Ostend (also spelt Oostende) is a popular port in the West Flanders region of Belgium. Regular ferries travel to Ramsgate in England and there is a direct rail link with Brussels. The sandy beach makes the city a popular tourist attraction in the summer.
As with other cities in Belgium, Ostend has available an interesting selection of beers and nice places in which to drink them. As well as the country’s popular Trappist and Abbey beers, there is a local flavour, notably the Keyte beers from the nearby Strubbe brewery. Their Keyte Oostendse Tripel (7.7% abv) and Dobbel Tripel (9.2%) are worth sampling as is the Dikke Mathile (6.6%), named after the city’s statue of an unclothed woman.
Bottelje, Louisastraat 19
Ostend has a lot of good bars but this one is the must-visit, the city’s beer emporium with more than 300 beers available, of which ten to fifteen are on draught and the rest bottled. The draught variety changes as they always try to keep the customers entertained. Once upon a time, this was a tiny members-only club but over the years has grown to a good sized bar that oddly has the look and feel of a British pub. Meals are available and there is a separate dining area upstairs. In the main downstairs bar, look out for the little high table that is a converted and still working bottle-corking machine. Road signs round the pub tell you how far it is to well-known breweries – a full 764km from Guinness in Dublin but only 41km for Rodenbach, for example.
Zeegeuzen, Kapucijnenstraat 38
This nautically themed bar has a house speciality drink called Zeegeus, which is a bottle of St Louis Geuze beer mixed with a secret mix of spirits, of which one is believed to be Armagnac. The sweet beer has an edge to it and is served in a porcelain jug. The bar does sell other beers including bottles from the local Keyte brewery. Most of the tables are made from cartwheels. The little snug at the back is a nice addition to a nice pub with the look and feel of a local. Friendly service and slightly subdued lighting make it a good place to relax.
Taverne Lautrec, Koninginnelaan 75
This small bar on the busy Petit Paris square is the Ostend outlet for the Luxembourg Diekirch brewery, with two of its beers on draught and another one or two bottled. There is a small amount of seating outside on the square and more in the split-level area inside, including barstools. Look out for the nice picture of the brewery on the wall and expect a friendly greeting from Jo the landlord.
’t Eilandje, Bonenstraat 5
Close to the harbour down a street lined with bars, most of which appear to have conservatories in front, including this one, this bar is a recent addition to the Ostend scene. There are six beers on draught (Estaminet, Palm, Rodenbach, Rodenbach Grand Cru, Kriek Boon and Steenbrugge Blond) plus a range of bottled beers that includes six of the seven Trappist breweries. White and bright, the pub’s seating is on modern tables and chairs as well as barstools.
De Tijd, Van Isegemlaan 67
Look at the old map in the hall as you enter the pub and be impressed by how it shows the significance of the major rivers in Europe. Otherwise, enjoy the beers in this olde worlde style bar with an upstairs area and a limited amount of out-front seating. Other bars have a wider selection of beers but there are cracking ales available and it is hard to be matched for its ambience.
Koekoek, Langestraat 38
Famous for its cooked chickens, and there is nothing else to eat, they have to be tried. The whole bar has a chicken theme. Sit yourself down, order half a chicken each and enjoy with a glass of Rodenbach to wash it down. Grimbergen Blonde and Dubbel are available on draught, but are not as good with the chicken. The bottled beers range from Guinness to Duvel and Westmalle Dubbel and Trippel. On busy days, they open the upstairs area. The bar is ideal if you are in a rush for food as the chicken is on your table within seconds of ordering.
Sol & Luna, Kapucijnenstraat
A small cozy bar serving, among others, De Koninck, Jupiler and Leffe Blonde and Bruin. Music provides entertainment in this bar frequented by some of Ostend's gay community. There is a nice comfy chair snug at the back.
Other Pubs in Ostend
The very pleasant promenade beside the beach has a number of bars to cool down in while watching the tourists and the city centre itself has a variety of alternatives to the ones listed here. Look out too for publicity from De Oostendse Bierjutters, a local beer appreciation society that organises the odd beer festival.
See also the guide to Brussels pubs and bars.
Steve Rogerson - Steve Rogerson is a UK-based writer specialising in television, technology, sports and beer.
Join the Conversation