This Belgian city has the most top restaurants per capita
If you thought you had to go to Brussels, Ghent or Antwerp for fine dining, think again. Knokke-Heist, the chic seaside resort on the Belgian coast, is making headlines once again in the latest edition of Gault&Millau 2026. And how! With no fewer than 40 listings, including 5 risers and 6 newcomers, Knokke-Heist is the city with the most top restaurants per capita in all of Belgium. So yes, while others are building sandcastles on the beach, culinary fireworks are being set off in Knokke.
40 listings = 1 clear message: this is where you eat at a high level
The latest Gault&Millau guide pulls no punches: Knokke-Heist arrives, sees and conquers. From established starred restaurants to exciting newcomers; it almost seems as if every street corner is home to a restaurant that automatically brings a smile to your face. Other cities may be bigger, but Knokke-Heist excels in quality per square metre.
Gault&Millau awarded, among others:
Caillou (15.5/20 points)
Resto Jett (15/20)
Bablut (13.5/20)
Constantin (13/20)
DeLy’s (12.2/20)
And those are just the risers.
Newcomers with flair and personality
Six restaurants are getting a spot in the guide for the first time, and these are anything but run-of-the-mill addresses. Think Café de Paris, Studio M.CCC, Old Fisher, and the striking L’abbiocco, which immediately received the H!P label, Gault&Millau’s stamp for establishments offering a trendy all-round experience. In short: it’s not just about the food here; it’s about the experience, with a capital E.
Big names continue to shine in Knokke-Heist
Amid all these new contenders, the established greats continue to hold their own effortlessly at the top:
Bartholomeus (18/20)
Sel Gris (17/20)
Cuines 33 (17/20)
Best wine by the glass? You can drink that here too
As if that weren’t enough, the French-Belgian restaurant Tablàvins also took home an award. They won the award for the best wine selection by the glass – a new Gault&Millau category that rewards quality, variety and fair prices. And honestly: an award like that simply deserves a toast. Santé!
In the mood for a culinary seaside city break? Knokke-Heist it is
Beach and top gastronomy within walking distance of each other – that’s what makes Knokke-Heist so irresistible. Whether you’re coming for an oyster by the sea, an innovative food bar or a five-course menu at star level, you’re always in the right place. So, next time you’re looking for a seaside city break, you know where to go. Knokke-Heist: where the sea murmurs and your taste buds applaud.
An overview of all listings can be found via myknokke-heist.be/nl/gastronomie
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