Ghent: Belgian Waffle-Making Workshop with Beer Tasting

Belgium’s two great edible exports meet in one small workshop: you taste Belgian beer, then use your chosen brew in a batch of waffles. The hands-on cooking keeps this from feeling like a lecture, while the beer stories give the meal some useful local context.

I like the relaxed hosts, who have included Thomas, Anna, Reuben, Luc, Patty, and Fabien, and I like the generous approach to food. You make plenty of waffles, eat as many as you want, and may have extras to carry away. The one consideration is price: at $55 per person, it is good value if you enjoy both the tasting and the cooking, but less so if you only want a quick waffle.

Key points

• Three Belgian beers: Taste three specialty beers and learn how their styles, flavors, and brewing traditions differ.
• Your beer goes into the batter: Pick a favorite brew for the waffle mix, with nonalcoholic and gluten-free options available.
• A real cooking session: Work with a partner, mix the batter, use the waffle irons, and decorate your own results.
• Generous portions: Eat as many of your own waffles as you can make, with leftovers allowed to go home.
• Useful take-home extras: You receive the secret recipe and a graduation certificate, and some sessions also provide an apron or other keepsake.
• Easy central location: Look for the tall white building with the large green wooden door, close to one of Ghent’s prettiest central areas.

Why beer and waffles work so well in Ghent

This workshop makes sense because it joins two parts of Belgian food culture without dressing them up as a formal museum lesson. You learn about beer with a glass in hand, then put some of that beer into waffle batter and see how it changes the finished food.

The opening tasting usually features three Belgian beers. Your host explains each one, including its character and background, before you sample it. The tasting is meant to be friendly rather than technical. You do not need to know the difference between a dubbel, tripel, or any other Belgian style before arriving.

I appreciate this format because the beer section has a clear purpose. It is not simply three drinks before the real activity begins. You are asked to think about which beer you prefer, then choose one for your batter. That gives you a small but satisfying role in the recipe.

Some sessions have included four or five beers instead of three, and some people have been offered additional beer while the batter rests. Treat that as a possible bonus rather than a fixed promise. The stated experience includes three Belgian specialty beers.

Entering through the green door

The meeting point is easy to identify once you know what to look for. Find a tall white building with a large green wooden front door. The door is normally open, but if it is shut, you can push it open or tap on one of the windows to the left. The host will let you in.

Inside, take the small stairs upstairs. The workshop entrance is the first door on the left, where the host waits for you. Transport is not included, so you make your own way to the building.

The location is useful for a short break from sightseeing. One person placed it about five minutes from one of central Ghent’s attractive spots, making it easy to pair with a morning walk or an afternoon around the historic center. The exact starting time varies, so check the available departure times when booking.

The workshop space is wheelchair accessible. The entrance directions specifically mention small stairs inside, so if you use a wheelchair or have mobility needs, confirm the practical route with the operator before setting out.

The beer tasting sets the tone

Your host begins by introducing the beers and pouring samples. You learn what makes each one different, along with some Belgian brewing background. The explanations are part of the fun, but the session does not require you to take notes or memorize brewing terms.

This is where the personality of the host matters. Thomas has led sessions described as warm and clear, while Anna has been praised for keeping the workshop smooth and friendly. Reuben has brought a particularly strong interest in Belgian beer, and Luc, Luk, Patty, Fabien, and Tinee have also hosted sessions.

The names are worth noting, but the main point is that the experience depends partly on who leads your time slot. You should expect an English-speaking instructor who keeps the mood social and explains the process as you go. The hosts can translate some parts if needed, though the working language is English because people arrive from many countries.

Non-drinkers are not pushed aside. Nonalcoholic drinks are available, and one session also offered coffee, tea, and juice. Participants under 18 receive nonalcoholic drinks rather than alcoholic beer. If you want a gluten-free beer, ask in advance and confirm what will be available on your date, since one session had to substitute a beer bought locally.

Mixing the waffle batter with a partner

After the tasting, you move to the cooking stations. You normally work with a partner, which makes this a good activity for couples, friends, families, or anyone who enjoys a little teamwork.

The recipe is presented step by step. You combine the ingredients, choose your beer if you want an alcoholic batter, and allow the mix to rest. While it rests, the host may continue the beer discussion or show a video about how beer is made.

The method is designed for beginners. You do not need baking experience, and the hosts explain what to do before you move to the next stage. One point to keep in mind is that the level of structure can vary. Most people find the process easy to follow, but one session felt less orderly because the group moved through steps at slightly different speeds.

If you prefer very precise instruction, pay attention to the printed recipe and ask questions as soon as you are unsure. That will keep your station on track, especially if several pairs are mixing at once.

The workshop can accommodate a nonalcoholic batter and gluten-free flour. If either matters to you, mention it when booking and again when you arrive. The supplied information confirms gluten-free flour is available, but it does not promise a gluten-free beer at every session.

Baking waffles you can actually eat

Once the batter has rested, you use the waffle irons to cook your own batch. This is the most satisfying part of the workshop because the result is immediate. You pour, wait, check the color, and lift out a hot waffle that you made yourself.

The waffles are described as fluffy and generous. The recipe is one of the strongest reasons to bring a pen or save the instructions carefully. You receive the secret recipe to take home, so the workshop can continue in your own kitchen after the trip.

The portion size is also important when judging the $55 cost. You are not handed one small sample and sent on your way. You can eat as many of your own baked waffles as you want, and several sessions produced enough extras to take away.

Bring a little appetite. This is not a light tasting followed by a token dessert. You are mixing batter, cooking several waffles, and adding toppings. If you have already had a large meal, you may not make the most of the all-you-can-eat part.

Toppings from chocolate to speculoos

After baking, you decorate the waffles with the available toppings. The standard selection includes chocolate sauce, whipped cream, Belgian speculoos, icing sugar, and jam. Speculoos, the spiced biscuit flavor familiar throughout Belgium, is a particularly fitting choice here.

The toppings let you make the waffles your own, but do not expect a full dessert buffet. One session had a more limited selection than some people wanted, with fresh berries and Nutella suggested as missing additions. The listed choices are enough for a sweet finish, but the range may feel modest if you are hoping for fruit, nuts, or many premium spreads.

I like that the topping stage is informal. You can compare combinations with the people at your table, keep things simple with sugar, or pile on chocolate, cream, and speculoos. It gives the workshop a playful finish without adding another complicated lesson.

You may eat your waffles at the workshop and pack up leftovers. A few sessions also included a keepsake apron, though the main promised take-home items are the recipe, certificate, and leftover waffles. Ask your host what is included on your date if the apron matters to you.

What the 90-minute schedule feels like

Ninety minutes is a sensible length for this activity. The tasting, batter preparation, resting period, baking, and topping stage fill the time without turning the workshop into a half-day commitment.

The pace is usually relaxed rather than rushed. You get time to chat with the group, hear beer stories, and ask questions while the batter rests. At the same time, there is enough movement to keep you from sitting through a long presentation.

The social side is part of the appeal. You may be paired with someone you know, but the group format also gives you a natural way to meet people from other countries. The atmosphere has been described as warm, funny, and easygoing, with hosts using jokes and personal energy to keep the room moving.

That means this is not the right pick if you want a private cooking lesson or a quiet, highly polished demonstration. It is a shared workshop, and the exact rhythm depends on the group and the host. For most people, that shared feel is a benefit.

Is $55 per person good value?

At $55, the cost is not bargain-basement, but it can be fair value for the right person. You receive three beer tastings, all ingredients, cooking equipment, instruction, a full serving of waffles, the recipe, and a certificate. You may also leave with leftovers and, depending on the session, a keepsake apron.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a beer tasting, dessert, and a cooking activity. It also gives you a break from walking around Ghent, which can be welcome during a busy sightseeing day.

The value is weaker if you do not drink beer, do not care about making food, or only want to taste a Belgian waffle. Non-drinkers are accommodated, but much of the workshop is built around beer, even though the waffles remain the main hands-on activity.

I would also avoid assuming that extra beer or an apron is guaranteed. The core offer is already clear, and those extras have varied between sessions. Think of them as pleasant additions, not part of your calculation.

Who should book this Ghent workshop?

I would recommend it to couples who want a shared activity, families with older children, and small groups looking for something beyond another church, canal, or museum. It is also a good choice for food lovers who like leaving a city with a recipe rather than only photographs.

Families should note the age rules. Children under three are not suitable for the activity. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis, and participants under 18 receive nonalcoholic drinks.

The workshop works especially well early in a Belgium trip. You learn about beer at the start, taste a range of styles, and gain a recipe you can try once you return home. It is also a useful rainy-day plan because the entire activity takes place indoors.

I would hesitate only if you need a strictly private setting, want advanced culinary training, or dislike sweet food and group activities. The class is friendly and accessible, but it is not a serious pastry course.

Practical details before you book

The workshop is taught in English, with some translation possible when needed. Check the location carefully when booking, since the same provider also operates in Bruges and the reservation must be for Ghent.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which is useful if your schedule is still shifting.

Wear something comfortable for standing and cooking. The workshop supplies the ingredients and cooking materials, so you do not need to bring equipment. If you have dietary needs, tell the host clearly before the batter is mixed.

The rating is 4.8 from 256 recorded ratings, and the repeated praise is quite specific: friendly hosts, clear waffle instructions, tasty results, plenty of food, and an enjoyable beer introduction. The less positive points are also useful: toppings may be basic, structure can vary by host, and the price may feel high if you do not take part fully.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want to make something, eat generously, and learn a little about Belgian beer in one compact Ghent activity. The secret recipe and leftovers give it more lasting value than a simple tasting, and the hosts generally make the class feel relaxed rather than formal.

At $55, I would call it a good choice for couples, families with older children, and anyone who values an experience over a quick snack. If you are watching every euro or only want the cheapest waffle in town, skip it. If you want a cheerful 90-minute break with beer, baking, and a recipe to take home, it earns its place on a Ghent itinerary.

FAQ

How long does the Ghent waffle and beer workshop last?

The workshop lasts 90 minutes. The session includes beer tasting, batter preparation, resting time, baking, and adding toppings.

How many beers are included?

You taste three Belgian specialty beers as part of the activity. Some sessions have included additional beers, but three is the stated amount.

Can I make waffles without alcohol?

Yes. Nonalcoholic drinks and a nonalcoholic waffle batter are available. Participants under 18 receive nonalcoholic drinks.

Is gluten-free flour available?

Yes, gluten-free flour is available. Gluten-free beer is not guaranteed at every session, so confirm this before booking if you need it.

Can children attend?

Children under three are not suitable for the activity. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis.

What do I take home?

You take home the secret waffle recipe, a graduation certificate, and any leftover waffles. Some sessions have also included a keepsake apron.

Where does the workshop meet?

Look for a tall white building with a large green wooden door. Go upstairs using the small steps, and the workshop entrance is the first door on the left.