FOR Sofie & Mattias,

Everything was running smoothly at M-Bistro, but Sofie and Mattias felt cramped. The property in the center of Nieuwpoort – where they started their business in 2015 – had become too small. So, since September ’23, they have been cooking in a former storage space that was completely stripped down before being rebuilt. The original structure was preserved and reinforced where necessary.

Enter Studio Bjorn Verlinde. The restaurant, enveloped in a sober theme of gray tones, was completely opened up. Guests can see from their tables up to the roof, where light pours abundantly through skylights.

In a balancing act between openness and intimacy, the kitchen was enclosed with delicate glass curtains, allowing the chef and his cooks to be seen only as silhouettes. This allows guests to experience the dynamics in the kitchen up close while still enjoying an intimate culinary experience.

The gray masonry, with its solid rhythm, creates a pleasant but strong contrast with the soft lines of the curtains.

During the rebuilding process, special attention was also paid to sustainability by installing solar panels and geothermal heating.