Ghent: Belgian Waffle-Making Workshop with Beer Tasting

Ghent’s Waffles ’n Beer Workshop turns two Belgian staples into one hands-on 90-minute class. You taste three specialty beers, choose one for your batter, then cook waffles with a partner and pile them high with speculoos, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream.

I like the easygoing format and the sheer amount of food. You get a useful recipe to take home, and the workshop often produces enough waffles to save some for later. The beer introductions are another strong point, especially when hosts such as Thomas, Anna, Reuben, or Patty lead the session.

The main thing to consider is the price, $55 per person. That is fair if you value the beer tasting, instruction, toppings, certificate, and hands-on activity, but it is more than you would pay for a plate of waffles and a beer in a café. Some guests also found the group instructions less structured than they wanted.

Key points at a glance

• Three Belgian beers first: Learn about different beers before choosing a favorite for your waffle batter.
• You do the cooking: Mix the batter, bake the waffles, and decorate them yourself with guidance from the host.
• Plenty to eat: You can eat as many of your own waffles as you make, with leftovers often available to take away.
• Good alternatives: Non-alcoholic drinks and gluten-free flour are available, though gluten-free beer may not always be on hand.
• Central Ghent setting: Look for the tall white building with the large green wooden door, then go upstairs to the first door on the left.
• Best for a shared activity: Couples, families with older children, and mixed groups tend to get the most from the social cooking format.

A Belgian food lesson with a pint in hand

I like this workshop because it gives you more than a finished snack. You learn how Belgian beer differs from one style to another, then use that knowledge in a simple recipe you can repeat at home.

The class begins with three Belgian specialty beers. The host explains their character and background as you taste them. The exact selection can vary, but the point is to compare rather than simply drink three similar beers. Some sessions have included four or five samples, while the stated format promises three.

You are not pushed to drink. Non-drinkers can request alternatives such as coffee, tea, juice, or other non-alcoholic drinks. Participants under 18 receive non-alcoholic beverages, and alcohol is served only to adults.

The beer portion gives the class a natural opening. You have time to settle in, meet the people at your table, and learn why Belgian beer is treated as a food tradition rather than just a refreshment. The host may also show a short beer-making video while the waffle batter rests, adding a little context without turning the workshop into a lecture.

Choosing the beer for your waffle batter

After tasting, you choose the beer you want to add to the batter. This is one of the more unusual parts of the experience. Instead of simply pairing a beer with a waffle, you use the beer as an ingredient.

You are not expected to have cooking skills. The recipe is explained step by step, and the hosts keep the process simple enough for beginners. You work with a partner at the cooking stations, which makes this a better choice for people who enjoy shared activities rather than a quiet demonstration.

The workshop also offers non-alcoholic and gluten-free batter options. If you have a gluten concern, mention it when booking and confirm the details with the host. One session had gluten-free flour available, but gluten-free beer was not available on site. In that case, the host allowed a participant to bring a suitable beer from a shop and reimbursed the cost.

That example points to a useful practical truth: dietary needs can be accommodated, but you should not assume every substitute is stocked at every session.

Mixing, resting, and baking your own waffles

Once the batter is ready, it needs time to rest. This creates a relaxed pause between the mixing and baking stages. You can continue learning about beer, have another drink if available, and chat with the rest of the group.

Then comes the best part: baking. The host shows you how to use the waffle iron, and you cook your own batches rather than watching someone else make them all. The recipe is designed to produce light, fluffy waffles, and many people find the method easy to follow.

The practical setup is friendly, but it may not be perfectly formal. One participant found that the instructions moved ahead before everyone had completed each step. If you prefer a tightly organized cooking lesson, you may need to ask the host to repeat a stage or show you the next step directly.

I would not treat that as a serious problem for a casual workshop. It is more like a cooking party than a professional culinary course. You are there to make food, talk, and have a laugh, not to earn a pastry-school certificate.

The pace is generally brisk enough to keep the 90 minutes moving, yet not so rushed that you cannot enjoy the process. The short duration is useful in Ghent because you can fit the class between sightseeing stops without losing half a day.

Toppings, portions, and the leftover question

After baking, you finish the waffles at a topping station. The standard choices include chocolate sauce, whipped cream, Belgian speculoos, icing sugar, and jam. The speculoos spread is an especially fitting Belgian touch, giving the waffles a spiced biscuit flavor.

The topping selection is generous, though not everyone will find it equally broad. Fresh berries and Nutella were suggested as additions that would make the spread feel more varied. If you prefer fruit-heavy or less sweet desserts, you may find the choices a little basic.

The portions are one of the strongest parts of the deal. You can eat as many waffles as you bake, and the workshop typically makes enough for extra portions. Several sessions have left people with waffles to carry back to their accommodation.

Bring a small container or bag if you want to plan for leftovers, though the activity information specifically says you can take leftovers home. An apron or other small keepsake may also be available, and a graduation certificate is included.

This is not a tiny tasting where you receive one carefully plated waffle. It is a hands-on meal with the chance to make plenty. If you arrive hungry, the $55 price feels easier to justify.

What $55 buys you in Ghent

At $55 per person, this is not the cheapest food activity in Belgium. You could buy a waffle and beer for much less. The value comes from the combination of instruction, tasting, ingredients, cooking time, toppings, and the recipe you can use later.

I would compare it with the price of a guided food activity, not with a café order. You receive three Belgian beer tastings, all cooking materials, flour and other ingredients, access to the waffle stations, as many of your own waffles as you can make, and a certificate. The workshop also gives you a social setting that is hard to create on your own during a city break.

The recipe adds lasting value. You are not just paying for food that disappears before the end of the afternoon. You can return home and make the waffles again, using the method you learned in Ghent.

Still, the price may feel high if you mainly want a quick taste of Belgian waffles. A four-star assessment of the experience seems fair for that reason: the activity itself is well liked, but the cost deserves a close look.

The best value comes when you treat it as lunch, entertainment, and a small cooking lesson in one. It is weaker value if your group includes people who will not eat much, do not drink, or are not interested in cooking.

Finding the workshop near central Ghent

The meeting point is practical once you know what to look for. Find a tall white building with a large green wooden door. The building’s front door is normally open.

If it is closed, you can push it open or tap on one of the windows to the left of the door. The host should let you in. Go up the small steps, and the workshop entrance is the first door on the left.

Transport is not included, so you make your own way there. The workshop is close to one of Ghent’s attractive central areas, with one participant estimating a five-minute walk from a major scenic spot. Exact walking time depends on where you start, so allow a little extra time to identify the green door.

This arrival detail matters because the entrance is not described as a large shopfront with a prominent sign. Save the building description before you set out, especially if you are attending an early session or arriving in poor weather.

Who will enjoy it most

I would recommend the class to couples who want a break from sightseeing, families with older children, and groups of friends looking for something more active than a restaurant meal. You work together, share a cooking station, and have plenty of natural conversation while the batter rests.

It also suits solo visitors who enjoy meeting people. The format brings together participants from different countries, and the shared task gives you an easy way to start talking.

Families should note the age rules. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis, and children under 3 are not suitable for the activity. Minors receive non-alcoholic drinks.

The class is taught in English because people from many countries attend. Hosts can translate some parts when needed, but you should be comfortable following basic English instructions. The workshop is wheelchair accessible, though the meeting directions mention small steps inside the building, so it is sensible to confirm the exact access route ahead of time.

Non-drinkers are welcome, but the beer tasting is a major part of the experience. If nobody in your group wants alcohol, you may prefer a dedicated cooking class instead.

The hosts make the difference

The experience depends heavily on the person leading your session. Hosts named in the feedback include Thomas, Anna, Reuben, Patty, Luc, Luk, Fabien, Tinee, and others.

Reuben was praised for combining humor with a strong grasp of Belgian beer. Thomas has been described as clear and engaging, while Anna has received praise for being warm and attentive during both the tasting and cooking. Patty handled a gluten-free issue with practical flexibility, which is the sort of small service that can change the tone of a class.

Because the host can vary, the style may vary too. Some sessions sound highly organized, with clear explanations before each step. Others appear more informal, with participants following the printed recipe and asking for help as they go.

I prefer that relaxed approach for this kind of activity, but you should know what you are booking. This is not a private class with one instructor assigned to your group. It is a shared workshop, and the atmosphere depends partly on the group in the room.

Timing, cancellation, and useful planning tips

The workshop lasts 90 minutes, with starting times available according to the date you choose. That makes it easy to place before lunch, after a morning walk, or between central Ghent sights.

Book the correct city location. The same provider operates in more than one Belgian city, and this experience is specifically in Ghent. Check the location before confirming.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reservation system allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those options are useful if your Ghent plans are still changing.

I would arrive a little early. The green door and upstairs entrance are clear once you know the description, but they may take a moment to find. Wear something comfortable and suitable for cooking, and tell the host promptly if you need a non-alcoholic or gluten-free option.

Should you book the Ghent waffle and beer workshop?

Book it if you want to make your own food, learn a little about Belgian beer, and leave with a recipe and possible leftovers. The hands-on format, generous waffle portions, friendly hosts, and central location make it a strong choice for a relaxed afternoon.

Think twice if you want a formal cooking course, a large selection of fresh fruit toppings, or the lowest possible price. The instructions can feel loose in a busy group, and the $55 fee only feels like good value when you take part in the whole experience.

For most couples and social groups, I would book it. It is a tasty change of pace from sightseeing, and it gives you something useful to take home besides photographs: a Belgian waffle recipe you can actually make again.

FAQ

How long does the Ghent waffle and beer workshop last?

The workshop lasts 90 minutes.

How many beers are included?

The stated format includes tastings of three Belgian specialty beers. Some sessions may offer additional samples, but three tastings are the standard inclusion.

Can I attend if I do not drink alcohol?

Yes. Non-drinkers can request alternatives such as coffee, tea, juice, or other non-alcoholic drinks. Participants under 18 receive non-alcoholic beverages.

Is a gluten-free waffle option available?

Gluten-free flour is available. Gluten-free beer may not be stocked, so confirm your needs when booking and speak with the host at the start.

Can children join the workshop?

Children under 3 are not suitable for the activity. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis. Alcohol is served only to participants aged 18 and over.

Where do I meet the host?

Look for a tall white building with a large green wooden door. Enter through the front door, go upstairs, and use the first door on the left. If the front door is closed, push it open or tap on a window to its left.

What can I take home?

You receive the secret waffle recipe and a graduation certificate. You can also take home leftover waffles, and some sessions include an apron or other keepsake.