Regional specialities: the taste of the Zwin region
Knokke-Heist is the coast's gastropole for good reason: beyond its many starred restaurants, the resort lies in the Zwin region, a rich hinterland full of local and farm produce that gives the local cuisine its colour.
- Hand-peeled grey shrimp: the regional product the chefs unanimously point to is the fine grey shrimp from the North Sea just offshore, peeled by hand and at its best in a classic shrimp croquette or simply eaten by hand.
- Briny flavours from the Zwin: the Zwin nature reserve yields salty sea vegetables such as samphire and sea lavender, which turn up at many restaurants as a surprising, regional side to fish and shellfish.
- Sweetness from sea buckthorn: let yourself be surprised too by local treats such as a praline made with sea buckthorn berry, a recognised West Flemish regional product that captures the briny, sunny taste of the coast in a chocolate.
- A taste of the short chain: throughout the year, culinary events such as De week van de korte keten (short supply chain week) put the Zwin region's local and farm produce in the spotlight, from aperitif tours to wild-foraging walks.
Restaurants
For many people, not having to cook is one of the greatest luxuries of a holiday, and the Belgian coast offers plenty of opportunity for it.
- For every occasion: settle in at a pancake house, a brasserie, a restaurant or a cosy bistro. From a quick portion of chips or a waffle to a carefully prepared multi-course dinner, in Knokke-Heist there's something in every price range.
- Specialities of the coast: be sure to try the regional classics such as mussels, the fine Flemish grey shrimp (delicious in a shrimp croquette), fresh North Sea fish and the many local beers.
- Current opening times: for an overview with details and opening hours for each restaurant in Knokke-Heist, see Resto.
In Knokke-Heist, no fewer than 200 restaurants and some 20,000 covers await your appetite or your craving for exquisite culinary delights. The resort rightly calls itself the gastropole of the Belgian coast: for gourmets and bons vivants alike, Knokke-Heist has it all, with a range that is not only very extensive but also remarkably varied.
- Culinary top of the country: according to the renowned Gault&Millau guide, Knokke-Heist ranks among Belgium's absolute best, and relative to its population it has the highest concentration of top chefs and quality restaurants in the country.
- Stars and standout tables: here you'll find top restaurants proudly featured in the red guide, with names such as Bartholomeus, Sel Gris and Cuines33 that have been among the coast's culinary high-flyers for years.
- For every taste and budget: beyond the gourmet addresses you'll come across attractive, trendy spots for a refined lunch or a quick snack, from simple eateries and convivial bistros to charming, slightly old-fashioned ice-cream parlours, tea houses and world cuisines from every corner of the globe.
- Its own culinary guide: such is the reputation that Gault&Millau, together with the municipality, publishes its own regional guide, A Taste of Knokke-Heist, packed with the region's best restaurants, trendy addresses and artisanal bakers, butchers and delicatessens.
Terraces
Thirsty after a warm day, tired from an outing, or simply fancy a drink? In the centre of Knokke-Heist you can stop by all day long.
- For every thirst: all day long they pour soft drinks, beer, cocktails and more, exactly as you fancy.
- The right spot: settle down at one of the many convivial terraces or cafés in the centre, out in the sun, in the shade or sheltered from the wind.
- Convivial into the night: at the bar or around the table, with friends or to meet new people, enjoy the atmosphere and let yourself be spoilt into the small hours.
Nightlife
Knokke-Heist's nightlife matches the resort's fashionable mood: no street full of cheap clubs, but stylish cocktail bars, convivial terraces, trendy beach clubs and the famous casino, all within walking distance.
- The nightlife squares: around the Verweeplein and the Van Bunnenplein lies the beating heart of the nightlife, with numerous bars and cafés, from traditional pubs and tourist brasseries to trendy spots, where you can stay out late, especially in summer.
- Grand Casino Knokke: for an evening with glamour, head to the Grand Casino on the Zeedijk, which offers gaming tables and slots as well as shows and concerts, in a hall where greats such as Frank Sinatra and Jacques Brel once performed.
- Beach clubs by the sea: during the day and early evening, the many beach bars and beach clubs along the Zeedijk are the place for a cocktail with your feet in the sand, each with its own atmosphere and a view over the North Sea.
- An aperitif in elegant Het Zoute: in the genteel villa district of Het Zoute and around the Kustlaan, the evening is more about a refined aperitif or a fine glass of wine on an atmospheric terrace than about loud partying.
- Everything close to the sea: thanks to the compact layout, the bars, terraces and casino lie just a few minutes' walk from one another and from the beach, ideal for drifting from one mood to the next in a single evening.
