Top 5 Outdoor seating in Gent

Afsnis is one of those cafés we keep coming back to and for good reason. It’s a warm, welcoming spot with super friendly people. The kind of atmosphere where a casual chat with locals or staff happens naturally👫.

The terrace is an absolute gem💎. Located at Sint-Jacobs 10, right in the heart of the city, we found ourselves sitting under trees with cozy lights surrounded by the lively energy of Ghent✨.

There’s often live music🎸 which we think makes the whole experience even more special. The drink menu is impressively extensive which we see as a big plus✅. There is truly something for everyone at Afsnis.

Personally, we recommend trying one of the local beers 🍻for the full experience. Price-wise Afsnis scores well too.

Going out for drinks in Ghent isn’t exactly cheap but here the prices are pretty reasonable💸. Expect to pay around €4.50 to €5 for a strong beer. Just a small tip: make sure to dress warmly as the terrace doesn’t have outdoor heaters.

Overall, Afsnis combines everything we love about Ghent’s café culture: good vibes😀, welcoming people 🙋and great drinks🍹.

If you manage to score a table on Barrazza’s terrace, you’re in for a treat. It sits right along the Leie, giving you a perfect view for cosy riverside evenings and golden hour sunsets that make your drink taste even better. 🌅🍹 The bar itself is housed in a historic 16th-century building, full of vintage details, big windows, and a cozy, intimate atmosphere. There are a lot of boardgames you can use, to make the night even more cosier which we took advantage of!🎲✨

The terrace , for us, felt like a hidden corner of calm, even though you’re just steps away from the city buzz. It is located at Hoefslagstraatje 6. It’s the perfect spot to escape without leaving the center of Ghent. We found that Barrazza creates an easy, feel good rhythm that matches the flow of the river. Think more “laid back groove” than nightclub energy✌️. Another thing we love about Barrazza is its inclusive spirit. It’s a place where everyone feels welcome, whether you come for a quiet coffee, a date night, or a fun evening with friends and games.🌊💛

The drink list is another reason we keep coming back. Over 100 beers, plenty of café favourites like sandwiches and cakes… it’s hard to go wrong. 🍰🍺 Prices are fair too, with most beers around €5 to €6 which is pretty standard for Ghent’s beloved spots.

In short: we truly recommend Barrazza. For us, it’s the perfect mix of atmosphere, location and feel-good vibes if you want to enjoy a drink by the water. 🌅🍻✨

The Vrijdagmarkt is a staple for us as students in Ghent. Ventura is the place where we go to escape the typical Belgian weather☔ while still being able to sit outside. Their heating and spacious terrace with parasols creates the best place to catch up with our friends without having to wear your full closet to stay warm during the winter❄️.

It is one of the most popular places for students, located at Vrijdagmarkt 35. We would recommend to arrive early in the evening at about 8pm to be able to secure your spot. Some nights they even hold small parties inside the cafe for their customers. 🥳🍾

The cosy lights and colorfull vibe, makes the time fly while enjoying your drinks with your friends. Their menu has a wide range of wine, beer, soft drinks and (non) alcoholic cocktails. 🍺🥤 And even better, they serve a range of different snacks for when your hungry but don't want to leave this wonderfull place. 🍪🥜

We would recommend this place to every student! A student in Ghent who has not been to Ventura, has not had the full experience. So open up your calender and plan your visit with your friends or maybe even a first date. 💋😉

GenX Recordstore is one of those places you discover once and somehow keep returning to. It has that effortless, laid-back atmosphere with friendly people, great music, and locals flipping through vinyl to make it feel alive. 🎵💿

The terrace is a cozy hangout spot right in the heart of Ghent, at Bagattenstraat 197. You can relax with a coffee or something cold to drink, maybe even grab a slice of freshly baked cake. 🎂

Coffee fans are well taken care of. The menu offers plenty of choices, from the classics to more creative options. The prices range from €2.80 to €5, which is quite reasonable for such a central location.

Last but definitely not least, we had to check out the Korenlei and Graslei in the heart of the citycentre.

If there’s one place in Ghent where the city seems to breathe a little deeper, it is here. These twin quays, facing each other across the River ‘Lys’, form one of the most picturesque spots in Belgium.  It’s a place where people all settle in to enjoy a self-brought-drink, to do a picnic or some people watching

Outdoor seating here also cuts across moods and seasons. On warm afternoons, the quays are bathed in sunlight, perfect for sipping something cold while watching kayakers drift past. We gather on the stone quays themselves, our legs are dangling over the water as we chat with our friends or simply watch the city drift by. When it gets colder, you can go to a one of the many terraces with heaters.

In short, whether you’re looking for a scenic place to do a picnic or simply a peaceful spot to sit by the water, the Korenlei and Graslei deliver every time.

Whether you’re a local looking for a new favourite spot or a visitor eager to experience Ghent’s vibrant café culture, these terraces are the perfect places to unwind. Each one has its own story and its own kind of magic. ✨☕🌆

And if you ever need a break from the buzz, don’t forget there’s also a lovely park the chillest spot in town where you can sit down, relax, and enjoy a quiet moment in the middle of the city. 🌿💕🧺 It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down, sip your coffee, and simply be. 🌞✨

So grab your friends, order your drink of choice and enjoy the city’s unique blend of charm, warmth, and character. 🥂💛

If you discover another terrace that deserves a spot on our list, let us know! We are always up for another round of “research.” 😉📍✨