The best restaurants in Zwolle
Imagine you haven't planned a holiday or a weekend getaway, but you do want to plan something. Just a last-minute weekend getaway. There's plenty to discover in the Netherlands! Zwolle was on our list a while ago, and we got some tips from the locals. You can also find some amazing food in Zwolle; read on. These are the best (and tastiest) restaurants in Zwolle.
In the heart of Zwolle, in a historic building dating back to 1450 (formerly 't Pestengasthuys), Kiki and Bart opened restaurant Ember at the end of 2025. Much of the menu is prepared over an open fire, under the care of Chef Bart. It's the kind of place where you order everything together and then enjoy sharing: grilled dishes, creamy pastas, and fine cuts of meat, all with that warm, smoky flavor. Oh yes, everything at Ember is also... en casa Dry-aged. Don't expect a stiff atmosphere, but a relaxed atmosphere thanks to hostess Kiki. Before you know it, you'll be sitting for hours, ordering your fifth round, and already planning your next visit.
Owner Anneke decided to transform part of her husband's optician's shop into a coffee shop, and it turned out well. Coffee Master hasn't been there that long, but a lot can already be found on social media. Not surprising, because they have a very special cabinet that is definitely worth posting. Behind the cabinet is a hidden space where you can enjoy your coffee... You know the kind, one of those secret doorThe rest of the café is also cheerfully decorated and Instagram-worthy. You can order coffee, pastries, and toasted sandwiches. It's simple and inexpensive. You can order a coffee starting at €2,50 and a cake for €3.
It couldn't be fresher than this, as the fish you eat here comes straight from Hendrik Kramer's Urk trawler to Salty Seafood. This busy restaurant on the Markt square is owned by chef Nino Willems and his partner Aysen Bilal, whom you might know from the Librije, where they spent years honing their culinary skills. It's no surprise, then, that they now run a fish restaurant, as Nino hails from Zeeland and has fishing in his blood. At Salty Seafood, you can choose from 4 to 7 courses for dinner, or enjoy a delicious lunch with dishes like North Sea crab, fish soup, and North Sea sole. Located on the Markt square, reservations are a wise move!
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 pizza is meant to be eaten. With 25 locations throughout the country, there is always a spot to pull up a chair, and in Zwolle, you can do so at Bethlehemkerkplein. Bon appetite!
Café del Primo is a cozy Latin-inspired Coffee spot – the first of its kind in Zwolle. They serve specialty coffee from Panama plus a variety of lattes, filter coffees, and freshly baked pastries. The decor and music create a warm, Latin American vibe that immediately makes you want to linger.
There's a children's corner, so the kids can play while you quietly sip your coffee or chai latte. Everything feels relaxed and personal. Perfect for hanging out, catching up, or just enjoying a good cup of coffee. And who knows, if you ask nicely, the owners might even give you a little salsa lesson. Hanneke also has her own dance school, and she met her husband, Ricardo, at a salsa night.
It's no wonder Os en Peper is called that, since it overlooks the Peperbus, Zwolle's city tower. The atmosphere? Informal and cozy, with a touch of chic – that's what we like. Think open kitchen, five courses, a limited number of guests; you know how it goes. The menu changes every two months, and each dish comes with a perfectly paired glass of wine. Et voilà!
Fish from the North Sea, the IJsselmeer, and the Vecht River, and meat from the Dutch countryside, but don't expect standard Dutch cuisine. Chef and owner Ard has a penchant for spices and unique flavors, so you'll definitely taste foreign influences here. Everything with a Zwolle twist: no fuss, just straightforward. And with sustainability as a top priority.
To be honest, we didn't know what to expect when we heard the name. But it secretly became our favorite lunch spot. So we ended up having lunch at De Gillende Keukenmeiden not once, but twice. A cozy little place—with outdoor seating for sunny days—run by a team of friendly, passionate women. The seasonal menu features a wide selection of sandwiches, delicious cakes, and a (vegan) high tea. We had a delicious beef stew sandwich, just like grandma used to make. Only to discover the next day, in disbelief, that it was vegan.
Here you'll find endless conversations in the Irish pub and country house vibe. The Dublin House has four distinct rooms: The Tavern, Sally's Corner, The Barn, and The Library. In The Tavern, you can settle into one of the cozy booths and be guaranteed a classic cocktail crafted by professional bartenders. Enjoying oysters, you'll be hooked. Prefer a more private setting? Sally's Corner is the perfect spot for a cup of coffee with the newspaper, an intimate dinner, a party, or drinks with friends. Want to fully immerse yourself in the Irish atmosphere and sit by an antique fireplace? Then The Barn is your spot, perfect for a cozy moment with your partner or the whole family. And then you think, The Library – that's where all the bookworms are hiding? No way. This is the place for a game of football or rugby with a big pint of beer. Choose from dozens of specialty beers, pulled bread, grilled ribs, or a delicious burger – not bad either! Still not enough? They have more. Every Monday night is cocktail night, with all cocktails for €8,50, and every Tuesday they host a pub quiz. You won't want to miss it! Here's a bonus tip: via a phone booth and a steep staircase, you'll reach The Peacock, the speakeasy cocktail bar you absolutely don't want to miss!
Culinary delights? Zwolle certainly knows how to do that, and NOÏS is the perfect proof (yes, even Michelin says so – whoohoo!). A top-notch duo works here: hostess Laura provides a warm welcome and pairs wines, while chef Vincent and his team conjure up a surprise menu that will tantalize your taste buds.
Every eight weeks, the menu changes, with a choice of five to nine courses – all little works of art on your plate. Fish and meat? Not necessarily, because Vincent knows how to surprise you just as well with vegetables. Think celeriac with a fresh acidity or pork belly with an Asian twist and a rich bay leaf cream sauce. This is fine dining with character.
Lisa's Deli is a hot spot in Assendorp. And rightly so, because everything here looks divine! Whether you want a hot cup of coffee to go or just pop in for a bite to eat, it's all possible. Takeaway meals are also a great option: in the display case, you'll find weekly changing treats like pastries, savory snacks, fresh salads, and mouthwatering wraps. Think: jalapeño cheesebread with crispy tofu and butter bean sun-dried tomatoes. And it's not just the food that's a treat; the building itself is also a sight to behold. With its old-fashioned facade and Art Nouveau interior, it's truly a sight to behold. In short, a gem worth a detour!
If you enjoy a delicious, indulgent breakfast during your city break, visit Coperto Restobar, the restaurant located at Hotel Pillows Zwolle. The restaurant is also a great choice for dinner, but breakfast is truly a treat. A high tea experience with a tower, imagine: poached eggs With brioche and hollandaise sauce (with a choice of salmon, ham, or avocado), waffles, fruit, smoothies, and more. And of course, you can also order your favorite coffee. In the beautiful, bright, glass-walled restaurant, you can relax and start your day in style.
Stroll further through the old, narrow streets of Zwolle, but not too far because then you might just... Brasserie het Vliegerhuys You can't miss it, a stately building right behind Zwolle's bustling shopping street. It's a wonderfully peaceful place to have lunch in the shade. Perfect for a leisurely lunch with a glass of wine, but a quick sandwich is also an option. The best part of the brasserie can be found outdoors in the summer months: a delightful hidden terrace. It's listed under "must-see."
After the train journey to Zwolle, you can walk from Central Station in just fifteen minutes along the water and the city's most stately houses (beautiful!) to the Grote Markt - a beautiful start to the day. It is not difficult to find a nice coffee place on the Grote Markt and in the surrounding streets, but if you immediately want to have something to look at (read: buy), you should probably sink down on one of the chairs at Engel Shop cafeA cozy spot where the cake, coffee, and sandwiches are delicious. A handsome guy who walks out empty-handed, too.
Lots & More can be found in one of the nicest streets in Zwolle: the Sassenstraat. A delicious organic yoghurt bar with the tastiest yoghurt products, but in addition to yoghurt there are also other dishes on the menu, from home-made sweets such as pumpkin cake to a flatbread with falafel. And also a smart location, because shoppers can certainly use a healthy cup from the yogurt and shake bar there.
There is hardly a better combination of cocktails and street food. And at Jaffa Jaffa they also thought this way: with flavors from all over the world on the menu, you can enjoy the tastiest vegan, fish or meat dishes and you have the choice of several special cocktails. And sharing is caring, because the dishes are meant to be shared. We love that! The old monastery has three floors, and each floor is a little different. In the basement you'll find a bar, on the ground floor it's sharing is caring And right at the top, you can enjoy some more intimate street food. Besides the restaurant, Jaffa Jaffa also has one of the largest terraces in Zwolle, where you can relax with a delicious drink and, of course, a snack!
In the heart of Zwolle, a restaurant on a corner of a roundabout, with a large terrace where it's nice to relax even on cold days. Go there to At Hartje For lunch, that's for sure, but also for coffee, tea, and cake: the latter beckoning from the counter. Hartje Zwolle is above all the address in the Hanseatic city where a little more attention and love is paid to the styling of the dishes before they arrive at the table: arranging strawberries, adding a flower if possible, everything on a beautiful platter. After all, it's good for the eye, but it's also delicious. On Saturdays, they have Fancy Saturday. Every Saturday night they have a sharing dinner with good wines, (special) beers and cocktails and bites. And for a high tea, wine of beer you have also come to the right place.
