Eating out in Dishoek has all the charm of the small scale: no busy nightlife street, but a handful of places between dune and village, where the real holiday feeling comes naturally.
Around the Kaapduinseweg: most eateries sit together in the area of the Kaapduinseweg, a stone's throw from the beach access, so you can go straight from the sand to your table.
Small but varied: from very simple to elaborate, here you'll find both a quick bite after a swim and a leisurely dinner to round off the day.
Dining with the dunes behind you: being set right against the dunes means you can walk from almost any table to the beach in a few minutes, ideal for a stroll before or after your meal.
Plenty of choice in Vlissingen: if you'd like more variety, the town of Vlissingen is less than ten minutes' drive away, with a wide range of restaurants, bistros and convivial terraces along the boulevard and in the centre.
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 Dishoek. 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.
Popular beach pavilion: the much-loved beach pavilion Kaapduin sits right on the beach of Dishoek, where you can enjoy a drink, a bite or a full meal with a view over the sea.
A little further along, beneath the dunes: the restaurant Hof aan Zee lies a little apart from the other eateries on the Kaapduinseweg, in a lovely spot at the foot of the dunes. Here you can sit down to a fine five- or seven-course menu.
Cafés and 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 Dishoek., 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.
Beach pavilions
The beach at Dishoek. is a treat in summer and winter alike, and the beach pavilions 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 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.
Nightlife
Dishoek itself is quiet and easy-going in the evening, but for a night out you're close to the nightlife of Vlissingen and Middelburg.
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.
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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.
