Rubens — Restaurant in Knokke-Heist

We went to the Rubens on January 17th, 2025 with high expectations and were unfortunately disappointed. We had reserved a table, but the Maître d'hôtel was unprofessional, the table was only shown to us from distance and we had to hang our coats on the wardrobe ourselves. We sat very close in the tables next to us, which didn't really bother us, but there was a dog sitting on the chair next to my wife - with its snout on the white tablecloth. We found that very unsavory.

To accompany the appetizer we received potato chips in a stainless steel bowl, something like that is a tool IN the kitchen. When we asked for a daily recommendation, we were told that everything could be found on the map. When we asked about the wine recommendation, we also received an irrelevant note.

Loveless is the remaining term for plates and cutlery. You can find everything exactly the same in a canteen.

The food was good, but the unappetizing circumstances and the unprofessional hospitality of the staff left us unsatisfied with the...

We had a wonderful dinner at Rubens in Knokke! Even though we don’t have reservations and there’s usually a queue, it moved surprisingly quickly we only waited around 10–15 minutes. The atmosphere is super relaxed, and you can tell people are happy to wait because the food is totally worth it. Once seated on the terrace, the staff made the experience even better. They were warm, welcoming, and had a great sense of humor it really added to the friendly, lively vibe of the place. We ordered the famous shrimp croquettes and three different types of mussels: white wine, garlic, and cream. Everything was absolutely delicious, fresh, and full of flavor. You can tell this is a local favorite, and now we know why. Highly recommend if you’re in Knokke and craving great seafood in a fun and casual setting. We’ll...

The restaurant is a well-known classic in Knokke, though it is often crowded with tourists. It is a very busy venue, with a lively atmosphere that, at moderate capacity, can become quite noisy and feel more like a playground than a peaceful dining space.

The service is friendly, yet the waitstaff tends to be a bit overzealous, quickly clearing tables and shortening seating times, which can feel somewhat rushed.

The food is satisfactory, and the pricing is in line with Knokke standards—neither exceptional nor disappointing. For a more tranquil and pleasant experience, the interior is significantly quieter and more charming, and reservations are highly recommended for indoor seating. The veranda, however, offers a more relaxed atmosphere where no reservation...