EAUst

EAUst is a bright, relaxed restaurant on the Vuurtorendok in Ostend’s fast-changing east bank, with the Lange Nelle lighthouse just across the dock. Alicia and Bram ran a restaurant in the village of Plassendale for 22 years before moving to the coast, and EAUst went straight into the Gault&Millau guide (12.5/20, 2026); the Michelin Guide lists it too.

The cooking is pure and seasonal, built on North Sea fish, shellfish and crustaceans, with a few meat dishes for anyone who prefers them. This is the place for classics done well: crisp grey shrimp croquettes, a whole sole in brown butter with chips and salad, or skate wing with capers. The Favoriet menu combines shrimp croquettes or king prawns with sole or skate, and the weekday lunch menus of two to four courses are excellent value.

The dining room is light and natural, with oak floors, bouclé chairs and a terracotta tiled wall. Book online through the restaurant’s website.