On the Spaarne River – opposite the ferry from the hockey fields to De Hout – you'll find De Watermeterfabriek restaurant. Just a little way out of the city bustle, yet still offering a real sense of escape.

They are open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, drinks, and dinner. From yogurt, French toast, and croissants in the morning, to soups, salads, sandwiches, and brioches for lunch, to vegetarian dishes with seasonal vegetables, langoustines, and cockerel For dinner. The historic building is divided into the conservatory, the elevated restaurant area, and the drinks corner on the right. The café menu features trendy snacks like sardines, artichoke dip, anchovies, and Zeeland oysters.

And yes, arriving in the morning and staying all day—through the menu—is perfectly fine. Driving from Amsterdam or other parts of the country is also perfectly fine, with plenty of parking nearby. Boom—a great place to be in Haarlem.