Charl's

The garden terrace is the best part of Charl's restaurant, especially for a summer meal. We ate inside with a view of the garden. The restaurant itself has a nice, stylish feel, is a little outside Knokke, and has parking that makes access convenient. Definitely book ahead, particularly if you want one of the sought after terrace seats in peak season. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the service ran smoothly. We had a nice evening in the fancy atmosphere. Still, the food didn’t quite match the upscale setting. It was average and a bit overpriced, though maybe that’s what you expect in a fancy place. You can’t have everything. The suggested veal was no longer available, so I ordered cod instead. The fish was cooked just right, but the sauce was thin and watery.

The outside terrace and garden are beautiful for a summer meal, and the service is very professional. The prices are on the higher end, but the quality is guaranteed. Most of the guests kept things elegantly subdued, apart from one couple who let their children run around screaming for almost the whole time. It went on and on, showing no respect for anyone else or basic manners.

The place is cozy and warm, and the people are friendly. I was on the fence between 3 and 4 stars compared with other restaurants in the region. The food was good, but not exceptional, and for the price I expected more. I don’t mind paying for a really exceptional piece of meat, but this wasn’t it. Nice location, just not great value.

The staff made our stay last Friday night deeply disappointing. I’ve stayed at hotels around the world, and this place stands out for staff who seemed snobbish, mean looking, and strange in how they acted. They’re normally paid to be nice to guests, but I felt a clear coldness, especially at the restaurant. When I realized they hadn’t offered us appetizers because they didn’t like us, I couldn’t enjoy another bite. What? It felt as if our money didn’t count, and the place seemed a bit racist too. I’d never recommend it to anyone and will definitely never return.