What Food To Try in Ostend and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Ostend for 2024.
National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Ostend cafes and restaurants
$51.8
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $49.05
$119.9
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $109.01
$16.4
Combo Meal
Starting from $16.35
What to Try in Ostend
Must-try Dishes
Ostend Fish Soup - Oostendse visschotel (rich seafood stew) - A hearty blend of fresh fish, shellfish, and aromatic vegetables simmered together. Locals often enjoy this comforting dish during chilly evenings, helping to warm you up after a stroll by the sea.Breakfast Omelette - Oostendse omelet (savory fluffy delight) - This is a thick, fluffy omelet filled with local cheeses and cured meats, providing a satisfying start to your day. You’ll find it commonly served in bistros at breakfast time, but don’t be surprised if locals opt for it at lunch too.
Moules-Frites - Mosselen met Friet (mussels and fries) - Steamed mussels served in white wine, garlic, and parsley, paired with crispy fries on the side. This dish is often consumed at outdoor cafés during the summer, where the atmosphere enhances the experience—trust me, nothing beats it with some friends!
Frikandel - Frikandel (spicy minced meat sausage) - This deep-fried, skinless sausage made from a mix of meats is a popular street food here. Often served with a mix of mayonnaise and curry ketchup, it's a fantastic late-night snack after a night out.
Vegetarian Stoemp - Stoemp (mashed potatoes with veggies) - A creamy mash of potatoes mixed with seasonal vegetables, creating a comforting vegetarian dish. It’s not unusual to see locals enjoying this on cold days at home or in cozy traditional restaurants.
Typical Flemish Stew - Carbonnade Flamande (beef stew with beer) - Savory beef slow-cooked in dark beer with onions, lending it a rich flavor that warms every soul. Perfect for dinner, it’s a culinary staple served predominantly during colder months, especially at family gatherings.
Wild Mushroom Risotto - Risotto met Paddestoelen (creamy mushroom rice) - This creamy risotto is loaded with foraged wild mushrooms, making it a seasonal highlight that brings a taste of nature to your plate. Best enjoyed in the fall, it's commonly found at local restaurants celebrating the harvest.
By the way, one common mistake is assuming all seafood dishes can be ordered any time—many locals reserve shellfish for the weekend, so try not to miss the fresh catches then!
Desserts & Drinks
Hot Chocolate - Chocolademelk (rich hot drink) - A luscious blend of chocolate and warm milk, often topped with whipped cream. Locals sip this comforting drink during chilly seaside strolls or after a refreshing bike ride along the coast, especially during the winter months.Ostend Blonde - Oostende Blonde (local beer) - A light, fruity blonde ale with yeast and subtle lemon notes. Often enjoyed at outdoor terraces during sunny afternoons, it’s a popular choice among locals seeking to unwind.
Ice Cream - IJs (frozen treat) - Creamy artisanal ice cream made from local dairy and seasonal fruits, with flavors ranging from speculaas to fresh strawberries. Found in charming stands near the beach during summer, it’s the perfect treat after a day of sunbathing.
Ostend Patisserie - Oostendse Soezen (pastry dessert) - Light choux pastry filled with rich cream and adorned with a dusting of powdered sugar. Usually served at celebratory occasions like birthdays or local festivals, you can find them in bakeries throughout the city, often still warm from the oven.
Speculoos - Speculaas (spiced biscuit) - Crunchy and caramelized cookies spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, typically served with coffee or tea, especially around Saint Nicholas Day in early December. Locals often enjoy them after dinner, and they make for a perfect accompaniment to your drink. By the way, if you’re thinking of trying them, don’t confuse them with regular gingerbread!
Food and Groceries in Ostend
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $0.97 |
| Bananas | $1.42 |
| Oranges | $3.27 |
| Potatoes | $1.85 |
| Apples | $2.73 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.65 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $0.76 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $4.91 |
| Milk 1L | $1.06 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $13.08 |
| Chicken | $10.9 |
| Cigarettes | $8.83 |
| Rice | $1.8 |
| Local Cheese | $11.81 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Strolling through the bustling streets of Ostend early in the evening, it's easy to spot families gathering at local eateries around 6 PM. This is when the city comes alive as aromas waft from kitchens, and conversations bubble over plates filled with fresh seafood and comforting frites. The locals typically stick to the rhythm of mealtime, with lunch peaking around noon and dinner often starting around 6 PM, creating a vibrant atmosphere that visitors might not expect.
Price ranges vary significantly depending on the area. For a casual meal in the city center, you might pay around €15-20 for a simple seafood dish, while heading to one of the beachside restaurants can easily set you back €25-35 for a more elaborate meal. Interestingly, this is somewhat reflective of the seasonal fluctuations: during summer, expect higher prices due to an influx of tourists, while off-peak times in fall or winter often see deals (I’ve paid just €12 for a substantial 'stoverij' in winter months that didn’t break the bank).
Many restaurants and cafes in the city center operate without a reservation, but during busy weekends, it’s wise to book ahead, especially for the popular seafood spots. Payment customs lean toward convenience, with credit and debit cards widely accepted; however, cash is still a cherished option, particularly in smaller vendors and markets.
Tipping is generally appreciated but not obligatory. Rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip, say around 5-10%, is customary if you had good service—a practice I’ve noticed many locals observe.
A local habit that stands out is the tradition of consuming mussels (moules) with fries, especially on ‘Moules-Frites Thursdays,’ where you’ll find locals gathering with friends in restaurants to indulge in this classic dish. However, visitors often make the mistake of arriving too late to secure a table in popular spots; restaurants can fill up swiftly, especially when local matches or events are on.
Ostend's dining scene shifts remarkably with the weather; when the sun is shining, outdoor seating becomes a focal point. In warmer months, many opt for late-night dining, extending into the warm nights. As the season changes, menus often shift to feature heartier dishes, responding to a desire for warming meals as temperatures drop.
In essence, navigating Ostend's food scene reveals a rich tapestry of local habits and costs, reflecting a genuine connection to the region's culinary heritage.
Price ranges vary significantly depending on the area. For a casual meal in the city center, you might pay around €15-20 for a simple seafood dish, while heading to one of the beachside restaurants can easily set you back €25-35 for a more elaborate meal. Interestingly, this is somewhat reflective of the seasonal fluctuations: during summer, expect higher prices due to an influx of tourists, while off-peak times in fall or winter often see deals (I’ve paid just €12 for a substantial 'stoverij' in winter months that didn’t break the bank).
Many restaurants and cafes in the city center operate without a reservation, but during busy weekends, it’s wise to book ahead, especially for the popular seafood spots. Payment customs lean toward convenience, with credit and debit cards widely accepted; however, cash is still a cherished option, particularly in smaller vendors and markets.
Tipping is generally appreciated but not obligatory. Rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip, say around 5-10%, is customary if you had good service—a practice I’ve noticed many locals observe.
A local habit that stands out is the tradition of consuming mussels (moules) with fries, especially on ‘Moules-Frites Thursdays,’ where you’ll find locals gathering with friends in restaurants to indulge in this classic dish. However, visitors often make the mistake of arriving too late to secure a table in popular spots; restaurants can fill up swiftly, especially when local matches or events are on.
Ostend's dining scene shifts remarkably with the weather; when the sun is shining, outdoor seating becomes a focal point. In warmer months, many opt for late-night dining, extending into the warm nights. As the season changes, menus often shift to feature heartier dishes, responding to a desire for warming meals as temperatures drop.
In essence, navigating Ostend's food scene reveals a rich tapestry of local habits and costs, reflecting a genuine connection to the region's culinary heritage.