The Waffles ‘n Beer Workshop in Ghent Centre

Beer first, waffles second, good sense optional. The Waffles n Beer Workshop gives you a relaxed way to enjoy two Belgian favorites while learning how they connect. I especially like the three-beer tasting and the chance to use your chosen beer in the waffle batter. I also like that you can bake and eat as many waffles as you want.

The main consideration is the alcohol. Participants must be at least 18 to receive alcoholic drinks, and the workshop is conducted in English. Children under 16 must have a one-to-one adult companion, and the tall tables may not suit every wheelchair user.

This is a social, hands-on activity rather than a formal cooking lesson. Hosts such as Thomas, Tina, Fabian, Anna, and Stijn have been praised for being patient, lively, and easy to follow. With a maximum group of 18, you should expect to share the room and work in pairs or small teams.

Key points before you book

• Three Belgian beers come before the baking: You learn about each beer’s brewing process and background, then choose one for your batter.
• You make Brussels-style waffles: The recipe produces large, fluffy waffles, and the process is simple enough for children to follow with adult help.
• There is plenty to eat: The workshop allows you to bake and eat as many waffles as you want, with toppings available for the finished waffles.
• The hosts are a major part of the experience: Thomas, Tina, Fabian, Anna, and Stijn are all praised for warmth, patience, humor, and clear instruction.
• The setting is central Ghent: Meet at Onderbergen 4, close to public transportation, and finish at the same place.
• Plan ahead for popular dates: The activity is booked about 31 days in advance on average, so last-minute availability may be limited.

What happens at Onderbergen 4

The workshop begins at Onderbergen 4 in Ghent, Belgium. It ends at the same meeting point, which keeps the logistics easy, especially if you are fitting this activity between sightseeing stops.

The session lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes. That is long enough to taste several beers, make waffles, and sit down to eat without taking half a day from your visit. You do not need to arrange separate transport between parts of the activity, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

The group can include up to 18 people. That is large enough to create a friendly social mood, but small enough for the host to demonstrate the recipe and help with questions. The workshop works especially well for couples, families, and groups of friends, though solo participants can also meet people from different countries.

The class is held in English because people from around the world attend. Hosts can translate some parts when needed, but you should be comfortable following basic instructions in English. This is not a silent demonstration. You will need to listen, mix, bake, and take part.

Three Belgian beers set the tone

The tasting comes first, and it gives the workshop its Belgian character. You learn about three different beers, including their brewing process and some of the history behind them. The selection can include very different styles, such as Kriek cherry beer, peach beer, and Gulden Draak.

That variety matters. Belgian beer is not one single flavor or style, and the tasting lets you compare fruit-based beers with stronger, more traditional examples. The goal is not only to drink, but to notice how sweetness, fruit, malt, and bitterness can affect food.

Your host explains what you are drinking and offers tasting tips. Thomas, in particular, has been praised for combining beer facts with stories and a relaxed sense of humor. Another host, Tina, has been described as an excellent partner to a beer-focused guide, adding useful background while keeping the session friendly.

You then choose your favorite beer for the waffle batter. This is the workshop’s most distinctive idea. Instead of treating beer and waffles as separate Belgian treats, the class lets you test how beer changes the flavor of the finished food.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The tasting is a pleasant introduction, not a specialist beer course. One rating described the beers as merely okay, so serious beer enthusiasts may want more depth or a larger range. For most people, though, the point is the mix of tasting, stories, and cooking.

Nonalcoholic drinks are served to participants under 18. Alcoholic drinks are served only to people aged 18 and above. That makes the experience workable for families, but the adult and child experience will not be exactly the same.

Making Brussels-style waffles with beer

After the tasting, the group moves to the cooking part. You follow the host’s recipe and learn how to prepare Brussels-style waffles, using the beer you selected earlier.

The instruction is designed to be approachable. Several hosts have been praised for making the process easy to follow, and the recipe has produced waffles described as fluffy and delicious. You do not need to arrive as a baker. The class is more about taking part than showing off your kitchen skills.

You will generally work with another person or as part of a small team. That makes the activity social and helps families divide up the tasks. One parent and child can mix together, while couples or friends can take turns preparing the batter and using the waffle maker.

The beer choice adds a small element of decision-making. A sweet fruit beer may give the batter a different character from a stronger beer such as Gulden Draak. You get to connect the tasting with the baking instead of simply receiving a plate of food at the end.

Hosts are available to guide you through the steps. Thomas has received repeated praise for being patient and encouraging, while Fabian has been described as entertaining and accommodating. The workshop has also worked well with younger children, including an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old, provided the required adult supervision is in place.

One practical point: the waffles can be large. One portion of batter produced four very big waffles for a pair of participants. Since you can bake and eat as many as you want, you may leave feeling very full. If you have a dinner reservation soon afterward, schedule some space between the workshop and your meal.

Toppings, beer pairing, and the final plate

Once the waffles are ready, you choose toppings and pair the food with the beer used in the batter. This is when the lesson becomes a meal.

The toppings make the experience flexible. You can keep the waffle simple or build a sweeter combination, depending on what is available during your session. The key idea is to taste the waffle alongside the beer that went into it, not just drink the beer separately.

The pairing can be surprisingly useful for understanding Belgian food. Beer is often associated with savory dishes, but fruit beers can work nicely with sweet foods, and the waffle gives you a mild base for comparison. You are not just eating a Belgian snack. You are testing a flavor match you helped create.

The amount of food is one of the workshop’s strongest practical advantages. Several participants have said they had plenty to eat, and one described the activity as a good choice if you do not want to leave hungry. You get the pleasure of making the food, then enough time to enjoy it.

The mood remains informal. There is laughter, conversation, and a chance to meet other people in the group. That social element may be as important as the recipe itself. If you prefer quiet, private dining, this may not be the right activity. If you enjoy cooking with strangers and comparing results, it should feel natural.

Why the hosts matter so much

The recipe is important, but the host shapes the entire session. The repeated praise for Thomas points to the kind of guide you can expect: friendly, well prepared, good at explaining beer, and patient while people work through the waffle steps.

Tina has been praised for being a terrific host, and Fabian for being entertaining and accommodating. Anna has been described as friendly and inviting, even during an early solo class. Stijn has also received strong praise, with participants calling his session a must-do Ghent activity.

Because different hosts may lead different dates, the tone can vary slightly. The common thread is an easygoing approach. You are not expected to know Belgian beer or waffle terminology in advance, and the hosts appear comfortable helping both adults and children.

The workshop also gives you small cultural details that a standard food stop may not provide. You hear about Belgian beer and waffles while handling ingredients and tasting the result. That link between explanation and action helps the information stick.

Is the $71.20 price good value?

At $71.20 per person, this is not the cheapest way to eat waffles in Ghent. You could buy a waffle and a beer for much less. The price makes more sense when you count the three-beer tasting, the instruction, the ingredients, the toppings, and the chance to bake and eat repeatedly.

You are paying for an activity, not only for food. The host’s stories, the beer comparisons, the recipe, and the social setting are part of the package. For a family or small group looking for a shared memory, the price can be fair, especially when the workshop replaces a separate snack stop and an evening activity.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick Belgian waffle. It is also less appealing if you do not drink beer and have little interest in cooking. Nonalcoholic drinks are available for minors, but adults who avoid alcohol will miss one of the central parts of the experience.

The strong overall response and full recommendation rate suggest that the format works for many types of visitors. Still, value depends on your plans. I would book it for a first visit to Ghent when you want something participatory. I would skip it if your schedule is packed with museums, churches, and guided walking tours and you only have time for a fast meal.

Families, couples, and group size

Families are a particularly good match. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis, so you should plan accordingly. A family with two children will need two adults if both children are under 16.

The activity has worked well for children around 8 and 9 years old. The recipe is simple enough to follow, and the baking gives children a real task rather than asking them to sit through a long explanation. Adults still need to supervise, especially around hot equipment and alcoholic drinks.

Couples and friends can treat the workshop as a casual night out. You get drinks, food, and an activity that keeps the conversation moving. It is also a good option for a group of adults who want something different from another restaurant meal.

With a maximum of 18 participants, the atmosphere should be communal rather than private. You may be paired with people you have not met. That is part of the appeal, but it is worth knowing before you book.

The building is accessible to wheelchair users, but the workstations have tall tables and stools. If you use a wheelchair and cannot transfer to a stool, the setup may not be ideal. Service animals are allowed.

Timing, language, and booking advice

The workshop is offered in English. Hosts can translate some parts if necessary, but you should not expect a fully multilingual class. The English format also helps people from different countries work together.

Mobile tickets make entry simple. Confirmation is provided when you book. Since the activity is booked about 31 days ahead on average, I would reserve early if you need a particular date, especially for a family or larger group.

Choose the Ghent location carefully when booking. The meeting point is in central Ghent at Onderbergen 4, and the activity ends there. The location warning matters because the same provider may offer workshops in other cities.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, so if the provider cancels because that number is not met, you receive either another option or a full refund.

Who should book this Ghent workshop?

Book it if you want to combine food, drink, and a hands-on lesson in one short activity. It is a strong fit for families with older children, couples, friend groups, and solo visitors who like meeting people while cooking.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy trying different beers, are happy to follow a recipe, and want more than a quick taste of Belgian food. The unlimited waffle baking and generous portions make it a satisfying stop.

Think twice if you avoid alcohol, dislike group activities, or have mobility needs that make tall tables and stools difficult. Also remember that this is an English-language workshop, with only limited translation available.

For most visitors, I would book the Waffles n Beer Workshop as a fun break from Ghent’s churches, canals, and museums. It gives you something to do with your hands, something new to taste, and a practical story to take home: Belgian beer can belong in the waffle batter, too.

FAQ

Where does the Waffles n Beer Workshop take place?

The workshop starts at Onderbergen 4, 9000 Gent, Belgium. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the workshop last?

The activity lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How many beers are included in the tasting?

You learn about and taste three Belgian beers before choosing one to use in your waffle batter.

Can children attend the workshop?

Yes. Participants under 18 receive nonalcoholic drinks. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis.

Is the workshop offered in English?

Yes. The workshop is conducted in English because people from many countries participate. Hosts can translate some parts if needed.

How many people can join the activity?

The workshop has a maximum capacity of 18 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.