7 of the best places for a Fruits de Mer platter

Platters piled high with oysters, razor clams, cockles, prawns, crab and lobster. Add a bottle of your favourite white wine, sunshine on the terrace and you won’t hear a peep from us. A decadent Fruits de Mer platter like that is absolutely heavenly, right? Especially when you order one at one of these places, where they serve the very best versions.

Restaurant 1397 in Bergen op Zoom

Restaurant 1397 is located in the historic centre of Bergen op Zoom. The name refers to the year in which hotel De Draak (which the restaurant is part of) was established as a hospitality business. This makes it the oldest hotel in the Netherlands. Restaurant 1397 has an innovative menu featuring local and international dishes. The kitchen is led by chef Torben Bouterse, and his team will lovingly prepare a Fruits de Mer platter for you. Served cold, with oysters, lobster, crab, various prawns and vongole, or warm, with lobster bisque, wonton with shellfish, gamba vadouvan and oysters from Nam Kee. We’re already getting hungry—check out the site here.

COCO in Gouda

COCO is the casual cocktail bar of Relais & Châteaux Weeshuis Gouda (WSHS), where you can also enjoy a delicious meal. Executive Chef Martijn Kajuiter worked on the coast of Ireland for many years, with a view of the sea. That’s where his love for Fruits de Mer began. Here in Gouda, he serves Afternoon Sea. Think Afternoon Tea, but with fish and seafood. They call it a comfort Fruits de Mer, because you eat the small dishes with cutlery rather than with your hands. Afternoon Sea consists of lobster bisque, prawn cocktail, dishes featuring Dutch yellowtail, smoked salmon and a Zeeland oyster, plus a salad. Head quickly to Gouda by the Sea!

Stork in Amsterdam

Stork is one of Amsterdam’s most beloved seafood restaurants. They are known for their fresh, high-quality fish dishes, shellfish and crustaceans. Stork has two Fruits de Mer platters on the menu: one with oysters, vongole, king prawns, scallops, razor clams, mussels and North Sea crab legs, and the Fruits de Mer deluxe platter, with a whole lobster, langoustines and snow crab legs as extras. Another plus: Stork is affiliated with Stichting Vis&Seizoen and is the first seafood restaurant to work with the organisation. Stork aims to serve more fish caught in the right season and sourced sustainably, made possible through the support of the Stichting Vis&Seizoen partner programme.

Bistro-mer in The Hague

Seafood, lobster and oyster restaurant Bistro-mer has been a household name in The Hague since 1979. The restaurant is located on Javastraat and can be recognised by the oyster cart outside and the shop window filled with fresh fish, shellfish and crustaceans. With its marble tables, mirrors, copper details, Thonet chairs and panelling with Art Nouveau wallpaper, you could imagine yourself in a Parisian bistro. They work exclusively with fresh, daily-delivered products, which they use to create traditional French dishes. The classic menu has remained unchanged for forty years. Bistro-mer’s speciality? Fruits de Mer platters!

Zilt & Zout in Zeeland

This wonderful restaurant is located on the Dutch-Belgian border between Cadzand and Knokke. On the dike beside the beautiful Zwin nature reserve, Zilt & Zout serves fresh North Sea fish and Fruits de Mer. Here you get a generously filled platter featuring lobster, king crab, prawns and oysters, among other things. The area around Zilt & Zout is perfect for cycling or walking trips. The restaurant therefore regularly organises guided walks with guide Soan Lan Ie, who knows the Zwin like the back of her hand and knows all about everything that grows and flourishes there. Ideal as an activity before an extensive lunch on the beautiful terrace. Make a reservation here.

Locale Kaap in Rotterdam

Locale Kaap is a fish and vegetarian restaurant on Deliplein in Katendrecht. They serve honest, healthy products such as mussels, Fruits de Mer and fresh fish, as well as a number of vegetable and vegetarian dishes. The kitchen works with wild-caught or organically farmed fish that meets the guidelines of the Viswijzer. Want to try a less familiar Fruits de Mer for a change? Locale Kaap is the place for you. The menu, for example, includes whelks and periwinkles. Will you go for the Fruits de Mer Kaap or the Fruits de Mer XXL? Order a beer, cider or natural wine to go with it. Owners Emmy Walburg and Rob Baris regularly set out themselves to visit organic French wineries and farms, and they collaborate with local breweries.

Monk in Haarlem

At Monk in Haarlem, they don’t work with starters and main courses, because their dishes are intended for sharing and tasting as much as possible. The plates are filled mainly with pure flavours and quality. The fish is delivered fresh every day, which means there are plenty of changing dishes on the menu, or you can order from Monk’s Fish Market. At this market, they offer fish that isn’t on the menu. Think bycatch or fish that is only briefly in season at that particular moment. The selection can change weekly or even daily. Naturally, Fruits de Mer is also on the menu, or you can reserve a spot at the chef’s table. Spend the whole evening tasting, sharing and forgetting about everything else. Hand over the reins and let Monk’s chefs spoil you. You can make a reservation here.

Header image: Restaurant 1397

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