Elders

A €€ organic bar-restaurant that earns its Michelin Plate; and is easier to book than almost anything comparable in Gent

At the €€ price point, Elders on Edmond Van Beverenplein is one of the more considered bets in Gent right now. You are paying for market-led vegetable cooking with enough technique behind it to earn a Michelin Plate in both 2024 and 2025; two consecutive years of recognition that signals consistency, not a one-season fluke. If you have already been once and found the vegetable-forward format appealing, this is worth revisiting: the menu evolves with market availability, so repeat visits tend to feel distinct from the last.

Gent has been building a credible reputation for produce-driven cooking over the past several years, Elders sits inside that shift with a clear point of view. Chef Tom Pauwelyn's kitchen runs on what the market offers, which means the menu changes rather than staying fixed. For a returning guest, that is the main practical reason to come back: you are unlikely to eat the same thing twice. The plates are described as direct in their construction, simple dishes, well-executed, which in practice means the quality of the raw ingredient does most of the talking. This is a format that rewards diners who appreciate restraint over complexity.

The counter and bar experience

The bar-restaurant format at Elders matters more than it might initially suggest. Sitting at or near the bar puts you closer to the rhythm of the kitchen, you see the plates leave, you can ask questions, the interaction with the team tends to be more direct than at a conventional table. For a solo diner or a pair, bar or counter seating at a room like this is often the better choice over a table: the pacing feels more natural, the informal register suits the €€ price tier. If you are returning to Elders and you sat at a table last time, try the bar. The experience of the same menu from that vantage point reads differently.

The bar-restaurant model also means the room skews casual. This is not a white-tablecloth environment, the Michelin Plate recognition here is based on cooking quality rather than service formality. That is a relevant distinction if you are weighing Elders against higher-priced alternatives in the city: you are trading some service polish for a more relaxed room and a lower bill.

Ratings and recognition

Two consecutive Michelin Plates (2024, 2025) confirm the kitchen is operating at a level that warrants attention in the organic and vegetable-led segment. Michelin's Plate designation does not carry the weight of a star, but it does indicate that inspectors found the cooking worth flagging. For a €€ restaurant, that credential is a meaningful marker.

For broader context on where Elders sits in Belgium's organic dining conversation, it is worth considering that venues like Barge in Brussels and Archibald De Prince in Luxembourg are operating in a similar organic-focused register, though at different price points and in different cities. Within Gent specifically, Elders occupies a position that few direct competitors can match at this price tier.

Practical details

Reservations: Booking difficulty is rated Easy, this is one of the more accessible restaurants in Gent at this quality level, you should not need to plan weeks in advance, though booking ahead is advisable for weekend evenings. Budget: €€, making it considerably more accessible than €€€€ peers such as Vrijmoed or Oak Gent. Dress: No formal dress code is on record; the bar-restaurant format suggests smart-casual is appropriate. Address: Edmond Van Beverenplein 16, 9000 Gent.

How it compares

If you are choosing between Elders and Gent's €€€ tier, Souvenir, Publiek, or Bar Bask, the decision comes down to how much the vegetable-first format matters to you. Elders is the right call if you want Michelin-acknowledged cooking at a lower spend. If you want a more elaborate tasting experience or a wider protein-forward menu, step up to Souvenir or Publiek.

For a full picture of where to eat and stay in the city, see our full Gent restaurants guide, our Gent hotels guide, and our Gent bars guide. If you are building a wider Belgium trip, Bozar Restaurant in Brussels, Hof van Cleve in Kruishoutem, Boury in Roeselare, Zilte in Antwerp, and Willem Hiele in Oudenburg are worth adding to the list. Also consider d'Eugénie à Emilie in Baudour if you are travelling further afield.