Salty Seafood Restaurant

It’s hardly surprising that chef Nino Willems, together with his partner and hostess Aysen Bilal, has opened a restaurant centered around seafood. After all, his roots are in Zeeland, and his passion for the treasures of the sea was instilled in him from an early age. Following a meeting with Hendrik Kramer, a fisherman who operates sustainable fishing vessels, the pieces fell into place: a seafood restaurant in Zwolle was born. We are most warmly welcomed in the small, intimate dining room by Nino and Aysen, who first met while working at De Librije. The menu isn’t overly extensive, but offers a highly varied selection. We begin with an oyster tasting featuring French Volant, Zeeland Creuse, and Irish Mór oysters, served with a red wine vinegar vinaigrette, paper-thin sliced onions, a pepper mill, and a small bottle of Tabasco. The oysters are incredibly fresh and tender, with flavors progressing from briny and creamy to rich and full-bodied. Paired with this is a glass of 2023 Pecorino Pistillo, an earthy organic white wine. Next comes sashimi of raw sea bream, delicately garnished with thinly sliced radish and wild spinach leaves. The fish is dressed with a ponzu gel, kimchi-infused sesame seeds, and a langoustine and vanilla dressing. At the table, Aysen pours a kohlrabi sauce over it. Halibut is the catch of the day. Pan-seared skin-side down, it is served with a medley of mushrooms, red leaf lettuce, and beetroot, accompanied by a halibut jus, wild garlic oil, and a black garlic beurre blanc. There’s still room for cheese, and we are treated to no fewer than five generous wedges, served with cherry compote and fig bread. A restaurant you’ll definitely want to return to often.

Salty Seafood is a cozy, atmospheric restaurant in the center of Zwolle where the experience takes center stage. Because the restaurant is small, we as guests receive plenty of attention from the friendly service staff. We take a seat at the bar and...