Special restaurants in the Netherlands that you shouldn't miss (and tips for sleeping nearby!)
Surprising someone, surprising ourselves; sometimes we want that WOW-BOOM experience. Something really different, something unique, but with food and drinks in the leading role. You can of course choose a restaurant that excels gastronomically, but there are also restaurants with a special concept. Voilà , a list of special restaurant concepts in the Netherlands that will give you an unforgettable evening. Oh yes, we have left out all the commercial restaurants.
From May through September, you can visit Hilvarenbeek in Brabant for a picturesque outdoor setting (farmhouse wedding style, only without a couple, but with nothing but good people and like-minded individuals at the table). From Friday through Sunday, prominent, often well-known chefs from home and abroad (!) cook lunch and dinner. Their assignment: source your ingredients from local farmers and cook on-site over an open fire. And: good luck! It will come as no surprise that the result is the most amazing lunches and dinners. It is an all-inclusive experience for a fixed price, including a unique menu, careful beverage pairing, and table water (lunch €99, dinner €129), all in tune with nature.
And if you would like to extend your visit to Erloom, make it a weekend in the countryside. Small-scale nature and farm campsites are situated around the farm. And for those seeking something a little more comfortable, there are also charming B&Bs and rural accommodations in the area. They offer a taxi service upon request afterwards (€10 pp).
For example, they recommend the small Westrik, an accommodation that was formerly a mixed agricultural business and where you can now enjoy a wonderful night's sleep. Moreover, they have honey from their own bees and a private vineyard. But also Buitenhof Hilvarenbeek, nestled among the farm meadows on the edge of the village of Hilvarenbeek.
As soon as you enter the garden, you immediately understand: this is a good place. You also immediately understand why they call it "Eat your landscape." Amidst the flowering herbs, fruit trees, and fields, you truly get a taste of the surroundings. When the sun shines, the tables are already set with white linens and brightly colored chairs, and otherwise, they welcome you inside into a cozy setting, as if you're visiting someone's home. The menu changes with the seasons, but always with the same philosophy: circular, surprising, and above all, incredibly delicious. You can enjoy the various dishes à la carte or opt for a set menu.
There is also plenty to discover, chickens roam around, you can play jeux de boules, in short: entertainment for everyone all afternoon or evening long.
Staying overnight near Cul Sec? Try Country estate De Boombaard, if you're going out with kids. But also fun: Parc Broekhuizen, for a luxurious night away. If it's the height of summer and you fancy a camping adventure or want to rent one of their creative cottages, then our all-time favorite is Camping de Lievelinge also always a good idea.
Everything within a half hour drive.
You've rarely experienced such a wonderful culinary night out. At Bohiem in the Flevopolder, everything has been carefully thought out. When the weather starts to improve (read: May), you can enjoy the ultimate experience surrounded by nature, complete with fantastic food. You'll check in at noon and arrive at your tent, picnic basket and all. Then, you'll quickly be seated at the table for a delicious meal. From pit cooking, fermenting, hot and cold smoking, and clay cooking, the chefs will take you on a culinary adventure in the outdoor kitchen.
After dinner, you can relax around the campfire with a cocktail and s'mores. The night ends in a luxurious tent, which you'll leave in the morning for a delicious breakfast and fresh coffee. Bohiem is situated in an enchanting location in the Flevopolder.
Eindhoven the craziest… But Eindhoven also the most innovative. THE TABLE by PIPPENS was one of those restaurant experiences that made us think again about what we had just experienced. We were a bit surprised by all the impressions we had just gained during the dinner led by Pepijn at Table by Pippens. When we made a reservation in advance the 'old-fashioned' way - no reservation system, just waiting until you receive an email back - we actually already knew that we were coming for a special experience.
THE TABLE is PIPPENS' culinary creative restaurant. You sit next to each other, on the outside of the TABLE. On the inside, TEAM PIPPENS prepares a 'Table d'Hôte' menu (food from the pot) with an emphasis on refinement, sharing, experience, and personal attention. They serve a full evening of culinary storytelling, with drinks as an integral part of the menu.
Want to stay the night after this night out? We'd love to give you some tips. Barracks Hotel, right in the middle of the city and therefore quick and easy to get home from. If you fancy a place to sleep outside the city and closer to nature, be sure to check out Bumblebee Cabin of Boutique hotel Lytel Blue.
That's a lot of fun.
What once started as a summer pop-up restaurant is now a well-oiled machine in both summer and winter, even offering overnight accommodations. On weekends, the restaurant operates a fixed-time service, offering a wonderful evening out for many. This can be for dinner (a six-course meal, delicious) or with an overnight stay (if you want!).
In summer, meals are prepared in the greenhouse, and when the colder months arrive, cooking takes place in the fort. The open fire is the heart of the kitchen on Vuurtoreneiland. The cooking emphasizes vegetables, occasionally supplemented with meat and fish.
For the ultimate island feeling, you can also sleep on Lighthouse Island, in one of the six unique island rooms. Each with an unobstructed view of the water and surrounding landscape.
On to Arnhem, where you will find The Church restaurant and boutique hotel on the border of the city center and the vibrant Fashion Quarter. A real hidden avg in the middle of the city. It takes some time to find where to go, but once you find the entrance, you are in the middle of an old Lutheran church. Many old elements can still be seen inside, combined with a modern, open kitchen and... old school stained glass windows through which the evening light falls so beautifully.
At The Church you will find a combination of sleeping and eating in the heart of Arnhem, which has also been declared the greenest city in the Netherlands. Park Sonsbeek is around the corner, and you can also be in the forest if you want. Sounds like an ideal destination for a weekend getaway, right?
If you're looking for something truly different and unique, keep an eye on Voertaal's calendar. The brilliant trio behind Voertaal regularly organizes unique dinners at locations like Museum Voorlinden or other corporate events. But as a starting point, they often host pop-ups in their vibrant Stadstuin Kweekland in Arnhem.
Using the most special ingredients from the garden (read: vegetables!), the most delicious dishes are conjured up, in other words: true works of art in themselves.
If you're looking for a comfortable place to sleep near Arnhem, there are plenty (and we definitely recommend it) because there's nothing better than a breath of fresh air the morning after a hearty dinner. You can sleep at Country estate Beekhuizen or in the city at Fashion. Also nice, have a good night's sleep at Boulangerie Hotel Karel, then you can pop into the bakery the next morning for a delicious fresh breakfast and you can face the day again (hangover or not!).
A surprisingly beautiful location in a place where you wouldn't expect it: just outside the center of Doetinchem. You can dine in that beautiful glass greenhouse, in the middle of nature. Fun when it rains, fun when the sun shines, but also fun when it is crystal clear and you can see the stars during your dinner. You're always in a different setting, isn't it cool? You choose from 4, 5 or 6 courses, yes pleaseYou can taste the seasons in the menu. The cuisine is modern, using as much local produce as possible from the beautiful Achterhoek region.
Fancy dining at the Orangerie and finding yourself in bed with a large group in no time? Then take a look at Family chicken! Or what do you think of Hotel Villa Ruimzicht, where you can walk to? You can relax in the sauna the next day and unwind.
Yes – it couldn't be better. Next to Bistro Zachstaal and restaurant Zachstaal, you'll find the most amazing campsite and tiny houses, all made from recycled materials; nothing new is used. The team has created the most beautiful little houses, perfect for a wonderful night's sleep. A treat for kids, and for you too.
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