In Vlissingen you can enjoy wonderful fish dishes everywhere, and the restaurants offer a wide range of other cuisines besides.
Fish from the town's own harbour: the fish is landed in Vlissingen's harbour and sold straight from there, so you'd be hard pressed to find it fresher anywhere else.
All in one place: the greatest concentration of eateries is on the Bellamypark and the Nieuwendijk, with further restaurants along the Boulevard Bankert and Boulevard Evertsen.
Dining with a sea view: from the terraces on the boulevard you look out over the Westerschelde, where the large merchant ships pass by barely a stone's throw away, a unique backdrop to your meal.
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).
Restaurants
For many people, not having to cook is one of the greatest luxuries of a holiday, and Vlissingen. 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.
Fish Restaurants: Try De Gevangentoren, De Gecroonde Liefde or Visamy for the best fish dishes in town. These restaurants are known for their fresh catch and flavourful preparations.
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 Vlissingen., 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.
Cafes and Bars: Relax in one of the many cafes or bars along the boulevard and enjoy a drink with a sea view. Café De Concurrent is a favourite among locals for a cosy evening with a wide range of beers. Bar Restaurant Solskin offers an extensive wine list and delicious tapas with a view of the sunset.
Five beach pavilions
The beach in Vlissingen is a treat in summer and winter alike, with as many as five 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 Vlissingen 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 five beach pavilions you'll find on the beach at Vlissingen:
Located in the picturesque town of Yerseke, known as the center of oyster and mussel culture in the Netherlands, the Oyster Farm Yerseke offers a unique experience for seafood enthusiasts. This special location combines a historic setting with the rich tradition of shellfish culture. What can you expect? - Educational Tours: Learn about the history and process of ...
Vlissingen has a lively nightlife all year round, and the provincial capital Middelburg lies just a stone's throw away too.
The buzzing centre: close to the shopping streets lie the Nieuwendijk and the Bellamypark, a large square full of cafés where you can soak up the sun on the terrace in summer and drink or eat inside.
Cosy until late: in the evening most venues transform into atmospheric nightspots, and the lively cafés, bars and clubs are popular well beyond Vlissingen.
A night out in Middelburg: in the nearby provincial capital you'll find welcoming pubs, terraces and restaurants around the Vlasmarkt, the Pottenmarkt and the Markt. Most cafés are open until 02:00 from Thursday to Saturday, and on the Vlasmarkt there's a late-night café that keeps going until 04:00 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.
