The best pop-up restaurants throughout the Netherlands – the 2025 edition
Eating out is probably one of our biggest hobbies, which is why we find it extra fun when we can go to a pop-up restaurant; something completely different, new and it feels just that little bit more special. Extra fun in the summer, because that means a lot of outdoor dining at unexpected and special locations throughout the Netherlands. These pop-up restaurants fall into the category of nature and tranquility or right in the middle of the bustling city. So it's high time to the best pop-up restaurants throughout the Netherlands to list. A list that we suspect will certainly continue to grow this summer.
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Are you familiar with the Werkspoorcafé in Utrecht? Yes? Then we don't need to tell you that this tall, bright, industrial space is the perfect venue for a fantastic party. Or a fantastic pop-up! Three days of excitement are guaranteed. Bo Schinkel and her team will serve the most delicious dishes, pour the finest wines, and create a grand culinary feast. It's bound to fill up quickly, so go go go.
At Bakery Westers in Hotel Jakarta, they're doing things a little differently: on November 7th and 8th, the alarm will go off late, the bread will be left in the oven, and the bakery will be transformed into a pop-up restaurant for a one-off three-course dinner. Bakery at Night, in other words. No bread that ends up in the trash, but a creative menu in which sourdough bread takes center stage, from starter to dessert. Dine amidst the aroma of fresh bread and with a view of the subtropical greenery of Hotel Jakarta. You can dine for just €35 per person (wine pairing €20).
Sunday, November 9: Paris I love, but just in Rotterdam. Metro Walhalla in Rotterdam transforms into the heart of Montmartre, a pop-up of Good morningThink: French accordion music, live chansons by Aznavour and Piaf, a four-course lunch at beautifully set bistro tables, portrait painting like on Place du Tertre, and that typically French atmosphere of art, taste, and romance. You'll be welcomed around 12:30 pm, after which you'll be immersed in an afternoon of Parisian joie de vivre, including apéro, table wine, coffee, and tea.
The best pop-up restaurants often take place at the best existing restaurants. At least, that's our experience, and this is certainly the case at Kaars Amsterdam. The last edition of the more than delicious (and incredibly cozy) pop-up was at one of our often-forgotten favorite Amsterdam locations: Merkenbach in Amsterdam East (always a mini-vacation here). And Kaars Edition Number 3 has been announced! We don't know where it will be yet, but you'll definitely be the first to read about it on the Instagram account of Kaars Amsterdam
The pop-up restaurant is (well hidden) between the MH4 industrial estate in Rotterdam, the old red-light district on the Keileweg, and the now super-hip Keilecafé hidden gemAnd the name doesn't lie. Behind the pans is Kelvin Lin, a top-notch chef who creates modern Asian dishes with influences from Thailand, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia. He calls it "Omakase food", what basically means: be surprised. The press is raving: AD Gouden Pollepel, Telegraaf, NRC, de Volkskrant, all raving. He's even in the Michelin Guide, and Gault&Millau named his restaurant "Asian Restaurant of the Year" in 2020. But hey, we're not here just to regurgitate press quotes.
Why go here? Well, for starters: you sit at a long bar, the so-called chef’s table. Right in the middle of the action. It's not stiff at all, the atmosphere is relaxed and the vibe is industrial. And the food? No stress about choosing: you just get a five-course surprise menu (changes regularly) for €75 per person. Our menu? Among other things, matured scallops, salmon and a broth of morels with langoustines that was seriously worth a tear.
Rounds 1 and 2 are over, but round 3 is planned: the first service will be sometime in October and reservations can be made here.
image via @hiddengemrotterdam
Raise your hand if you absolutely do NOT like pizza. Right. That's not a lot of hands, so let's applaud the oh-so-successful The Pizza Show: the best pizza makers from home and abroad, in a unique location... well, baking pizzas. The atmosphere is always great, and you can... website You can already see where and when The Pizza Show's next edition will be. Be quick, though, because the evenings fill up quickly, and they don't push out extra chairs.
Kwie Kwie is the Surinamese pop-up from the people behind Barracuda, together with Noni Kooiman and London Loy. Here you can sit down for Surinamese food, cocktails and a good vibes. On the menu you will find (and it can't be otherwise) Surinamese dishes, think of bakabana, johnnycake with chicken liver sambal, pom and pastries. At the bar you can get rum shots, slush puppies and a tamarind Negroni. To be found until the end of May, maybe longer if it becomes a hit.
A temporary restaurant in an old train station? Yes please. STRIPE can be found in Bergweg Station, Rotterdam: a nice new pop-up from chef Mattia Sabino Caso (including Vuurtoreneiland, Café de Parel) and sommelier Wendy Persoon (ex-Renilde).
Here you eat a fixed 3-course menu (with the option to expand), with local products, seasonal vegetables, and everything that nature in Western Europe has to offer. Think of wild herbs, special techniques and dishes that are just a little bit different - but super tasty.
Wines? Also top arranged. Wendy serves natural wines from small winemakers from mainly Germany and France, by the glass or even by the small glass (so you can try several).
Everything is artisanal, sustainable and deliciously down-to-earth Rotterdam.
Photography: Lizzy Zaanen Photography
Want to discover new (and permanent) spots? Keep a close eye on this list, there you will find all the new restaurants in Amsterdam!
