Jelle & Bram's guide to Ostend
Bezienswaardigheden
The main church, very impressive inside and out and right near the main shopping area
13 lokale anbefaler
Kirken af Saint Peter og Saint Paul
Prins BoudewijnstraatThe main church, very impressive inside and out and right near the main shopping area
This museum celebrating Oostende’s most famous painter, James Ensor, is located in his former house and atelier and provides a unique insight into the slightly macabre brain of the artist. The first floor holds a regularly changing collection of Ensor’s paintings and drawings, while the salon and living room on the second floor are beautifully decorated as if the painter were still living there and could enter the room any minute. A small but stunning museum.
Opening hours: 10am – 5pm
34 lokale anbefaler
Ensor Museum
27 VlaanderenstraatThis museum celebrating Oostende’s most famous painter, James Ensor, is located in his former house and atelier and provides a unique insight into the slightly macabre brain of the artist. The first floor holds a regularly changing collection of Ensor’s paintings and drawings, while the salon and living room on the second floor are beautifully decorated as if the painter were still living there and could enter the room any minute. A small but stunning museum.
Opening hours: 10am – 5pm
An undertaking closely related to the concept-store family, Ann Rommelaere’s Galerie BeauSite offers a home away from home for art lovers along the Ostend boardwalk. Not solely a gallery, Beausite also hosts a design store, bar and restaurant under its roof for a well-rounded experience that speaks to anyone who appreciates beauty and design. Housed in a protected Art Deco mansion with high, moulded ceilings, BeauSite is the only gallery in town that actually provides panoramic views of the ocean. Newspapers and magazines lie scattered about on designer tables, enhancing the sensation of sitting in an expertly-decorated living room with pieces by gifted national artists such as Matthieu Ronsse hanging on the surrounding walls.
20 lokale anbefaler
GALERIE BEAUSITE
39 Albert I-promenadeAn undertaking closely related to the concept-store family, Ann Rommelaere’s Galerie BeauSite offers a home away from home for art lovers along the Ostend boardwalk. Not solely a gallery, Beausite also hosts a design store, bar and restaurant under its roof for a well-rounded experience that speaks to anyone who appreciates beauty and design. Housed in a protected Art Deco mansion with high, moulded ceilings, BeauSite is the only gallery in town that actually provides panoramic views of the ocean. Newspapers and magazines lie scattered about on designer tables, enhancing the sensation of sitting in an expertly-decorated living room with pieces by gifted national artists such as Matthieu Ronsse hanging on the surrounding walls.
Mu.ZEE has been a fixture on Ostend’s art scene ever since its inception in 2008. The gallery, whose name cleverly plays on its proximity to the ocean (‘zee’ meaning sea), has a history of championing both local and Belgian artists. Highlights in the permanent collection dating from 1850 to today are major works by James Ensor such as Self-Portrait With Flowered Hat, and 160 paintings and graphic designs by Léon Spilliaert. Also present are contemporary gems by Luc Tuymans, Panamarenko and so forth. All these greats of the Lower Countries are accompanied by upcoming regional artists that Mu.Zee has selected for your discovery and delight.
70 lokale anbefaler
Mu.ZEE
11 RomestraatMu.ZEE has been a fixture on Ostend’s art scene ever since its inception in 2008. The gallery, whose name cleverly plays on its proximity to the ocean (‘zee’ meaning sea), has a history of championing both local and Belgian artists. Highlights in the permanent collection dating from 1850 to today are major works by James Ensor such as Self-Portrait With Flowered Hat, and 160 paintings and graphic designs by Léon Spilliaert. Also present are contemporary gems by Luc Tuymans, Panamarenko and so forth. All these greats of the Lower Countries are accompanied by upcoming regional artists that Mu.Zee has selected for your discovery and delight.
Discover “The Crystal Ship” in Ostend: renowned and world-famous artists make enormous paintings on walls as well as fantastic art installations in open spaces.
All opening hours
16 lokale anbefaler
The Crystal Ship
2 Monaco-PleinDiscover “The Crystal Ship” in Ostend: renowned and world-famous artists make enormous paintings on walls as well as fantastic art installations in open spaces.
All opening hours
Fort Napoleon was the setting for hundreds of years of history. The wide walls of Fort Napoleon were silent witnesses of all events in the fort. We now let them whisper their secrets in a completely new exhibition.
If you stand close enough to the immense stone walls, you hear what happened in the Fort during the past 2 centuries. There is an adapted tour for children. Come and listen, enjoy the peace and be amazed by the impressive architecture of the monument.
Also, there is now a brand new tourist information point in Fort Napoleon. The staff are happy to help you with all kinds of tourist information and tickets for events and shows.
79 lokale anbefaler
Fort Napoleon
13 VuurtorenwegFort Napoleon was the setting for hundreds of years of history. The wide walls of Fort Napoleon were silent witnesses of all events in the fort. We now let them whisper their secrets in a completely new exhibition.
If you stand close enough to the immense stone walls, you hear what happened in the Fort during the past 2 centuries. There is an adapted tour for children. Come and listen, enjoy the peace and be amazed by the impressive architecture of the monument.
Also, there is now a brand new tourist information point in Fort Napoleon. The staff are happy to help you with all kinds of tourist information and tickets for events and shows.
Uit eten
A unique tavern-restaurant where with a menu limited solely to roasted chicken, accompanied by bread, apple compote, and mayo, Koekoek is a must-go when in Oostende. Eating half a chicken with your hands (they don’t do cutlery) is just so much better, and the interior of the restaurant reminds you of long lost times, old taverns and giant pints of ale, both delicious and fun.
Opening hours: 10am – 1am
Watch out for: the apple compote
21 lokale anbefaler
Koekoek Tavern
38 LangestraatA unique tavern-restaurant where with a menu limited solely to roasted chicken, accompanied by bread, apple compote, and mayo, Koekoek is a must-go when in Oostende. Eating half a chicken with your hands (they don’t do cutlery) is just so much better, and the interior of the restaurant reminds you of long lost times, old taverns and giant pints of ale, both delicious and fun.
Opening hours: 10am – 1am
Watch out for: the apple compote
Always on the lookout for the latest food trends? Then Belle de Jour is the place to go when in Oostende. Offering far more than just the traditional fish and shrimp, this super cool bistro serves bio-food and seasonal dishes, and the long table in the middle just asks for good company and splendid wine.
24 lokale anbefaler
Bistro Belle De jour
9 MadridstraatAlways on the lookout for the latest food trends? Then Belle de Jour is the place to go when in Oostende. Offering far more than just the traditional fish and shrimp, this super cool bistro serves bio-food and seasonal dishes, and the long table in the middle just asks for good company and splendid wine.
Histoires d’O is extremely hip, inspiring and vintage. This brasserie attracts young folk with its passion for the old-fashioned while simultaneously leaning towards the modern and comfy. A tapas bar with the most colorful foodie creations, but serving totally awesome burgers, hotdogs and sushi as well, Histoires d’O offers something for everyone. Devour it all on the beautiful terrace overlooking the ocean and the beach, it can’t get any better,
29 lokale anbefaler
Histoires D'O
53 ZeedijkHistoires d’O is extremely hip, inspiring and vintage. This brasserie attracts young folk with its passion for the old-fashioned while simultaneously leaning towards the modern and comfy. A tapas bar with the most colorful foodie creations, but serving totally awesome burgers, hotdogs and sushi as well, Histoires d’O offers something for everyone. Devour it all on the beautiful terrace overlooking the ocean and the beach, it can’t get any better,
Toi, Moi et la Mer
A romantic décor combined with great wine and seafood dishes so soft they are melting away on your tongue: what else does one need for a perfect night out? The dimmed lights, scarlet colored roses and the view on an ocean’s sunset match perfectly with the offered dishes, in which you can taste the salt of the sea in every single bite.
Price: Mid-range
Opening hours: 11am – 10pm
Watch out for: the fish of the day
Toi Moi Et La Mer Christophe Snauwaert
68 Albert I-promenadeToi, Moi et la Mer
A romantic décor combined with great wine and seafood dishes so soft they are melting away on your tongue: what else does one need for a perfect night out? The dimmed lights, scarlet colored roses and the view on an ocean’s sunset match perfectly with the offered dishes, in which you can taste the salt of the sea in every single bite.
Price: Mid-range
Opening hours: 11am – 10pm
Watch out for: the fish of the day
Our personal favorite! Anyone who has walked through Leopold I plein (or ‘t Peerd/the Horse, as the locals call it) knows that the square is home to several nice bars and pubs. Bar Bristol is one of them! Charlotte and Bruce decided to give this popular watering hole a new lease on life. Bar Bristol follows the seasons rigorously, surprising guests with a new menu every month, for which it has teamed up with local and honest suppliers. Whether it's smoked salmon produced by a close friend or beef tartare sourced from their neighbour Burggraeve: sustainable quality guaranteed!
Bar Bristol
10 Leopold I-pleinOur personal favorite! Anyone who has walked through Leopold I plein (or ‘t Peerd/the Horse, as the locals call it) knows that the square is home to several nice bars and pubs. Bar Bristol is one of them! Charlotte and Bruce decided to give this popular watering hole a new lease on life. Bar Bristol follows the seasons rigorously, surprising guests with a new menu every month, for which it has teamed up with local and honest suppliers. Whether it's smoked salmon produced by a close friend or beef tartare sourced from their neighbour Burggraeve: sustainable quality guaranteed!
this is the best bakery in town, their specialty are the 'koffiekoeken' made with real butter (ask for raisin or almonds)
6 lokale anbefaler
Wallecan / Antoon
3 Antwerpenstraatthis is the best bakery in town, their specialty are the 'koffiekoeken' made with real butter (ask for raisin or almonds)
perfect for quick and not too expensive lunch or breakfast, with homemade cakes or healthy salads. And above all: actual good coffee (the barista kind)
6 lokale anbefaler
Oode
45 Aartshertoginnestraatperfect for quick and not too expensive lunch or breakfast, with homemade cakes or healthy salads. And above all: actual good coffee (the barista kind)