The Drifter
Binnenstad, Ghent
Restaurant in Ghent, Belgium
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$30–50per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
The Drifter is best treated as an easy evening pick in Ghent rather than a high-commitment destination meal. Choose it when flexibility, atmosphere, and low booking friction matter; choose Publiek instead if the group wants a clearer modern-cuisine format and a defined €€€ dining signal.
About The Drifter
The strongest reason to consider The Drifter is its evening schedule in Ghent. It opens at 5 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, stays open later on Friday and Saturday, and is closed on Tuesday. That makes it a dinner or evening stop rather than a lunch option.
If you are comparing possibilities, Publiek, Steendam 66, The Mistress, Il Mezzogiorno, and Horn OK Please are other names to consider in the broader decision set.
Plan it for an easy Ghent evening, not a high-stakes tasting-menu plan
The practical verdict is simple: The Drifter is easiest to plan around for its logistics. It is open in the evening most days of the week, closed on Tuesday, and has a casual dress code. Do not assume a published cuisine style, tasting-menu structure, price tier, chef narrative, bar seating, or special service format without checking directly.
For a broader short list, start with our full Ghent restaurants guide, then compare other dining options in the city. Visitors building a full weekend around Ghent should also use our full Ghent hotels guide, our full Ghent bars guide, our full Ghent wineries guide, and our full Ghent experiences guide.
How to think about it against stronger-defined choices
The Drifter sits in the “check the basics, then decide” lane. Its core profile is Ghent, evening hours, Tuesday closure, and casual dress. If you need more certainty before choosing, compare it with Publiek, Steendam 66, The Mistress, Il Mezzogiorno, and Horn OK Please, or look at other dining rooms with more detailed formats.
For Belgium-wide planning, keep the comparison general and check each venue's current details. The main point for The Drifter is direct: it can fit an evening in Ghent, but specifics beyond hours and dress code should be checked directly before you commit.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 5–11:30 PM · Tuesday: Closed
- Location
- Steendam 53, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- Website
- thedrifter.be
- Phone
- +32456070904
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Drifter sits on Steendam with a small-room, ingredient-first approach that feels intentionally local and slightly offbeat. It channels Caribbean tiki energy through an imaginative cocktail list while operating within the unhurried, market-connected rhythm of Ghent. Rather than competing with the city’s formal fine-dining tier, the restaurant embraces a compact, point-of-view format: narrow storefronts, a younger crowd, and menus that respond to what’s available. The overall effect is an intimate, cozy spot that pairs playful drinks with a thoughtful sourcing ethos and a distinctly neighborhood personality.
Best For
This is a go-to for evening outings that skew relaxed but considered: after-work drinks, casual date nights, and convivial group evenings where cocktails take centre stage. The Drifter’s shorter, seasonal menus and tiki-driven drink list suit diners who prefer lively, informal nights rather than formal tasting menus. Its location on Steendam, close enough to the market hum but away from tourist canals, means guests are mostly locals or visitors seeking an authentic, neighborhood experience rather than a destination spectacle.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the signature cocktails: orders like the Zombie, Mai Tai and Missionary Basil's Downfall are explicit highlights and reveal the bar’s playful, tiki-forward identity. Because the kitchen follows an ingredient-led, shorter-menu model tied to local sourcing, ask staff what’s freshly available the night you visit; dishes may shift with market supply. Expect a compact offering designed to pair with cocktails rather than an extensive, static à la carte list: plan to share and sample rather than ordering large, individual entrées.
Venue details
Ambiance
Immersive 1960s tiki atmosphere with jungle-themed decor extending to the restrooms, warm lighting, and vibrant tropical aesthetics that transport guests to a Caribbean and Polynesian escape.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
- Kitchen
- Traditional
- Menu Format
- A la carte, Small plates
- Drinks Focus
- Rum cocktails, Exotic drinks, Beer, Wine
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Zombie
- Mai Tai
- Missionary Basil's Downfall
- Blood of the Tiki Taka
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- Steendam 53, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 5–11:30 PM
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 5–11:30 PM
- Thursday
- 5–11:30 PM
- Friday
- 5 PM–12:30 AM
- Saturday
- 5 PM–12:30 AM
- Sunday
- 5–11:30 PM
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Steendam 66, Notable alternative
- Publiek, Modern Cuisine, €€€
- The Mistress, Notable alternative
- Il Mezzogiorno, Notable alternative
- Horn OK Please, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How The Drifter compares in Ghent
Publiek is the stronger choice for diners who want a clearly defined modern-cuisine meal and are comfortable with a €€€ price tier. The Drifter is easier to slot into an evening when the plan is more casual and the group does not need a formal dining framework before deciding.
Steendam 66 is the closest practical cross-shop if location is driving the decision. Compare both when staying around Steendam; choose The Drifter for a lower-pressure night, and Steendam 66 when the group wants a nearby alternative with a different feel.
The Mistress, Il Mezzogiorno, and Horn OK Please are the backups to keep ready if The Drifter is not the right fit for the group's mood. Use them for cross-shopping ambiance and availability rather than assuming the same dining format.
Explore Ghent
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Drifter guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Drifter
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Drifter | Ghent | No published awards | ||
| Steendam 66 | Ghent | No published awards | ||
| Publiek | Gent | Modern Cuisine | €€€ | Michelin Guide Belgium & Luxembourg 2026We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star |
| The Mistress | Ghent | No published awards | ||
| Il Mezzogiorno | Ghent | No published awards | ||
| Horn OK Please | Ghent | No published awards |
How The Drifter Ghent compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch or dinner better at The Drifter?
Dinner is the clear fit, since The Drifter opens at 5 PM Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with Tuesday closed. If you need lunch, consider another option.
What are alternatives to The Drifter in Ghent?
Publiek, Steendam 66, The Mistress, Il Mezzogiorno, and Horn OK Please are other names to consider when comparing The Drifter with other dining possibilities.
