VILLA JULIETTE

Stéphane Buyens and Ellen Dulst have traded in their renowned Le Fox Hostelry for this enchanting seaside villa. The enthusiastic couple invites diners into a warm interior, whose welcoming portrait boasts a surfeit of refined details, among which parquet floors, a period fireplace and a terrace flanked by a lush green dune. Every day the couple demonstrates their impressive knowhow as Ellen supervises the seamless front of house operations and Stéphane crafts a suave classical score with a penchant for fish and seafood.Some of their must-try signature dishes include shrimp fritters, omelette

At Hendrik Dierendonck’s establishment, the meat comes straight from the butchers to the plate – in fact, Carcasse is literally the extension of his butcher’s shop in Saint Idesbald. The hip interior provides the perfect foil to this raw rugged vibe. Against a backdrop of gently strumming guitars, the star of the show is red meat. A glazed ageing cabinet takes pride of place in the centre, while runners on the ceiling bear witness to a bygone era when the carcasses were shunted overhead. A long communal table invites diners to share this experience. The exceptional cuts of meat of this renowne

Highly polished silverware, a fantastic collection of bottles and knickknacks set the quirky, antique dealer interior of Olijfboom, so you won’t be surprised to learn that the chef is a keen collector of vintage chinaware. However, his main talent is regaling us with old-school cooking. In keeping with tradition, he unfussily enhances the ingredient which he serves generously, focusing on the flavour. An impressive wine list completes this fine dining experience.

La Coupole in the centre of De Panne has been a blue-chip value since 1989. Christine, in charge of the front of house and chef Jean-Paul bend over backwards to pamper their guests. The menu showcases timeless seafood classics: mussels in white wine, fresh North Sea shrimp and lobster straight from the fish tank. The menu shines the spotlight on produce like crab that is presented to diners before it is served with a spicy mayonnaise and fresh green salad, or translucent gleaming white cod, flanked by a rich, creamy Dugléré (tomatoes, shallots, white wine and butter) sauce. Heaven for foodies!

Claude and Sylvie bend over backwards to pamper guests in their seafood eatery near the seawall. Sylvie’s warm welcome and service are framed by distinctive artwork (of octopi), while Claude sensitively adds a new spin to a classical repertory, all of which in a playful vein. Grilled pork fritters, pedigree vol-au-vent, fish from the North Sea (his passion) or rice pudding with strawberries: it is always a pleasure to return to the Octopus.

A fishmonger (Mare Nostrum) at the head of a fish bistro, complete with a maritime interior, right down to the fish scales? It sounds so authentic that it just has to be true… Fish and oysters from the “sea to the fork” and the best shrimp fritters of the Belgian coast into the bargain. Julia’s simple, generous cooking is heaven for foodies.

What a pity we don’t live down the road from this amusing "box"! “Taste the world, Share the food” is their baseline! The seasoned chef curates her own version of world cuisine, steeped in variety, harmony and exoticism… For example, deftly crafted spicy Lebanese toast, generous tajine, sweet and sour noodles, etc. Even better, diners can choose their own vegetable side dishes and are invited to share the main course with the rest of the table. Perfect for a casual dining experience!