After being pretty housebound both because of COVID and some other major health issues over the last year and a half, my wife and I are going to Europe over Christmas. We’ll be in Ghent for Christmas itself, and are trying to find a suitably festive and/or special meal for Christmas day.
Maybe someone here has been, or lives there, and can make some recommendations?
We’ll also be in Amsterdam and Brussels over the trip, and any general recommendations are welcome!
You’re not going to Bruges?
In my opinion, Ghent is even nicer than Bruges. The latter is touristy and a bit of a frozen-in-time, open-air museum. Ghent’s architecture is just as quaintly pretty, even more impressive actually, but in addition, it feels like a real, vibrant and alive city.
My ex worked there for 4 years before she joined our company. She loved the city and took me there a couple of times. We tried various restaurants that she knew and they were all good to excellent. You should definitely go to the Graslei. Not only is it my favourite spot in Ghent, but you’ll find plenty of nice restaurants around.
Good info. I just want to go to Bruges because of the movie, and I want to climb the tower.
Will there be much open on Christmas Day?
Some things are open, some are closed. We have one solid option for Christmas dinner, but are wondering if there’s something less obvious out there.
As far as “why not Bruges”, after doing some research, it seems like Ghent will give a nice combination of local/historic feel along with active city life. We may end up taking the train to Bruges for a day, which seems like a very easy thing to do.
Ghent is a student town, among many other things. It is also significantly bigger than Bruges. As a result, it is much more dynamic and “lived-in”.
I imagine that you have already checked the things you want to do there, but here are my must-sees :
It’s a long time since I played in a chess tournament in Ghent.
I do remember there was a 24-hour cafe (in case of emergency!)
Yeah, this would be me.
A friend who was recently there was very disappointed by Bruges but loved Brussels.
Google Maps tells me it just 46 minutes from Ghent to Bruges. Yeah, I would go climb the tower.
mmm
You can also climb the Ghent Belfry, you don’t have to go to Bruges for that.
But by any means, if you can hop to Bruges too, do so. You’ll get the full experience.
Absolutely! - it’s energetic and fun.
If it was me, I’d be heading off to Amadeus in Plotersgracht to get me a Gentse Waterzooi. Oddly, I recommended this dish on these boards just a couple of weeks ago - it’s a sort of creamy, soupy stew made with either chicken or shellfish. Neither Waterzooi nor Amadeus is exactly fine dining (Amadeus is part of a small chain with several places in Gent and elsewhere); But the Plotersgracht restaurant is friendly, bustling and fun and, hell, you’re in the home of Waterzooi. (Amadeus style themselves The Place For Ribs, and they do (or did - haven’t been since the pandemic) an all-you-can-eat offer; but be warned, these are not Chinese-style barbecue ribs. I wasn’t keen.
I imagine the stalls selling cuberdons will be open. They’re a bit like chunks of Turkish Delight. Of course you should try them, but don’t buy too many to start. I loved my first, and struggled with a second. How can I put this nicely? I find them a bit too much…
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