Out and about in Delft with Jacqueline

Jacqueline is one of our first-time readers. We asked her if she could take her fellow readers on a tour of Delft. Her neighbor city and a place where she has found a lot of nice new hotspots in recent months. In fact, with her walking club she regularly ends up is Delft for a little break with refreshments. She also did the WineSpice walk in Delft last year, where she stopped at several nice restaurants that were completely new to her. Jacqueline tells you what there is to do in Delft.

If you go to Delft by car, there are 2 parking garages where you can always park your car. The Zuidpoort garage near the Veste is handy when you want to go to the cinema (it is directly above the garage) but also when your destination is the Beestenmarkt. When you need to be on the other side of the center, for example at the Choorstraat, the Bagijnhof or the Markt, you can park perfectly in the Phoenix garage. I usually go by bike myself because then I can choose where I park it and of course it saves on parking costs.

Churches and squares

Delft is known for its churches, buildings and squares. For example, on the Markt you have no less than two beautiful buildings. The New Church with the tomb of William of Orange and the tomb of the Royal Family and the Delft Town Hall. A beautiful building from which many couples get married. Especially in the summer it is wonderful to sit on one of the many terraces on the Markt and watch the life around you and one after the other bride who makes her wedding vows in this beautiful building.

Here you will also find true Delft folklore with souvenir shops and delft-blue. In winter, by the way, there is a very large Christmas tree here that is lit annually during Lichtjesavond. Lichtjesavond is part of the Dark Days of Delft. The whole center of Delft is then in a festive mood with decorations, lights, choirs, stalls and other fun events and activities.

But also the Beestenmarkt is one of my favorite squares in Delft. According to local Delfters, the Beestenmarkt is the liveliest square in Delft, full of cafes, lunchrooms and restaurants. Most of the year, the middle of the square is filled with terraces of the various operators. Here you will find students, families with children and businessmen during their drinks and lunches at Belvedére, Flanders, Kobus Kuch, Billy Beer or Spijshuis Van Dis. The square where anything goes!

Crafts, canals and restaurants

Besides the squares, Delft is also known for its canals and crafts. The Oude Delft is the oldest canal in Delft. On this canal and street you will find many beautiful canal houses, several museums and the Stads-Koffyhuis. Here they serve the most delicious sandwiches and pie slices. In the summer you can take a seat on the terrace boat in the canal.

From the Oude Delft you walk across the bridge at the Peperstraat and walk right into the pleasantly busy Koornmarkt and Wijnhaven. On the Wijnhaven, enjoy the sight of the various cozy and artisanal-looking retailers and the small terraces you occasionally encounter along the canal or against the facade.

Also on the Hippolytusbuurt you will see many restaurants, all with their own cuisine, atmosphere and conviviality. For example, ‘t Postkantoor and the Pijpela. But also Greek restaurant Olympia and around the corner Le Vieux Jean and Café de Oude Jan.

Also the Choorstraat is a small cozy shopping street and where you will find Chocolaterie Leonidas, known for its delicious high tea!

Cozy courtyards, corners and streets

Besides the streets along the canals, there are several corners, courtyards and side streets where you will be surprised with small stores and cozy restaurants. If you come from the Zuidpoort garage, you will quickly run into Moodz and Seven Hills on the left. Two cozy restaurants where you can enjoy lunch, drinks and dinner.

When you cross the bridge into the Breestraat you come across the most delicious fish restaurant in Delft and surroundings, Les Copians. By the way, Les Copains has completely renovated its interior and is open again since January 23!

Coming from the Phoenix garage on the Phoenixstraat side, you can go in two directions. On the left across the street, you’ll find Café Einstein. They have a very large backyard where you can sit and relax. On the menu you will find delicious sophisticated Italian dishes.

If you walk up Phoenixstraat to the right, you will come to Bagijnhof on your right at some point. This is where Restaurant Van der Dussen is located. A restaurant that breathes history and atmosphere. The food is delicious. Definitely recommended when you have time and want to eat really good food! Book directly

And during your visit in Delft, pay extra attention … there is virtually no time when you don’t see one of the two church towers of the Oude Kerk or the Nieuwe Kerk, rising proudly above the center.

Have fun!

Jacqueline