Celebrated table

Oak

Name: Oak
Address: Hoogstraat 167/001, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, Gent, BE
Telephone: +32 9 353 90 50

Chef Marcelo Ballardin weaves Italian and Brazilian influences into a refined contemporary bistro experience in Ghent. Listed by Le Fooding 2026.

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The story

Oak Restaurant Ghent: A Modern Bistro Where Global Flavors Meet Seasonal Craft

The Chef’s Global Kitchen

Oak brings a distinctly global approach to the contemporary bistro scene in Ghent. Chef Marcelo Ballardin draws upon his Italian and Brazilian heritage to shape the daily offerings. His diverse background in music and fashion design translates into a highly visual style that prioritizes precision over pretense. The open kitchen allows guests to watch the team assemble each plate.

Standout Dishes and Seasonal Craft

The tasting menus guide guests through carefully sequenced courses that highlight unexpected pairings. Early spring arrives with pristine white asparagus served alongside a rich risotto and fermented jus. Sweet finishes consistently feature signature blue cheese ice cream finished with caviar and fennel pollen. Oak also provides a fully vegetarian progression for those avoiding meat.

The Dining Room and Atmosphere

The street facade presents a deliberately understated appearance that contrasts with the warmth inside. Dark walls and polished brown parquet floors establish a quiet backdrop for the service. Crisp tablecloths cover every surface, anchoring the bistro concept without overwhelming the senses. Recognition from Le Fooding in 2026 arrived as a natural outcome of this restrained environment.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026

Le Fooding

Listed

Ambience

A glimpse inside

Details

At a glance

Le Fooding 2026 — Listed

Cuisines Bistro

History

On the record

2026

Le Fooding — Listed

The US, Italy, England, and now Ghent… The Belgian Marcelo Ballardin with Italian-Brazilian origins is a real globetrotter! These days you’ll find him showcasing his foodie travels in a building that ap-pears slightly austere from the outside (hello imposing mailboxes that welcome you in!), and equally sober inside (dark walls, brown parquet floors, tablecloths). So, what did the chef, who dreamed of being a musician and has ambitions to one day become a fashion designer, send out from the open kitchen? The irresistible signature blue cheese ice cream topped with caviar and fennel pollen; cut-tlefish ceviche to whet the appetite, with a zingy gariguette strawberry vinaigrette and fresh berries; the first white asparagus of the season, perfectly cooked and accompanied by risotto, fermented asparagus jus and “turf” caviar (cypress nuts); divine langoustine paired with tomato and sambal; chic skrei served with mussels and poor man’s truffle – or belper-knolle, a hard Swiss cheese; and moqueca (Brazilian stew), not really like it’s made over there, with squid tagliatelle and fermented white beans. // Casimir

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Established

Location

Find us

Hoogstraat 167/001, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Gent, Belgium
+32 9 353 90 50
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