Du Progres — Restaurant in Ghent

My husband and I had a great meal here in mid February 2020. We were reluctant to go at first due to its location in the middle of the Korenmarkt... we thought it might be touristy, but when the concierge at our hotel recommended it we decided to give it a try and are so glad we did. Despite it being a Tuesday night, the place was full with locals. We had to wait about 15 minutes for a table which we thought was a good sign. Menu had lots of choices, but we decided to share the chateaubriand made for 2 people. It was served with frites, salads and two sauces (we got béarnaise and herb butter... herb butter was awesome). The steak was cooked to perfection and seasoned well. The food was great, one of our best meals while in Belgium, but it was the service that really set this place apart. Our waiter was at our table almost instinctively every time we were ready for another slice of steak which he graciously transferred from the warming plate to our individual plates. All details were attended to without being intrusive. Lovely ambiance as well. We would definitely recommend going here and would return in a heartbeat. For reference, we typically choose slightly upscale farm-to-table restaurants (entrees usually cost between $28 and $40) in the states and are accustomed to spending $125-$175 for a three course meal with drinks. We found the prices and quality to be spot on for what we are used to and prefer. Our bill was around 90 euros for one appetizer, the steak for two, and 4 drinks total. Go! You...

My friends and I went here for some authentic Belgian food while visiting Ghent. It was a nice day so we were able to sit on the patio and got seated quickly. The service was slower than a typical American restaurant, but typical of a European restaurant. I got Vol-Au-Vent, a glass of wine, and a brownie with ice cream. The Vol-Au-Vent was very good, a chicken stew with a pastry. I believe that there was supposed to be more of a pastry the chicken stew would be in a bread bowl of sorts, but the chicken stew was in a bowl instead. It tasted quite good. The red wine was fine. The brownie and ice cream was quite good. The brownie was soft and moist and the ice cream paired nicely too with a smooth creamy texture. What was irritating was all the smoking. It's commonplace for smoking in public spaces in Europe, but I was surprised to see smoking on the patio area still. We were surrounded by patrons smoking and we were sitting in front of a door that seemed to have all the staff taking smoke breaks. Every now and then the staff would stand behind us smoking and chatting, quite disruptive to the dining experience. There was one gentleman who seemed to be exasperated with his working conditions and was venting to...

I had a great experience at Du Progrès. The atmosphere strikes a nice balance between casual and classic, with a pleasant terrace and cozy indoor seating that gives off a timeless brasserie vibe.

The highlight of my meal was without a doubt the steak tartare—it was absolutely excellent. Fresh, finely chopped, and perfectly seasoned, with all the traditional accompaniments served on the side so you can adjust it to your taste. It’s clear they take pride in getting this dish right, and they do.

I was also impressed by the beer selection. They offer a solid variety of local and Belgian options, which were well-chosen and served at the right temperature. It really elevated the meal and made for a relaxed, enjoyable evening.

Service was friendly and professional, though a bit on the slower side during peak hours. That said, the staff were attentive once they arrived, and everything we ordered was correct and well-prepared.

Overall, Du Progrès is a great spot for a laid-back meal with quality food and drinks. I’d definitely return, especially for that steak tartare. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys classic French-Belgian...