Walk Local with Els Sirejacob

Culinary walk that stimulates all the senses. Take your time to discover different addresses that according to chef, food stylist and blogger Els make our city so unique.

Freelance food stylist, recipe developer and chef: Els Sirejacob (1977) does it all. Sirejacob was the driving force behind Café Parti and Eetbar in her hometown Ghent. At the moment she is mainly known for her no-nonsense food blog 'Elisa Kookt'. And if that isn't enough - the cooking talent - shows her other passion, camping with a camper, soon also in a book.

7,4 km - 9900 steps 

The perfect location to start your day: Koningin Elisabethlaan! Will it be a Pain à la grecque, a coffee or dry sausages? Or have you been looking for that one book, a pair of shoes or those trendy glasses for a long time? If so, you can find them all on this majestic avenue. Those with a sweet tooth can go straight to one of Ghent's ice cream parlours. Creamy hazelnut ice cream is an explosion of flavour and is also my all-time favourite. Continue your stroll all the way to the Citadelpark, which is full of rose bushes. Nearby is the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Arts (S.M.A.K.), which is definitely a must visit! 

Deviate briefly from the route, head towards the Bijlokekaai along the water's edge and enjoy the beautiful back gardens. On the way, you will pass along Jozef Kluyskensstraat, where once a year the Japanese cherry trees bloom, transforming the street into a picture perfect spot. 

Further onwards on the Brabantdam in the SoHo shopping district are several quirky restaurants and specialist shops. After that, take a break and a rest in the Appelbrugparkje, with its breathtaking view of Ghent's inland waterways. Your walk then continues, because just a few minutes' on foot from there, you will find Jan Breydelstraat and Burgstraat. Feast your eyes and stomach on the original concept stores, cosy terraces and sophisticated establishments for an enjoyable lunch.