Bypass the chain stores (of which there are few) in Ghent’s pretty, cobbled old town and you can find the most delightful independent boutiques, gourmet food stores and bookshops.
Read the Chérie City guide to some of the best finds in Ghent…
Rewind Store
I instantly fell in love with Rewind Store, primarily because it has the largest range of Sessun that I’ve ever seen! Rewind is a boutique concept store with an enviable mix of indie womenswear brands, stunning jewellery, vintage gems and lifestyle products such as Byredo fragrances.
Some of the Parisian, Belgian and Scando-cool brands include Filles a Papa, Won Hundred, WYRED, Le Mont St Michel, IRO and Wood Wood. With a sleek new menswear store now open, Rewind is the boutique that surely every fashion fanatic would dream of owning.
Luc Duchêne
This Belgian fashion house does laid-back rock-luxe with plenty of well-cut duffle coats, tweed Chanel-esque jackets, leather leggings and slouchy leather bags.
Bleu, C’est Gris
A fashion institution in Ghent, Bleu C’est Gris offers high end pieces from DSquared2, M Missoni, Patrizia Pepe and Stills. The creative window displays are even archived online.
Lingeriet
Browse through Lingeriet’s rails of cute, girly underwear from Bjorn Borg, Princesse Tam Tam and Calvin Klein in what looks like an old-fashioned hardware store.
Kloskanthuis
The scent of lavender floats around this adorable homewear store that offers hand-made Belgian lace, Flemish soaps and fine linen.
Paard Van troje
Paard Van troje is the bookshop of dreams where you can easily lose a few hours. Paard Van troje is stylish without even trying and is filled with intriguing and academic books that are dying to be read on the canal-side, watching the world go by.
Yuzu For Nicolas Vanaise
Once you’ve tried the obligatory Belgian pralines, visit Yuzu for some weird and wonderful creations by experimental chocolatier, Nicolas Vanaise. Choose from Japanese-Belgian fusion chocolates, macarons, marshmallows and artisan teas.
Sao Paulo Koffie & Thee
Sao Paulo Koffie & Thee is a little corner of Brazil in Belgium, this coffee and tea emporium has everything you need to make a superior brew.
Weyn’s Honig Miel
Weyn’s Honig Miel is a wonderland of all things honey-related. The honey spice cake and honey madeleines looked particularly tempting.
Gusto Vero
Gusto Vero is a gourmet store full of authentic Italian produce on a real foodie street.
For a break from your shopping, stop for a coffee or tea at Pain Perdu and OR Espresso Bar on the very cool Walpoortstraat or Julie’s House in Patershol.
Which is your favourite independent shop in Ghent? Please share your tips below…