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Van Ghent Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Creperies Restaurants Sandwiches Creperies, Sandwiches [Edit]
14 High StWesterly, RI 02891
(401) 348-6026
- Hours:
Wed-Sun 8 am - 3 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
7 reviews for Van Ghent Cafe
7 reviews in English
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Review from Traci A.
Saint Michael, MN
7/1/2007
Quaint, cute, and great little joint for breakfast (I hear the sandwiches at lunch are good, too). Belgium flair with crepes and waffles as their specialty. If you want a traditional bacon and eggs breakfast then this is NOT the place for you. But, if you want something a little different and delicious--like chocolate banana crepes or strawberry rhubarb waffles--then this is the place for you!
Very small (so there may be a wait) but cheap.
IMPORTANT!!! They ONLY take cash so be sure to hit the ATM before you go! -
Review from gail b.
Arlington, VA
8/12/2011
Service was sooooo slow and very indifferent. The food wasn't worth the wait. Coffee refills at breakfast required flagging down the waiter. A few of us had waffles--the "very berry" special had cut-up cantaloupe, honeydew and a few strawberries dumped on it. The waffles had an interesting tang to them, but they were tough and difficult to cut. The crepes were okay, but we won't be going back.
-
Review from Jimmie L.
Waltham, MA
2/20/2007
An absolutely cute little Belgian sandwich place. Right on the river that is the border between CT and RI.
The menu is varied, and I had a hard time picking what to eat - I wanted it all. I went with a croque madam - it was perfection - a ham and cheese grilled sandwich on rye, with a fried egg on top, a small salad as a side, as well as applesauce, and some chips.
Having never been to Ghent, nor Belgium, I don't know if apple products, applesauce in particular, are popular there, but it was a nice addition to the meal.
If I had had room, I was going to get one of the crepes for dessert. A few went by me as we ate, that looked delicious. The waffles did as well, and quite a few people were eating them while we were there.
Karin had a sliced pork and hard-boiled egg sandwich which looked hearty and tasted great. Same sides for her.
The waffles won "best waffles of RI" in 2005, so that is something too.
The decor is awesome - tons of pictures of Ghent from years gone past. The tables are colorful, and it generally has the feel of a European cafe. It is warm and inviting. The crew that was working Sunday - not sure if they were the owners or not - were nice, welcoming and friendly.
Be warned - they take cash only - but the prices are so reasonable, that CAN'T be a problem. The main branch of the Washington Trust Bank is across the street, so an ATM is close by. The hours reflect the relaxed European attitude also. -
Review from Summer B.
Westerly, RI
6/14/2007
At first it seems so small that you are afraid claustrophobia will set in but as you take a deep breath it hits you with cozy charm. Lots of nick knacks and ketchy charm. This is THE place for brunch in westerly. Great waffles and so much more. All tasty.
*edit- I've been back since my first review and the service seemed to not be what it once was and the food took a long time. Also they have been cash only forever...shouldn't they TRY to get with the times? Dropping them a star level. -
Review from Loree B.
Waterford, CT
12/29/2009
All delicious, very cozy dining area, very friendly staff. I love places where the cook checks to see if you enjoyed your meal. I'm a huge fan of their crepes! Cash only, nicely priced, you'll not drain your wallet. :) YUM
-
Review from Aaron w.
North Stonington, CT
4/17/2011
The food is good, but for the price could be better. I was not overly impressed with the crepe my son ordered, it seemed difficult to cut and really had nothing to make it stand out. I have made crepes before and for $6.00 a crepe should be more than butter and brown sugar.
-
Review from Pete G.
Ashaway, RI
8/1/2010
Have lived in area for 15 years and had watched van Ghent from afar for many years, but somehow never made it there. My family came to visit from the Southwest and we were looking for a great summer Sunday breakfast before they had to fly back home later in the day. We have tried every other non-chain breakfast place from New London, CT to Newport. Why not give it at try now that the restaurant is at a relatively new location right in the middle of downtown Westerly? What a mistake! Where to start? When I say "family-run," you might think this is a good thing. Sadly, in this case, it is anything but simply a way to save money on appropriate staffing. OK, my family comes out of the restaurant business and this makes us highly critical BUT also incredibly forgiving, too. We waited 40 minutes for our food. When it arrived it was meager and unexceptional. The "waitress" was overwhelmed and when she spoke she mumbled and we couldn't understand what she said. There were no apologies for the long wait. There was never a kind word said by the waitress about the slow service or even when we first sat down. They only take cash or checks, but there was no visible sign stating same. We were really sad that we wasted our time when we could have gone elsewhere for a good breakfast. We came home and immediately prepared lunch because we were still hungry . Restaurants like this may survive in a secondary market like Westerly, but they will never thrive. Needless to say, we will never go back and would discourage others from going there.
