Apero Fish Palace

Apero Fish Palace is a lively fish and shellfish restaurant on the Nieuwstraat, just off the Visserskaai and opposite the Vistrap fish market. Inside, diners sit beneath a stained-glass roof and hanging lanterns, surrounded by black-and-white murals of the harbour; outside, a pavement terrace takes walk-ins only.

The menu is built on fish bought locally every day. The big draw is the fruits de mer platter, classic or royal, piled with oysters, langoustines, prawns, crab claws and shellfish, but there is plenty more: whelks, oysters and grey shrimp croquettes to start, then Dover sole meunière, turbot, ray wing, a bouillabaisse à l’Ostendaise, steamed seafood marmites, mussels or a whole lobster.

Next to the restaurant, the shop counter sells fresh fish, fillets, shellfish, homemade salads and soups to take away, and seafood platters to order. The kitchen is open from Thursday to Sunday, all day from noon.