The Waffles ‘n Beer Workshop in Ghent Centre

The clever idea here is simple: you taste Belgian beer, choose your favorite, and use it to make your own Brussels-style waffles. In about 90 minutes, the workshop turns two Belgian staples into one hands-on meal, with beer stories, baking, toppings, and refills built in.

I like the easy mix of culture and food. You get more than a snack because the host explains the beers and brewing process, then shows you how to follow the waffle recipe. I also like the generous format: you can bake and eat as many waffles as you want, with toppings to finish them.

The main consideration is alcohol. The beer tasting is for adults 18 and older, while younger participants receive non-alcoholic drinks. Children under 16 need a one-to-one adult companion, and the class is conducted in English.

Key points at a glance

• Three Belgian beers come first: You learn about each beer before choosing one for your waffle batter.
• Your beer becomes an ingredient: The selected beer goes into the Brussels-style waffle mixture.
• Unlimited waffles change the value: You can keep baking and eating during the workshop, not just make one sample.
• Hosts add the personality: Thomas, Tina, Fabian, Anna, and Stijn are praised for patient, friendly instruction.
• Central Ghent meeting point: The class begins and ends at Onderbergen 4, 9000 Gent.
• Small enough to feel social: The maximum group size is 18 people, with many activities done in pairs.

Beer tasting at Onderbergen 4

The workshop starts at Onderbergen 4, a central Ghent address that makes this a handy activity to place between sightseeing stops. You return to the same meeting point at the end, so there is no second location to find after the class.

The opening tasting gives the workshop its Belgian character. You sample three beers and hear about their background, brewing process, and place in Belgian drinking culture. The goal is not simply to hand you three glasses and send you on your way. You are asked to pay attention to what you taste, then choose the beer you want to use in the waffle batter.

The exact beer selection can vary, but the experience has included examples such as Kriek cherry beer, peach beer, and Gulden Draak. That mix gives you a useful contrast: fruit-forward beers beside a stronger Belgian ale. If you usually think of beer as bitter or heavy, a fruit beer can change your expectations quickly.

I like this part because it gives purpose to the tasting. You are not sampling drinks as a separate bar stop. You are deciding which flavor will shape your food. A sweet fruit beer may produce a different result from a stronger ale, and that choice makes your waffle feel personal even though the recipe is shared.

The tasting also makes the class accessible to people who do not know much about Belgian beer. Hosts such as Thomas have been praised for explaining beer history and offering tasting tips without making the lesson feel stiff. Stijn, Tina, Fabian, and Anna have also led sessions, with the tone described as friendly, patient, and engaging.

Keep in mind that this is still an alcohol-focused experience. Participants must be at least 18 to receive alcoholic drinks. Children and other minors are served non-alcoholic drinks instead, so families can attend, but the beer portion naturally has a different meaning for adults and children.

Choosing a beer for the waffle batter

After tasting, you select the beer that will go into your mixture. This is the workshop’s most unusual feature. You are not only learning a Belgian recipe. You are testing how a familiar drink can work as a cooking ingredient.

The host guides you through the recipe and baking process. That matters if you are not confident in the kitchen, since the class is designed to be easy to follow. The best sessions seem to depend less on cooking skill than on listening, mixing, and taking your turn at the waffle station.

The hands-on setup is also social. Activities are often done in teams of two, which works well for couples, friends, parents with children, or solo participants willing to share a station. A maximum of 18 people keeps the group from becoming enormous, though the feel will still depend on how full the session is.

One practical tip: pay attention during the recipe explanation instead of treating the first part as only a beer tasting. The method is part of the fun, and the final waffles depend on following the steps. The hosts are there to help, but you still get the satisfaction of making the food yourself.

The recipe has received particularly strong praise for producing fluffy waffles. That is useful to know because some cooking workshops are better at entertainment than food. Here, the food appears to be a genuine part of the payoff. You are not making a token sample that disappears in two bites.

Baking Brussels-style waffles

The class focuses on Brussels-style waffles, which are generally lighter and airier than the denser Belgian waffles many people know from cafés. The workshop gives you a chance to see how the batter works in practice, with your selected beer folded into the recipe.

The host leads you through the process rather than leaving you to guess. You can expect instruction on preparing the batter and using the waffle equipment, followed by the satisfying wait for the waffles to cook. The experience is active without being physically demanding, and it gives children an enjoyable task when paired with an adult.

The quantity is one of the strongest points. One family group had enough batter for four very large waffles, while other sessions included enough food for everyone to keep baking and eating. The wording is generous: you can bake and eat as many waffles as you want during the workshop.

That makes the $71.20 price easier to assess. You are paying for a 90-minute hosted activity, three beer tastings, instruction, ingredients, toppings, and a substantial amount of food. It is not the cheapest way to eat a waffle in Ghent, but it offers more than a café purchase. If you want only a quick taste of a Belgian waffle, the price will feel high. If you want an activity with food and drinks included, the value is more convincing.

There is also an element of trial and error. Your result may not look exactly like a professional pastry shop waffle, but that is part of the point. The class gives you a recipe and a method you can remember, along with a story about the beer you selected.

Toppings, refills, and the final tasting

Once the waffles are ready, you choose your topping and pair the food with the same beer used in the batter. This final pairing brings the two halves of the workshop together. You can taste the waffle on its own, then add the topping and take a sip of the matching beer.

The topping choice adds variety, especially if your group makes several waffles. Some people can keep things simple, while others can try different combinations. The supplied information does not specify every topping, so you should not expect a fixed menu, but it does confirm that you can choose from available options.

The hosts are also happy to provide a refill if you are thirsty. That is worth noting because the session is built around eating and drinking rather than a single small sample. Several comments describe the amount of food and beer as generous, and one parent noted that nobody should leave hungry.

The food pairing is most useful for people who enjoy trying flavors side by side. A cherry beer, peach beer, or strong ale may each bring a different character to the waffle, even if the effect is subtle. You do not need a trained palate to enjoy it. The host supplies the context, and you make your own judgment.

This part can also be a good break from a packed day in Ghent. Instead of standing in another church, museum, or square, you sit down, eat something warm, and talk with the people around you. The activity has enough structure to keep moving, but enough free time for conversation.

The hosts make the class work

The food and beer are the main attractions, but the host sets the mood. Thomas is repeatedly praised for combining beer stories, tasting guidance, and patient waffle instruction. Tina has been described as a terrific host, while Fabian is noted for being entertaining and accommodating. Stijn is also singled out for making the experience enjoyable.

Anna has led a friendly session as well, including one class described as a first solo effort that still went very well. These names matter because a workshop depends heavily on the person running it. A clear instructor can make a simple recipe feel like a good evening out, while a rushed instructor can make the same activity feel mechanical.

The class is offered in English because people from many countries attend. That makes it practical for international visitors, and hosts can translate some parts when needed. You should be comfortable following basic English instructions, but the setup is not presented as a formal language lesson.

The atmosphere seems suited to mixed groups. You might arrive with family or friends and still end up talking with people at nearby stations. Solo participants can join too, though the pair-based format may mean sharing the baking process with someone else.

Who will enjoy it most

I would recommend this workshop to several kinds of people:

• Couples looking for a light evening activity
• Families with children who enjoy cooking
• Friends who want food and drinks in one outing
• Beer fans curious about Belgian styles
• Visitors who want a hands-on activity rather than another guided walk
• Solo participants who enjoy meeting people in a small group setting

Families should plan carefully around the age rules. Children under 16 need an adult with them on a one-to-one basis. Minors do not receive alcoholic drinks, so adults should not book this expecting every member of the group to take part in the beer tasting in the same way.

Beer lovers will get the most from the educational side, but you do not need to be an expert. The workshop explains the basics and lets you compare several styles. Waffle fans who do not drink can still take part in the baking and food pairing, with non-alcoholic drinks available for minors.

This may be less suitable if you want a quiet, private meal or a highly technical cooking lesson. The group can reach 18 people, and the appeal comes from shared activity, conversation, and a cheerful host. It is a social class, not a private chef session.

Timing, access, and booking details

The stated duration is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. That makes it easy to fit into a Ghent visit without giving up half a day. Since the activity begins and ends at Onderbergen 4, you can plan your route around one fixed point.

The meeting point is near public transportation. A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. Be sure to select Ghent, since the provider also operates activities in other cities.

The class has a maximum of 18 people. It requires a minimum number to run, so a cancellation for that reason brings the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Service animals are allowed. The building is accessible for wheelchair users, though the baking stations have tall tables and stools that may not work well for someone who cannot transfer from a wheelchair. If that is important for your group, contact the provider before booking.

The activity is usually booked well ahead, with an average of about 31 days. That suggests you should reserve in advance if your Ghent schedule is fixed, particularly if you need a certain date or want to attend with a larger group.

Is the $71.20 price fair?

At $71.20 per person, this is a paid experience rather than a casual food stop. The price makes sense if you value the instruction, beer tasting, social setting, and unlimited waffles as one package.

You are also paying for a hosted activity in central Ghent, not just ingredients. The beer background and recipe guidance give the session a cultural angle, while the cooking keeps it from becoming a lecture. The food portion is substantial enough to replace a light meal for many people.

Still, I would compare it with your priorities. If you are watching every euro, you can certainly buy a waffle and beer for less. If you want an unusual activity that combines Belgian food and drink, the workshop offers more value than a standard tasting with no hands-on element.

Should you book the Ghent Waffles ‘n Beer Workshop?

Book it if you like Belgian beer, enjoy cooking with other people, or want a relaxed break from sightseeing. The strongest reasons are the beer-to-batter idea, the patient hosts, the fluffy Brussels-style waffles, and the generous amount of food.

I would especially choose it for a family with an interested adult and child, a couple seeking something different, or a group of friends looking for an easy shared activity. Skip it if you dislike alcohol-centered events, need a private setting, or want advanced culinary training.

For most visitors who want a distinctly Belgian experience without a long commitment, this is a good use of 90 minutes in Ghent. Book ahead, arrive ready to taste, and choose your beer carefully. Your waffle will carry at least a little of that decision.

FAQ

Where does the Waffles ‘n Beer Workshop take place?

The workshop starts at Onderbergen 4, 9000 Gent, Belgium, in central Ghent. The activity also ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the workshop last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What language is the workshop offered in?

The workshop is offered in English. Hosts can translate some parts when necessary.

How many Belgian beers are included?

You will learn about and taste three Belgian beers during the opening tasting session.

Can I choose a beer for my waffle batter?

Yes. After tasting the beers, you choose your favorite to use in the waffle mixture.

What kind of waffles will I make?

You will learn to make Brussels-style Belgian waffles.

Can I eat more than one waffle?

Yes. You can bake and eat as many waffles as you want during the workshop.

Are toppings included?

You can pair your waffles with a topping of your choice. The experience includes food pairing and tasting after the waffles are ready.

Can children join the workshop?

Yes, children can join. Participants under 18 receive non-alcoholic drinks, and children younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.