GHENT BELGIUM

Yes, you’ll surely find buttery waffles, tasty beer and divine chocolate here. It is Belgium, after all. But what makes Ghent stand out from its neighbors is the city’s recent evolution into one of Europe’s vegetarian and sustainable dining capitals. While meat is still available, veggie-focused hits like Lokaal and Madonna ensure you won’t miss it. Ghent also observes citywide Veggie Thursdays, during which most eateries go meat-free. The destination’s official earth-friendly food plan launched in 2021 and has since spurred a proliferation of farmers’ markets supplying chefs, residents and, increasingly, culinary tourists. Still, staying sustainable means getting creative, and restaurants across town are rising to the challenge. Eco-friendly dishes make innovative use of local and seasonal ingredients, like those on offer at Green Michelin–starred Souvenir.