Name: Raaf
Address: Slachthuisstraat 96, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, Gent, BE
Telephone: +32 9 278 41 80

The story

Raaf Restaurant in Ghent: A Modern Belgian Bistro

The Founders and the Kitchen

Raaf brings a grounded approach to modern bistro cooking in Ghent. Former colleagues Aram Schuyesmans and Michel Neerinckx launched this project inside Het Gouden Hoofd, a neighborhood spot they once frequented together during their early careers. Le Fooding recognized their steady rise by listing the venue for its 2026 guide.

Signature Plates and Techniques

The menu balances raw preparations with careful heat work. Crisp crackers arrive alongside a rich onion cream topped with whole grey shrimp, while red mullet meets kumquat ceviche beneath a veil of sliced yellow beets. Barbecued kohlrabi carries a vibrant green pepper sauce and herring roe, and an umami lime bouillon holds both mushrooms and mussels. A slow roasted Limousin hanger steak rests under red endive leaves alongside Tierenteyn pickles.

Candlelit Interiors and Counter Service

Brick and tile walls frame a long wooden bar that remains largely untouched from the building previous iteration. Guests can secure a seat along the counter for casual drinks or share plates before the main service begins. Formica tables catch the glow of scattered candles, creating a quiet backdrop for conversation. This flexible layout supports the relaxed pace of daily Belgian bistro service without sacrificing attention to detail.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026

Le Fooding

Listed

Details

At a glance

Le Fooding 2026 — Listed

Cuisines Bistro

History

On the record

2026

Le Fooding — Listed

Inside Het Gouden Hoofd, a former neighborhood institution where friends Aram Schuyesmans (ex-Vrijmoed) and Michel Neerinckx (ex-In de Wulf) used to rub shoulders during their years at Publiek, the latter have now set up their own little nest named Raaf (“crow”). If the space has changed very little from its previous iteration (Formica tables, brick and tile walls, a long wooden bar, all partially illuminated by candlelight), things are feeling quite different in the kitchen, where the two thirty-something chefs really stand out. The other night, we had crackers for dipping into a rich onion cream with whole grey shrimp; red mullet and kumquat ceviche covered in a veil of sliced yellow beets; barbecued kohlrabi topped with a lovely green pepper sauce and herring roe; mushrooms and mussels plunged into an umami-rich lime bouillon; Limousin hanger steak and red beets tucked under red endive leaves and intensified by pickles from Tierenteyn; and a decadent butter couque cookie with almond ice cream, Calva-soaked raisins and a hazelnut crumble topping. And if you’ve got the munchies or just want something to pair with a drink, grab a seat at the bar. // Alba Nebbioli ‘

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Established

Location

Find us

Slachthuisstraat 96, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Gent, Belgium
+32 9 278 41 80
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