Here on the coast... the best of and around beautiful Middelburg
Zeeland has much more to offer than wide beaches, oysters and the best mussels in the country. Just go to Middelburg for a weekend - you will be amazed. Although we would also like to write home about the rest of the province. Anyway, Beautiful Middelburg, and here we are going:
Ooooh we can enjoy discoveries as well. Almost at the end of shopping Middelburg, on the Damplein where you also have to go The teacher of Fromagerie Forianne (more about that later) you will find a new favorite shop in all of Middelburg. Hand on heart. En Suite that's what it's called, it's only just opened and we already know: it deserves a fresh sniff every visit to Middelburg. You can keep walking around in the small, with en suite doors in the middle of the crazy (ha, hence the name), place and every time your eyes fall on something different. Stacked wicker baskets, fine placemats, handsome vases, decanters covered with a rattan layer and matching water glasses and much more for the home. You almost want to move in there yourself. Anyway, everything you want to take home with you and create your own mini En Suite look a like.
When people (you know… people… everyone actually) tell me last minute ask where they should go to eat Amsterdam, 9 times out of 10 on Friday or Saturday evening, I always have the same answer: Café Cliché in Amsterdam East. The main reasons? 1) It's really good and cozy, always. 2) Café Cliché is a bit off the beaten track and is therefore almost always free of tourists. 3) Reservations are not possible, so everyone has an equal chance of a spot. That's a success, that much is certain. Great news that a second version is coming: Small Café Cliché. In Middelburg. Zeeland yes. That's not around the corner for us Amsterdammers, but a must if you're in the area.
Also to add: Sleep 3 times in beautiful Middelburg
We did a tour of Zeeland, and man oh man, what an old-fashioned wonderful experience! You can read about the nicest addresses, with but certainly also without the kids, here:
A good start to the day is half the battle, also in Zeeland. At Luuk's small bakery, bread and pastries are baked in the traditional way. You can also take it with you, but you can also go through the daily schedule in peace and quiet. You can have a nice peek into the bakery where the magic happens (Plein 1940 15)
Can't wake up without a cup of coffee? On to espresso bar and bed & breakfast Expresszo, located together in a monumental corner building near the main market of Middelburg. You have to go downstairs for a nice cup of coffee, upstairs to sleep. There are only two rooms, both with a view of the pleasant Pottenmarkt (Pottenmarkt 22).
The bakery started as a pastry shop with homemade artisan cakes and cookies – a household name in the city and soon far beyond. De Juf has been offering afternoon tea since day one, and recently there is also room for breakfast, lunch and even a drink (Damplein 20).
But of course, in addition to a lot to see and taste, there is also some shopping in Middelburg. House of the Sea for example. This wonderful concept store is one from the category 'house by the sea, beach, sky, powder shades, linen, cotton' and that seems exactly how we want a Zeeland home furnishing store to be. At least Maison de la Mer knows how to do it. Fortunately, they also have beautiful clothing items in the store, which fit in wonderfully with the existing theme. What's not to like, we certainly don't know.
Extensive lunch? RØST is the answer. The business works with local suppliers and has a changing menu with fresh, seasonal dishes. There is work by local artists on the wall and the fresh strawberry cake is divine (Sint Janstraat 45).
In this colorful, girly but cool tea house on the water you've come to the right place for a tea, or a real chocolate tea (all your bread, fruit and vegetable sticks dipped in chocolate). You can also order a 'Picnic to go', perfect for those who want to rent a boat on the other side. The business has a large terrace on a floating pontoon (Achter de Houttuinen 50)
If you come from Middelburg, or even from Zeeland, you used to be stuck at this café. Luckily, he's still there. The former coffee and tea shop - which now also serves beer and wine, as well as the famous yoghurt ice cream, toasted sandwiches and a cup of tea for the old gentleman with the pipe - is a household name in the city. Despite the fact that the business was taken over in 2014 by a couple in their thirties, Sanne and Geoffrey, the homely atmosphere remained. including the paintwork, which has turned brown due to nicotine, dark wooden accents, a stack of newspapers on the table and trinkets everywhere that give you the feeling of going back in time. (Sint Janstraat 40).
Zeeland Ministry of Chocolate & Culinary Affairs A feast for chocolate connoisseurs. You can join us, pick up a high tea or get a (chocolate) ice cream for the road (Lange Noordstraat 8).
It has been there for 20 years cheese and specialty shop in the heart of Middelburg with the top specialty 'Forianne's Middelburg'; a creamy cheese from the Beemster. For a year now you have been able to have breakfast, lunch or sit down for a meal cheese board. The backyard is one of the nicest terraces in the city (Damplein 1).
At the end of the cozy Sint Janstraat is the cute Lokaaltje, a children's café with plenty to play, more than enough for shopping and a sunny patio (Sint Janstraat 62).
Favorite From Central Station it is a nice walk to the city center. Don't walk straight to the main street: just turn into the London Quay where the Lievelings gift and toy shop is located. Only favorite things here (Londonsekaai 1)
The surprise of Middelburg must be the beautiful House of Flowers. In a large mansion opposite the church, a bit hidden for those who don't know the city well, you will find exactly what the title promises: a house full of flowers. You wander through the different rooms, each of them equally colorful and greedy. If you live in or around Middelburg, you can also take out a subscription so that you are always assured of fresh flowers at home (Koorkerkhof 14).
A city garden store and not just any one: although the store is of a normal size, you can spend hours there looking for the perfect plant. There is a 'Plant Hotel'; useful for when you are on holiday. And a 'Plant Shelter'; plants that are looking for a second home (Zusterstraat 10).
The young Restaurant Basalt is located in the historic heart of Middelburg, close to the Fish Market: this is the place to be for the tastiest fresh fish dishes. Choose something from the 'Lobster Bar' (Sint Janstraat 34).
Looking chic? On to Restaurant The split Arent. Go for a 3, 4, 6 or even 8 course menu, with matching wines. The menu mainly contains fresh and organic products (Vlasmarkt 25-27).
For a creative and culinary evening, make a reservation at Restaurant Sharp are. Chef Mart and his wife Dhani Scherp will provide a special evening out, promised (Wijngaardstraat 1).
