The story
Publiek is a modern cuisine restaurant in Gent, Belgium, at Ham 39, 9000 Gent, and it holds one Michelin star (2026). The bistro kitchen cooks with seasonal produce at both lunch and dinner.
The menus change with the seasons, so the dishes below are a snapshot. Lunch is a three-course menu at €59, and dinner runs to five courses at €109. Recent lunch plates included roasted paprika with BBQ ham and strawberry, and mackerel with baked leek and new potatoes. Dinner brought fennel aspic, quail with pea and cauliflower shoots, and rhubarb with kombucha and bay.
Whitewashed brick walls, tables without tablecloths and vintage chairs set the room, according to Le Fooding, which lists the restaurant in its 2026 guide. Chef Olly Ceulenaere runs the kitchen with what the guide calls a rebellious streak. His veal tartare with la trappe isid'or, thyme and tomato shows the bistro side of the menu.
Recognition
Details
History
High quality cooking
As you leave Publiek, you’re handed a box of matches on which is written “Have some sympathy and some taste.” Well, that pretty much sums up our time at this cool restaurant with whitewashed brick walls, tables without tablecloths, and vintage chairs. Here you’ll find the three Flemish Foodies, chef Olly Ceulenaere alongside Jason Blankaert and Kobe Desramaults. Known for his rebellious streak, the chef drops by in the middle of lunch, dish cloth on his shoulder, with his interpretation of Flemish-style asparagus: chunks of white asparagus cooked al dente, soft-boiled egg from the polders and North Sea shrimp bisque; before a perfectly glazed hake garnished with grilled baby leeks, topped with chervil cream; finishing with rhubarb, whey ice cream and dill, for the lovely dessert. // Bobbi Rossi
Welcoming, relaxed, smooth, and friendly. The atmosphere is great, and both the kitchen brigade and the service staff are enthusiastic about it. The vibe is contagious, and everywhere we see happy faces. Olly Ceulenaere and his team have everything running smoothly...
Location
Facebook
Instagram