"Ghent's prettiest French dinner — chef Davey Jonkman's classic-with-a-twist cooking in an 18th-century Korenlei mansion, with canal views from the table."
Allegro Moderato occupies a listed 18th-century mansion on the Korenlei in central Ghent, the historic quay that faces the medieval guild houses across the water. It is one of the city's most romantic settings — high ceilings, period detail, canal views — given over to classic French cooking with a contemporary edge and a terrace for warmer evenings.
For Ghent's other notable tables, compare the one-star Vrijmoed, the vegetable-led Publiek or the root-to-leaf Roots.
The kitchen is led by chef Davey Jonkman, who arrived from the celebrated Brussels two-star Comme chez Soi, and cooks a French repertoire given a modern twist — refined starters, sumptuous mains and a four-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings. The cooking is classical at heart, built on good produce and proper technique rather than gimmickry, and matched to a serious wine list in keeping with the grand setting. Expect an upper-mid Ghent bill.
The room is the draw as much as the plate: an elegant mansion interior with tall windows over the Korenlei and the floodlit guild houses opposite, plus a terrace at the water's edge for summer. Service is attentive and the mood is unmistakably special-occasion. It is one of the few Ghent dining rooms where the setting alone justifies the table, before the food arrives.
A canal-side mansion and classic French cooking make Allegro Moderato a romantic anniversary dinner in Ghent. The setting is just as suited to a memorable proposal by the water, or an elegant first date over the four-course menu.
Not for diners after a quick, casual bite or a budget meal — Allegro Moderato is a special-occasion French room in a grand canal-side mansion, with menu prices and a pace to match.
It is a French-Belgian restaurant in an 18th-century listed mansion on the Korenlei in central Ghent, known for its canal-side setting and classic French cooking with a modern twist.
Chef Davey Jonkman leads the kitchen, having come from the celebrated Brussels two-star Comme chez Soi, cooking a refined, classical French menu.
Classic French dishes given a contemporary edge — refined starters, sumptuous mains and a four-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings, matched to a serious wine list.
It sits in a listed 18th-century mansion on the Korenlei quay, with tall windows over the canal and the medieval guild houses opposite, plus a waterside terrace in summer.
At Korenlei 7 in the historic centre of Ghent, on the quay facing the Graslei across the water.
Romantic canal-side room; book ahead, especially for a window or terrace table.
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A canal-side mansion and classic French cooking make a romantic celebration. See where Allegro Moderato ranks among the tables built for a milestone.
Read the anniversary guide →