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Leeuwarden is the water capital of the Netherlands for a reason. Despite being located in the heart of Friesland, Leeuwarden is surrounded by rivers that flow into the city through its canals. In summer, it’s faster to travel by boat than by any other means. Rent an electric boat, hop on a paddleboard, or take a canoe ride to experience the city in a new and exciting way.
The canals are one of the reasons that Leeuwarden has so many great restaurants. On a sunny day, the vibe is laid back, with people swarming to the sunny side of the canals for a drink or a bite to eat. For the full Leeuwarden experience, choose a restaurant that has seating on a boat in the canal.
But it’s not just the canals that give Leeuwarden its vibe. The old narrow streets filled with authentic buildings take you back to another age. It shows the creative side of Leeuwarden, where restaurants take the smallest of spaces and make it into an amazing, vibrant environment.
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1. Lazy Lemon
One of my favorite restaurants in Leeuwarden is Lazy Lemon. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they’ve got you covered. The food is a mix of international flavors and street food from all over the world. I fell in love with their Vietnamese Pho, a beef soup perfect for lunch on those cold days. For those eager to explore new flavors, they offer various sharing options.
The vibe is a nice mixture of an industrial look and greenery. The ambiance transports you to another place, making you forget you’re in Leeuwarden for just a moment. They have free Wi-Fi and great coffee, which makes it a perfect place to sit down and get some work done during the day.
2. STEK
STEK is a perfect example of how to make the most of a small space in Leeuwarden. Located at the edge of the city center, next to the water, they took a small building and made it home. During spring and summer, their large terrace accommodates more guests, an absolute necessity given their popularity.
The food is organic, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. This is one of the best restaurants in Leeuwarden to have breakfast, especially on sunny days when you sit outside and watch the boats roll in. The pancakes are to die for with your choice of toppings. Or go for lunch and enjoy their wraps, sandwiches, or poke bowls.
3. Proefverlof
If you want a chance to experience what it’s like to eat in prison, Proefverlof is where you should go. Located in the former prison of Leeuwarden, de Blokhuispoort, the restaurant offers a fascinating glimpse into the building’s rich history.
Before heading to the restaurant, take some time to explore the rest of the building. You’ll find all sorts of creative entrepreneurs running their businesses from inside a prison cell, and there is one in its former state to give you an idea of what it would be like to be a prisoner.
Proefverlof kept the old glory of the building without getting stuck in the past. The restaurant is modern and open with great options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They work with a lot of local products, such as fish from Harlingen and ox from Anjum. If you’re not sure what to order, they’ve got you covered with a tasting menu.
4. De Skeve Toren
De Skeve Toren not only embraces the local language spoken only in Leeuwarden but also highlights one of the main attractions in Leeuwarden, de Oldehove. This leaning tower tilts even more than the Tower of Pisa due to a construction error. The restaurant has a great view of the Oldehove and serves lunch, dinner, and drinks.
The food highlights the local regional products and focuses on fresh, daily products. Besides the set menu, they offer a tasting menu that lets you try different dishes. I’m in love with their Ljouwerter Stew, a tender beef stew with Beerenburg (a local liquor) and kruidkoek (spiced cake). For desert, be sure to try the Tiramisu & Sûkerbôle.
5. Pata Negra
My favorite tapas restaurant in Leeuwarden is Pata Negra. What’s not to love about unlimited tapas dishes for a reasonable price? The decor lets you believe you’re in Mexico or some other South American country. It’s a popular restaurant and it gets quite crowded, but it doesn’t get in the way of the vibe. Or the quality of the food.
While the concept has remained the same for quite some time, they frequently update the menu with new dishes. It’s the best way to keep people excited and have them come back. I love that you get to pick two dishes for as many rounds as you want, but in my experience four or five is the limit.
6. Thai-By-Jai
It’s not only local dishes and delicacies you get to try during a visit to Leeuwarden. Thai-By-Jai is one of those restaurants that takes you straight back to Thailand with their food and vibe. They have an array of curries with your choice of protein, noodles, salad, and starters. They offer a range of spice levels for most dishes, so choose wisely. Thai heat is a whole different level.
Even the size of the restaurant has Thai vibes, with only a couple of tables. It’s quite small and popular, so reservations are a must. If you want to try the food and can’t get a reservation, make sure to order their food via the takeaway option.
7. Pizzeria Pompeï
One of the staple restaurants in Leeuwarden is Pizzeria Pompeï. This restaurant has been around for over 35 years and serves the best pizza in town. But for those looking for something else, they have a selection of pasta and other Italian dishes. The restaurant consists of two parts; the old original building with a cozy Italian vibe and the new modern addition with a fresh industrial vibe.
You have to try their Neapolitan pizzas with authentic Italian ingredients and a finish of basilica and garlic oil. The wide selection of options makes it almost impossible to choose just one. Make sure you’re hungry because the pizzas are quite big.
8. Huize Kwast
On sunny days, Huize Kwast is the must-go restaurant in Leeuwarden. They’ve confiscated the bridge over the canal as part of their terrace. This is a great place for lunch, dinner, or a drink. The food is an exciting mix of classics and new experiments. Who knew you could make a grilled cheese sandwich with chicken and chili sauce?
They serve a selection of cocktails, mocktails, and lemonades to quench your thirst. If you’re a bit peckish make it a high cocktail and enjoy an assortment of snacks. Don’t forget to check out the interior of Huize Kwast. You’ll be amazed at the length of the small buildings next to the canal.
9. Restaurant Moseb
If you’re in the mood to try something you haven’t had before, Restaurant Moseb might just be what you’re looking for. Moseb combines the Eritrean and Ethiopian kitchens into something new. The name is a reference to the big platter they use to serve the food. The food is served with an injera, which is a type of pancake made from Ethiopian wheat.
Don’t let the simpleness of the dish fool you. The mixture of a protein of your choice with local vegetables and herbs and spices makes this an experience you won’t forget. The food is best eaten with your hands, but they do offer cutlery.
10. Sin Jah
Sin Jah is one of those restaurants you easily miss while visiting Leeuwarden. It’s not located in the city center, but its close enough to walk. Most people choose Sin Jah for their selection of sushi, but it’s great if you want to try Asian cuisine as a whole. They serve Asian-style tapas, with over 100 dishes from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
With the all-you-can-eat principle, you get a chance to try different dishes. Every table has a tablet to order dishes, drinks, and whatever else you need (wasabi of soy sauce). The restaurant has a modern moody vibe that completes the experience. I just keep coming back to try as many of their 100 dishes as I possibly can.
11. ‘t Pannenkoekenschip
A visit to Leeuwarden or the Netherlands is not complete without trying pannenkoeken. And what better place to try pancakes than ‘t Pannenkoekenschip. The best part is that you’re on an actual ship while eating lunch or dinner. The windows are small and located just above the water, so you’re sitting down below the surface.
The variety of pancakes at this restaurant is truly impressive. Whether you crave something sweet, savory, adventurous, or classic, there’s something for everyone with 120 dishes to choose from. I would try to avoid family dinner time if you’re visiting without kids. It gets quite loud with kids roaming around and enjoying themselves.
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