3 Best Restaurants in Kortrijk, Ghent and the Leie

The only downside to Rebelle is that it's not exactly convenient. It lies a few miles outside the city center, in the small village of Marke, but it's more than worth the effort to get there. A minimalist makeover of the interior makes room for its inventive three-, six- and seven-course menus, which bring all the color. Save room for the pandan rice pudding. 

When Table D'Amis closed in 2018, art historian-turned-chef Matthieu Beudaert handed in Kortrijk's only Michelin star and decided to go back to basics: gastronomic food at a decent price. It has recently reopened and is no less inspired, with dishes such as breaded veal sweetbreads smoked on a tobacco leaf hinting at the daring below the surface. Set menus start from €62, though dishes can be ordered à la carte. 

Chef Matthias Speybrouck got his start working under mercurial Belgian chef Kobe Desramaults, and he learned well. His modern riverside restaurant has a rather industrial vibe, but it fits the "rough and refined" ethos of the menu, where he digs deep into local produce to create some surprising combinations.