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JAN'S CAFE

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About

Jan’s Café is an Ostend landmark. Founded in 1988 as a disco called Matavu by Jan Van Snick, over time the business morphed into a quality restaurant with a very special ambiance. © Jans Café Jan’s Café is in an excellent location near the Casino Kursaal and only a stone’s throw from the beach.

New Year’s Eve 2010 saw the symbolic handing over of the keys to young restaurateurs Sam Vancoppenolle and Marijke Slabbinck. On that particular New Year’s Eve, Jan and his wife were still working alongside the new owners before leaving for a well-earned and long-overdue break.

For their part, Sam and Marijke were delighted to have landed their own business in such a prime location and started the new year with a new challenge.

They have carried on the previous owners’ good work, building on Jan’s Café’s iron-clad reputation, whilst making their own mark.

Today, Marijke is to be found front of house, carrying out her hostess duties with flair. Sam, who worked at Jan’s Café as a 16-year-old, helps out in the kitchen, bar and dining room, working wherever he is needed.

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Food & Drinks

Jan’s Café predominantly serves French-Belgian cuisine with the occasional exotic and/or Mediterranean touch. Everything, from the à la carte menu to the speedy, high-quality lunches, is based on the best quality ingredients prepared in the café’s open kitchen.

Because of its wonderful coastal location, fresh fish comes straight from the boats on a daily basis. Classics such as prawn croquettes and bouillabaisse are a permanent fixture on the menu, which is wide-ranging and always features the best seasonal produce.

Meat eaters are spoilt too, with different types of steak such as chateaubriand and fillet, perfectly prepared to customers’ personal taste and accompanied with their chosen sauce. In addition to serving an extensive choice of fish and meat dishes, Jan’s Café tries to surprise its clientele twice a month with seasonal selections like asparagus, mussels or refined game dishes.

To complement this perfect the dining experience, Jan’s Café has an extensive wine list, ranging from little-known Spanish and Italian producers to the famous French vintages. The list travels the New World vineyards too with the best Australian and South-African wines.

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Additional Information

Despite their ages, Sam and Marijke were not newcomers to the restaurant business. Marijke already had years of restaurant experience under her belt and Sam trained © Jans Café at the renowned hotel school, Ter Groene Poorte in Bruges.

If you want to enjoy a sumptuous lunch or dinner in a beautiful, artistically-inspired environment Jan’s Café is the place for you. Although beer isn’t the raison d’etre of Jan’s Café’s, their list does include a number of speciality beers.

And, as the name indicates, you’re welcome to pop in for just a coffee or a quick, refreshing glass of wine at the bar. The best way to finish your meal is with an Irish coffee, prepared to order even after the kitchen has closed.

The service is like the interior, warm and welcoming. A special menu is on offer for New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day and for other red letter days.

And if you have your own special wishes, Jan’s Café will do its best to accommodate you, from creating a tailor-made menu for up to 20 guests, designed to your specifications, to booking out the entire restaurant for a family or wedding celebration.

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Jan's Cafe details

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