsure after having browsed the<br />
shelves? The friendly staff will quickly help you find the products<br />
that suit you best. QOpen Mon 12:00 - 18:30, Wed, Thu, Fri,<br />
Sat 10:00 - 18:30. Closed Tue, Sun. JAD<br />
Dosha B-3, Mageleinstraat 10, tel. (+32) 922 12 318,<br />
info@dosha.be, www.dosha.be. Dosha offers a wonderfully<br />
relaxing escape from reality: beauty through harmony, is what<br />
this beauty parlour strives for. Facials and massages, hair<br />
ghent.inyourpocket.com<br />
Health<br />
direCtory<br />
€1= GBP £0.85; US$1.30<br />
(2 June 2013)<br />
Dentists<br />
BriteSmile Specialist Curesthetics.be Tandarts<br />
Suda Marleen Kortrijksesteenweg 724, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 20 603, marleensuda@yahoo.com, www.<br />
curesthetics.be.<br />
Tandarts G. Decarnière B-2, Sint-Michielsplein<br />
9A, tel. (+32) 922 42 473, guy.decarniere@tandarts.<br />
be, www.guy.decarniere.mijntandarts.be. Only by<br />
appointment, which should be made by phone.<br />
Doctor<br />
General Practitioner Tel. (+32) 923 65 000. For<br />
the GP on duty, ring (+32) 923 65 000. For emergencies<br />
during the day, ring 112. QOpen 19:00 - 08:00.<br />
Hospitals<br />
AZ Sint Lucas B-1, tel. (+32) 922 46 111, www.<br />
azstlucas.be. This hospital is located in the city centre.<br />
For emergencies ring (+32) 922 455 50.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> University Hospital De Pintelaan 185, tel.<br />
(+32) 933 22 111, fax (+32) 933 23 800, info@<br />
uzgent.be, www.uzgent.be.<br />
Pharmacies<br />
Apotheek De Belie C-4, Lammerstraat 37, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 52 039, apotheek.debelie@gmail.com,<br />
www.apotheekdebelie.be. QOpen 08:30 - 18:15,<br />
Sat 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. J<br />
Apotheek Reep C-3, Reep 44, tel./fax (+32) 922<br />
39 411, apotheek@apotheekreep.be, www.apotheekreep.be.<br />
QOpen 08:30 - 13:00 & 14:00-18:30.<br />
Closed Sat, Sun. J<br />
Apotheek Van Gansbeke B-2, Kortemunt 6, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 32 708, fax (+32) 922 39 856, info@<br />
apotheekvangansbeke.be, www.aposite.be/evrard9000.<br />
QOpen 09:30 - 18:30, Wed 11:30 - 18:30.<br />
Closed Sun. J<br />
removal treatments and colour analyses, everything is done<br />
with the principles of ayurvedic medicine in mind. Moreover,<br />
the beauticians solely make use of all-natural Aveda products<br />
and cosmetics. You can also customize the plant-based<br />
products by adding essential oils, which are beneficial to your<br />
specific skin type. A dreamy getaway, right in the city centre.<br />
QOpen 14:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JA<br />
Sauna Aqua Azul B-1, Drongenhof 2, tel. (+32) 922<br />
50 957, info@aqua-azul.be, www.aqua-azul.be. QOpen<br />
13:00 - 23:00. JAD<br />
Sauna Raj Corduwaniersstraat 4, tel. (+32) 922 33<br />
732, www.saunaraj.be. QOpen , Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 17:00<br />
- 23:00, Sat, Sun 15:00 - 23:00. Closed Tue. D<br />
Dry cleaners<br />
Vita Shop Kortrijksesteenweg 598, tel. (+32) 922<br />
27 666.<br />
July 2013 - January 2014<br />
51
52 direCtory<br />
Press Box<br />
“From Albania to Ukraine <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> is a<br />
wonderful source of boutique hotels, spas and<br />
great little bars.”<br />
Elle<br />
“Detailed, carefully researched guides.”<br />
Daily Mail<br />
“Solid, reliable information on everything from<br />
where to book a reasonable B&B to how best<br />
to spend 72 hours in a city.”<br />
The Guardian<br />
“You do not even need to pack a guidebook: just<br />
pick up an <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> when you arrive.”<br />
Simon Calder<br />
The <strong>In</strong>dependent & LBC Radio<br />
“<strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong>: a cheeky, well-written series<br />
of guidebooks.”<br />
The New York Times<br />
“Most of the traditional guidebook companies<br />
now have decent websites, with plenty of advice<br />
and information either freely available or<br />
downloadable for a fee, but inyourpocket.com<br />
is also well worth a browse. Concentrating on<br />
both well-known and more offbeat European<br />
destinations, its free downloadable city and<br />
country guides are compiled by locals and<br />
regularly updated.”<br />
The <strong>In</strong>dependent<br />
“The secret of the <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> guides is that,<br />
unlike many expensive travel guides, they are<br />
written by native English speakers living in the<br />
city they are writing about.”<br />
The Irish Times<br />
“With so many European cities now within easy<br />
range, this website is a (literally) priceless first<br />
stop before your holiday. The guides are free<br />
to download and print off as pdfs and have<br />
information on where to eat and stay and what<br />
to see on European city breaks.”<br />
The Times<br />
“<strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> guides are each written by an<br />
English language writer who lives locally. All<br />
information is also available on the publisher’s<br />
website.”<br />
Sueddeutsche Zeitung<br />
“The <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> series of guide booklets<br />
have turned out to be highly useful in avoiding<br />
tourist traps and other travel hazards. They have<br />
become a European publishing phenomenon.”<br />
<strong>In</strong>ternational Herald Tribune<br />
Laundrettes<br />
Wasbar B-4, Nederkouter 109, tel. (+32) 485 42 34 32,<br />
info@wasbar.be, www.wasbar.be. Looking for a laundrette,<br />
music venue and lunchroom combined? Seek no more, this is<br />
your place: you can check your mails, while sipping a glass of<br />
cava, while André, the name of your washing machine, is doing<br />
his very best producing clean clothes and Josephine, the name<br />
of the dryer, is doing her best drying your clothes. Nice brunch<br />
on Sunday morning. QOpen Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 10:00 - 22:00,<br />
Sat, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. JSW<br />
Wassalon B-5, Overpoortstraat 20, tel. (+32) 922 12<br />
787, willy.vandenheede@skynet.be. Self-service washing<br />
machines and dryers, which are primarily used by the students<br />
living in the neighbourhood. Using a washing machine costs<br />
€4, cash only. QOpen 09:00 - 20:45.<br />
Libraries<br />
Bibliotheek Mariakerke Trekweg 1, tel. (+32) 922<br />
79 195, mariakerke.bib@gent.be. QOpen Mon, Thu<br />
16:00 - 19:00, Wed 14:00 - 17:00, Sat 10:00 - 12:00. Closed<br />
Tue, Fri, Sun. W<br />
Bibliotheek Watersportbaan Neermeerskaai 2,<br />
tel. (+32) 922 08 934, watersportbaan.bib@gent.be.<br />
QOpen Mon 16:00 - 19:00, Thu 14:00 - 17:00, Sat 10:00 -<br />
12:00. Closed Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun. W<br />
Gent Public Library - Gentbrugge Sint-Simonstraat<br />
41, tel. (+32) 923 04 413, gentbrugge.bib@gent.be.<br />
QOpen Mon, Thu 16:00 - 19:00, Wed 14:00 - 17:00, Sat<br />
10:00 - 12:00. Closed Tue, Fri, Sun. W<br />
Photo services<br />
Piet De Kersgieter Hamerstraat 122, tel. (+32) 485 13<br />
43 06, www.pietdekersgieter.be.<br />
Wolf en Wolf Francisco Ferrerlaan 40, tel. (+32) 922<br />
79 083, info@wolfsite.be, www.wolfsite.be.<br />
Sports<br />
Boat rental<br />
MBC Minerva Boat Company Lindelei 2A, tel.<br />
(+32) 923 37 917, www.minervaboten.be.<br />
Bowling<br />
Overpoort Bowl B-5, Overpoortstraat 38, tel.<br />
(+32) 922 42 418, info@overpoortbowl.be, www.<br />
overpoortbowl.be. A game of bowling at this student<br />
hang out costs €2.50 per person on weekday afternoons.<br />
After 19:00 and during the weekend the price is €3.50<br />
per person per game. QOpen 10:00 - 02:00, Sat, Sun<br />
14:00 - 02:00. GBX<br />
Fitness & Gyms<br />
Basic-Fit Gent Dampoort Dendermondsesteenweg<br />
23, tel. (+32) 702 22 351, info@basic-fit.be.<br />
AL<br />
HealthCity Gent Korenmarkt Korenmarkt 2,<br />
tel. (+32) 923 32 775, svandevyver@healthcity.<br />
be. A<br />
HealthCity Gent Zuiderlaan Zuiderlaan 4, tel.<br />
(+32) 924 37 530, gent@healthcity.be. AL<br />
Yogatimes Grondwetlaan 22, tel. (+32) 486 86 70<br />
10, yogatimes@telenet.be.<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
54 street register<br />
Abeelstraat C3/D3<br />
Abrahamstraat A2/B2<br />
Academiestraat B1<br />
Achterleie B1/C1<br />
Achtervisserij D3/D5<br />
Ackermanstraat Frans C3<br />
Adalwinstraat D2/D3<br />
Afrikalaan D1<br />
Ajuinlei B3<br />
Akkerstraat A2<br />
Alpacastraat C4<br />
Annonciadenstraat A3<br />
Anseeleplein Edward B1/C2<br />
Antheunisstraat Karel C4/D4<br />
Antwerpenplein D2<br />
Antwerpsesteenweg D2<br />
Apostelhuizen C3/D3<br />
Apotheekstraat B4<br />
Appelbrugparkje B2<br />
Augustijnenkaai B1<br />
Baaisteeg C2<br />
Bachtenwalle A1<br />
Baertsoenkaai Albert B4<br />
Ballenstraat B2<br />
Barrestraat C2/C3<br />
Basseveldestraat A1<br />
Bastionstraat D2<br />
Baudelokaai C1/C2<br />
Baudelostraat C1/C2<br />
Bauwensplein Lieven C3<br />
Baviaanstraat B1<br />
Beersteeg Willem de C1<br />
Begijnengracht A2<br />
Begijnhofdries A2<br />
Begijnhoflaan A1/A2<br />
Belfortstraat B2/C2<br />
Belgradostraat C3<br />
Bellemansstraat A1<br />
Bennesteeg B3<br />
Berouw C1<br />
Beverhoutplein C2<br />
Bibliotheekstraat C1/C2<br />
Biezekapelstraat C2/C3<br />
Bij sint-Jacobs C2<br />
Bij sint-Jozef A1<br />
Bijlokehof A4<br />
Bijlokestraat A4<br />
Bijlokevest A3/A4<br />
Bisdomkaai C2/C3<br />
Bisdomplein C3<br />
Blekerijstraat C1<br />
Blekersdijk C1/C2<br />
Blindeken A2<br />
Boeksteeg B3<br />
Bomastraat C1<br />
Bonifantenstraat A2<br />
Bonteleeuwstraat B3<br />
Boonenstraat Edmond A2<br />
Borreputsteeg B3/C3<br />
Boterdaelestraat<br />
Jan-Baptist A4<br />
Botermanstraat Jan A2/B2<br />
Botermarkt B2<br />
Brabantdam C3<br />
Braderijstraat B2<br />
Brandstraat A3<br />
Brandweerstraat B1<br />
Braunplein Emile B2<br />
Breydelstraat Jan B2<br />
Brioolstraat A3<br />
Brouwersstraat A2<br />
Brugsepoortstraat A2<br />
Brusselsepoortstraat D4/D5<br />
Bruyckerdreef Jules de C4/D5<br />
Buitenhof D2<br />
Burgstraat A2/B2<br />
Casinoplein A3<br />
Cataloniëstraat B2<br />
Churchillplein Winston B1<br />
Conduitsteeg B3<br />
Coppinssteeg Gillis B1/C1<br />
Coppinsstraat Gillis C1<br />
Corduwaniersstraat B2<br />
Coupure links A3/B4<br />
Coupure rechts A3/B4<br />
Creesersweg A1<br />
Daisnestraat Johan A3<br />
Dampoort D2<br />
Dampoortbrug D2<br />
Dampoortstraat C2/D2<br />
Dendermondsesteenweg<br />
D2/D3<br />
Destanbergstraat napoleon<br />
B3/B4<br />
Dobbelslot B1<br />
Dodoensdreef Rembert C2<br />
Dok-zuid D1/D2<br />
Donkersteeg B2<br />
Doornsteeg C2/C3<br />
Drabstraat B2<br />
Drietorekensstraat A1<br />
Drongenhof B1<br />
Duivelhof Geraard de C3<br />
Duivelsteeg C2<br />
Duivelstraat Geraard de C3<br />
Eendrachtstraat D3<br />
Erpelsteeg C2<br />
Fiévéstraat Désiré C1/D1<br />
Fonteyneputpleintje A2<br />
Forelstraat D4<br />
Frankrijkplein C4<br />
Fratersplein B1<br />
Galgenberg A3<br />
Gandastraat D2/D3<br />
Garensteeg B2/C2<br />
Geldmunt B1/B2<br />
Gelukstraat C1<br />
Gerststraat A1/B1<br />
Gesweinstraat Mathias A2<br />
Gewad B2<br />
Geyterstraat Pierre de B1/C1<br />
Gildestraat C2<br />
Glazenstraatje C3<br />
Godshuishammeke C1<br />
Godshuizenlaan A4/A5<br />
Goudenleeuwplein B2<br />
Goudstraat C1<br />
Gouvernementstraat C3<br />
Graaf vlaanderenplein C4<br />
Grasbrug B2<br />
Graslei B2<br />
Grauwpoort B1<br />
Griendeplein A1<br />
Groenbrugstraat C1<br />
Groene ooie D4<br />
Groenebriel B1<br />
Groentenmarkt B2<br />
Groot-Brittanniëlaan A4/A5<br />
Grootkanonplein B2<br />
Grote huidevettershoek C3<br />
Gruuthuusestraat B2<br />
Guinardstraat Jan-Baptist B4<br />
Guldenspoorstraat C4<br />
Hagelandkaai D2<br />
Ham C1/C2<br />
Handelsdok D1<br />
Haringsteeg B2<br />
Haven 120-130 D1/D2<br />
Haven 135-135 D1<br />
Haven 140-190 D1<br />
Haven 70-115 D1/D2<br />
Hazewindstraatje B2<br />
Heernislaan D3<br />
Heilig-sacramentstraat B3<br />
Heilige-geeststraat B2/B3<br />
Henegouwenstraat B3/C3<br />
Hertogstraat B2<br />
Hoefslagstraatje B2<br />
Hof fiennes B2<br />
Hof ten walle A1<br />
Holstraat A2/A3<br />
Hoofdkerkstraat C3<br />
Hoogpoort B2/C2<br />
Hoogstraat A2<br />
Hooiaard B2<br />
Hoornstraat B3<br />
Hospitaalstraat B4<br />
Houtbriel C2<br />
Huidevetterken C1<br />
Huidevetterskaai C1<br />
Iepensteeg A4<br />
Iepenstraat A3/A4<br />
Ijkmeesterstraat C2<br />
<strong>In</strong>gelandgat B2/B3<br />
Jakobijnenstraat B3<br />
Jeruzalemstraat B4<br />
Jodenstraat C3<br />
Johannastraat Gravin A1/A2<br />
Jongenstragel D3/D4<br />
Joremaaie C2<br />
Jozef II-straat A1<br />
Kaatsspelplein B1<br />
Kalandeberg B3<br />
Kalandestraat B3<br />
Kalvermarkt C2<br />
Kalversteeg B1/B2<br />
Kammerstraat C2<br />
Kapelaanstraat D2<br />
Kapittelstraat C2/C3<br />
Kapucijnenham C3<br />
Karelstraat Keizer C2/D3<br />
Karmelietenstraat B2<br />
Karperstraat D4<br />
Karrenstraat A3<br />
Kartuizerlaan B1/C1<br />
Kasteellaan D2/D3<br />
Kasterbant D3<br />
Kazemattenstraat D2<br />
Ketelbrug B3<br />
Ketelpoort B3<br />
Ketelvest B3/C3<br />
Keviestraat C4<br />
Keyserestraat Pieter de C2/C3<br />
Klaproosstraat C4<br />
Klein raamhof A2<br />
Klein turkije B2<br />
Kleindokkaai D1/D2<br />
Kleine vismarkt B2<br />
Kleinvleeshuissteeg B3/C3<br />
Kluizenaarstraat A1<br />
Kluyskensstraat Jozef A4/B4<br />
Koepoortkaai C3/D3<br />
Koestraat B3/C3<br />
Kogelstraat D1/D2<br />
Kolveniersgang A1<br />
Komijnstraat A2<br />
Kongostraat C1<br />
Koningstraat C2<br />
Koolsteeg A2<br />
Koophandelsplein B3<br />
Koopvaardijlaan D1/D2<br />
Koperstraat A3<br />
Korenlei B2<br />
Korenmarkt B2<br />
Korianderstraat C3/C4<br />
Korte kruisstraat B3<br />
Korte meer B3<br />
Kortedagsteeg C3<br />
Kortemunt B2<br />
Kouter B3<br />
Kouterdreef B3<br />
Koutersteeg B3<br />
Kozijntjesstraat C3<br />
Kraankindersstraat C1/D1<br />
Kraanlei B2<br />
Kreeftstraat D4<br />
Krommenelleboog A3<br />
Krommewal B1/C1<br />
Krommewalbrug B1<br />
Kruideniersstraat C2<br />
Kuiperskaai C3/C4<br />
Kuipgat B3<br />
Kwaadham C2<br />
Lammensstraat Hippoliet A1/A2<br />
Lammerstraat C4<br />
Land waaslaan D2<br />
Lange Boomgaardstraat C3<br />
Lange kruisstraat B3<br />
Lange schipgracht B1<br />
Lange steenstraat B1<br />
Lange violettestraat C3/D4<br />
Langemunt B2<br />
Langhalsstraat C4<br />
Laurentplein François C3<br />
Leopoldstraat Keizer C2/D2<br />
Lievebrug B1<br />
Lievekaai B1/B2<br />
Lievestraat B1<br />
Limburgstraat B3/C3<br />
Lindenlei B3/B4<br />
Lippensplein Hippoliet C3<br />
Lousbergbrug D3<br />
Lousbergskaai Ferdinand D3/D5<br />
Lovelingstraat Gezusters B4<br />
Lozevisserstraat D4<br />
Luxemburgstraat A2<br />
Maagdestraat A3<br />
Maaseikstraat C3<br />
Mageleinstraat B2/B3<br />
Magnelstraat Gustaaf B4<br />
Marcellisbrug C4<br />
Maria Theresiastraat A1<br />
Marialand A2/A3<br />
Martelaarslaan A4<br />
Mattestraat Jonkvrouw A3/B3<br />
Meelstraat A1/B1<br />
Meerseniersstraat B2<br />
Metselaarsstraat D1<br />
Minnemeers C1<br />
Minnemeersbrug C1<br />
Mirabellostraat Simon de A1/A2<br />
Mirystraat karel C1<br />
Moestuinstraat C1<br />
Molenaarsstraat A1/B1<br />
Munichstraat Lucas D2<br />
Nederkouter B3/B4<br />
Nederkwaadham C2/C3<br />
Nederpolder C2/C3<br />
Nieuwbrugkaai C2<br />
Nieuwebosstraat D3/D4<br />
Nieuwenbosbrug D4<br />
Nieuwland C1<br />
Nieuwpoort C2<br />
Nodenaysteeg B3<br />
Nonnemeersstraat A4/A5<br />
Notarisstraat C3<br />
Offerlaan A4<br />
Okkernootsteeg B3<br />
Oktrooiplein D2<br />
Oliestraat C2<br />
Onderbergen B3<br />
Onderstraat B2/C2<br />
Ooilamstraat D3<br />
Oostenrijkersstraat D2<br />
Opgeëistenlaan A1<br />
Oranjeberg B3/C3<br />
Ossenstraat D3<br />
Ottogracht C1/C2<br />
Oudburg B1/B2<br />
Oude Beestenmarkt C2<br />
Oude Houtlei A2/A3<br />
Oude Schaapmarkt C2<br />
Oudescheldestraat C3/C4<br />
Oudevest C1<br />
Paardestraat D3<br />
Paddenhoek B3<br />
Pakhuisstraat B2<br />
Palfijnstraat Jan C2<br />
Papegaaistraat A3<br />
Paradijszak B2<br />
Pasteurlaan Louis A4<br />
Pauwbrug Napoleon de D2<br />
Pekelharing A3/B3<br />
Pelikaanstraat C3<br />
Penitentenstraat C1/C2<br />
Pensmarkt B2<br />
Peperstraat A2<br />
Perkamentstraat B2<br />
Pijndersstraat D1/D2<br />
Pilorijnstraat D2<br />
Platteberg C3/C4<br />
Plotersgracht B1/B2<br />
Pluimstraat A1/B1<br />
Poel A2/B2<br />
Poeljemarkt B2<br />
Posteernestraat A3/B3<br />
Predikherenbrug B3<br />
Predikherenlei B2/B3<br />
Prinsenhof A1/B2<br />
Prinsenhofplein A1<br />
Prooststraat D2<br />
Provenierstersstraat A2<br />
Puinstraat D3<br />
Pussemierstraat A3/B3<br />
Rabotstraat A1/A2<br />
Raffinaderijstraatje B2<br />
Ramen A2<br />
Rasphuisstraat A2<br />
Ravensteinstraat B2<br />
Recolettenbrug B3<br />
Recollettenlei B3<br />
Reep C2/C3<br />
Regattenlaan C1/D1<br />
Reke C1/C2<br />
Rekelingestraat B2<br />
Ridderstraat C2<br />
Rodekoningstraat B1/B2<br />
Rodelijvekensstraat B1<br />
Roderoestraat A3/A4<br />
Rodetorenkaai C2/D2<br />
Rokerelsstraat A4<br />
Rommelwaterpark D3<br />
Rozemarijnbrug A3<br />
Rozemarijnstraat A3<br />
Rteveldestraat Filips A D3<br />
Saghermansstraat C3<br />
Sanderswal A1<br />
Savaanstraat B3/B4<br />
Schepenenvijverstraat C3/C4<br />
Schepenhuisstraat B2<br />
Schoenlapperstraat B2<br />
Schoolkaai D2<br />
Schouwburgstraat B3<br />
Schouwvegersstraat A3<br />
Schuddeveestraatje B2<br />
Schuddevisstraatje B2<br />
Schuurkenstraat B2/B3<br />
Seminariestraat C3<br />
Serafijnstraat D1<br />
Serpentstraat B2/C2<br />
Sint-Agnetestraat B4<br />
Sint-Amelbergastraat C2<br />
Sint-Annaplein C3/D3<br />
Sint-Antoniuskaai A1/B1<br />
Sint-Baafsdorp D2/D3<br />
Sint-Baafsplein B2/C3<br />
Sint-Baafssteeg B3<br />
Sint-Baafsstraat B3<br />
Sint-Barbarastraat B3/B4<br />
Sint-Crispijnstraat B3<br />
Sint-Elisabethplein A2<br />
Sint-Hubertusstraat B4<br />
Sint-Jacobsnieuwstraat C2<br />
Sint-Jansdreef C2<br />
Sint-Jansvest C3<br />
Sint-Jorisbrug C2<br />
Sint-Joriskaai C2<br />
Sint-Katelijnestraat C1<br />
Sint-Kristoffelstraat C3<br />
Sint-Kwintensberg B4<br />
Sint-Liesbetsteeg B4<br />
Sint-Lievenspoortstraat D4/D6<br />
Sint-Machariusstraat D2<br />
Sint-Margrietstraat B1<br />
Sint-Martensstraat A3/B3<br />
Sint-Michielshelling B2<br />
Sint-Michielsplein B2/B3<br />
Sint-Michielsstraat A2/B2<br />
Sint-Niklaasstraat B2/B3<br />
Sint-Veerleplein B2<br />
Sint-Vincentiusplein B1<br />
Sint-Widostraat B2<br />
Slachthuisbrug D3<br />
Slachthuisstraat D3<br />
Sleepstraat B1/C1<br />
Sluizeken B1<br />
Sluizekenkaai B1<br />
Sluizekenstraat B1<br />
Smetstraat Gebroeders de A1<br />
Snoekstraat D4<br />
Spaanskasteelplein D2<br />
Spanjaardstraat D2<br />
Speldenstraat C1<br />
Spijkeboorstraat C1<br />
Spijkstraat D1/D2<br />
Spitaalpoortstraat D1<br />
St.-Antoniusbrug A1<br />
Stadhuissteeg B2<br />
Stapelplein D1<br />
Steendam C2<br />
Stierstraat D2<br />
Stoofstraat B3<br />
Stoppelstraat A3/A4<br />
Straatje Oliveten A2<br />
Straatje Zonder Einde B2<br />
Struifstraat A3<br />
Stuk 't C3/D3<br />
Stukwerkersstraat D2<br />
Tarbotstraat D4<br />
Tarwestraat A1/B1<br />
Tavernierstraat Frans B3/B4<br />
Tellstraat Willem B4<br />
Tempelhof B1<br />
Theresianenstraat A2/A3<br />
Tichelrei B1<br />
Tiebaertsteeg B4<br />
Tinnenpotstraat B1/B2<br />
Tolhuislaan B1<br />
Tongstraat D4<br />
Triomfstraat A1<br />
Trommelstraat B1<br />
Tussen 't pas C2<br />
Twaalfkameren A3<br />
Tweebruggenstraat D3/D4<br />
Twijndersstraat C1/C2<br />
Universiteitstraat B3<br />
Ursulinenstraat C2<br />
Van Akenstraat Sophie A1/A2<br />
Van Caeneghemstraat Jakob C1<br />
Van Cleeflaan Filips A1<br />
Van Eyckstraat Gebroeders C3<br />
Van Gentstraat Jan D2<br />
Van Malestraat Lodewijk A1<br />
Van Stopenberghestraat Jan B2<br />
Van Wittenberghestraat<br />
Hector A1<br />
Vanderdoncktdoorgang<br />
Pieter C3/C4<br />
Vandeveldestraat<br />
Gebroeders A3/B3<br />
Varkensstraat A1<br />
Veergrep B4<br />
Veerkaai C2/D3<br />
Veermanplein C2<br />
Veldstraat B2/B3<br />
Verlorenkost B4<br />
Verlorenkostbrug B4<br />
Verspeyenstraat Jan A1<br />
Vigneplein Julius de C3/D3<br />
Visserij D3/D5<br />
Vlaanderenstraat C3/C4<br />
Vlasmarkt C2<br />
Vleeshuisbrug B2<br />
Vleeshuistragel B2<br />
Vogelmarkt B3/C3<br />
Voldersstraat B3<br />
Volmolenstraat C2<br />
Voorhoutkaai D2/D3<br />
Vrijdagmarkt B2/C2<br />
Vrouwebroersstraat B1/B2<br />
Waaistraat B2<br />
Waalsekrook C3/C4<br />
Waarschootstraat A4<br />
Walpoortbrug C3<br />
Walpoortstraat C3/C4<br />
Warandestraat D1/D2<br />
Watergraafstraat A2/A3<br />
Watermolenstraat C3<br />
Weertstraat Maurice de A4<br />
Wellingstraat A3<br />
Werregarenstraat B2<br />
Wijngaardstraat B3/B4<br />
Wijzemanstraat C2<br />
Wilderoosstraat A3/B3<br />
Wilsonplein Woodrow C4<br />
Winnestraat Lieven de A3/A4<br />
Wispelbergstraat A3<br />
Wolfstraat C2<br />
Wondelgemstraat A1<br />
Zalmstraat D4<br />
Zandberg C2<br />
Zandpoortstraat A3/B3<br />
Zeugsteeg B2<br />
Zilverenberg C2<br />
Zilverhof A1/B1<br />
Zonder-naamstraat D1/D2<br />
Zonnestraat B3<br />
Zoutstraat B4<br />
Zuidstationstraat C3/C4<br />
Zuivelbrug B2<br />
Zuivelbrugstraat B2<br />
Zwaanstraat B1<br />
Zwaardsteeg C3<br />
Zwartekatstraat A2<br />
Zwartezustersstraat A3/B3<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
58 index<br />
A Food Affair 26<br />
Achter de Maan 48<br />
Amadeus 27<br />
Antiek Depot 45<br />
Aparthotel Castelnou 23<br />
Aperto Chiuso 28<br />
Apotheek Reep 51<br />
Apotheek Van Gansbeke 51<br />
Argenvino 24<br />
Arts centre Vooruit 16<br />
Aspendos 30<br />
Audivox 45<br />
Australian Homemade 32<br />
Avalon 30<br />
Avis 7<br />
AZ Sint Lucas 51<br />
Balls & Glory 33<br />
Barista 32<br />
Basic-Fit Gent Dampoort 52<br />
Baudelopark 44<br />
B&B Brooderie 23<br />
B&B De Waterzooi 23<br />
B&B Engelen aan de<br />
Waterkant 23<br />
B&B Simon Says 23<br />
Beauty Queen 51<br />
Belartisan 46<br />
Belga Queen 24<br />
Bernard Junior 46<br />
Best Western Hotel<br />
Chamade 21<br />
Best Western Residence Hotel<br />
Cour St Georges 21<br />
Bibliotheek Mariakerke 52<br />
Bibliotheek Watersportbaan 52<br />
Bietini Design 50<br />
bij'De Vieze Gasten 17<br />
Bijhuis 48<br />
Blaarmeersen Sport and<br />
Recreation Park 44<br />
Boekentoren 41<br />
Boxy 46<br />
Brasserie Ha' 24<br />
Brasserie Pakhuis 26<br />
Brewery Gruut 36<br />
Bridge Portus Ganda 41<br />
BriteSmile Specialist<br />
Curesthetics.be Tandarts Suda<br />
Marleen 51<br />
Brussels Airport 6<br />
Brussels Charleroi Airport 6<br />
Burkelbloem 45<br />
Café Afsnis 35<br />
Café Costume 46<br />
Café De Loge 14<br />
Café den Turk 35<br />
Café Jan van Gent 35<br />
Café Labath 33<br />
Cafe Rene 27<br />
Café Video 15<br />
Campanile Hotel Gent 22<br />
Campo 17<br />
Candela Verlichting 50<br />
Capitole 17<br />
Carlton 21<br />
Carmelite Monastery 40<br />
Castle of the Counts 38<br />
Catwalk 50<br />
Central Africa 10<br />
Citadelpark 44<br />
Club Reserva 15<br />
Coiffure Rassahaert & zoon 51<br />
Cream 46<br />
CR Taxi 7<br />
Cube 47<br />
Cuisine OuVerte 30<br />
Cut Paste&Paint 51<br />
Charlatan 15<br />
Charme Hancelot Hotel 20<br />
Chocolaterie Van Hoorebeke 50<br />
De 3 Biggetjes 26<br />
De Appelier 30<br />
De Belleman 35<br />
De Bijloke 14<br />
De Brug 29<br />
De Cliént 51<br />
De Frietketel 25<br />
De Graslei 27<br />
De Ligfiets 7<br />
Den Hoek Af 32<br />
De Poort Croissanterie 33<br />
Design 7 45<br />
De Spinnekop 35<br />
De Stokerij 24<br />
De Tempelier 24<br />
DOK 15<br />
Domestica 26<br />
Don y Doña 51<br />
Dosha 51<br />
Dreupelkot 35<br />
Eat Love 28<br />
Elisa Lee - Glasjuweel 49<br />
Elle et Gand 47<br />
Eurolines 7<br />
Europabank 51<br />
Europahotel 21<br />
Eva Bos 47<br />
Faja Lobi 29<br />
Flanders Expo 14<br />
Flower Market 49<br />
Fortlaan 17 14<br />
Gallery Tatjana Pieters 14<br />
Garden of St Peter's Abbey 44<br />
Gelateria Ferrara 32<br />
General Practitioner 51<br />
Gent Public Library -<br />
Gentbrugge 52<br />
Geus van Gent 35<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> Marriott Hotel 20<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> River Hotel 21<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> Tourist Office 5<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> University Hospital 51<br />
Gino's Hairclub 51<br />
Godot 26<br />
Graslei 38<br />
Great Beguinage 38<br />
Guesthouse PPP 23<br />
Gwenola 33<br />
Hadhi 50<br />
Handelsbeurs 14<br />
HealthCity Gent Korenmarkt 52<br />
HealthCity Gent Zuiderlaan 52<br />
Herberg De Dulle Griet 35<br />
Hertz 7<br />
Het Archief 45<br />
Het Hinkelspel 46<br />
Het Leescafé 33<br />
Het Salon 33<br />
Het Spijker 36<br />
Het Trefpunt 36<br />
Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant 36<br />
Hof van Ryhove 41<br />
Hogar Español 29<br />
Holiday <strong>In</strong>n Express Gent 22<br />
Holiday <strong>In</strong>n Gent Expo 21<br />
Hot Club de Gand 15, 37<br />
Hotel Adoma 21<br />
Hotel Astoria Gent 21<br />
Hotel de Flandre 22<br />
Hotel d'Hane-Steenhuyse 39<br />
Hotel Gravensteen 22<br />
Hotel Harmony 20<br />
Hotel Onderbergen 22<br />
Hotsy Totsy 15, 37<br />
Huis van Alijn 42<br />
Huiszwaluw 48<br />
Huize Colette 32<br />
Humør 47<br />
Ibis Gent Centrum Opera 22<br />
Ibis St. Baafs Kathedraal 22<br />
Ikurasushi 29<br />
Il Mezzogiorno 28<br />
Imagine 50<br />
ING Bank 51<br />
<strong>In</strong>tercultural centre De<br />
Centrale 17<br />
Jacquet 34<br />
Jazz Café Damberd 37<br />
J.e.F. 27<br />
Jeugdherberg De Draecke 23<br />
Jigger's 36<br />
Joost Arijs 50<br />
Jos 36<br />
Julie's House 32<br />
Kaaiman 36<br />
Keizerpark 44<br />
Kelim Gent 48<br />
Kinepolis 14<br />
Kinky Star 15, 35<br />
Kollektie Eva-Stoffen<br />
Janssens 47<br />
Komkommertijd 30<br />
Kopergietery 18<br />
Korenlei Twee 27<br />
Krat 48<br />
Kunsthal Sint-Pietersabdij 42<br />
La Casa del Cubano 26<br />
La Fille d'O 47<br />
La Malcontenta 29<br />
La Resistenza 15, 35<br />
Le Baan Thaï 29<br />
Le Bar Depot, Bistro &<br />
Brocante 33<br />
Lekker Gec 30<br />
Lepelblad 25<br />
Les Filles et Les Chiens 47<br />
Limerick 45<br />
Limonada 36<br />
Lineos 49<br />
Maaike Kleedt 47<br />
Martino 25<br />
Masons' Guild Hall 39<br />
Max Mobiel 7<br />
MBC Minerva Boat Company 52<br />
McDonald's 28<br />
Mekka 46<br />
MidiSud 23<br />
Mieke 47<br />
Minard Theater 18<br />
Minerva Watertaxi 7<br />
Minor Swing 15, 37<br />
Mis-en-plis 48<br />
Misterioso 37<br />
Mobile Liquor Store 46<br />
Modesalon Seraphine 48<br />
Mokabon 32<br />
Monasterium PoortAckere 22<br />
Mondada 27<br />
Moochie 32<br />
Mosquito Coast 37<br />
Mub'art 34<br />
Multatuli 28<br />
Museum Arnold Vander<br />
Haeghen 42<br />
Museum dr. Guislain 42<br />
Museum of Fine Arts 43<br />
Museum of the History of<br />
Medicine 43<br />
Music Zombi 49<br />
Nature reserve Bourgoyen-<br />
Ossemeersen 44<br />
Nebula B&B 23<br />
Nenuphar 30<br />
NH Gent Belfort 20<br />
NH Gent Sint Pieters 20<br />
Nonno 32<br />
Novotel Gent Centrum 20<br />
NTGent 19<br />
Obius 50<br />
Old Fashioned 36<br />
Onderbergen 37 23<br />
OR 33<br />
Oud Huis Himschoot 34<br />
Overpoort Bowl 37<br />
Oxfam wereldwinkel 50<br />
Paard Van Troje Bookshop 45<br />
Parkhotel 20<br />
Patyntje 25<br />
Petit Bazaars 48<br />
Phulkari 49<br />
Piet De Kersgieter 52<br />
Polé Polé Café 36<br />
Poppi Cocktail & Lounge bar 37<br />
Postkantoor Gent Centrum 8<br />
Prinsenhof 41<br />
Rabot 41<br />
Rewind 48<br />
Rococo 36<br />
Rouge et noir 48<br />
Sandton Grand Hotel Reylof 20<br />
Sauna Aqua Azul 51<br />
Sauna Raj 51<br />
Second hand book market 49<br />
SG Bank De Maertelaere 51<br />
Simon Lévelt 50<br />
Simon Says 34<br />
S.M.A.K. Municipal Museum of<br />
Contemporary Art 43<br />
Small Beguinage 41<br />
Snack Tosi 28<br />
Snooz<strong>In</strong>n 23<br />
Sorelle 26<br />
Sphinx Cinema 14<br />
STAMcafe 34<br />
STAM - City Museum <strong>Ghent</strong> 43<br />
St Anne's Church 40<br />
Steendam 66 26<br />
St. James' Church 40<br />
St Michael's Church 40<br />
Studio Skoop 14<br />
Subway 28<br />
Suite 48<br />
Sushi-food 29<br />
Sushi Palace 29<br />
Tandarts G. Decarnière 51<br />
Tasty World 30<br />
Temmerman 50<br />
't Gents Fonduehuisje 27<br />
The Aula Academica 39<br />
The Belfry 38<br />
The Castle of Gerald the Devil 39<br />
The Episcopal Palace 39<br />
The Fallen Angels 48<br />
The Little Toll House 39<br />
The World of KINA 44<br />
Tierenteyn-Verlent 46, 50<br />
Timmermans 1845 50<br />
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen 5<br />
't Oud Klooster 28<br />
Touché 50<br />
Town Hall 38<br />
Trattoria della mamma 46<br />
Trefpunt 15<br />
't Toreken 39<br />
Twiggy 50<br />
Uitbureau 19<br />
Ventura 34<br />
Villa Bardon 28<br />
Vita Shop 51<br />
Vlaamse Opera 13<br />
Vooruit 34<br />
Vrijdagmarkt 49<br />
V-Tax 7<br />
Walry 45<br />
Warempel 31<br />
Wasbar 52<br />
Wassalon 52<br />
Werregarenstraat 41<br />
White Cat 16<br />
Wolf en Wolf 52<br />
Y&D kapper 51<br />
Yogatimes 52<br />
Yuzu 50<br />
Zahia 49<br />
Zebrastraat 14<br />
Zoot 48<br />
Zwembad Van Eyck 40<br />
<strong>Ghent</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Pocket</strong> ghent.inyourpocket.com
17 95<br />
nenuphar<br />
restaurant nenuphar<br />
With lovely waterfront terrace! Open 7/7!<br />
Afsneedorp 28, 9051 Afsnee (Gent) - T 09 221 22 32<br />
info@restaurant-nenuphar.be - www.restaurant-nenuphar.be