Bart's Best Of: the best hotspots in Gouda
Gouda, the city of cheese and stroopwafels, also boasts a range of fun hotspots where you can easily free up a day or weekend. Behind all those historic, charming facades lies a wealth of delicious food. This is Team Barts Boekje's list of the best and tastiest restaurants in Gouda.
Right in the heart of Gouda's historic city center stands the Lichtfabriek (Light Factory). What used to be a true light factory is now a place for food, drinks, and parties. This historic building still has its original industrial look, with high ceilings and thick steel beams.
The menu offers a truly diverse selection, from tasty sharing appetizers to elaborate main courses. Not only is De Lichtfabriek a great place for a delicious lunch or dinner, but they're also happy to host parties and celebrations.
In the heart of Gouda, just 11 minutes from the train station, lies Casa Chow. Gouda's premier street food bar, offering every delicious street food imaginable, from ceviche to nachos and even gyozas. Every dish is delicious, and the interior is also very cozy with a slightly tropical vibe. Whether you're here for coffee and breakfast or street food with a cocktail, it's all possible.
If we don't go to Naples, Naples will simply come to us. At Pizza Beppe, you'll eat authentic Neapolitan pizzas: handmade dough, San Marzano tomatoes straight from the Vesuvius region, and Fior di Latte that's truly exceptional.
The atmosphere? 'Cool & fine dining'. Culture, music, lifestyle, and pizza from top-notch brick ovens. Add a generous dose of craftsmanship and passion, and you're good to go. It's no wonder they were the first in the Netherlands to officially receive the designation. Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) quality mark – no concessions, only authentic.
At Pizza Beppe, you eat pizza the way it's meant to be. With 25 locations across the country, there's always a place to sit down. In Gouda, you can find it at Wijdstraat. Buon appetito!
Relais & Châteaux Weeshuis Gouda is located in the center of Gouda. What once began as an orphanage in the sixteenth century is now a beautiful boutique hotel, cocktail bar (COCO), and the focal point of the restaurant Lizz, which received a Michelin star in 2023. This is definitely for lovers of fine dining.
Chef Remco Kuijpers conjures up delicious dishes, and the French- and Asian-inspired cuisine and fine wines are a delight to savor at Lizz, including Côte de Boeuf and monkfish in beurre blanc. Although it's a Michelin-starred restaurant, the atmosphere at Lizz is anything but stuffy, but rather playful and convivial. If you enjoy high tea, Relais & Châteaux Weeshuis Gouda is also a must-visit.
Right next to the town hall, restaurant Belvedere has been located since 1868. Classic on the outside, but with a modern twist inside. Think signature dishes with a touch of luxury, local collaborations (yes, even with the Gouda Cheese House!), and of course, a cheese fondue you simply must try.
At Belvedere, you can stop by any time of day, as they're open all day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The terrace is arguably the best spot in town, overlooking the market square—how lovely!
Miss Nice Banana, located on the edge of the city near the canal, is a cozy hotspot where plant-based food is anything but boring. Colorful bowls, tacos, and a vegan kapsalon that's truly delicious. Everything is 100% plant-based, seasonal, and with a nod to owner Hesse-Anne's Caribbean roots.
The interior is small but cozy. You can expect fresh, sustainable, and lovingly made food. They're even working on a hidden courtyard garden, where you'll soon be able to relax.
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