LOF

The story

LOF Restaurant, Gent – Modern Fine Dining by Chef Paul de Groote

The essence of fine dining in Ghent

At LOF Restaurant, located within the elegant Pillows Hotel Reylof, chef Paul de Groote focuses on the essence of cooking: using the best ingredients to create depth in each dish, where every element enhances the other. The result is modern cuisine served with genuine warmth by a young, ambitious team. This approach has earned LOF a Michelin Recommended distinction, a testament to the consistency and quality of the kitchen.

Chef Paul de Groote

Chef de Groote’s path to the stove began unexpectedly. He once wanted to be a carpenter, but fell in love with cooking. At 21, he started under the guidance of three-star chef Jannis Brevet at restaurant Inter Scaldes, a kitchen that earned three Michelin stars during de Groote’s two decades there. Today, he draws inspiration from everyday life—from his wife’s kitchen skills to the lessons his grandmother taught him as a child. His boundless passion for cooking, he says, simply never stops.

À la carte and the Chef’s Menu

Guests can choose between à la carte dishes or a multi-course Chef’s Menu. The à la carte selection changes with the seasons and includes starters like organic foie gras with chicory and Jerusalem artichoke, or North Sea crab with avocado and Imperial Heritage Caviar. Main courses feature Wagyu A3 Kagoshima, filet of lamb with burrata, or a vegetarian polenta option. Signature dishes include lobster with asem pedis and sea bass with soto broth.

The Chef’s Menu offers a curated journey through five or six courses, priced at €95 and €109 respectively. A vegetarian version is also available. Each course is built around the same principle: letting raw ingredients speak while adding layers of flavour. The sommelier pairs wines from an extensive collection, with non-alcoholic options available.

Sunday Lunch and private dining

On the first Sunday of each month, LOF serves a relaxed Sunday lunch in the courtyard garden when weather permits. Guests can mix and match courses from a dedicated menu, from starters to desserts, at a set price per course. It’s a casual, convivial way to experience the kitchen’s work.

For those seeking a more intimate setting, LOF offers private dining salons within the hotel. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, a four-course menu is available at €85 per person, with a tailored wine pairing at €50. This is ideal for celebrations or business dinners.

A welcoming atmosphere

The dining room is easy-going rather than formal, with a young team that serves each dish with care. The attention to true flavours—whether in a simple starter or a complex main—makes LOF a destination for anyone who appreciates thoughtful modern cuisine in Ghent.