I know the title offers a bold statement, but it’s true.
Back when I first got to Ghent, I only knew a few things about Belgian cuisine – mussels, fries, chocolate, beer, and…waffles. Almost a year and a half later, I don’t know much else, actually. But what else do you need, really? A delicious and versatile main course, one side dish, two desserts (one that can also serve a breakfast food!), and a drink – to me, those all combine for a perfect meal!
Anyway, walking around with my roommate one day, exploring our new city, we came across this small hole-in-the-wall shop called… “Belgian Waffles.” I thought, “come on, how good can this place be if the name is ‘Belgian Waffles’?” But it smelled nice, so I decided to try it. And, lemme tell ya, I’m so glad I did. I had never had such a delicious waffle before, and I haven’t had a better one since.
The Belgian Waffle guy, with the Ghent noose around his neck and a delicious waffle in hand
It’s run by a very friendly man who is sometimes dressed up in a fun baker’s outfit from the olden days along with a traditional symbol of Ghent – a noose around the neck (Charles V forced the nobles of his native town to walk barefoot in front of him wearing the nooses as punishment for the Revolt of Ghent).
Most other waffle shops offer all kinds of scrumptious toppings – ice cream, chocolate sauce, strawberries, powdered sugar, whipped cream, sliced bananas, or a combination of some or all of these. But this place only serves plain or with chocolate sauce. “Bo-ring!” you might think. But these waffles are so good that you just don’t need anything else on top. The waffle just melts in your mouth, and the chocolate syrup they use is rich, creamy, and dark, which I find much more complimentary to the waffle’s taste than the too-sugary milk chocolate sauce offered at other popular places around town. The sauce ends up all over your face, but that’s how you know you’re doing it right.
The only problem for me was that I didn’t get to eat from here as much as I would have liked. The place has moved 3 times since I’ve been here, and I had trouble finding it open…or just finding it in the first place! It was first in the Groetenmark on the Kortemunt side. Then it was closed for a while (a dark period in my life). Then it moved just around the corner onto Hoogpoort. And now its back to its original position in Groetenmark, but it’s currently housed within a new fancy-schmancy cafe/restaurant called 3,14 (Pi).
3,14 in Ghent with the waffle window on the left
The restaurant is pretty new, and there is not much info about it online besides the link above. I can’t recommend or vouch for anything regarding the cafe itself, but I am glad they have incorporated the waffle stand into a nice-looking place, back in its original, central location, and have given it what I hope will be its permanent home once again!
So, if you’re visiting Ghent and want to sample Belgium’s best waffles, head towards the center and follow your nose and you’ll definitely end up with happy taste buds and a full tummy!
couldn’t agree more, they are hands down the best!
Yum, yum! They look and sound delicious. I’ll be there. The owner looks like Ben Kingsley with a beard.
right…we have the theory that the waffles guy will own all the 3.14 very soon… he was first outside on the square, then he got the window and now the window became half of the bar!
I really cheer for the guy as he had to move due to the too high rental fees (there was a sign on the shop once he disappeared for the first time) and now he is the only reason why people go to the 3.14 … or better said, the only reason why peolpe know that there is a place called 3.14 exists in Gent!
Most delicious post to read with my breakfast! Roomie thanks!
PS: I just wish I could have those waffles right NOW!
He does! haha