Gandaius

Gandaius is a restaurant at Rekelingestraat 3 in the Patershol quarter of Ghent, in the Flanders region of Belgium. Patershol is the medieval maze of cobbled lanes behind the Gravensteen castle, and it is one of the best-known dining districts in the city. Gandaius focuses on traditional Ghent dishes, and its name nods to the Latin name for Ghent. The signature dish is Gentse waterzooi, the creamy stew of vegetables with chicken or fish that is considered the city's culinary emblem, and the kitchen builds its menu around local cooking rather than international trends. Visitors looking for an authentic version of regional specialities will find the restaurant a natural choice. The dining room has the cosy, old-quarter feel typical of Patershol, with intimate tables and a calm to moderate noise level, and a dress code that is casual to smart-casual. The beverage programme typically covers Belgian beers and a French-leaning wine list that works with Flemish cooking; staff can recommend a pairing for the waterzooi. Prices are moderate ($$), making it a reasonable place for a proper sit-down meal in the historic core. Patershol is popular on weekend evenings, so reservations are advisable and booking a few days ahead is usually sufficient; weekday evenings can often be arranged with shorter notice. The restaurant is a short walk from the Gravensteen, the Graslei and the Korenmarkt, so it fits easily into a day of sightseeing, and the cobbled streets around it make for an atmospheric stroll before or after dinner.