In June and July 2026, the Belgian coastal town Knokke-Heist will be organising the first edition of Couverts sur Mer. The gastronomic event will welcome some 30 celebrated chefs and will be located in a 5000 square meter beach pavilion.
Knokke-Heist is already one of the most popular coastal towns in Belgium, and starting from 2027, the attraction is only likely to grow. In a press release published on 26 June 2026, the municipality announced the creation of a new culinary event, called Couverts sur Mer, starting in the summer of 2027.
During two weekends at the start of the summer season, from Friday 25 June until Sunday 27 June and from Friday 2 July until Sunday 4 July 2027, the beach in front of the famous Casino will be transformed into a culinary haven. Some 30 chefs based in Knokke-Heist will be bringing their signature dishes all the way to the seafront, marking an unprecedented dining opportunity in Knokke-Heist.
“Knokke-Heist has long been renowned as a destination where gastronomy, hospitality, and quality take centre stage. Couverts sur Mer fits in perfectly with that identity and adds a unique event that literally showcases our culinary strengths by the sea,” the municipal council of Knokke-Heist commented.
Couverts sur Mer will be held in a 5000 square meter beach pavilion, but, contrary to what one might think, the organisers don’t want it to be an ordinary food festival. Instead, gastronomy, hospitality, and lifestyle should come together in order to create an event where chefs, innovative culinary concepts, artisanal producers, and premium drinks stand central. Couverts sur Mer should become a true representative of what the town has to offer on a culinary level.
“By bringing together top local chefs, inspiring culinary talents, visitors and entrepreneurs at an exceptional venue, this initiative not only enhances the experience of our coast, but also boosts Knokke-Heist’s reputation as a leading gastronomic destination in Belgium. We are therefore proud that this first edition is being launched here and believe that Couverts sur Mer can become a fixture on the national culinary calendar,” the municipal council continued.
Thanks to the spectacular location, which is being described as an elegant and imposing pavilion that couldn’t be closer to the North Sea, and the impressive culinary line-up, the organisation expects to welcome some 15,000 visitors over the two weekends. The event should therefore create a boost for the local hospitality sector, including the more than 200 local restaurants, hotels, retail, and tourism in general.
At the time of writing, the exact line-up has not been published, and tickets for the event have not yet gone on sale. Whether or not a ticket will grant access to Couverts sur Mer for the whole weekend is therefore unclear as of yet, as is the ticket price. Those who are interested in attending can sign up on the event’s website in order to be kept informed about any further developments.
