Ghent: Belgian Waffle-Making Workshop with Beer Tasting

Pairing a Belgian beer tasting with hands-on waffle making is a fun way to eat your way through Ghent. I like the clear beer-first flow, then the clever part where you use your favorite brew in your batter. One thing to keep in mind, if you do not drink or you have diet restrictions, ask about the options early and be ready to lean on the non-alcoholic or gluten-free choices.

What makes this class feel special is the host energy, like Reuben’s engaging beer explanations or Thomas’s easy-to-follow waffle guidance. In 90 minutes you get to cook, decorate, and eat as much as you bake, plus you leave with a secret recipe and a certificate to prove you learned something beyond just ordering fries.

Key Things I’d Put on Your Short List

• Beer tasting that leads to your waffle batter, so the flavors are not just something you sip
• Three Belgian beers included, each explained with enough context to help you choose a favorite
• Hands-on stations with guidance, so first-timers can still produce fluffy waffles
• Unlimited waffles from your own baking, then pile on toppings like chocolate sauce, speculoos, and whipped cream
• Alternatives when needed, including non-alcoholic drinks, and possible gluten-free options
• Take-home goodies, including a secret recipe, leftovers, and a graduation certificate

Waffles and Beer in Ghent: Why This Food Class Works So Well

Ghent has plenty of places to drink beer and plenty of places to eat waffles. This workshop is different because it makes the two feel connected, not separate. You taste, learn what you like, then turn that choice into something you physically bake.

I also like that it is structured but not stiff. You are not stuck watching someone else cook for an hour. You do the mixing, cooking, and decorating at your own pace, with the host steering you through the steps.

The timing matters too. At 90 minutes, you get a satisfying meal-like experience without wiping out your whole afternoon.

Find the Workshop Fast: Tall White Building, Big Green Door

Your best move is to arrive a few minutes early, then locate the meeting point before you start hunting. Look for a tall white building with a big green wooden door. If the green door is open, great. If not, push it open or tap one of the left-side windows, and the host will get you inside.

Once you enter, take the small steps upstairs. The workshop space is the first door on the left, where the host is waiting.

The Beer Tasting Part: More Than Just a Sip

The workshop starts with a beer-tasting journey where you sample three Belgian specialty beers. You are meant to learn what makes each one different, including its characteristics and some history behind it. The explanations are delivered in English, and the hosts can translate some parts if needed, which helps if your group has mixed comfort levels.

Here is the smartest part of the whole setup: after tasting, you pick your favorite brew to infuse into your waffle batter. That means you are not just collecting tastes, you are making a decision that shows up in your final waffle.

If you are not sure you want alcohol, you still have options. One recent guest noted the host actively asked if anyone did not want to taste beer, and alternatives like coffee, tea, and juices were available. That makes the start feel welcoming even if you are cautious about drinking.

Also, pay attention to pacing during the batter rest. One group described being shown a video about beer making while their batter was setting. It is a small touch, but it helps the “beer brain” and “waffle hands” work together.

Beer-Infused Batter and Your Cooking Stations

After the tasting, you get to the cooking portion. You work with a partner at the stations, which keeps things social without turning it into a chaotic cooking show. The host walks you through the waffle-making process step by step, so even if you have never worked with batter before, you are not left guessing.

The core idea is that your waffle batter is built around the beer choice you made earlier. That connection is why this class feels more memorable than a generic waffle class. You are essentially experimenting with flavor. One beer can produce a noticeably different result than another, and you get to experience that directly instead of reading about it.

Non-alcoholic and gluten-free options

The workshop info says you can opt for non-alcoholic or gluten-free alternatives. One guest also mentioned gluten-free flour was provided, and when gluten-free beer was not available as expected, the host worked through a fix by reimbursing the guest after they brought gluten-free beer in. That tells you two things: the team is trying to accommodate, and you should confirm details in advance if your needs are strict.

If you have celiac disease or strong gluten requirements, I’d message ahead and ask what is available for both batter ingredients and any beer served during tasting.

Baking and Toppings: The Part Where You Get to Eat as Much as You Want

Once the batter is mixed, you bake your own Belgian waffles to perfection. The host guidance is the difference between waffles that are merely edible and waffles that actually taste right. Multiple guests described the instructions as clear and easy to follow, and several emphasized how simple the process felt once you were standing at the station with the host nearby.

Then comes the decorating stage, where Ghent’s “small pleasures” approach takes over. You get toppings like:

• chocolate sauce
• speculoos (Belgian-style spiced spread)
• whipped cream
• plus other decoration options that can include sugar dustings and spreads

One guest noted the toppings variety could have been better for their personal taste, like adding fresh fruit or Nutella. That is not a dealbreaker for most people, because you still have plenty of classic choices. Still, if you love very specific toppings, it is smart to think ahead and bring your expectations.

Unlimited waffles from your own baking

This is where the value really shows up. The workshop includes eating as many waffles as you want, as long as you baked them. People described making a lot of waffles, even taking extra home.

I like this format because it keeps the energy high. You are not rationed to one waffle, and you get the satisfaction of tasting your own work, not just receiving a plate.

What You Take Home: Secret Recipe, Certificate, and Leftovers

At the end, you do not just leave full, you leave prepared to recreate the experience at home. You take home:

• a secret recipe
• a graduation certificate
• your leftovers

Several guests specifically mentioned bringing leftovers away, and one person noted getting extra waffles and taking them back to their apartment. Another mentioned cute bags you can buy for taking food home, which is a nice touch if you plan to eat on the go later.

Even if you do not bake waffles often, the secret recipe and certificate make this feel like a real “class,” not just a meal. Plus, the batter process is something you can repeat without needing the workshop again.

Price and Value: Is $55 Worth 90 Minutes?

At $55 per person for 90 minutes, you are paying for three things at once:

1. instruction that guides you through mixing and baking
2. the included ingredients and cooking materials
3. a guided beer tasting plus the payoff of using a beer in your batter

If you tried to recreate the same experience on your own, you would likely spend on at least beer tastings, batter ingredients, waffle equipment usage (if you do not already have it), and professional instruction. You also would not get the step-by-step pacing that helps you avoid common waffle mistakes.

The best part of the value is the “eat what you bake” design. When you can make and enjoy multiple waffles, the cost stretches further than a typical tasting or single-plate food experience.

It is not the cheapest thing you can do in Ghent, but it is one of the more complete food-and-drink experiences you can buy with a clear structure and take-home results.

Who This Workshop Suits Best in Ghent

This is a strong fit if you want a hands-on food activity that still includes learning. It works for:

• couples looking for a shared activity
• groups that want something more interactive than walking and browsing
• beginners who need clear guidance
• beer fans who like the idea of tasting, choosing, and then tasting again through the waffle

The workshop is in English, and instructors can translate some parts when necessary. It is also described as wheelchair accessible.

Kids and alcohol rules

If you are bringing family, pay attention to the age guidelines. Alcohol is served only to participants 18 and above. If you are under 18, you will be served non-alcoholic drinks. Children under 3 are not suitable, and children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 basis.

That means this can work for older teens, but it likely needs more thought for families with very young kids.

Should You Book This Ghent Waffles n Beer Workshop?

If you want a single, efficient activity that delivers both Belgian beer culture and the mechanics of classic waffles, I’d book it. It is a good choice for first-timers because the host structure helps you succeed, and the take-home recipe means you can carry the skill beyond your trip.

I’d think twice if you want a totally alcohol-free experience and prefer zero beer-related elements, or if your diet needs are strict enough that you cannot tolerate last-minute substitution. In that case, message ahead and confirm exactly what will be available for tasting and batter.

For most people, though, this is one of those “buy the ticket, then enjoy the process” activities. You will leave with full plates, a new waffle method, and the kind of edible souvenir you can actually use.

FAQ

How much does the Ghent Waffles n Beer workshop cost?

The price is $55 per person.

How long is the workshop in Ghent?

The workshop lasts 90 minutes.

How many Belgian beers are included?

The workshop includes tasting three Belgian specialty beers.

Is the workshop in English?

Yes, the instructor speaks English, and they can translate some parts if needed.

Do minors need to drink alcohol?

No. Only participants 18 and above are served alcoholic drinks. Participants under 18 are served non-alcoholic drinks.

Where do I meet the host?

Meet at a tall white building with a big green wooden door. If the door is closed, you can push it open or tap one of the windows on the left, then the host will open it. After entering, take the small steps upstairs, and go to the first door on the left.

Is this activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the workshop is wheelchair accessible.