The 5 coolest places to eat in Ghent

This striking restaurant is located in the vast turbine hall of a former power station on the edge of the old town. The tiled floor and bare brick walls give the interior a stark industrial look. The chefs work in an open kitchen preparing innovative modern dishes based on fresh ingredients. Get into the mood with a glass of wine in the mezzanine bar overlooking the impressive industrial interior.

The acclaimed chef Kobe Desramaults has created a hip new bakery and restaurant in a quiet back street of Ghent. Opened in 2014, it occupies a former corner store called Superette Edwin. Desramaults has transformed the interior into a striking loft space with rough brick walls, vintage furniture and a wood-burning bread oven. You can pick up a round sourdough loaf at the counter, or sit down for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The kitchen crew produce some inspired cooking, but it is quite pricey.

Located in an old industrial building once used as a taxi garage, this is one of the city’s most exciting new restaurants. Created by the owner of the hotel 1898 The Post, it incorporates rough floors, original mirrors and street art. The chef Gilles Bogaert works in the open kitchen to create innovative dishes based on North Sea fish and fresh organic vegetables. A second restaurant called Upper is located on the floor above, specialising in grilled meat.

This friendly burger bar feels like an American roadside diner. It has big glass windows looking out on a busy traffic intersection and a playlist that favours 1950s songs. The staff are charming and bring glasses of water to the table as soon as you have sat down. The burgers are made with the best meat and served in a metal serving dish along with chunky wedge potatoes. Open most nights until 2 am.

Marcelo Ballardin spent time in Heston Blumenthal’s kitchen before setting up his own restaurant in Ghent in 2014. The young Italian-Brazilian chef has perfected a cooking style that combines innovative ideas with the freshest ingredients. The relaxed modern interior makes the perfect setting for this style of contemporary cooking.