Oudenaarde is a small town and the restaurant scene is modest. The best options are clustered around the Markt and the streets immediately east of it. Flemish classics dominate — stoofvlees (beef stew braised in local brown ale from Liefmans), waterzooi, and seasonal game from the surrounding farmland.
The town's Liefmans oud bruin finds its way into several local recipes and pairs well with the heavier meat dishes. If you are cycling and looking for a mid-ride stop, several of the villages in the Flemish Ardennes have cafes that have been feeding cyclists for generations — straightforward food, generous portions, and cold beer.