Tante Paula — Restaurant in Ghent

(Detailed review below) Food - 4/5 Ambience - 3/5 Accessibility - 4/5 Cost - 4/5 Service - 5/5

I was looking for a local cafe for a quick bite that was close to where I was staying and this looked promising! My friend and I actually walked past it once because the cafe shares the venue with a photography shop which is more prominently displayed on the shopfront; there’s a huge sign that says Foto Center outside with other signage displaying their photographic services.

By chance, we spoke to the owner and he explained that the shop was originally a photography shop with printing machines taking up a lot of the floor space but as business changed over time with the advent of compact cameras and home printers, he had to diversity and his wife suggested a cafe (which is named after her). So down one side is a cafe and on the other side, counters selling photography equipment. At the back is the sitting area for cafe patrons.

This review is purely on the cafe experience.

Food - I love my cakes and pastries and there were nice options here. We arrived quite late in the day so options were limited but what they had was really nice. I had a frangipane and a cream pastry (same consistency of a doughnut with custard cream). They were not too sweet which is a good thing.

Ambience - There was a grandfather clock on the wall, old photos, chandeliers and old dining table. Maybe the owners were going for the quaint look but it kinda felt dated. But it was all clean, spacious and cosy. A little bit jarring with a photography shop on one side.

Accessibility - The place is wheelchair friendly as everything is on the ground floor and no steps. I would imagine there’s a toilet facility here but we never checked.

Cost - I enjoyed my food and decaf latte and for me, it was decently priced and good value.

Tip - The owner was really friendly and it was nice of him to tell us a bit about the history of his shop and also of Gent. If the shop is quiet, go have a chat!

Service - Fast and friendly service. Thanks for the...

So good to find a place with simple but handmade sandwiches and soup for a very, very reasonable price in among all the overpriced touristy places elsewhere in Gent. Tante Paula (I presume) was making and serving and the home baking was as good as the sandwiches and soup. Nothing fancy but tastes so good and doesn’t break the...

Bad service, food from the literal microwave, extra fee for dine in. Had to finish my microwaved chicken-sandwich in the bus shelter. I'm not exaggerating when I say my sandwich tasted like a decapitated chicken. Don't go here if you're looking for a culinary treat or just...