If you’re looking for an ultra-stylish brasserie for a memorable meal in Ghent, Belga Queen should be top of your list.
Designed by bon viveur Antoine Pinto, Belga Queen is a high-end hot spot, located in a former 13th century grain storehouse on the Graslei canal, just three minutes walk from where I was staying at Marriott Ghent.
Described as a ‘Belgian Wonderfood Place’, Belga Queen serves contemporary Belgian dishes using locally sourced ingredients, many featuring beer.
The restaurant
Belga Queen is a real dining destination set over three floors with variety of casual and more formal spaces including a brasserie, cafe, restaurant, club bar and terrace.
The imposing stone building with wooden beams and authentic features has been given a modern twist with touches of chrome, plush leather chairs and cool statement lighting. Add to that lashing of black and gold and Belga Queen signature crockery and you have one swish restaurant.
The terrace
The terrace at Belga Queen occupies a perfect spot right on the buzzing Graslei and is the place to be spotted in Ghent. In the summer, it’s the perfect place to spend a few hours, enjoying good food and wine.
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The dishes
I started with a chilled tomato parfait with a rocket and parmegiano reggiano salad, basil-infused crumbs and a warm basil soup.
The tomato was refreshing and went well with the rocket and the thick creamy soup was an interesting, delicious after-thought.
This was followed by Belgian Charolais tenderloin with an Orval sauce (a kind of béarnaise sauce made with Belgian beer) and a cone of Belga Queen fries.
The steak was tender and juicy, cooked perfectly medium, and came with sautéed mushrooms and hot, crispy slim fries. It was perhaps a little heavy on the mushrooms, but there was also a generous amount of steak, which I struggled to finish.
We finished with a Café Gourmand featuring five mini desserts. I loved the praline cake with chocolate ganache and another highlight was the Cuberdon – a blackcurrant sweet local to Ghent, that’s hard on the outside and gooey in the middle.
Instead of coffee, I had a fresh mint tea, which came in a glass teapot and was the perfect end to the meal.
Belga Queen is all about indulgence and the high glamour dining experience, so you’ll need a hefty travel budget to dine there, but the food won’t disappoint.
All photos by Chérie City.
Chérie City was a guest of Belga Queen and Ghent Marriott