Sven’s personal recommendations for Haarlem

Most places are well described on Google and TripAdvisor. Below are some hidden gems you won’t find online, mixed with my personal favorites.

Don’t forget to write me a review here of course ;)

Restaurants
Lunch
Bars
Coffeeshops (no coffee, weed!)
Museums

SVEN’S GOLDEN TIP

The Haarlem Canals are a simple system and easy to navigate. Rent your own boat from different rental companies (Google will know). Haarlem is close to the sea, you’ll be there in 30 min. on a bicycle. Rent a bike and check out bar Rapa Nui (visit website) for drinks or a meal (open year-round).

RESTAURANTS

Le Mortier
They should have a Michelin star in my opinion. I’m convinced that this fairly new restaurant will have one in the future. Check it out as long as the quality is Michelin, but prices are not. Tip 1: the menu is very limited and changes every month. Check it online to see if they serve a dish of your liking. Tip 2: Follow the wine advise from the sommelier and be amazed!
Only open for dinner. Visit website

De Kloosterkeuken
Great food and a great setting in this building from 1436 that used to shelter Catholic travellers to Santiage de Compostela. It’s a special project that helps young people who are trying to get back to a normal life and a normal job. You’re doing a good deed by spending your money here.
Only open for dinner. Visit website

De Wandelaar
This amazing restaurant cooks daring dishes with local ingredients all day round. Possible for a small bite as well as a long dinner. Visit website

DeDAKKAS
Haarlem’s only rooftop bar/restaurant: enjoy great food and a great view in a laid back setting. Coming by car? Enter parking garage “De Kamp” and drive to the top floor.
Open for lunch & dinner. Visit website

De PlekK
It’s a bit hard to find this restaurant, next to “the woods”. But the longer the journey, the higher the reward. Honest food for fair prices.
Open for lunch & dinner. Visit website

LUNCH

Dessertbar
Sit inside or out in the sun on the small terrace, with view on the “Old Baaf”. Enjoy an excellent lunch or a freshly made cocktail. In the evening they serve dessert only. Great idea if you want to visit more places during your dinner-date. Visit website

Het Veerkwartier
Alright, this place is fááár away from the city center and you’ll need at least a bike (or car) to get there. It’s Haarlems best beach club (near a lake). Think: beach, bathing suits, cocktails, hammocks, relaxed atmosphere, great biological food and a lively entertainment program with DJ’s, live music, and open-air cinema.
Open year-round, also for dinner. Visit website

Theehuis Haarlemmerhout
This place is located in the middle of the “Haarlem Woods”, our very own “Central Park”. Great for Dutch style pancakes and “poffertjes”. It has live music on Sunday afternoon. Visit website

BARS

Stiel’s
You’re into live music? Then you’ll be just fine here 7 nights a week! Local live bands play here every evening. Open until late. Visit website

Hart Haarlem
Psst, insider tip: don’t tell anybody. This is the bar from the local music school, but open to everybody. A lot of spontaneous performers here. Maybe the local choir will sing after their repetition and a few glasses of wine, or the best saxophone students will join in a jam session. You never know what will happen. Even if nothing happens, the homemade pies are spectacular.
Closes at 22:00. Visit website

De Uiver
Loads of bars at the “big market”. I recommend the last one. 40 Dutch beers on Draft (I still think that Belgium is part of the Netherlands…). And at least so many Jenevers to try. Ask the staff for advice and create your own beer or jenever tasting. Visit website

XO
Nice bar. The terrace is just opposite the city hall. Do you like to watch weddings and brides? Sit here on a Saturday and you’ll see a party passing every hour. Later in the evening, the tables will be moved and the music becomes loud enough to dance to. Hip place for young people to let their hair down. Wouldn’t recommend the food here. Visit website 

COFFEESHOPS (no coffee, marijuana!)

You have to know about stuff before you can recommend it. And I know nothing about this stuff. I just like the name “Willie Wortel” (on the Houtplein) cause it’s the Dutch translation of Disney’s: Gyro Gearloose.

MUSEUMS

Frans Hals Museum
You can’t miss out on this museum from one of the Dutch Masters… Visit website

Teylers Museum
You like sceince, you like art? Check out the oldest museum from the Netherlands. Visit website

Corrie ten Boom Huis
Corrie ten Boom saved 800 jews from the Nazi’s and survived Ravensbrück camp. Learn about her life, her story and about her message to mankind. Visit website

Het Dolhuis
The museum from the mentally disturbed, crazy, lunatic, bonkers… You get my point… This former lunatic asylum is beautiful located in a park. Beware: currently closed for renovation… isn’t that crazy… Visit website