Located on the Belgian coast, the seaside resort, which gained in popularity in the 19th centurye Founded in the 19th century thanks to King Leopold II, it possesses a delightfully old-fashioned charm. Popular and acclaimed by local retirees, this beach, also known as "the queen of beaches," holds true gems for those with a taste for design and architecture.
The Ostendian
The Flemish city has a brand new four-star hotel. Open since March 2025, The Ostendian invites guests to discover the personalities associated with the city. Located in the Sky District, the 113-room hotel is the first entirely new hotel in Ostend in twenty-five years. Its opening has certainly not gone unnoticed. In terms of design, the hotel boasts a neo-vintage style, with extensive use of glass blocks and velvet.
Starting from 94 euros per night.
Oesterbankstraat 6
Paradis Apartment
A personal project of press officer Albane Paret and Micha Pycke, this 97-square-meter apartment, located on the Ostend seafront, will delight all lovers of beauty. And for good reason: more than just a rental for your next vacation, Paradis Apartment is a showcase of the very best in contemporary design. All the pieces furnishing the apartment, carefully selected by the owners, are available for purchase. A year after its opening, the selection has been refreshed, giving new artists and designers the opportunity to showcase their work. For its 2025 edition, Paradis Apartment evokes the North Sea. The result is a minimalist atmosphere, infused with tones reminiscent of water, such as blue, silver, green, and gray. Among the new designers and publishing houses are Maarten Van Severen, Teget / Ana Kraš, but also cc-tapis, Niels Raoul Boone, Hasami Porcelain and Atelier Thomas Serruys.
Starting from 280 euros per night.
Kapucijnenstraat 58
Casino-Kursaal
Who says 19th century seaside resorte The century inevitably brings to mind a casino. Ostend's has lived several lives before taking its current form. Moorish in inspiration, it was made of wood and mosaic. Relocated to the western end of the seawall in 1878, it was demolished in 1940 by the German occupiers, who built a bunker in its place. Thirteen years later, the Kursaal was reborn under the direction of architect Léon Stynen. It was clad in glass and aluminum facades, all curves, offering an unparalleled view of the sea. This impressive structure, perched on dry land, houses within it a small marvel: a sublime fresco measuring 26 by 5 meters by the Belgian painter Paul Delvaux. Located in the room named after the painter (which is also adorned with a striking carpet decorated with the signs of the zodiac), it depicts female figures, both human and mermaid, facing the sea in a dreamlike atmosphere.
Kursaal-Westhelling 12
The Great Post
Destroyed during the Second World War, this Belgian postal building was reimagined by the architect Gaston Eysselinck. A follower of Le Corbusier, the Ghent native wanted to create a functional and luminous building. A committed socialist, he was also keen to provide an optimal workspace for postal employees. Constructed entirely of bronze, marble, and granite, the building's raw appearance contrasts sharply with the Belle Époque villas and is crowned by an imposing sculpture by Jozef Cantré, an allegory of communication. Reconverted into a cultural center in 2005, this unique space features two mosaics evoking the past and the future. A future it embraces through a renovation by the firm B-architecten, completed in 2013. This renovation introduced new communication routes between the building's various spaces (amphitheater, exhibition areas, production and rehearsal rooms), as well as an elegant partition, clad in a wave of wooden slats, in the main ticket hall. Its café, adorned with glass frescoes, immerses us in a unique atmosphere from breakfast onwards. Both opulent and minimalist, possessing an old-world charm, De Grote Post offers a true journey through time.
Hendrik Serruyslaan 18A
White Interiors
If you'd like to treat yourself to a lovely souvenir of Ostend, head to the White Interiors vintage gallery. There you'll find beautiful design pieces by renowned 20th-century designers.e century. Among our favorites, the chandelier 2097 by Gino Sarfatti, or the floor lamp version of Shogun by Mario Botta.
Langestraat 55
valerie_troost gallery Oostende
It all began in 2010 in Antwerp, where the valerie_traan gallery was founded. Conceived as a meeting point between architecture, art, design, and everyday life, it is also presented as an extension of the home of its director, architect Veerle Wenes. In November 2023, its Ostend counterpart was launched. Since June 8th, it has reopened for the summer season with the exhibition "Bloomen."
Hertstraat 9
Park Brewery
In Ostend, Art Deco enthusiasts have their paradise, and it goes by the name of Brasserie du Parc. A true local institution, it boasts stained-glass windows with floral motifs, geometric ornaments on the ceiling, metal frames above the benches (once used to hold hats and coats), and domino-patterned tiles on the floor, not to mention the elegant typography that adorns the façade. Inside, the restaurant features wood paneling and elegant marble slabs on the tables. As for the menu, guests can enjoy oysters and grilled langoustines with brown butter, parsley, and lemon.
Place Marie-José 3
Vincl'O
For those who prefer more contemporary cuisine, head to Vincl'O. This former wine bar, opened in 2023, has been transformed into a restaurant offering a delicious six-course menu, each course paired with a wine selected by Vincent and Claudia. Among our favorites are the sous-vide marinated salmon with beets, lime, and lentils; the chilled pea soup with pods (a recipe Vincent learned from Alain Ducasse) served with smoked trout; and the pan-seared North Sea spider crab with a lemon verbena vinaigrette, accompanied by asparagus and sea vegetables.
Christinastraat 61
Tops
Finally, for those looking to treat themselves to a meal recently awarded a Michelin star, Haut, led by chef Dimitri Proost, seems the perfect choice. Perched atop the Sky Tower (a stone's throw from The Ostendian), the restaurant is located at number 28e The upper floor offers an incredible view of the city and the sea. A light-filled panorama that visitors discover after being plunged into darkness. A truly breathtaking experience. Particularly refined and elegant, lunch begins with excellent champagne and clam and razor clam amuse-bouches on the terrace. At the table, the real culinary adventure begins with a surprising combination of feta, prawns, melon pearls, and green tomato juice. Then comes a delicious sea bass ceviche with jalapenos, mackerel flavored with ras el hanout, and asparagus accompanied by shellfish, morels, and quinoa. Next is pigeon and foie gras, served with a lacquered finish. Finally, the tour de force concludes with a dessert featuring chocolate, cherry, and shiso.
Leopold III-laan 2
