In Westkapelle you enjoy Zeeland cuisine in an authentic dike village, with convivial eateries both in the village and on the beach.
The heart of the village: most cafés, restaurants and terraces lie around the Markt and the Zuidstraat, within walking distance of one another in the centre.
Dining behind the sea dike: Westkapelle shelters behind one of the most impressive sea dikes in the country. On the beach beyond it you can settle in at a beach pavilion with a sweeping view over the North Sea.
Fresh from Zeeland waters: thanks to its seaside setting, mussels, oysters and Oosterschelde lobster appear on the menus about as locally sourced as it gets.
For every taste: from a quick bite or a pancake to an elaborate dinner, in Westkapelle you'll find it all.
Zeeland specialities
Zeeland is renowned for its shellfish from fresh, salty water, and here you taste them at their very best.
Mussels: the best-known Zeeland delicacy, in season (roughly from late summer into spring) fresh from the Oosterschelde and classically served with chips.
Oosterschelde lobster: a true delicacy caught only in spring, with fine, tender meat that is a touch sweeter than other kinds of lobster.
Zeeland oysters: prized by connoisseurs for their refined, briny flavour, eaten raw with a squeeze of lemon or gratinated from the oven.
For those with a sweet tooth: the bolus, soft white bread dough with a crisp layer of caramel, is irresistible with a thick spread of unsalted butter. Almost every baker makes them, as well as the delicious butter babbelaars (caramel toffees). For the very best, head to Bakery Koppejan, renowned for its pastries, bread and Zeeland bolus buns.
Restaurants
For many people, not having to cook is one of the greatest luxuries of a holiday, and Westkapelle. offers plenty of scope for it.
For every moment: pull up a chair in a pancake house, a restaurant or an eetcafé. From a quick, tasty bite to a beautifully prepared multi-course dinner, there is something in every price range.
Breakfast and lunch: many hotels and eateries serve breakfast until 10:00, and in the Netherlands lunch is usually taken between 12:00 and 14:00.
Dinner and later: dinner is generally served between 17:00 and 20:00. Many restaurants close around 22:00, but various venues, terraces and bars still serve dishes and snacks after that.
Current opening hours: for a full overview with details and opening times for each restaurant, see TheFork.nl and Eet.nu.
Brasserie De Zeezot: One of the most popular places to eat in Westkapelle. In a cosy conservatory, you can enjoy a well-prepared lunch or an extensive dinner. The menu revolves around seasonal products, with Zeeland flavours taking centre stage. Think fresh mussels, fried fish and other regional dishes.
Dijkpaviljoen De Westkaap: Located on the sea dyke, this pavilion offers fantastic views across the North Sea. Ideal for a drink at sunset or lunch with a sea view. When the sea is rough, it is especially spectacular here, with the water seeming very close by.
Melis Frituur: At the foot of the sea dyke you will find Melis, a well-known name in the area. Hand-cut chips, prepared in the traditional way. After a long day outdoors, a cone of chips from Melis might just be the best thing that could happen to you. Small, popular and always busy in the season.
Terraces
Thirsty after a warm day, tired from an outing, or simply fancy a drink? In the centre you're well served all day long.
For every thirst: all day long they pour soft drinks, beer, cocktails and more, whatever you're in the mood for.
The right spot: settle down at one of the many cosy terraces or cafés in the centre of Westkapelle., nicely in the sun, in the shade or out of the wind.
Convivial until late: at the bar or around the table, with friends or to meet new people, enjoy the atmosphere and let yourself be indulged into the small hours.
Four beach pavilions
The beach in Westkapelle is a treat in summer and winter alike, with as many as four beach pavilions that turn it into a full day out.
From a snack to dinner: on the sandy beach you'll find several pavilions where you can stop for a drink, a bite or a full meal, while the sun casts its last light across the beach.
Handy for the beach: some sell beach gear such as kites, the toilets are open to everyone on the beach, and there is often hire of beach cabins, beach chairs and windbreaks. In summer there's usually a volleyball net too.
Open in winter as well: especially at weekends, a number of pavilions in Westkapelle now stay open. Wonderful after a bracing walk through storm and wind along the roaring sea: gazing out over the wild water from behind the glass, with a hot coffee or a good drink in hand.
Overview: these are the four beach pavilions you'll find on the beach at Westkapelle:
Westkapelle itself is quiet and easy-going in the evening, but for a night out you're close to the nightlife of Vlissingen, Domburg and Middelburg.
A night out in Domburg: in nearby Domburg the Stationsstraat has several pubs close together, including café Tramzicht and Kafe Domburg, for years the go-to meeting spots for the (holiday) crowd. A minimum age of sixteen generally applies, and in summer the venues are open daily until 2:00 a.m.
A night out in Vlissingen: the nearby city of Vlissingen has plenty going on all year round. Close to the shopping streets lie the Nieuwendijk and the Bellamypark, a large square full of little cafés where in summer you soak up the sun on the terrace, or drink and eat inside.
Lively into the night: come evening most places turn into atmospheric nightspots, and the buzzing cafés, bars and clubs are popular well beyond Vlissingen.
A night out in Middelburg: the provincial capital of Middelburg buzzes too, with convivial pubs, terraces and restaurants around the Vlasmarkt, the Pottenmarkt and the Markt. Most cafés stay open until 2:00 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and at the end of the Vlasmarkt there's a late-night café that carries on until 4:00 a.m. on Saturdays.
Good to know
A few practical tips make dining out that little bit smoother.
Book in high season: in summer and on fine weekends the popular places fill up fast, so reserving a table in advance saves disappointment.
Mind the season: if you specifically want mussels or Oosterschelde lobster, time your visit to the season, because freshness is the guiding principle here.
Fresh from the grower: for oysters and mussels straight from the source, a trip to the shellfish village of Yerseke on the Oosterschelde is well worth it.
Card payment almost everywhere: paying by debit or credit card or contactless is standard in most places, though smaller beach kiosks sometimes set a minimum amount for card payment.
