Dining Out in Leiden

After a day of strolling along the canals, shopping in the alleyways, or wandering through museums, you’ve certainly earned a delicious dinner! And that’s perfect, because Leiden’s historic center is brimming with great places to eat. Dine in a centuries-old city gate, under the vaults of a historic weigh house, or simply enjoy a cozy meal by the water: in the “Key City,” anything is possible. We’ve rounded up the best restaurants for you. Enjoy your meal!

Dining by the Water

Imagine this: you’re sitting at a table inside an actual city gate. Fish brasserie De Poort is housed in one of the two city gates that Leiden still has. When the weather’s nice, you can settle in on the terrace along the water; otherwise, you can sit in the bright conservatory with a sweeping view of the canal. The menu features fish served in small dishes meant for sharing, but there are also vegetarian options available.

Fancy a taste of France without crossing the border? On the Nieuwe Rijn, you’ll find Jeanpagne, a bistro where simple, honest dishes and good wine go hand in hand. Feel free to ask for recommendations: the team will be happy to help you find the wine that best complements your meal. Our tip? Share a baked Camembert as an appetizer. Ooh la la!

At a special location

In Leiden’s historic city hall, you’ll find a little piece of Italy: City Hall. The menu features Italian favorites, from vitello tonnato to pasta with truffles. Stop by for a quick lunch, a leisurely dinner, or just a glass of wine at the bar. Buonissimo!

Directly across from the Hooglandse Kerk is The Bishop. The interior, with its pillars and religious details, almost feels like a small church, which adds to the atmosphere. This spot used to be a distillery. You can choose from the à la carte menu or let yourself be surprised by the chef’s tasting menu.

For an evening you won’t soon forget, head to In den Doofpot on the Turfmarkt, a long-standing staple of Leiden’s culinary scene. The chef works with organic, locally sourced ingredients and serves multi-course menus. The historic building adds a special touch to the whole experience. Ideal for a birthday or anniversary!

On the Aalmarkt stands the stately Waag building, which for centuries was the beating heart of Leiden’s trade. Today, it houses the spacious café-restaurant Waag. Here you can enjoy familiar classics in a historic setting—it’s the perfect spot for lunch, dinner, or drinks. Children are also welcome.

A Taste of the World

Right in the heart of Leiden, you’ll feel like you’re in Spain for a moment at Los Cosmos. Here, you can order bocadillos, small bites to share, and grilled dishes. A pitcher of sangria on the table completes that vacation vibe. ¡Salud!

A fan of French cuisine? Then reserve a table at Bistro Bord’o. Here you’ll enjoy refined French dishes—with fish regularly featured on the menu—paired with fine French wines. Handy tip: just around the corner, they also have a shop where you can pick up wine, cheese, and treats to take home.

On the Kaasmarkt, you’ll find Catootje aan de Markt. The kitchen combines French and Middle Eastern influences and uses organic, local ingredients as much as possible. Don’t eat (almost) any meat? Then you’ll have plenty of choices here, as a large portion of the menu is vegetarian or vegan.

Want to take a trip to Java without buying a plane ticket? At Surakarta on Noordeinde, you can enjoy dishes from Central Java: not too spicy and with a slightly sweet flavor. Want a little more heat? Then help yourself to one of the house-made sambals. Dining with a group? Order the rice table and sample a little bit of everything.

Dutch and cozy

Sometimes you just want a delicious pancake. Then Oudt Leyden on Steenstraat is the perfect spot for you! The building has been a restaurant since 1907 and, back when it was still a fancy restaurant, even had a Michelin star. Now you can enjoy Dutch pancakes served on a large Delft Blue plate. Great with kids, but just as cozy with friends.

Practical tips

• Make a reservation in advance, especially on weekends. Popular spots fill up quickly on Friday and Saturday evenings.
• Coming by car? Park at the Haagweg parking lot on the outskirts of downtown and walk to your restaurant.
• Check the opening days in advance: not every restaurant is open all week.
• Make a full day of it with some shopping or a visit to a museum. Find inspiration in our blog about a day out in Leiden.

Whether you’re in the mood for fresh fish by the water, a Javanese rice table, or a stack of pancakes: you’ll always eat well in Leiden. And the historic buildings and canals make every dinner just that little bit more special.

Photo credits: OpstapmetLisa