Ghent: Belgian Waffle-Making Workshop with Beer Tasting

Come hungry and ready to mix. This 90-minute workshop pairs two Belgian favorites in one friendly session: you taste three Belgian beers, choose one for your batter, then cook and decorate as many waffles as you can manage.

I especially like the hands-on format and the fact that you take home the recipe, a graduation certificate, and any leftover waffles. The hosts, including Thomas, Anna, Reuben, Luk, and Patty, are repeatedly praised for making the class easygoing and fun. The main consideration is price: at $55 per person, it is not the cheapest snack in Ghent, and the topping selection may feel basic if you want fresh fruit or premium spreads.

The workshop earns a 4.8 rating from 256 bookings, with strong praise for its friendly instructors, generous portions, and relaxed pace. It works best when you want a break from sightseeing and prefer doing something social rather than simply ordering another waffle in a café.

Key points at a glance

• Choose a beer for your batter: After tasting three Belgian beers, you select a favorite to flavor your waffles.
• Make plenty of food: You can eat as many of your own waffles as you bake, with leftovers available to take away.
• Learn from several well-liked hosts: Thomas, Anna, Reuben, Luk, Patty, and other instructors are praised for clear teaching and good humor.
• Non-drinkers are welcome: Non-alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea, and juice are available, and minors receive alcohol-free drinks.
• Bring dietary needs into the booking: Gluten-free flour is available, but gluten-free beer was not always on hand.
• Find the green door: Look for the tall white building with the large green wooden door, close to central Ghent.

What happens during the 90-minute workshop

The activity has a simple rhythm: taste, mix, bake, decorate, and eat. That structure keeps the session moving without making it feel like a formal cooking school.

You begin with three Belgian specialty beers. The host explains what makes each beer different and gives some background on Belgian brewing. This is more useful than a simple tasting flight because you are given a reason to pay attention to color, flavor, and style before choosing a beer for your batter.

The advertised tasting includes three beers, though some sessions have included four or five samples. A few people also found that more beer was available during the cooking portion. Since the exact selection can vary, I would treat the three-beer tasting as the reliable promise and any extras as a bonus.

You are not pressured to drink every sample. Non-drinkers can choose coffee, tea, juice, or other alcohol-free options, and participants under 18 receive non-alcoholic drinks. That makes this easier to recommend for mixed groups, although children under 16 must have an adult with them on a one-to-one basis.

Picking a Belgian beer for the waffle batter

The most unusual part of the class is using beer in the waffle mixture. After tasting the samples, you select the beer you want to add to your batter. The choice gives the cooking lesson a personal touch, even if you are not much of a beer fan.

The hosts guide you through the recipe and explain each stage. The batter needs time to rest, so the beer discussion continues while you wait. One session included a short video about beer production during this pause, giving the tasting a little more context.

The instructions are intended for beginners. Several hosts are praised for making the recipe easy to follow, and the finished waffles are often described as light and fluffy. You work with a partner at the cooking stations, which is worth knowing if you are booking alone or with a larger group. The social side is part of the appeal, but you should expect a shared class rather than a private lesson.

One practical note: the exact level of step-by-step guidance can depend on the instructor. Most accounts describe clear explanations, but one participant found the process confusing because the group moved ahead before everyone had finished each stage. If you like very precise instruction, listen closely at the start and ask the host to repeat a step when needed.

Baking your own waffles in Ghent

Once the batter is ready, you move to the waffle irons and cook your own batch. This is where the experience becomes more than a tasting. You are not watching a chef prepare one perfect waffle for you. You are mixing, baking, checking the texture, and learning how the recipe behaves.

The process is forgiving, and the instructors help if you have questions. You can make more waffles as the session continues, so there is no need to worry about producing a perfect first attempt.

The quantity is one of the workshop’s strongest points. You eat the waffles you bake, and several people have had enough left to take back to their accommodation. The promise is not one small sample per person. You get a generous chance to keep cooking and eating until you have had your fill.

That makes the class particularly useful for couples and families who want lunch or a substantial snack. It also improves the value of the $55 price, since you receive food, beer tasting, instruction, and a recipe rather than paying only for a short demonstration.

Toppings, sweetness, and what you take home

After baking, you decorate the waffles with chocolate sauce, speculoos, whipped cream, icing sugar, and other available toppings. Belgian speculoos gives the session a clear local flavor, and the combination of warm waffles with chocolate and cream is hard to argue with.

The topping selection is good enough for a fun workshop, but it is not an elaborate dessert bar. One person wanted fresh berries and Nutella, while another was less impressed by the use of jam on waffles. If you want a carefully plated pastry with a wide choice of fresh ingredients, a specialist café may suit you better.

The take-home extras are a useful part of the package. You receive the secret recipe and a graduation certificate, and you can take away leftover waffles. Some participants also mention taking home an apron, though the core information specifically promises the recipe, certificate, and leftovers. Check what is included on your date if the apron matters to you.

The recipe is perhaps the most lasting souvenir. Belgian waffles are a food you can realistically recreate at home, unlike many regional dishes that require hard-to-find ingredients or specialist equipment. You can bring back a practical memory, not just another photograph.

The hosts make or break the class

The instructors receive the most consistent praise. Reuben is singled out for his beer knowledge and entertaining style. Thomas is repeatedly described as warm, clear, and engaging, while Anna is praised for her kindness and attention to the group. Luk and Patty also receive strong marks for making the class enjoyable.

That matters because a workshop can become awkward if the host treats it like a lecture. Here, the best sessions seem to balance explanation with jokes, questions, and plenty of time to cook. You are likely to share the room with people from several countries, so the atmosphere depends partly on how well the host brings everyone into the conversation.

The class is taught in English. The hosts can translate some parts when needed, but English is the working language because the group is international. You do not need advanced cooking skills, though you should be comfortable following spoken instructions in English.

The group setting is a plus for couples, friends, solo visitors, and families who enjoy meeting other people. If you want quiet, private instruction, this is not the right format.

Is $55 good value in Ghent?

At $55 per person, the price sits above the cost of simply buying a waffle and a beer. The value comes from the combination of several parts:

• Three Belgian beer tastings with explanations
• A guided waffle-making lesson
• All ingredients and cooking equipment
• As many of your own waffles as you can eat
• A recipe and graduation certificate
• Leftover waffles to take away

The food portion is generous, and the beer tasting helps justify the cost. If you already plan to spend money on drinks and a meal, the workshop can replace part of that spending while adding an activity.

I would not book it purely as a cheap way to eat. You are paying for the social setting, the instruction, and the chance to make the food yourself. The $55 feels more reasonable for a couple or group that values shared activities. It feels less compelling if you only want the best waffle in town or you do not drink and have little interest in cooking.

Non-drinkers still receive alternatives, so they are not excluded. But if you do not care about beer and will not make use of the tasting, the price may seem high compared with a café visit.

Meeting point and practical access

The meeting point is easy to identify. 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 should let you in.

Inside, take the small stairs upstairs. The workshop entrance is the first door on the left, where the host will be waiting.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the meeting directions also refer to stairs. If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider before booking to confirm the accessible route and entrance arrangements. That small check is sensible because the standard directions may not describe the best route for every participant.

The workshop is in Ghent, not Bruges, so select the Ghent location carefully when booking. Transport is not included, but the venue is close to central sights. One participant placed it about five minutes from one of Ghent’s main scenic areas, making it easy to fit into a day of sightseeing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available slot when you plan your day.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly for:

• Couples looking for a shared activity
• Families with children old enough to take part safely
• Friends who enjoy food, beer, and light socializing
• Solo visitors who like joining a small group
• People who want a break from walking around museums and churches
• Anyone who wants a Belgian recipe they can use at home

It is also a good choice for a first day in Belgium. The class gives you a quick introduction to Belgian beer and one of the country’s best-known foods without requiring a full-day commitment.

Families should note the age rules. Children under 3 are not suitable for the activity. Anyone under 18 receives non-alcoholic drinks, and children under 16 need an adult with them on a one-to-one basis.

People with gluten-free needs should ask ahead of time. Gluten-free flour has been provided, but gluten-free beer was not always available. One participant solved this by bringing beer from a shop and was reimbursed, but it is better to confirm your requirements before arriving.

Small drawbacks worth knowing

The class is praised far more often than it is criticized, but a fair review should point out the limits.

First, the topping choices may not satisfy everyone. You get familiar favorites such as chocolate sauce, speculoos, whipped cream, icing sugar, and jam, but fresh fruit and Nutella are not guaranteed.

Second, the experience depends on the host and the group. A strong instructor can keep the process clear and lively. A less structured session may feel rushed or confusing during the batter preparation.

Third, the alcohol side is central to the theme, even though alternatives are available. If only some people in your party drink, make sure everyone understands that the beer tasting is a major part of the 90 minutes.

Finally, the price may feel high if you judge it as a meal alone. The workshop earns its value through participation, instruction, conversation, and leftovers.

Should you book the Ghent waffle workshop?

I would book it if you want an easy, social way to enjoy two Belgian specialties in one sitting. The class is short enough to fit into a busy Ghent itinerary, generous enough to count as a substantial snack or light meal, and practical enough to send you home with a recipe you can use again.

I would skip it if you want a private cooking lesson, a large selection of fresh toppings, or the lowest-cost waffle in town. For most couples, families, and food-focused groups, though, the mix of beer tasting, hands-on baking, friendly hosts, and take-home waffles makes $55 a fair price.

FAQ

How long does the Ghent waffle and beer workshop last?

The workshop lasts 90 minutes.

How much does the workshop cost?

The price is $55 per person.

How many beers are included?

The standard experience includes tastings of three Belgian specialty beers. Some sessions may offer additional samples, but three is the stated tasting amount.

Can I make waffles with beer?

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

Are non-alcoholic drinks available?

Yes. Non-alcoholic drinks are available, including coffee, tea, and juice. Participants under 18 receive non-alcoholic drinks.

Can children attend?

Children under 3 are not suitable for the activity. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis.

Is the workshop taught in English?

Yes. English is the workshop language, and the hosts can translate some parts when necessary.

Can I eat as many waffles as I make?

Yes. You can eat as many of your own baked waffles as you want during the workshop.

Can I take waffles home?

Yes. Leftover waffles can be taken home. You also receive the secret recipe and a graduation certificate.

Is a gluten-free option available?

Gluten-free flour is available. Gluten-free beer may not always be on hand, so contact the provider before booking if you need both a gluten-free batter and beer.