Escabèche

The story

Escabèche Knokke-Heist: A Refined French-Belgian Kitchen

The kitchen and its founders

Chef Kim Verhasselt and his partner Lisbeth Morbee founded Escabèche in Knokke-Heist over a decade ago. Their French-Belgian kitchen draws on local hospitality roots and ten years of dedicated craft. Verhasselt holds the Mastercook of Belgium title while refining light, fresh preparations that blend Mediterranean warmth with precise Japanese techniques. The approach relies heavily on seasonal produce rather than heavy sauces.

Signature plates and seasonal shifts

The menu rotates between delicate crudo preparations and heartier winter roasts. Raw tuna arrives with avocado, crab, and a sake granité, while turbot is paired with snipe beans and a shellfish jus. Winter brings roasted pigeon Anjou and black Angus short ribs, proving how well this French-Belgian cooking adapts to the changing calendar. That consistent balance earned the restaurant a Gault&Millau score of fifteen for 2026.

The dining room and service

The contemporary interior offers a warm backdrop for both casual lunches and quiet dinners. Hostess Lisbeth greets guests directly while Olivier manages the floor and curates wine pairings from the cellar. Every course benefits from deliberate pacing and attentive sommelier guidance. Guests can complete the evening with peach panna cotta or a selection of aged cheeses.