Fair Grounds

Fair Grounds is small, and the staff aren't always in the best of moods it seems, but the coffee is good enough and the pastries are delicious. They keep the environment calm, which is nice, but a huge drawback is that they are located on the second floor of the building and (as far as I've noticed) don't have any other way to get to the cafe except by stairs.

Not for everyone, but not a disappointment.

This place is so cute and the staff are so nice! I love coming here and catching up with friends-a much better, calmer vibe than you’d find at a chain coffee shop. I was a barista for 5 years and the beans and drinks here are great quality! The only negative thing is parking-make sure you park at the church!

I love coffee shops. Just not this one, though. Rudest cashier ever and the chai latte was grainy and overpriced for the "instant tea" taste. The website boasts "vegan donuts and Italian cookies," neither of which is available. When I asked about it, since we drove a half hour to get there with Italian relatives, the staff member was not interested in letting anyone know to update the website. The crowd has a nice vibe, though, and I noticed the cashier seemed able to rise to the occasion when regulars came in.

I love Fair Grounds! This is a wonderful place to meet up with people, study, or just enjoy a nice beverage. They offer food as well. The baristas are always friendly and personable, and do their jobs very well. The seating areas, condiment bar, and restroom are always clean. The atmosphere is homey and cozy. This business has its own unique personality.

I love coming here to grab a quick bite or something to drink. It has a really quaint vibe and is very eclectic inside. There is a front porch with tables for those looking to be out in the world, but also cozy nooks and crannies inside to hide away and do some work or read a good book. They also have board games for people to play; which I think is just swell!

The pastries are pretty delicious and the coffee and tea is good as well. They have vegan and vegetarian goodies, so that's always nice for the non meat eater in your life!

The staff is nice and even though the place always seems packed, I've never had trouble finding a place to sit, whether inside or out.

Only complaints is the prices are a little steep for of the beverages and some of the patrons can be very pretentious. Otherwise, I'd recommend this place to any local or visitor who finds themselves in Ghent!

**update 4.7.22, they no longer have the cinnamon rolls. I'm devastated. However, the beverages and other food options are still delicious!**

Best cinnamon rolls in the area! Plus they're vegan. I know, it was hard to believe too, but the vodoo magic of the baked good gods shined down and created these cinnamon rolls. Worth every calorie. They're delivered on Fridays and sell out fast.

I have been several times. The staff is friendly and accommodating for special requests when I bring my kids. Their coffee and iced chai are very good. Their muffins were also delicious.

Really great coffee! The specialty lattes aren't overbearing with sweetness and the breakfast bagel sandwich was made to order and delicious! It's such a comfy atmosphere and the workers are genuinely nice.

For years this has been one of my favorite places to meet up with friends over coffee or do light work over a relaxing atmosphere. Space inside can get tight at peak hours but it's very cozy and features seating out on the first level patio, perfect for nice days outside. Its easy to drive past this place without noticing it, especially given that it's built literally from a repurposed house, which only adds to the home-y feel of Fairgrounds. My favorite drink to get here is the frozen Ninja Turtle!

My four-year-old son and I stopped here unexpectedly after two restaurants were already closing on a Saturday night. We had a very long day. We were welcomed by a very kind young lady at the counter who was very patient with me and my son. His blueberry muffin was delicious and HUGE. One of my fave sandwiches is cranberry chicken salad... And I was so glad to see that they were still offering their sandwiches at 9 p.m. It was delicious. I tried there Secret Garden loose tea blend. The aroma was enough to let me know that it was a great choice, and the first drink proved it. Note: If you are snobby about your coffee houses or restaurants, meaning you don't like places that have age or character or are perfectly imperfect, then the environment and this place will not be for you. It is in an old home. For me, that's half the charm.