Discover Ghent: these are our favourite hotspots
Ghent is the city where history, conviviality and charm come together. Pillows Hotel Reylof is just a stone's throw from the historic city centre, making it the perfect base for a weekend of cherry-picking. Especially for our guests we searched for the nicest places in the city that you should not, but especially do not want to miss and to which you will return.
Its centuries-old architecture and history grace every street and alley, making casual walks special. But it's not just the history that makes this city so special. Ghent is also a vibrant centre with picturesque canals, cozy markets and plenty of cafes, restaurants and perhaps the best thing about the city: sun-drenched terraces.
Discover the city
With a citycard, you get access to all of Ghent's cultural treasures. You can use this card for public transportation, bicycles, or the water streetcar to get around the city. Or discover Ghent on foot. Stroll through the charming streets, where you'll encounter lots of street art and grand squares along the way, and feel like stepping back in time through the many historic buildings and canals.
Want to see the city at its most beautiful? Then climb the Belfry Tower. At the top you'll have a 360-degree view of Ghent, where you can also see the only remaining medieval castle in Flanders, the Burcht Gravensteen. Also visit the S.M.A.K., the museum for contemporary art.
Delicacies at fresh market CRU
On the same square where the Blue Kiosk is located, you will find fresh market CRU. Here you can taste all kinds of things and even if you don't buy anything, walking through it is an experience. Also the perfect place to find Belgian delicacies to take home.
Oysters and champagne on De Kouter
On De Kouter you will find the Blauwe Kiosk. This chic apero bar serves oysters and champagne all day long. You choose the number of oysters and you have the choice between rosé champagne or a classic champagne that the owner talks about with a lot of sheen. Take a seat at one of the high standing tables and mingle with the people of Ghent who come here weekly for this typically Belgian way of enjoying themselves.
Vintage items at Just Waldo
If you are looking for unique vintage items then Just Waldo is the place to be.
Owners Grécie and Jade select each garment with an eye for detail, carefully check the quality, and assess the fit to ensure that each item feels like new. Here you won't find “fast fashion,” but refined basics with a timeless allure. Think pure materials like 100% wool, silk and cotton, and prestigious brands like Max Mara, Valentino and the ultimate Levi's jeans from the '80s and '90s.
Wine with a story at Wine Bar ONA
Wine bar ONA is a household name in Ghent. Since 2023, a second establishment has been added; one on the Nederkouter and the other wine bar in the Belfortstraat. ONA stands for wine with a message and the team at ONA is happy to explain exactly what you are drinking. The wine bar offers a changing selection of 30 organic wines by the glass. A place where you can always enjoy a new wine with a story.
Lunch at De Parkiet
At De Parkiet you can enjoy a simple but tasty lunch on a small but cozy terrace. You look out over the water where you see the boats filled with tourists passing by. Salads, sandwiches and a good wine list make it more than worthwhile to get a table here.
Bonbons at Tailored Flavours
Belgians love chocolate and so do the people of Ghent. In the city you can find several stores with the most wonderful cakes and chocolates. Tailored Flavours is one of them. In the spacious store you will find a large assortment of the most beautiful and delicious chocolates. You pay per 100 grams but you can also enjoy a cup of coffee here with a few chocolates of your choice. The perfect stopover while shopping for late morning or afternoon.
Brunch at Et Alors
“When it rains in Paris, it drizzles in Brussels and the sun shines brightly in Ghent!” is how the creperie and apero bar describes itself. Et Alors is the perfect place for a romantic brunch in the sun. You'll enjoy classic and unusual cocktails here all day, and there's a choice between sweet and savory dishes. A picture-perfect terrace where you will sit down after a round of walking and not want to leave.
Fine dining at LOF
Restaurant LOF is the fine-dining restaurant at Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof. Unpack here with an evening of fine dining in its purest form led by chef de cuisine Paul de Groote. Respect for the product and refined flavors is what you will experience here. After an extensive dinner you can enjoy a cocktail in LOF Café after which you will be in bed in no time!
Perfume and skincare at Skins
In 2000, Philip Hillige founded Skins together with a childhood friend. A cosmetics concept that shook up the market, by bringing international boutique brands exclusively to the Netherlands for the first time. The name is an ode to the skin, with different shapes, textures, colors and sensitivities. You will find the most beautiful perfumes and products in the Skins store in the heart of Ghent, at Korenmarkt 16.
Brasserie Olivier le Petit Bistro
Fancy a delicious burger or a ravioli with truffle? Then the brasserie at the Pillows hotel in Ghent, Olivier le Petit Bistro, is the place to be. The menu consists of many French dishes but also delicious international classics. The restaurant is cozy and the terrace is perhaps the most beautiful place in the Ghent hotel.
Concept store Agnes & Maurice
Agnes & Maurice is a concept store known for their exclusive and mostly handmade products. You will find clothes by Scandinavian designers such as Ganni and they also sell their own brand, Emely van Impe. They also have a nice collection of interior accessories that are just that little bit different.