Ghent: Belgian Waffle-Making Workshop with Beer Tasting

Belgium gives you many ways to spend 90 minutes, but few combine three Belgian beers, homemade waffles, and as many toppings as you want. This Ghent workshop turns two national favorites into a practical cooking class, with plenty of tasting and a recipe you can use at home.

I like the hands-on format and the easy social setting. You mix the batter, cook your own waffles, and share a station with a partner rather than sit through a demonstration. I also like the flexibility: you can choose a beer for the batter, or use a non-alcoholic or gluten-free alternative. The main thing to consider is the price, $55 per person, which is fair if you value the class and drinks, but may feel high if you only want a quick waffle snack.

Key points at a glance

• Three Belgian beers begin the class: You taste different styles and learn how each one is made and served.
• Your chosen beer can go into the batter: This gives the waffles a local twist without making the recipe hard to follow.
• You do the cooking yourself: The class includes mixing, baking, decorating, and plenty of time to eat.
• Non-drinkers are welcome: Non-alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea, and juice are available, while minors receive non-alcoholic drinks.
• The recipe and leftovers go home with you: You receive a secret recipe, a graduation certificate, and any waffles you do not finish.
• The workshop is near central Ghent: Look for the tall white building with the large green wooden door.

Why waffles and beer make sense in Ghent

Belgian waffles are not one single food. Across Belgium, you will find different shapes, textures, and recipes, and this class focuses on making your own rather than simply buying one from a street counter. That makes the experience more useful than a standard tasting stop. You leave knowing how the batter was mixed and how the waffle iron changed it into a crisp, soft treat.

Beer also has an important place in Belgian food culture. The tasting gives you a small introduction to that variety, with three specialty beers and an explanation of their character and background. You are not just handed three glasses and left to guess. The hosts explain what you are tasting, then help you choose a favorite beer for the batter.

That pairing is the clever part. Beer is not an extra activity bolted onto a cooking class. You taste first, choose a brew, and then use it in the recipe. The result is a simple connection between the drink in your glass and the food on your plate.

Finding the green door 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 front door is normally open. If it is closed, you can push it open or tap on one of the windows to the left, and the host will let you in.

Inside, take the small staircase upstairs. The workshop room is the first door on the left. This is worth noting because the entrance may not look like a typical cooking school, and you do not want to waste the first few minutes searching the building.

The class is in English, since people from many countries attend. The hosts can translate parts of the instruction when needed. Guides named in recent sessions include Thomas, Anna, Reuben, Luc, Luke, Fabien, Patty, and Tine, so the exact personality and presentation style can vary by date.

The first 20 minutes: tasting three Belgian beers

The workshop starts with a guided tasting of three Belgian beers. This gives the session a gentle beginning. You can settle in, meet the other people at your station, and learn a little before flour and batter take over the room.

Each beer is introduced with information about its flavor and background. Some sessions also include a short video about how beer is made while the batter rests. The point is not to turn you into a brewing expert in one sitting. It is to help you notice differences between the beers and understand why Belgium has such a strong beer tradition.

You are invited to taste, not pressured to drink. That matters if you want to learn about Belgian beer but do not usually drink much. Participants under 18 receive non-alcoholic drinks, and non-drinkers can choose coffee, tea, juice, or other non-alcoholic options.

The advertised tasting includes three Belgian specialty beers. Extra beer may be available during the class, but I would treat the three-beer tasting as the reliable part of the booking rather than plan your evening around unlimited alcohol. You will also want to pace yourself because you still have mixing, cooking, and eating ahead.

Choosing the beer for your waffle batter

After tasting, you choose your preferred beer for the batter. This is a small decision, but it makes the workshop feel personal. You are not simply following a recipe prepared by someone else. Your group gets to select the flavor direction before cooking begins.

The class also offers a non-alcoholic batter option and a gluten-free alternative. If you need gluten-free flour, tell the provider in advance and confirm what is available for your date. One participant was able to use gluten-free flour, but had to supply a gluten-free beer after finding that one was not available at the venue.

That detail is useful for anyone with strict dietary needs. The flour alternative is part of the information provided, but the beer selection may not cover every dietary requirement. Ask before booking if cross-contact or a fully gluten-free setup is important to you.

Mixing the batter with a partner

You work with a partner at a cooking station. The host takes you through the ingredients and method, then you mix your own batter. The process is intended for beginners, and you do not need previous cooking experience.

This is where the class becomes more social than a normal food tour. You are standing beside other couples, families, and small groups, comparing mixtures and waiting for the batter to rest. Several sessions have included people from different countries, which gives the workshop a friendly shared-table feel without requiring you to make conversation with everyone.

The instructions appear to be straightforward, though the amount of guidance can depend on the host and the pace of the group. One session was described as less structured, with people following the printed recipe while waiting for step-by-step direction. If you prefer a formal cooking lesson where the teacher pauses after every stage, this may feel loose. If you like a relaxed class that lets you work at your own pace, that same format can be a plus.

Baking, topping, and eating as many waffles as you can

Once the batter is ready, you cook the waffles yourself. The host explains how to use the equipment and helps you through the baking stage. You get the satisfaction of seeing a raw mixture turn into a proper Belgian waffle, then you can make more rather than stopping after a single sample.

The topping table includes chocolate sauce, speculoos, whipped cream, icing sugar, and jam. Biscoff-style speculoos spread gives you the classic spiced biscuit flavor associated with Belgium. Fresh berries and Nutella are not listed among the standard toppings, so do not expect a large brunch buffet with every possible addition.

The generous serving policy is one of the best parts of the deal. You can eat as many of your own waffles as you make, and some groups have had enough left over to take back to their accommodation. Bring a container only if you have one available, since the exact packaging is not specified.

This is also a good reason to plan the workshop as a meal rather than a small dessert stop. Waffles, toppings, and beer can add up quickly, and the class gives you time to make several. If you have a light appetite, you may get more value from the recipe, social setting, and tasting than from trying to match the biggest eaters.

The hosts make the difference

The workshop relies heavily on the host. The strongest sessions have been led by engaging instructors who combine beer facts with jokes, clear cooking help, and a relaxed attitude. Reuben has been praised for his beer knowledge and entertaining style, while Thomas, Anna, Luc, Luke, Fabien, Patty, and Tine have also led well-received sessions.

That does not mean every class will feel identical. The basic structure stays the same, but the amount of beer background, humor, and hands-on coaching can change with the person at the front of the room. The best hosts keep the group moving without making beginners feel clumsy.

I would choose this activity partly for that human element. You are not buying a polished theater show. You are joining a small food class where the guide has to manage flour, waffle irons, drink choices, dietary needs, and a mixed group. The warmth of the host can turn a basic recipe into a memorable afternoon.

Is $55 a fair price?

At $55 per person, the value depends on what you compare it with. You are paying for a 90-minute English-language class, three Belgian beer tastings, ingredients, cooking equipment, unlimited waffles from your own batter, toppings, and instruction. You also take home the recipe, a graduation certificate, and your leftovers.

A Belgian waffle and a beer bought separately would cost much less than $55. That is the weak point if you are only hungry for a snack. The price makes more sense if you want an activity that breaks up sightseeing and gives you something to do with your hands.

The workshop is also good value for couples and families who enjoy shared activities. Children under 16 must have an adult with them on a one-to-one basis, and children under 3 are not permitted. Alcohol is limited to participants aged 18 and above, but younger visitors can receive non-alcoholic drinks.

For a family of five or six, the class can be a pleasant change from walking between museums and monuments. For a solo visitor, the partner setup and group format can make it easier to meet people. For a serious beer enthusiast, the tasting is a useful introduction but not a full brewery tour or a specialist beer seminar.

Timing, access, and practical planning

The experience lasts 90 minutes, which is a good length for a cooking activity. It is long enough to taste, mix, bake, and eat without taking over your whole day. I would avoid booking it immediately before a fixed museum entry or train departure, since cooking classes can run on the group’s pace.

The workshop is wheelchair accessible. The meeting directions mention small steps upstairs, so if you use a wheelchair, confirm the route and access details directly when booking. Transport is not included, and you make your own way to the building.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Availability and starting times change, so check the date that suits your Ghent plans rather than assuming there is a session at every hour.

Who should book this Ghent activity?

I would recommend it most to:

• Couples who want a shared activity beyond sightseeing
• Families with children old enough to cook safely and follow instructions
• Visitors who enjoy trying local food in a social setting
• Beer drinkers who want a friendly introduction to Belgian styles
• Non-drinkers who still like cooking and can use the alternative drinks
• Anyone who wants a recipe and practical memory to take home

I would be less enthusiastic if you want a quiet meal, a formal culinary school lesson, or a detailed brewery visit. The class is social, hands-on, and a little informal. The toppings are enjoyable but not especially elaborate, and the price may not suit someone who simply wants the cheapest waffle in Ghent.

Should you book the waffle and beer workshop?

If you have a free 90 minutes in Ghent, I think this is a smart choice for an easy, cheerful food experience. The strongest reasons are the mix of tasting and cooking, the generous waffle portions, the useful recipe, and the chance to leave with leftovers instead of only a few bites.

Book it if you want to do something rather than just watch. Skip it if you dislike group classes or have strict dietary needs that require a fully controlled kitchen. For most couples, families, and curious food lovers, the $55 price is justified by the combination of beer, instruction, ingredients, and a meal you make yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Ghent waffle workshop last?

The activity lasts 90 minutes.

How many Belgian beers are included?

The experience includes tastings of three Belgian specialty beers.

Can I use beer in my waffle batter?

Yes. After tasting the beers, you can choose a favorite to add to your waffle batter.

Is there a non-alcoholic waffle option?

Yes. You can choose a non-alcoholic batter option, and non-drinkers can receive drinks such as coffee, tea, or juice.

Can children attend 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. Participants under 18 receive non-alcoholic drinks.

Is a gluten-free option available?

A gluten-free flour option is available. If you need gluten-free beer, confirm the current arrangement before booking because it may not be available at the venue.

What toppings are provided?

Toppings include chocolate sauce, speculoos, whipped cream, icing sugar, and jam. Other toppings may vary by session.

What do I take home?

You receive the secret waffle recipe, a graduation certificate, and any leftover waffles.