The Netherlands, DelftJuly 13, 2019, by Bart's Booklet

24 hours in Delft? This is how you do it

General, Eat & Drink
The Netherlands, Delft, July 13, 2019, by Bart's Booklet

24 hours in Delft? This is how you do it

Do you want canals, but no crowds? Do you want nice shopping, but no hordes of people? Do you want narrow alleys, but no red walls? And do you want bridges, but not the risk of falling off because you have to avoid tourists, cars, cyclists and even more tourists? Then you shouldn't be in Amsterdam, but in Delft. A smaller, clear option for a little escape among the old Dutch glory. And we pulled it off beautifully again, if we say so ourselves. We were in Delft for 24 hours and we organized it very nicely. Are you ready for the nicest places in Delft?

Hotel Casa Julia Delft

Hotel Casa Julia Delft

Suppose you decide to go to Delft for a weekend. Just a night away, as we do so well. There on Saturday morning, back home on Sunday. Then we start with the place where we will spend the night: Hotel Casa Julia. This small, homely hotel is not located in the center of the city, but just a stone's throw away. That's fun for several reasons: you get to see a part of Delft that you wouldn't otherwise visit and Julia's bicycles are ready for you. And hey, you don't have to be Tom Dumoulin to know that you see more on a bike. Although everything is within walking distance, you can get around a little easier by bike. We like it. Another nice thing about Casa Julia Delft: the bath in the room is big enough for two. Lights out, candles on. You almost don't want to leave the hotel anymore. But Delft shouts, so let's go, dry off, get dressed and go out.

The Post Office

The Post Office

To get straight to the point: it is best to kick off the day at The Post Office. Not only because it feels and acts like a large, cozy living room, but also because it has a gigantic courtyard. Start the day with pancakes, croissants and smoothies. Little escape much? In bad weather it is at least as cozy indoors, for example with a newspaper by the fireplace. And perhaps you have already guessed it, but that building used to house the Delft main post office for about 115 years. Old Dutch glory, part 1!

Voldersgracht

Voldersgracht

Then continue. A three-minute walk away - the average distance you will travel in the old city center - you will find the Voldersgracht. We also like those for a number of reasons. There is a canal (duh), there are bridges, there are nice views, there are pubs and: there are a number of nice shops. Such as Instore Conceptstore and Pleck Boutique. Do you want to shop, buy presents, or just take a peek? Then these boutiques are both definitely worth a visit.

A little further away is the Vermeer Museum, for a bit of culture, and then you will recover on your own Kek Delft. Also self-proclaimed 'the coffee bar of Delft.' And although coffee is plentiful, the tropical juice bar appeals more to the imagination. Baskets full of fresh fruit and vegetables give you a warm welcome. And the rest of the interior? That also looks very – indeed – 'kek'.

From 9 to Seven

From 9 to Seven

Well, now it's time the lunch. We think. In any case, time for the first drink. We thought so. This takes us to the heart of tourist Delft: the Market. Yes, now we hear you thinking, 'the market'? But indeed, no little escape without playing the real tourist. We settle down at the Market From 9 to Seven. No hip, conceptual intention here. But with a nice view of the market square and above-average lunch dishes. When the sun is shining, you can sit here on the terrace and stare for hours. Isn't that the essence of every mini-break? Yep. Old Dutch glory, part 2, here on the market.

The Central

The Central

Tick ​​tock, time for the aperitif. The second drink. And the third. The fourth. Burb. Excuse me. We have arrived at The Central. On the corner of the Voldersgracht, where this fun day started. The Centrale is located on the 'middle' floor of the national monument the Koornbeurs, - where a dark, schmutzy student association used to stir things up (think: old, dilapidated, dark, students, beer, you know the drill). The Centrale serves as a central point for local entrepreneurs who do not have such a nice space to have their products tasted. Consider, for example, local beer brewers or farmers with organic meat from the region. Smaller dishes on the menu, starter sized, that you combine to create your own evening. Perfect to start the evening with.

The Gist

The Gist

Also nice as a drinks board, ahem, drinks spot: The Gist. A drinks spot where you can go from morning to evening. The menu is chock full of small dishes that are also very tasty. In addition to many dishes, they also serve many beers. And anyone who takes a look at the large glass facade, the mezzanine and the large regular table, would not say that there used to be a Domino's here. But really, it was there. At De Gist you look out over the Spoorzone, which is not so old Dutch and therefore shows a different side of Delft.

The Truffle

The Truffle

After so much old Dutch glory, it is high time for something different. So we say Ciao Delft and buona sera, Italia! On to Il Tartufo. By Fabio Cappelano, a Sicilian-Indian Dutchman who once stayed in Delft for love. The Truffle is his osteria/delicatessen in Delft. Fabio only works with beautiful Italian Sicilian ingredients and has an enormous passion for real Italian cuisine. For a moment you will not imagine yourself in Delft, nor in the Netherlands, but in Sicily. We couldn't make it more little escape'ish. Ciao!

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