Ghent: Belgian Waffle-Making Workshop with Beer Tasting

Belgium gives you two fine excuses to stop sightseeing: waffles and beer. This 90-minute Ghent workshop brings both together in a friendly cooking class where you taste three Belgian beers, choose one for your batter, and bake as many waffles as you can manage.

I like the easy mix of food, local culture, and hands-on work. I also like that you get a secret recipe and can take home leftover waffles. The main consideration is price: at $55 per person, it is not the cheapest snack in Ghent, though the beer, ingredients, instruction, unlimited waffles, and take-home extras make the cost easier to justify.

Key points to know before you book

• Three Belgian beers start the session: You learn about each beer’s style, flavor, and background before choosing one for your batter.
• You bake your own waffles: The recipe is simple to follow, and hosts guide you through mixing, resting, cooking, and decorating.
• You can choose alternatives: Nonalcoholic drinks and gluten-free flour are available, though gluten-free beer is not guaranteed.
• Toppings are generous: Chocolate sauce, speculoos spread, whipped cream, icing sugar, and jam are provided.
• Leftovers come home with you: You receive the recipe, a graduation certificate, and any waffles you cannot finish.
• The setting is central and practical: Look for the tall white building with the big green wooden door, close to central Ghent sights.

Why waffles and beer work so well in Ghent

Ghent is a city of grand medieval buildings, canals, and handsome squares. After a few hours of looking up at stone towers, a workshop gives you a welcome change of pace. You sit down, meet people from several countries, and make something with your hands.

The pairing also makes sense culturally. Belgian beer is not one single drink. It ranges from light and crisp to fruity, malty, strong, sour, or spicy. Belgian waffles have their own variations too, and this class gives you a useful introduction to both traditions without asking you to commit to a full cooking course.

I especially like that the beer tasting is not treated as a race to finish three glasses. The hosts explain the character and background of each beer, and you taste them at a relaxed pace. Reuben has been praised for his detailed beer knowledge, while Thomas, Anna, Luk, Luc, Fabien, Patty, and other hosts have been noted for their warm, entertaining instruction.

The group setting is part of the appeal. You work with a partner at the cooking stations, so this suits couples, families, and friends. It also works well for solo visitors who enjoy meeting people over food.

Finding the workshop in central Ghent

The meeting point is easy to recognize once you know what to look for: a tall white building with a large green wooden door. The door is normally open. If it is closed, push it open or tap on one of the windows to the left, and the host will let you in.

Once inside, take the small stairs upstairs. The workshop entrance is the first door on the left. This is useful to know because the entrance is not described as a large street-level shopfront, and you could otherwise walk past it while searching for a sign.

Transport is not included, so plan your own way to the meeting point. The location is described as being about five minutes from one of Ghent’s attractive central spots, making it a sensible stop during a day in the historic center. Still, allow a few extra minutes to locate the green door, especially if you have a tight schedule.

The workshop is wheelchair accessible. The meeting instructions mention stairs inside, so if you use a wheelchair, confirm the best access arrangement when booking.

The opening beer tasting with three Belgian styles

The class begins with three Belgian specialty beers. You learn what makes each one different, including its flavor and brewing background, then decide which beer you want to use in your waffles.

This first section gives the workshop more value than a simple waffle demonstration. You are not just handed a drink while someone measures flour. The beer has a role in the cooking, and the tasting helps you make a choice based on your own preference.

The exact beers can vary, so you should not book expecting a particular label. That is actually useful for visitors who want a broader sense of Belgian beer rather than a single famous brand. Some sessions have included four or even five beers, but the standard description promises three, so treat any additional tasting as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

You do not have to drink alcohol. Participants under 18 receive nonalcoholic drinks, and hosts can provide alternatives such as coffee, tea, or juice. This makes the activity more flexible for families and for anyone who simply does not enjoy beer.

The alcohol rule is clear: alcoholic drinks are served only to participants aged 18 and above. If you are attending with children, keep that in mind when deciding if the class fits your group.

Mixing the batter with your chosen beer

After the tasting, you move to the cooking stations and work with a partner. The hosts explain the waffle-making process step by step, from combining the ingredients to preparing the batter for the waffle iron.

The distinctive touch is the beer batter. You select your favorite beer from the opening tasting and use it to add another layer of Belgian flavor to the waffles. If you prefer not to use alcohol, a nonalcoholic version is available.

Gluten-free flour can also be provided. One important practical detail is that gluten-free beer may not be available at the venue. If you need both gluten-free batter and gluten-free beer, contact the provider in advance or be prepared to bring your own beer. In one case, the host allowed a participant to buy a suitable beer nearby and reimbursed the cost, but I would not rely on that as the standard arrangement.

The recipe seems designed for beginners. You do not need advanced kitchen skills, and the class moves at a manageable pace. One potential weakness is that the level of guidance can depend on the host and group. Some sessions have been praised for clear instruction, while one participant found the process a little confusing because the group did not always stop together between steps.

My advice is simple: listen closely at the start of each stage, keep the printed recipe nearby, and ask questions as soon as you are unsure. The hosts are there to help, and the cooking is intended to be approachable rather than technical.

Baking fluffy waffles at your own station

Once the batter has rested, you cook the waffles. This is the most active part of the class, and also the part that produces the best photographs and smells.

You spoon the batter into the waffle iron, wait for it to cook, and then build a plate of your own work. The method is straightforward, and the hosts can answer questions as you go. Since you can eat as many of your own waffles as you want, you do not need to worry about ruining the first one.

The quantity is one of the strongest value points. You are not given a single small sample before being sent on your way. People commonly make a generous number of waffles, and leftovers can be packed up for later. If you are staying in an apartment or hotel, these make a useful treat for the next morning.

The workshop is also relaxed rather than rushed. Ninety minutes is long enough to taste, mix, bake, and eat, but short enough to fit into a busy Ghent itinerary. I would place it between major sightseeing stops rather than treat it as an all-day activity.

Decorating with chocolate and speculoos

The topping table turns the cooking lesson into a dessert party. You can add chocolate sauce, speculoos spread, whipped cream, icing sugar, and jam.

Speculoos is particularly fitting here. This spiced biscuit flavor is closely associated with Belgium, and using it on a warm waffle gives you a taste that feels more local than simply adding chocolate. The chocolate sauce and whipped cream are easy crowd-pleasers, while icing sugar keeps things simple.

The topping selection is generous enough for a fun group activity, but it is not an elaborate pastry bar. Fresh berries and Nutella are not listed among the standard toppings, and one participant specifically wished for more variety. If you are hoping for fruit, nuts, or restaurant-style presentation, adjust your expectations.

That said, the point is not a polished dessert course. You are decorating waffles you have just made, choosing combinations that suit you, and eating them while the room carries on around you. The informal approach is part of the charm.

The social side of the 90-minute class

I would recommend this workshop most strongly to people who enjoy shared activities. You are not simply watching a chef work. You mix, cook, decorate, and talk with the people at your station.

Couples get a playful date activity, families get something more engaging than another museum, and groups of friends can turn it into a casual tasting session. It can also be a good option when the weather is poor, since it gives you a warm indoor break from walking around Ghent.

Children are welcome with restrictions. Children under 3 are not suitable for the activity. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis, so a family needs enough adults to supervise younger participants properly.

The class is taught in English because people from many countries attend. The hosts can translate some parts if needed, but you should be comfortable following basic spoken English instructions. Because the activity involves kitchen steps and a shared group pace, this matters more than it would on a simple tasting tour.

Dogs have been allowed in at least some sessions, but this is not listed as a standard feature. If you plan to bring a dog, ask first rather than assume.

How the $55 price holds up

At $55 per person, the workshop costs more than buying a waffle and a beer separately. If all you want is a quick snack, a café will be cheaper and faster.

You are paying for more than the finished food. The price includes three Belgian beer tastings, all ingredients and cooking equipment, instruction, unlimited waffles from your own baking, and the recipe to use at home. You also receive a graduation certificate, and leftover waffles can come with you.

Some sessions have included a keepsake apron, though this is not clearly listed among the standard inclusions, so I would not book solely expecting one. The take-home recipe has more lasting value anyway. It turns a holiday treat into something you can repeat at home.

For me, the value improves if you take part in every part of the session. Taste the beers, ask about them, bake several rounds, and save your extras. If you only want to watch or plan to eat one waffle, the price will feel high.

The rating of 4.8 from 256 bookings points to a consistently strong experience, with praise focused on the hosts, the relaxed pace, the amount of food, and the simple recipe. The small number of reservations that were less enthusiastic centered on the price, limited topping variety, and occasional lack of step-by-step structure.

Who should book this Ghent experience

Book it if you want a break from standard sightseeing and like the idea of making your own food. It is particularly well suited to:

• Couples looking for a light, social activity
• Families with children old enough to take part safely
• Beer fans who want context as well as samples
• Non-drinkers who appreciate alternative drinks
• Visitors who want a Belgian recipe to recreate at home
• Anyone who enjoys casual group activities rather than formal demonstrations

Think twice if you dislike shared cooking stations, have a very limited budget, or want a serious beer education with a fixed list of rare or high-end bottles. This is a fun food workshop first, not a professional brewing course.

Book the correct location carefully. The provider also operates in Bruges, and this reservation is specifically for Ghent.

Booking details worth knowing

The workshop lasts 90 minutes, with starting times that depend on the date you select. The instructor speaks English, and some translation may be possible when needed.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Belgian itinerary is still shifting.

Alcohol is limited to adults aged 18 and above. Minors receive nonalcoholic drinks, children under 16 need a one-to-one adult companion, and children under 3 cannot take part.

Should you book the Ghent Waffles ’n Beer Workshop?

I would book this if you want a cheerful, hands-on taste of Belgium rather than another passive tour. The best reasons are the friendly hosts, the chance to choose a beer for your batter, the generous waffle portions, and the recipe and leftovers you take home.

At $55, it is a splurge for a snack but fair for a full 90-minute activity with beer, food, instruction, and extras. Go in expecting a relaxed group class, not a refined cooking school. If that sounds like your kind of afternoon, this is an easy way to add some edible fun to Ghent.

FAQ

Where does the Ghent waffle and beer workshop meet?

Look for a tall white building with a large green wooden door. Enter the building, go up the small stairs, and find the workshop entrance at the first door on the left.

How long does the workshop last?

The activity lasts 90 minutes.

How many Belgian beers are included?

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

Can I attend if I do not drink alcohol?

Yes. Nonalcoholic drinks are available, including options such as coffee, tea, and juice.

Are alcoholic drinks served to children?

No. Alcoholic drinks are served only to participants aged 18 and above. Minors receive nonalcoholic drinks.

Can I make gluten-free waffles?

Yes. Gluten-free flour can be provided. Gluten-free beer is not guaranteed, so contact the provider in advance if you need that option.

What toppings are available?

Toppings include chocolate sauce, speculoos, whipped cream, icing sugar, and jam.

Can I take food home?

Yes. You can take home leftover waffles, along with the secret recipe. A graduation certificate is also included.

Is the workshop wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The meeting instructions mention small stairs inside, so confirm access details with the provider if needed.