They really know how to cook at Chef aan de Werf, and it is such a lovely place to sit in the old industrial warehouse. The restaurant is located in the warehouse that used to be the municipal depot. Under the leadership of head chef Charly de Wijs (who gained experience at Auberge La Provence* in Laren, De Hoefslag* in Bosch en Duin, and De Kastanjehof in Lage Vuursche, among others), fresh, local, seasonal, and sustainable products are used for the dishes. And they are absolutely fantastic, including the vegetarian dishes.

There is burrata with wild tomato salad, watermelon, mint, basil, and crispy coriander; thinly sliced ​​veal fricandeau with Dutch prawns, radish, cornichons, and lemon mayonnaise; saffron risotto with spinach, samphire, peas, and runner beans; and Irish beef tenderloin with green asparagus, crispy udon noodles, spring onion, and Gochujang. Although it is quite possible that the menu has already changed by the time you read this.

Head of the Shipyard

The nicest city garden in Hillywood? That has to be Paisan! A surprisingly large garden with multiple pétanque courts and a real outdoor bar with plenty of seating in the sun. Has the Friday afternoon drinks started yet? We love coming here for a party. And for the food, by the way.

On the menu, you'll find small mezzes to share. Falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, or fish crudo. Oh, and we love grabbing a homemade pita here for lunch.

Paisan

In March 2022, chef Natalia Tkachenko arrived in the Netherlands from Ukraine. She now runs a small restaurant on Gijsbrecht van Amstelstraat where she presents Eastern European cuisine. A cuisine we may not know very well yet, but which is so worth it. Here it is:

You would do well to start with borscht, a deep red beetroot soup with beef, sour cream, and homemade garlic brioche, and then go for the handmade dumplings. Pelmeni with chicken or beef, varenyky with potato and mushroom, pierogi with cheese and spinach. Also worth trying are the deruny (crispy potato rösti) and golubtsy, oven-baked cabbage rolls in tomato sauce, which can also be ordered in a vegan version.

On Fridays and Saturdays from 3 pm, a dinner menu is added featuring dishes including kotlet schabowy and Silesian potato dumplings with slow-braised beef. If you want to sample everything, the chef's menu is 35 euros per person. Drinks include Polish beers, Georgian qvevri wines, and tea from a blender in Hilversum. And whatever you do, save room for medovik (layered honey cake) or syrniki, quark pancakes with jam.

Natalia's Kitchen

Whether we can imagine ourselves in France for a moment, When In Hilversum? Duh! Enter, welcome! At Emmanuelle, they emulate French cinema, inspired by the classic broths of Paris. With a nod to the golden years of the 70s, they cook everything that falls under the French joie de vivre here, using seasonal ingredients. The menu is no surprise, but a selection of the best of French cuisine; there is beef tartare, scallops, moules frites, and homemade madeleines with coffee.

And of course, there is good wine, champagne, and a plat du jour, a daily changing main course for 19,50 euros.

Emmanuelle

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 nationwide, there's always a place to sit down, and in Hilversum, you can find it on Herenstraat. Bon appetite!

Pizza Beppe

Sébastien's Fournil (Gijsbrecht van Amstelstraat 131)
Sébastien Roturier grew up in the family bakery in the Vendée and started in Amsterdam in 2007; Hilversum became the second shop. The bread is made and baked in-house, without preservatives or bread improvers. In addition to the traditional baguette and butter croissants, you will find sourdough breads, tartlets, and madeleines there.

Matthijs Boon Bread and Pastry (Noorderweg 2-4)
Just across the tracks near the station. Boon has been baking sourdough bread, hand-rolled croissants, and pastries in Hilversum since 2012, and has grown into three businesses with their own central bakery.

La Petite Crêperie (Gijsbrecht van Amstelstraat 120)
Small spot for French crêpes and savory galettes, for takeaway or to eat on the spot.

Pistache Ice Cream Parlor (Hilvertsweg 193)
A household name in the Bloemenkwartier for about fifteen seasons with artisanal ice cream.

If you're craving Asian flavors, Mu Xin is the place to be in Hilversum. You don't have to choose between sushi, dim sum, or other delicacies; it's all here. Mu Xin is Asian fusion food with a modern twist. You don't have to walk far to Mu Xin, as it's just a 5-minute walk from Hilversum station.

Mu Xin

Kweek Foodbar (Kerkstraat 98)
Organic, homemade, oat cappuccinos; there is no better way to start the day. Kweek is the starting point for a day out in Hilversum. The caffeine shot you need to discover the city.

Lennox (Kerkbrink 2)
Strong flat whites, yogurt bowls with granola and fruit, eggs royale, and a terrace on the Kerkbrink that catches the morning sun.

Wakuli Coffee (Kerkstraat 86)
The coffee bar of the Dutch brand that sources directly from farmers. Filter coffee, espresso, and a nitro cold brew. You can also take beans home, and the baristas are happy to explain what you have in your cup.

Your Coffee (Kerkstraat 38A)
The large, cozy living room of the city center. Extensive lunch menu with toasted sandwiches, salads, pancakes, and a display case full of cakes, and a play area upstairs. There is now also a second location at Gijsbrecht van Amstelstraat 164, with its own menu.

Those vegans (Larenseweg 18)
Completely plant-based. Besides the lunch menu, it is half shop with homemade vegan cheese, sausage, spreads, cookies, and cake.

Tasting room De Serre (Leeuwenlaan 34, 's-Graveland)
Strictly speaking just across the municipal border, but easily accessible by bike from Hilversum. You sit in a greenhouse on the edge of a vegetable garden, with soup, salads, sandwiches, and cake that largely come from their own land.

Dudockx is located in Hilversum's harbor. Every table overlooks the water, making it the most enjoyable place to sit in good weather. Think refined fish dishes and delicious meat dishes, with a focus on organic and local ingredients. Choose the chef's menu at Dudockx. It's a bit pricey, but you're paying for the quality, as it's fantastically delicious.

Not only can you enjoy delicious food here, but you can also rent a boat. How fun is that!

Dudockx