De Normandie

The story

De Normandie Koksijde – Art Deco Restaurant on the Belgian Coast | Michelin Recommended

De Normandie: A Ship-Shaped Landmark on the Koksijde Coast

In Koksijde, a striking white structure shaped like an ocean liner sits facing the North Sea. This is De Normandie, a restaurant that has been a local landmark since 1937. Built as a hotel-boat, its form and name pay homage to the French ocean liner that held the transatlantic speed record in 1935. The building was designed by modernist architects Laurent and Willy Bruggeman, and today it is a protected monument.

The story of De Normandie is one of careful restoration. In 2005, current owners Timo and Ellen took over the property and restored it with deep respect for its original architecture, working with architect Vandendries Capoen. Their efforts earned the Flemish Monument Prize in 2007. A more recent transformation in 2020 gave the interior a complete renewal, balancing the building’s heritage with a fresh, contemporary feel.

The cuisine is rooted in a farm-to-table philosophy, with a focus on combining flavours rather than fussy presentation. The team describes their approach as “proeven met alle zintuigen” – tasting with all your senses. The menu changes regularly, offering a Chef’s Menu alongside à la carte options. Recent suggestions included a tapas plate of confit tomato with burrata and basil, and a main course of rosé pigeon fillet with confit legs and a Rossini jus. A selection of mocktails and classic cocktails, like a Pornstar Martini, rounds out the aperitif list.

De Normandie has earned a Michelin Recommended distinction, a fitting recognition for a restaurant that combines architectural rarity with honest, carefully sourced cooking. The dining room is welcoming, with outdoor seating available for those who want to feel the sea air. It is open for lunch and dinner, with table service and wheelchair access. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.