Top 5 lunch spots Aalst

1. Friends

This is our number one because we love having lunch in a cozy atmosphere. If you would also like having a brunch or lunch in the coziest spot in Aalst, we can tell you that Friends is the place to be! Nestled in the heart of the city, this charming restaurant has everything you need for a chill break from shopping or a fun outing with friends.

Here’s why we love it:

• Chill Terrace: Soak up the sun on their outdoor terrace. Bonus: if you have children you can bring them along, as the restaurant has a fun playground where the little ones can also have fun! Perfect for a family outing, don't you think?👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Fresh Vibes: Everything on the menu is made with love and fresh ingredients, so we can reassure you about that as well.
• Friendly Atmosphere: The staff here always greets you with a smile, making you feel right at home!🏠
• Something Sweet?: Don’t miss out on their amazing desserts in the afternoon. Tiramisu with Biscoff, anyone?

Our top food picks :

• Pulled Pork Tacos with sweet potato fries and guacamole
• Artisanal Croquettes: Cheese or shrimp? Why don't you try both!
• Avocado Toast for your brunch cravings
• Spaghetti Bolognese or Lasagne if you're in the mood for comfort food just like us most of the time😋
• Treat coffee for the sweet tooth

Pro tip: You can easily reserve a table on their website, and trust us, you’ll want to secure your spot! Check it out here!

Where to find it:
📍 Kattestraat 20, Aalst

Opening hours:

🕗 Monday - Saturday, 8 AM - 5 PM

Don’t wait! Pop by Friends and enjoy the food, fun, and friendly vibes! Come as friends, leave as family.💗

2. LEAF

If you're looking for a stylish lunch spot with a cozy vibe in the heart of Aalst, we can highly recommend LEAF Lounge & Lunge on the Grote Markt! This place is definitly a must-visit for us! it's a modern café that offers the perfect blend of breakfast, lunch, and drinks with a focus on fresh, healthy ingredients.🥗Whether you’re in for a quick coffee or a long brunch, we can speak from experience and tell you that LEAF has got you covered.

Here’s why we love it:

• Healthy & Tasty: LEAF serves up a variety of dishes that are both delicious and nutritious. Think pancakes, salad bowls, and poké bowls, we think it's perfect if you prefer a guilt-free meal.
• Amazing Terrace: We personally love enjoying food with a stunning view of the Belfry of Aalst while relaxing on their lovely terrace. Wouldn't you too?😎
• Vegan & Allergy-Friendly: Really everyone can find something here because of the many vegan🌱options and attention to allergies, so you also don't have to worry about that anymore!

What you have to try:

• Pancakes: Fluffy, delicious, and perfect for a sweet breakfast or brunch.
• Salad Bowls: Loaded with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Poké Bowls: A fan favorite for lunch, packed with flavor.
• Craft Cocktails: Sip one of their signature drinks while enjoying the view!🌅

Location:
📍 Grote Markt 11, 9300 Aalst

Opening Hours:
🕗 Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (closed Sunday and Monday).

For more info or to make a reservation, check out their Instagram page here​ or make a reservation with TableFever.

​Be sure to stop by, as we don’t want you to miss this lunch spot either! Whether you're in for vegan food or just an amazing lunch, LEAF is a must-visit spot for fresh, feel-good food!

3. Mokka 

Looking for a chill spot to grab a coffee or a bite to eat in Aalst? Our favorite place to unwind is Mokka, located in the Passage Pieter van Aelst. This lunchspot is your go-to for a relaxed break, like it is for us. Whether you’re craving a fresh meal, a sweet dessert, or just a quality coffee☕, this is where you should be! We really think you'll love it as much as we do! Are you a real coffee-lover? Don’t forget to go through the most trendy coffee bars in Ghent.

Why we love Mokka:

• Fresh & Homemade: We think it's great that all their dishes are made with care🫶, offering everything from light snacks to brasserie-style meals.
• Cozy Vibes: Enjoy their charming, newly renovated interior or grab a seat on the sunny terrace.☀️
• Perfect Coffee: If you’re a coffee lover, Mokka’s brews will definitely hit the spot.

Our fave menu picks:

• Classic Croque Monsieur: Simple but perfect for a lunch bite.
• Salmon Salad: Fresh greens topped with delicate smoked salmon.
• Homemade Quiche: Always served with a side salad.
• Chocolate Cake: A must-try dessert for anyone with a sweet tooth.🍫🍰
• Latte Macchiato: Smooth, creamy, and perfect alongside any meal.

Location:
📍 Passage Pieter Van Aelst 18, Aalst

Opening Hours:
🕗 Monday-Saturday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM

For more details or reservations, check out their Facebook page here​!

So what are you still waiting for? Head over to Mokka and enjoy their delicious menu items today! 

4. Utopia Café

This is our favorite place to relax and eat something delicious and study in the library right next to this lunch spot and in the same building! Therefore, as students, we can definitely recommend coming here to eat in combination with studying in a cozy place after a delicious meal. This is the place where we go to work and/or have a nice lunch. This place is obviously a favorite among students! 👨‍🎓

Here’s why we love it:

• Cozy atmosphere: Here, you can study perfectly as a student while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee or lunch.
• Affordable menu: Another advantage for us is that they have a budget-friendly menu for students.💵
• Friendly staff: You'll feel immediately welcome here anyway thanks to the top-notch service!
• Central location: This place is located in the heart of Aalst, which makes it easy for you to pop in between classes or just before taking the train or bus because it's only 5 minutes from public transportation.🚆

The things you should try:

• Smokey Bio Baguette: A flavorful combination of smoked chicken, paprika and tomato tapenade.

• Istanbul Turkish Feta Salad: For something light at noon, with sun-dried tomatoes, capers and olives.
• Avocado of the Devil Toast: Creamy avocado with a soft egg, topped with sumac and sriracha. 🥑
• Speedy Gonzales Bagel: Grilled beef, avocado, salsa and cheddar on a vegan bagel.

Location:
📍Utopia 1, 9300 Aalst

Opening Hours:
🕗 Monday - Friday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
      Saturday: 11:00 - 5 PM (closed on Sunday)

For more information or if you want to make a reservation, send an email or take a look at their Facebook page to reserve a spot!

Stop by Utopia Café and treat yourself to their amazing menu in a relaxing place! 

5. Toki

If you are like us and love Korean Street Food and Bubble Tea you must be at Toki. As you can guess, this place has quickly become a favorite in the neighborhood. Whether you're in the mood for a quick snack or a full meal, you can find everything with delicious and authentic flavors🌶️at our lunch spot that is ranked fifth. We had some Korean snacks when we were there.

Why you should visit Toki

• Unique Korean Dishes: Toki serves up popular Korean treats like corndogs, sticky wings, and their legendary tteokbokki, a must-try Korean rice cake dish with caramelized chicken.🍗
• Delicious Bowls:  Their Toki bowls give you the truly balanced meal where you are looking for. It's a delightful mix of BBQ chicken, rice, and banchan veggies.
• Bubble Tea Heaven: With 17+ flavors, from classic milk teas to creative fruity blends like mango passionfruit, Toki’s bubble teas are fresh and totally customizable. Vegan-friendly options are also available! 🌱
• Vibrant Vibe: Toki’s atmosphere is friendly and fun, making it perfect for a casual lunch with your friends or a tasty takeaway.

Toki menu favorites 

• Rabokki Bowl: A spicy noodle bowl mixed with Korean gochujang sauce, and available with toppings like chicken, shrimp, or cheese!
• Kimchi Corn Dogs: A delicious street food staple, crunchy on the outside and savory inside.
• Bubble Tea: Don’t miss the matcha boba or the refreshing lemonades, ideal on a warm day. 🥵

Location:
📍Passage Pieter Van Aelst, 30, 9300 Aalst

Opening hours:
🕗 Monday - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (closed on Sunday)

Ready to try Toki? Check out more details on their website and we can assure you that you won’t regret diving into their bold and spicy offerings!

Now that you know about the top 5 lunch spots in Aalst, thanks to us😉, we hope you're excited to try these places out. You now know where to go for a cozy atmosphere, delicious flavors or just the perfect place even to study some more after your lunch! 

As students, we understand all too well how important it is to find amazing food quickly between classes and that fits within our budget. Going to Ghent later? Check out the best student friendly restaurants in Ghent! We thought it would be fun to share our favorite lunch spots with you and we hope you will enjoy them as much as we do! Enjoy your meal and who knows, we see you 🔜 in one of the top 5 lunch spots in Aalst.