Now listen, Delft is my absolute favorite Dutch city (and is my home!!) but I will be the first to admit, it does not have a great food scene. Bakeries? Yes, it actually more than a few amazing ones. But restaurants? Not so much. And since I so desperately want everyone to come see how stunning Delft is, I need to make sure that make sure that you eat at the good spots, so you don’t get a bad taste of Delft. My food guide is revolved around affordable and casual spots, although it includes a few full dinner sit downs. One of my travel planning pet peeves is when people list the “best restaurants” and it’s just places with Michelin stars and a bill big enough to make you double check your bank account before paying. Or they’ve been sponsored to go there. This is definitely not either of those things. I spent two years doing a thorough sampling of the cuisine in Delft so I could bring you the most accurate and honest food guide.

Rosmarino

Style: Italian, Deli      Occasion: Lunch        Cost: $            Recommend: Focaccia Sandwiches

Rosmarino is my go-to lunch spot. It’s an authentic Italian deli specializing in focaccia sandwiches but serving other delicacies like arancine (fried rice balls) and desserts such as cannolis and sfogliatelle. The space is cute and homey but small, so expect that you might have to do takeaway. The waiting time can be awhile, but the prices are pretty reasonable and the flavor immaculate, so it’s worth it.

They are located in the heart of the city at Turfmarkt, so it’s the perfect stop for midway through your Delft day tour!

Brisket Boys

Style: American, Deli, Comfort         Occasion: Lunch, Dinner Cost: $           Recommend: Brisalon (loaded fries), Sandwiches

Brisket Boys is a very casual sandwich shop serving pastrami sandwiches, Reubens, burgers, and fries. One thing I miss dearly from the US is good sandwiches (the Dutch sandwiches are bread and a slice of cheese OR a slice of ham. That’s really all you get). Brisket boys is where I go to get a little bit of what I’m missing. I will admit, it’s not 100% like an American Reuben, but it’s the closest you’ll find in the Netherlands. Trust me, you’re not getting that much meat from any other sandwich shop without flying across the ocean.

My favorite thing might actually be their loaded fries though, a clever adaptation of a Dutch staple. The dish is called “Brisalon” which is a play on the word “Kapsalon”, a poplar late night snack of fries loaded with kabob, garlic sauce, cheese, lettuce, and tomato that was invented by the Dutch (and they are very proud of this). Brisket boys instead uses brisket and a gravy sauce, a combination which is even better than the original Kapsalon, I must say. If you know Poutine, it’s comparable to that as well.

Prices here are pretty good, and seating is limited but I’m always able to find a spot.

De Botanie

Style: Café, restaurant            Occasion: Breakfast,Lunch, Dinner       Cost: $$            Recommend: Filled flatbread (Gevuld platbrood)

De Boatanie is one of the few places where I took a bite and said “WOW”. They put unique spins on most of their dishes and have a wide range of options. This is also very not-Dutch of them. I went a little out of my comfort zone and ordered a filled flatbread with chickpeas, harissa, aioli, cheese, pickled green onion, and cabbage. Boy was it good! Their drink menu is also quite large. We ordered some homemade teas, and I appreciated seeing more homemade drink options. At most places in the Netherlands, ordering an iced tea just gets you a bottle of Lipton.

Filled Flatbread (gevuld Platbrood), Iced Tea, and Roast Beef Focaccia

De Botanie is unfortunately a little pricey, but it won’t break the bank. It just can’t be an all the time thing. They have plenty of seating (inside and out) and a cozy atmosphere. Not to mention, they are on a street with one of my favorite cafes, a historical bakery, and lots of cute little shops!

HANNO Groots Cafe

Style: International Fusion, Café, Shared Dining            Occasion: Lunch, Dinner, Drinks            Cost:$$$       Recommend: Bao buns, sweet potato fries, cocktails

HANNO can be a simple café coffee stop, but it’s one of those places you end up at for a few hours. Their menu pulls inspiration from all over the world, with dishes ranging from Korean bao buns to Peruvian style fries and Middle Eastern inspired flatbreads. The flavors are unique without trying too hard, and the menu changes often enough that there’s always something new to try. The dishes are small portions meant for sharing, and that’s how you end up here so long! Their drinks are also quite tasty.

The atmosphere is one of the biggest reasons people love HANNO though. The inside is colorful, cozy, and slightly chaotic in a good way, while the terrace is a nice spot on a sunny day. It can get pretty busy, especially on weekends. Prices are higher than your average Dutch café, and I would equate this to more of a higher end sit down restaurant. If you want somewhere that feels lively, creative, and a little different from the typical Delft spot though, HANNO is definitely worth a visit.

Restobar K Family

Style: Georgian, Dine-in        Occasion: Dinner, Wine    Cost: $$         Recommend: Tasting set “Welcome to Georgia”, Khachapuri, Khinkali, aubergine rolls, Vareniki with cherries

Restobar K Family is a sit-down dinner restaurant specializing in delicious Georgian cuisine. Their tasting menu makes it easy to try all the best items, which you should because I honestly haven’t found much Georgian food that I don’t like. It is a cuisine which doesn’t require a brave soul to try, and their menu and waitstaff make it easy to understand what everything is. The tasting platter is around 40 EUR per person, and you get a TON of food. If that’s too much though, go for the Khinkali (dumplings) or Khachapuri (cheese filled bread). For the appetizer, I suggest the aubergine rolls and for dessert the Vareniki with cherries (dessert dumplings).

Khinkali

In addition to the food, they have a great selection of wine, including orange wine which is a Georgian tradition and something you mostly find in Eastern Europe. I recommend Restobar K family if you’re looking for a fine dining experience and are willing to try something new. It’s not a budget meal, but the prices won’t cause you to cry, so you can eat good and still be happy.

Stadsherberg de Mol

Style: Medieval Experience, Shared Dining, Meat and Potatoes    Occasion: Dinner       Cost: $$            Recommend: Tavern Menu/2-course menu

Stadsherberg de Mol is not your typical restaurant. The entire experience is medieval themed, from the candlelit dining rooms to the servers in costume and the old Dutch style menu descriptions. Plus, the building is 500 years old and was an orphanage in the 1500s, so you get a nice dose of history from this meal. Meals are served on wooden platters, there’s often live music or entertainment, and yes, you’re encouraged to eat with your hands. It sounds touristy, but somehow it’s actually really fun and surprisingly cozy.

The food itself is hearty and very meat focused, with large shared platters, roasted meats, potatoes, soups, and beer served in giant mugs. You’d think it’s only about the atmosphere, but the food is surprisingly really tasty. I would especially recommend if you’re visiting Delft with family or friends and want something memorable instead of another standard dinner spot. To be safe, I would reserve ahead. They only have the live entertainment and special themed nights on certain evenings (although waiters are always in character).

TIP: you can often find meal deals for this restaurant on the app called Social Deal. You typically need one day advance notice for this

The Good Egg

Style: American, cafe             Occasion: Breakfast,Lunch        Cost: $            Recommend: American Pancakes

If you’re craving an American style breakfast or just want a break from the standard Dutch bread-and-cheese lunch situation, this is absolutely a place to go. This is the first place I’ve seen get “American pancakes” right (a lot of restaurants boast having this, but few succeed in providing actual American style pancakes), and it makes sense because The Good Egg is owned by an American. They also serve biscuit sandwiches, another American classic, but I’ve yet to try them. I’ll report back when I do because biscuits are hard to get right. Their cookies are also certifiably delicious because they get them from a good bakery down the street called Let’s Bake a Story.

The food selection is slightly limited, but fine for a café/brunch stop. Prices are good – cheaper food than other cafes (8.50 EUR for a sandwich) and on par for drinks (4.50 EUR for a Latte). There is seating in the café, although not an absorbent amount. It is a cozy place!

Tonkotsu Ramen NIKKOU

Style: Ramen, Japanese          Occasion: Dinner            Cost: $$         Recommend: Tonkotsu ramen, shoyu ramen

I actually haven’t been to Ramen Nikkou yet, but I genuinely cannot count the number of times people have told me to go. Almost every friend I have in Delft has recommended it at some point, and there is very frequently a line out the door, which honestly says enough on its own. The restaurant is small and very traditional in style, with counter seating around an open kitchen where you can watch the ramen being prepared. They specialize in authentic Japanese ramen with rich broths, handmade noodles, and a small, focused menu instead of trying to do everything.

One important thing to know is that there are actually two different Ramen Nikkou locations. The original Ramen Nikkou serves a wider range of traditional ramen styles, while Tonkotsu Ramen Nikkou focuses specifically on tonkotsu ramen. Both locations also serve vegetarian and vegan ramen options. From what I’ve heard, the tonkotsu and shoyu ramen are the standouts, and the place is known for being one of the most authentic ramen spots in the Netherlands.

Seating is limited and they do not take reservations, so expect to wait during busy hours.