Where to eat: the 50 best restaurants in Leiden

We were quite disappointed by the speed of service at the Bishop. It is the slowest dining experience I had so far. We ordered chef’s menu with 5 course, and main course came after 2 hours that we sat down. Portions are quite small aswell that’s why after finishing each course, we had to wait for long times for other course to come. Waiter did not inform us at all about these waiting times till we asked. The food has good quality and taste, but not anything super impressive for a Michelin Guided place. Unfortunately, the long waiting times between each course made our experience really unpleasant in general. I hope they can improve the service in the future.

We dined at The Bishop for my birthday. Being lactose and gluten intolerant, we informed them of my dietary restrictions when booking. They were more than accommodating and made us feel very welcome. The meals were incredible, with great care taken in food preparation.

The food and atmosphere were amazing! For each dish, they explained what was in it and what type of flavors to expect. The wine pairing went really well with each dish as well. I highly recommend taking the night out and having a lovely date or gathering here! Highly highly recommend!

We visited the place as a family and the interior is traditional cosy and nice. We ordered the surprise menu, which were all very delicious and worth the spending. Each course was well presented, creative and tastful. The main lamb course requires a lot of more work, as the dish is unable to stand beside the other courses in taste / creativity and presentation! The restaurant deserves its Guide Michelin recommendation. The Service was smooth, efficient and ever-present. The overall experience was excellent and we will be back!

The most incredible fine dining experience I've had all year. Definitely reserve this a week prior! We had the 4 course meal with paired half glass wines which was the best option as we still got to taste everything and appreciate not having to spend a fortune. The fact we could watch the chefs too made it really special. All the dishes were "wow" quality. Thank you guys for the amazing work!

Nothing but praise for this Michelin star restaurant. This must be one of the best restaurants I've ever been to, if not the best. The atmosphere is great. The staff is very friendly but above all very experienced. They know their cuisine and matching wines. We had the 5 course chef's menu with wine pairing, and each and every course was amazing, worth every cent. I highly recommend visiting this restaurant and I'll definitely return.

The Bishop definitely deserves its Michelin star! Very creative food presentation. The staff are well knowledgable with the food and drinks that they serve. They are also entertaining and friendly. Delicious food, cozy ambiance, perfect combination! Thank you to the whole Team❤️

Very cosy place with delicious food and drinks. Everything happens with good dynamics. Some of the tables are big so you may experience lunching with strangers sitting in the same table,which I find really interesting and I really liked it. It is located in the heart of Leiden, next to the canal.

We don’t often go out for breakfast so we try to make sure we have a great experience when we do. Bar Lokaal did not disappoint - there’s a good selection of items including croissants, yoghurt bowl with fruit, eggs Benedict with salmon/bacon/spinach, and both sweet blueberry or bacon and maple syrup pancakes. The atmosphere is great too.

We were pleasantly surprised on Wednesday when My husband and 1 had dinner here. The friendliness of staff, professionally, respectful and nice. Customer service is the Netherlands can be a miss sometimes but this was niiiiceee The food 👌🏾 flavours 👌🏾 location👌🏾, cleanliness 👌🏾 ambiance 👌🏾 close to the pieterskirk, a beautiful church in Leiden. A MUST try!

Perfect place for for a bite to eat and catch up. Delicious coffee and great range of breakfast options which made it hard to choose. Pancakes with bacon and maple syrup hit the spot. Really chill vibe and friendly staff make it easy to recommend.

Nice place to get a food before or after drinks across the street in the Owl bar. Roasted cauliflower and shakshuka were tasty! Flat white coffee also good.

Very good food with appropriate prices, the waiters are nice. I suggest this place for a brunch. The chai latte was spicy enough

For the BEST burger you’ve ever had, head here, the beers are amazingly good too!

Good food, friendly staff and great location. Prices were a little high and portions a bit small (even the regular dishes). I personally recommend the loaded fries, those were amazing.

Vlot is the place, where you can feel welcome as at home after the sailing and feel comfortably pampering yourself with a delicious food and drinks. Highly reccomenf to try one of the main dishes. You can also share and chat with your friends and talking about the countries to visit in the future. Simply overlooking to the small harbour and set up the dreams to be realized.

Nice place for a visit next to the Leiden city harbor near the center. In the summer you can sit on the terrace and enjoy the boats and people. The seating inside is comfortable and the atmosphere is very cozy. The food is nice and very fresh with a nice variety of dishes (many of which are vegetarian). Recommended for lunch and diner but I suggest reserving a table even in the off season as it is always busy.

We celebrated the birthday of a good friend there, so we had reserved a table for six a couple of days ago. But we didn't know we would get the BEST table of the place! A corner table, with lots of room for our friends and an amazing view tobthw canal. The drinks were great, as well as the finger food and the service. We left at midnight but the staff was putting no pressure on us, they even told us to stay as long as we want, up to 1am. Thank you for making this evening so special for us!

The food quality and service have drastically declined since our last visit. The mojito we ordered was painfully sour, while my friend's drink arrived in a cracked glass that was leaking. Shockingly, the staff seemed unconcerned about this. It appears they neglect the needs of their customers, resulting in a rushed and unsatisfactory experience. Furthermore, the inexperienced team they've employed is a far cry from the previous staff. To the owner, investing in staff training and using higher-quality ingredients is essential. 'Gezelligheid' alone cannot compensate for sloppy service and subpar food akin to Albert Heijn's standards. Adjust your prices accordingly to reflect the overall customer experience.

We came here to have a drink and try some desserts. It was a lovely sunny weather and we were offered 2 seats on the terrace just right to edge of the river. We ordered Vegan Bounty Pie and Cinnamon Swirl plus Iced Chai Latte. The desserts tasted really nice and iced chai latte was refreshing which was exactly what I expected. Besides, the interior inside is nice and feels cozy.

Food - It was absolutely delicious!! Everything was perfect! We started off with pink gin (looks gorgeous, tastes amazing) and nacho's. Main dish was fish burger and beef burger with rosé. And finally cappuccino. Absolute perfection. Service - Very friendly, genuinely helpful, super quick service. Atmosphere - Honestly, its the best spot in Leiden. The location has the best view and its very calm. Cute decorations, very comfy, cozy. A true instagram spot. Overal - Absolutely recommend this place! Will be coming back asap!!

Went here for Valentine’s Day. It was absolutely delicious. My boyfriend has a severe nut allergy and they were very accommodating. Never been to a restaurant where they were able to alter each dish to make sure my boyfriend could still enjoy something as delicious as the actual dish itself. He really appreciated that and the service was impeccable too. Very quick and having the chef come out and describe each dish and wine pairing made us feel like royalty. I can’t recommend this place enough. 10/10

Celebrated our 10 years together here. The food was delicious and the wine pairing was great. All in all a lovely time. Would definitely recommend going if you are in Leiden

Good food and good vibes. This was our first visit to this restaurant and we liked our experience here.

This is my third time visiting this restaurant. This time was the best of all. The food was very delicious, service was great and we had a fabulous time...

We tried the 4 course dinner with matching wines and everything was delicious!! The flavour combinations was excellent and the matching glasses of wines that came with each course was really good! Fine dining for sure, and the service was spotless. Overall very good experience and we’re definitely going back.

It is possible to say that we had wonderful dinner. Everything what I ate were delicious. The woman who owned this restaurant (with her husband) is very kind , helpful and beautiful. The prices are expensive. But add this restaurant to your dinner list.

Such an amazing restaurant! Highly recommend going their or ordering from them. We had their oysters, lobstor, asparagus, potatoes, and the tuna starter (see photos). This was the perfect amount for two, and everything tasted amazing! We wanted to go and try this place for my partner's birthday but that wasn't possible due to COVID-19. So, they delivered us the food with easy to understand and simple instructions (basically we just had to warm everyingthing up as it had alreadsy been cooked perfectly). They also included ballons and a birthday banner, this was so meaningful and kind, it really made my partner smile. Thank you for making my partner's day that much more special and for all of the great food and service, we cannot wait to come and sit down in your resturant once COVID-19 is over!

Arrived early without reservations but got a table that was reserved for later. Service took longer than expected. Seemed like they forgot about us after we ordered desert. Food delivered was different than what I ordered. Flavors were ok but not exceptional. Nacho chips were different than expected- different texture than I have tried before. Didn’t think I was going to like them at first but they grew on me.

Had an absolutely lovely time here! Great atmosphere and the servers are super nice. We assume our server was new(er) and she seemed a bit nervous, but she was so precious and it was all in good fun! The food was absolutely delicious. We loved everything we ordered. Definitely recommended!

My yesterday’s discovery. We went there to have lunch due to ours taco cravings. This place was perfect match from heaven. We were very warmly welcomed and the food was so so so yummy! We ordered ceviche, corn ribs, different tacos and pastel de tres leches. Dishes were nicely elaborated and coctails were also good. Very much recommended!

I had a lovely lunch today with my love @ Tabú. The food was delicious, ambiance and service was great. Sure will come back when in Leiden.

Nice vibes, and really nice cocktails. However the food portion are very small. We ordered Ceviche and we were all surprised how small it was. Could easily be a entrance. As we had to leave because our table was reserved (even though we reserved the table too), we ended eating in other place because we were still hungry. I would go again for the cocktails and the ambience and music, but for food I don't know...

A cozy Latin American restaurant located on the water. Sat outside as the day was winding down and wholeheartedly enjoyed the vibe and service. Staff was super friendly and enthusiastic and the steak I had was delicious. Recommended and will return next time I find myself in Leiden.

The setting is quite beautiful: on a nice day it’s lovely to sit outside on the terrace overlooking the canal, away from the crowds of the city centre. As for the food, we had a good meal with some sharing plates and some tacos which were quite good. I would say the value for money is good, quality can maybe be improved a bit but I wasn’t looking for fine dining anyway. Had a nice night and would recommend it!

We tried waag lemonade I really enjoyed it(a bit sweet) We also had the nachos, which were tasty too. We sat outside by the canal, and the atmosphere was lovely. Then we went inside and I was honestly amazed — the place is so big, I almost got lost! I’m definitely coming back here for dinner sometime, I’m really curious to see what it’s like in the evening.

Lovely restaurant with nice ambiance. Food was good but too much wait time for food service. Staff were busy and less attentive.

Amazing location at the water. A building with lots of history now hosting a restaurant. The staff was friendly and very tentative. They have a simple menu but full group had no problem finding something. The food was tasty and well prepared. In short a great place to go with friends to catch up, eat something and have some drinks.

The food was delicious and flavorful, with generous portions. The salad and steak tartare were especially outstanding. The only downside was the service, which could definitely be improved.

Service was really bad! The waiting time for ordering a drink is very long, both outside at terrace and inside during our dinner. The stuffs hadn’t come to ask us whether we need more drinks on their initiative . I’m lactose intolerant., but the stuff told me that this restaurant cannot provide anything else for me. The only thing she can do for me is put the sauce with dairy in a separate small plate. It’s totally unexpected! I heard from my friend who order the same food as me that the taste was fine, while I only taste the fish with peper/ salt. The atmosphere and location of the restaurant are good, I really love to eating in historic buildings. These were the only positive things during our dinner experience.

The food here is delicious! The purple cabbage is particularly tasty – it has a wonderful sweet and sour flavor that complements the meat dish perfectly.

The Waag building (weighing house) is really beautiful and the atmosphere vibrant. Entered the place with a small group of five, without a reservation and it was fully booked, but one of the girls really did her best to look for a possible table for 1.5 h max, and succeeded. So service was quick and friendly, even managed to get a second round of drinks! Snacks were fairly good, sticky chicken and fries with truffle mayonnaise, but the duck and pancakes was not even close how it should taste, and where was the crispy skin?! But the duck aside, we all enjoyed being there and were thankful for the hospitality.

The food was delicious and the service was excellent. The staff were very attentive, and since it was our first time, they took the time to explain all the dishes on the menu, which was really helpful. A unique touch is that you can choose your own knife, which adds a special element to the experience. Highly recommend!

Best steak restaurant in het Groene Hart. Good food, amazing service and great atmosphere. The restaurant allows you to choose your own steak knife and if you choose a big steak (1.000 gr) the staff will bring it to the table to show you before it is cooked. The also allow you to choose how you want your steak prepared; in a pan or on the grill.

We had an amazing time at this place! Food was so tasty and service top notch. One of the stuff members noticed that it was my graduation day and gifted me a gin and tonic was such a cute and thoughtful gesture! Would suggest it for sure.

Seriously best meal I have ever had. From appetizers to dinner and dessert, and from cocktails to bottles of wine and port, FANTASTIC! Pick my own steak knife? Uh, hell yes!!! 10/10 recommend!!!

Great dinner with the family! Service was absolutely perfect, paying attention to details. Food was very well prepared and served. 10 out if 10!

Definitely highly recommended. Probably the best meal I had on my birthday!

Everything was very delicious😇👍🏻 I didn't have time to take pictures of the appetizer and the main course because everything was so beautiful and 🤤appetizing that we ate everything😅 We were a group of seven and had booked a table in advance. The service was great and fast.

We came here for a Valentine's dinner. The place decor was sweet, only the design of the place had a big default, the car headlights would beam directly to your table when a car was parking or leaving. The food was balanced and tasty, but the price overall was a bit overpriced, though.

A luminous and elegant restaurant with a warm atmosphere. The staff were professional and friendly, making the experience even more enjoyable. I had the 5-course chef’s surprise menu and loved every bite. each dish was creative and beautifully presented. The only small drawback was the dessert, which to my taste, had a few too many ingredients and textures combined. Overall, a very pleasant and lovely dining experience.

This restaurant is totally worth a visit. The views and ambience are exquisite. We got a seven course chef selection, surprise meal. It was outstanding. The amuse bouche at beginning was amazing. As for the rest of the meal the pictures speak for themselves. The service & decor are top notch.

we had a dinner in a business gathering event with about 50s people, and we are served with super delicious foods... the taste is strong enough for my asian tongue, so that I do not need to add with sambal that I usually bring during my travel to Europe.

Used a Groupon deal for dinner on a Saturday. The place was fully booked and I think they were short on staff that day. They forgot the wine pairing at one dish and a side dish with another course. Nice dishes, but the picanha was quite disappointing (combination of the plating, the amount and that quiche). Dessert was superb and the wines too. Nice staff, but just too busy with a lot.

Delicious food, amazing service (!!!) and superb wine pairing. The placement on the water was also lovely. It's not exactly Michelin star but it doesn't have to be. Can recommend.

Great Location with good Food. Unfortunately the Service we received was a bit lacking, the Service featured a lot of Upselling-Attempts which for a restaurant a that Price point felt a bit tacky. Sadly the Restaurant doesn’t offer Non alcoholic drinks despite the classic sodas.

Great culinary experience! As starters, we ordered the zucchini dish and the smoked salmon, and for main the mushroom risotto and the rib eye! They were all incredible and we enjoyed every moment of it. Not to mention the deserts: the chef did an awesome job with the desserts sampler selection! The staff was very friendly and kind, and we didn't regret choosing this restaurant for a special celebration's dinner out!

Excellent food in a really interesting space in a beautiful part of Leiden. The atmosphere was a little formal, but overall it was a really great experience.

Beautiful location with an atmosphere that really sets the mood - they've nailed the ambiance. The food is genuinely excellent, creative dishes with quality ingredients. Where it falls short is the service. The staff isn't bad, but they're not quite at the level the food and setting deserve. A bit more training and polish would take this place from very good to exceptional. Still absolutely worth visiting for the food and vibe, just don't expect Michelin-level service to match. The kitchen is doing the heavy lifting here, and doing it well.

We had dinner as a group of friends. Portions are good size wise and wine paired well. Service is at a good standard and creates a nice atmosphere. I found the food nice, but just not yet there. I was missing more clean and expressive flavors. It’s looking like a Michelin star, but not yet tasting like one. They have different rooms to dine in.

I was quite disappointed in the quality of this restaurant. The atmosphere was lacking, the service is not what I’m used to in a restaurant like this; things like pouring your own water and missing plates when serving. This would’ve been easily forgiven if the food was nice but I must say that it was greatly inconsistent. Some dishes were nicely plated like the vegetable tartar and the cheesecake, but honestly there was no flavor at all. The tarte tatin was slightly burnt and just not at all at the level of creativity, flavor or presentation that I expected from this place. Even the friandises were plated in a messy way and extremely simple, doubting even if it was homemade. The financiers (I guess cause it wasn’t explained) was crunchy and dry like it was a day old and the chocolate truffles could’ve come from the supermarket. I heard the brisket was good but even if the flavor was, I think the plating and the dish lack the refinement that I expected for the price. I don’t think it’s worth it, especially for vegetarians. I hope they improve especially on the flavor, because bland food at an establishment like this is unacceptable. Creativity of the dishes would be nice to improve on too.

If I could give this place more stars, I would rate them a 10 out of 5.....amazing food, great service and presentation, and a super overall experience!! One of the best meals I have ever had with the right proportionsI A must place to eat in Leiden and I will come back here again the next time I am in Leiden!!!!

We had a very nice dinner combined with a boat tour through Leiden. The food was very good, starting with cucumber soup, beef tartare and main course veal. Can highly recommend this place

We had our anniversary dinner date. The food and the service were lovely. The maincourse was much better than many other Michelin star restaurants. Worth the money and time. 100% recommended.

Truly excellent food and service. Beautiful restaurant with comfortable seating. A memorable experience!

Amazing food. Our group were very pleased with the service we received that evening. As we were an international group an English menu would have been appreciated but nonetheless the staff were helpful. Highly recommend it to anyone visiting Leiden.

Fresh and juicy oysters, all the dish is excellent worth to come back!

Had a wonderful evening on Valentin’s day here. The food was delicious and the service was great.

Very nice welcoming and accommodation. I was welcomed by a lady who seemed to be the restaurant manager. The restaurant from inside looks amazing and nicely decorated for fine dinning experience. They seemed to offer a range of wines, and that showed their experience of how they designed the bar and the dinning place. I asked her if they offer bitterballen and she said yes. I order bitterballen and a cup of hot tea. The tea was served in no time, while the bitterballen took some time. I sat outside since the weather was nice. The bill came to around 13 euros.

Been a couple of times and always had great food and impeccable service, really great place.

we were welcomed there so warmly. i have asked for a table next to the window because we were celebrating a birthday and wanted some more privacy, and we got it immediately. the food was so delicious as well, every meal was inventive and extremely tasty. we also receive the explanations for each meal and wine. it was an amazing fine-dining experience, and we would love to go back there again

Dinner here was AMAZING as was the service. The twists on 🇳🇱 classics (bitterballen, cabbage, an orange and speculaas Christmas themed dessert) convinced me and my Italian friend that maybe Dutch food isn’t too bad after all 😜

Great little restaurant, homey atmosphere and fantastic food!

The surprise of the year! I went to La Diva a few weeks ago, and I enjoyed it so much that I went back last week! La Diva is a small and cozy restaurante with a very good vibe. You will taste a seasonal menu made with fresh products of very good quality paired with excellent wines. The staff is very nice and helpful and with attention to details. A very fine place to come back to every season.

A wonderful dining experience that was well worth the money. We had the six plate option with the wine pairing, and we enjoyed every bit. A mix of traditional cooking with some experimental flavors and/or combinations. Reservations recommended.

One of the best restaurants in Leiden. Small, intimate space, with a quiet aesthetics. The options are 4-6 course menus, that change every six weeks. Price is super reasonable. The food is superb, shows passion and sophistication at once, and the service is impeccable. Good use of Dutch ingredients, which I always find as an advantage. Pacing is perfect and the wine list is excellent.

Great food, combining interesting tastes and they offer a well selected wine pairing with the dishes!

Love this place! Amazing food and a great atmosphere. I highly recommend it if you have time to spend an afternoon just chatting and enjoying good food and wine. My fiancé and I enjoy this place so much!

We had a reservation but arrived a bit early as we were hungry, they seated us straight away with no bother. We ordered the charcuterie board - so delicious, the meat and dips were delicious. So flavoursome. Next we had pizza and pasta - all the dishes had a great flavour. One pizza arrived and it was not quite what we had ordered but they fixed it immediately and even came to check again once it was delivered the second time, that they had got it right! Great service!! We finished off with the sharing dessert plate - great selection, hit the spot. Service was amazing and friendly. Would recommend.

Didn't have any food so unable to speak to that. Drinks were fine. Service was mediocre. Nachos bowl took 40 mins to serve, despite the fact that there only 4 tables needed serving (it was Tuesday night). For some reason we were told that the whole terrace was uanavalbie, despite nice weather. Location is the strong suit of the place.

I think it is a nice place to have some bites. Desserts and arancini were good. Pizzas were tasty however there was almost no cheese on Romano pizza and I should expect more prosciutto if I order Prosciutto pizza.

The place itself is beautiful, the view one has of the city center is gorgeous. However, I am unable to use such adjectives to describe the food itself. While the food was fine, the presentation should've been better. In addition, the portions were a bit small. I'd also like to comment on the service. The server was quick to notice new guests (us) arriving and handed us our menu cards. Still, it took a while before our orders were taken. Besides that, no issues whatsoever. Overall, although there's room for improvement, it's a good place to eat. I liked it.

I’ve been here for many times and I always left satisfied. The food is absolutely delicious and the staff is very friendly. I highly recommend the pumpkin soup.

They have a sign outside saying, "Wait here to get seated", but no one seems to check that location. So I just asked one of the servers and was told there's a lot of seats available inside. After finding a table inside , I ordered Bruchette and Carbonara. The Bruchette was truly amazing but the carbonara was terrible, the bacon bits were so fried that they were basically stones, and they had added fresh egg to a cream sauce, so definitely not a traditional carbonara, and it had literally made cream scrambles eggs instead of a sauce. Had to send it back. Luckily, the server was nice enough to not charge me for the carbonara.

Very good, quaint restaurant in the old town of Leiden. I love the steak here, but also fish and vegetarian dishes. There is a small children's menu and the service is very friendly and good. The prices are reasonable. You should definitely make a reservation because Malle Jan is always busy even during the week.

A very nice and cozy place with inside and outside sitting. They also have a back garden where you can sit. Good wine and delicious food. I would personally give food 3.8/5 because of my personal taste preferences. Overall the food looks good and taste good. Staff is very friendly.

What a disappointment. We were looking forward to this meal however the delays from the kitchen were unacceptable and dominated our experience. Eventually it was just shy of 2 and a half hours for 2 courses. We appreciate slow dining where the experience is not rushed and can be enjoyed at the end of a busy day in a nice environment but there is a point where you have to say 'what the he** is going on'. We arrived at 7:30pm for our booking and were seated in the georgous courtyard area and immediately ordered our drinks and ordered our entree and mains around 10 minutes later. The food was simple and OK when it eventually came but a 45 minute wait for entrees (8:24pm) of oysters and escargo and additional 50 minute delay for the main meal (9:13pm) of 2x steak frites made the focus the delivery and not the food. The front of house staff seemed embarrassed and were apologetic comping our water and 1 beer.

“I’d give the ambiance a 5, with an average overall score of 3.” - My dinnermate. So go figure. 😬 Food was ok, service was terrible (our server did not know the special of the day, they served the bread & butter only a minute before they served the main course, forgot about our drink orders twice, I could go on…)

The food was good 👌 However despite having a menu for small children, this business is NOT family friendly. We have waited 45+ mins for our orders to arrive and during the wait kids started to get impatient and started to get noisy and our waiter warned us to silence them (1 & 4 years old!!). As if that's not enough they charge 3 € for a cup of milk for kids is ridiculous. Don't recommend for young families

We had the hutspot on the 3rd of October. It was great! The meat was extremely tender. They also had a vegetarian option with mushrooms.

Friendly, cozy atmosphere, had the vegan option

We ordered dinner and considering the price of the dishes, we expected better quality and not such a small dish. But the worst part was having to wait 1.5 hours to get our dinner served. The waiters were kind and the atmosphere of the terrace really good, but I don’t think I will be returning here. I did like that the bottle was free tho.

Dining at the riverside restaurant in Leiden was an unforgettable experience. The food served on giant plates was both visually impressive and delicious. Each dish showcased a perfect blend of flavors and textures, using high-quality ingredients. The restaurant's location by the river added to the serene ambiance, offering a stunning view. The attentive staff provided excellent service throughout the meal. For a memorable dining experience in Leiden, I highly recommend this riverside restaurant.

I accidentally ordered food that had something in it that I can't eat. They kindly made it over for me without a charge even though it was totally my fault. The food was delicious with a lot of choice and and the atmosphere was very nice next to the canal with friendly waitstaff.

Good execution on the small plates concept (3 plates for a normal sized lunch). The food was good and the view over the canal is enjoyable. Deducting a star from food quality just because the other Dutch restaurants I went to set an unreasonable high bar.

The food was okay, but the portions are small. The service was not the best, we had to wait a long time whenever we needed assistance. The table was not clean before we sat down and the reservation system is a joke. The staff are not very friendly.

Perfect little place in the town centre. Usually very busy which is a good sign. Very service minded and friendly staff which gave us the perfect amount of attention. Only drawback was that the appel pie was served cold but this might just be lost in translation and as we didn't complain then, I won't complain anymore now. The fresh mint tea with honey was the perfect solution to a cold day in Leiden. Recommended!

Excellent food, friendly and efficient staff (Much faster than other restaurants I have visited in the area), good views and reasonable prices. The beer selection is good too! 10/10.

Good seafood 😋 tiny portion but Good quality and nice service. Mayo on eel was a bit overpowering wanted more eel taste

This restaurant is very cozy. They have a cloakroom space with proper hangers for your coats and jackets. They have 2 to 6 people tables. Its fine dining and the food was amazing. Its a sea food place like the name suggests. The service was good too. Quick and efficient.

Lovely place that specializes on fish. We were told that the fish is being delivered fresh every day and we must say that one can taste that! A must try are the menue options - you can chose from 3 to 6 courses, and you will be delighted! The service is attentive and the place welcomes you into a warm atmosphere. The prices are very fair for the quality of the food served. Thank you very much for having us and making the evening special. Greetings from Germany!

A restaurant only serves fish. Thus if you are a huge fish person, do not miss it. The plating of the dish was attractive, and the fish was very fresh and tasty. Staff here were friendly. Will come again next time.

It was more of a spontaneous decision to visit this restaurant. But it sure is a decision which I will not regret. The food tastes just amazing, the owner explains every detail and entertains as much as possible. I can only recommend this location to everyone who enjoys seafood

We went to this place for our anniversary dinner, we ordered the Chef's special menu and, unfortunately, it was rather disappointing. This course of meals that comes as a surprise is presented in a a-la-Michelin star restaurant style, however neither the food, nor the service is on par with that (the service is less important in my opinion, but it still counts). The food is fine, it's not bad, but it's not special enough to warrant the form and the price. Moreover, we ended up leaving still hungry (it's a common misconception that Michelin restaurants serve small dishes, so you leave hungry, but in reality, there is enough food for you to be satiated). The wine was good, however too much for the quantity of food. The other dishes from the 'normal' menu looked much better, and it might be more worth it to go to this restaurant for a regular meal rather than the Chef's special experience. But we have not tried that, so I cannot say for sure.

This restaurant really met my expectations. Perfect restaurant for Easter weekend. Nice drinks, friendly serviced and delicious food. Highly recommend when you are in Leiden, NL. They speak perfect English!

We came for a date and enjoyed the experience. The staff was accommodating and warm. They guided us through the (english) menu and recommended the pizza of the month; which was delicious. On a nice sunny day the front outdoor tables are lovely.

The pizzas are good, the Aperitifs are good value for money and the desserts are perfect to share. And the cat outside is just an added bonus when you eat here

We had a nice experience at De Pizzabakkers! Everything ran smoothly. We had booked a table in advance and were given the option to sit outside, which was perfect for the weather. The service was excellent—friendly, attentive, and impressively fast. Our waitress was especially helpful, offering great recommendations that really paid off. We tried a few of the pizzas, and they were absolutely delicious—fresh ingredients, great crust, and full of flavor. Overall, a wonderful dining experience. We’ll definitely be coming back!

A very relaxed dining experience with great service, good wine and fanstic pizza. We will definitely return the next time we are staying in Leiden. 10/10

Good pizza and they do both take away and eat in

First visit to this place we were impressed with the quality of the pizza. Amazing thin crust visually very artistic. The quality of ingredients exceptional.

With my hand on my heart, I recommend this pizzeria. The service is very nice, the cooks prepare the meal with great passion. Best Pizza in Leiden 👌🫶☺️

I originally saved this place for their carrot cake. On our first visit, unfortunately, the carrot cake was already sold out 🥲 so we went with the banana bread instead — it was okay, but nothing special in my opinion. On our next trip to Leiden, we came back and this time I finally got to try their carrot cake with cream and walnuts — and I absolutely loved it! It tasted homemade, super soft, moist, full of flavor, and generously filled with ingredients. Definitely worth the praise 😍 If the weather is nice, I recommend enjoying your coffee and cake at one of the outdoor tables. — Just keep in mind that when you’re sitting outside, it can sometimes take a while for the staff to notice you, take your order, and bring your food. Their breakfast menu also looks really good, I’d love to try it someday.

We came here on a busy Saturday morning and were lucky to get a table. Service was friendly and welcoming even thought they were really busy. We had the delicious croissants (highly recommended) and shared a tasty flatbread. I read later that their carrot cake is very good so will have to come back to try it.

This place is a 10/10!!! Leiden has a lot of brunch spots to offer, but we kept coming back to it. The highlight is that you can sit outside on what is basically a boat deck. During bad weather, the inside is also cozy, but on the smaller side. There are always great vibes:) Foodwise, we tried a few different things, our top favourite would be the scrambled eggs with avocado and feta though. The açai as well as the french toast were also delicious.

Roos is a place that we visited only for breakfast. We love the ambient and the people that visit it. But i must say that yesterday, Saturday morning it was very crowded and they served us after 40 minutes. We had an onion soup which was amazing (see photos), but the scrambled eggs bread was just a big slice of bread with some scramble egg and a bit of avocado spread. As for the bacon, it was so dry, we couldn't eat it. The soup costed something like 8,50 and the bread 14,50... no need to explain what was the best choice for us :)

A perfect experience: We went in for brunch, immediately found a table to sit at and had some salads and a breakfast burger. The aloha bowl was my choice and it was absolutely delicious. The service was quick and attentive, but not overbearing.

The food looked lovely, and the portions were big. There is a special lunch menu, which was nice. However, the drinks were not up to standard. If you enjoy tea, do not order it - the tea bags do not contain enough tea to do anything but colour the water. Not to mention I had to wait for my food for 20 minutes, and my tea got cold. Coffee is fine, but not the best in town, although if you come here for food it is better to get it that tea. Espressos, by the way, are served with water - please tell the waiters that. The soup was excellent.

Came here for Saturday morning breakfast. While the place was really busy when I arrived, the staff very quickly found a solution and had a table for me! They were kind and explained that due to a lot of visitors, food prep might take longer, but it was still served in a reasonable time. The food was great, coffee as well, and I can recommend carrot juice!

They take credit cards !! Cafe to the right as you ascend the hill fort. We had mussels for the kids and then a tasting menu for two. The range of dishes was amazing. It gives a feel for the larger versions of a specific dish for a future visit. It was a struggle to finish them . It could however do with faster wifi or perhaps a reboot of wifi

Food was simply NOT good. Steak was nasty. Burger was absolutely raw beef. No English menus. Wait staff seemed to be confused about simple questions. Gorgeous setting. I would suggest just coming for a drink.

Lovely terrace with a great view on the tower. The food was average. The staff were friendly and served as pretty quickly.

This place used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Leiden. The space is amazing! I think they may have changed owners. The old menu had so many wonderful options. The new menu is nothing special. Mostly burgers and they weren't that good. Bummer!

Great location and ambiance. A nice place for a snack with friends or a burger. Service is not super fast but they are very nice and caring. Talk to them and see for yourself. Cocktail was not impressive. Prices are in line with the area, but main dishes are overpriced. The burger is quite nice!

Great food, decent price, cute location.

The location of the restaurant is very nice, and on a summer day they have a great terrace as well. We went here for dinner and the food was ok, but nothing special. Very small portions of meat which is not in line with the prices they charge you. Very old bad chairs, make sure you grab a new one, otherwise it feels like you are sitting on the floor and can't reach the table. Staff friendly but clearly not trained to work in a restaurant. Would I return? Yes maybe for lunch or a drink, but no dinner anymore. It's is just not worth the price.

One of my favourite restaurants! The food, the staff, the atmosphere was very good! They have homemade tiramisu, delicious! And they introduced us to our now favourite sweet white wine. Beautiful experience!

The atmosphere, smiles and the staff were great. The food beyond amazing, I can confidently say it was best Italian food experience in the Netherlands for me. We had tomato soup (tastyyy), oven baked eggplants with mozzarella and parmesan (incredible), pizza 4 stagioni (crispy, delicious). Tiramisu was refreshing, smelling like Rome :)

Been here 3 times and every time has been great. The atmosphere in here is really nice & service is great. Each time I’ve been we’ve been able to get a table and the staff have been really helpful. The food was really good every time I’ve been there wasn’t anything someone didn’t enjoy everyone was happy. I’ve tried other Italian restaurants in Leiden & this has been the best one, I’m shocked the rating isn’t higher because it’s been so good every time I’ve been.

This restaurant is excellent. Food is delicious, and wine selection incredible. The staff is attentive and nice. The bartender is one the kindest woman I met, made my evening.

Decent Italian restaurant in Leiden. Location is very good in the middle of the tourist area. Inside you find an authentic Italian atmosphere. Menu is extensive with the usual Italian dishes. Our group enjoyed some pasta, pizza, and seafood. I was unfortunately disappointed with the pizza, it was mediocre. The pasta and rest of the food was good. The service was good and fast.

Well the atmosphere and food presentation look appealing, but the quality of food fail to match sometimes. We’ve been here a few times already, for example before I ordered SCALOPPINA Gorgonzola, lasagna, salmon etc, those were superlekker, but this time the tonijn is below average, as if it had been frozen, anyways just tastes off.

My favorite Italian restaurant in Leiden. Cozy place and nice service. I love the Seafood spaghetti best, which has a lot of shrimps and Mussels, but it is a little bit dry for the first time and we ask to add more sauce. Besides, the starters and deserts are awesome as well.

We had an amazing night, great food, a cozy atmosphere, and a wonderful company. The chief and his wife run the restaurant, and they are both so lovely and know how to make a meaningful connection with their customers. We asked the chief to pick the food for us (since we were looking for steaks). He suggested the short rib served with polenta and one other meat dish, both so delicious. We would definitely go again. Thank you for a lovely night ❤️

This was the best dang pork belly I have ever eaten IN MY LIFE! It was so good. The top was crisp. The meat was tender. The fat was juicy but not overbearing. The sauerkraut and potato mash upon which it was served was the perfect complement.

Really loved it here, perfect for a little date. Cute atmosphere, the menu is short with good tasty options and cute desserts. Everything we tried was delicious, there was an option to have a dish from the chef if you want a little surprise :) There's water with lemon just offered for at the table and especially when it gets a bit darker the atmosphere is super soft and romantic

Based on the reviews, I expected a lot more. The quality was pretty average and a bit disappointing for the price, I thought it’d be something more special. The staff was super nice though!

During my partner’s parents visit, we’ve decided to take them to Bistro Noroc, after already hearing good reviews from other people as well as seeing the menu we knew it would be a great experience. The main idea of having three courses left us full and really satisfied. Starters perfectly opened our dinner setting high expectations for the main dishes, which later were also met! Since I am a vegetarian I settled on the Pasta Pesto but my partner and his parents ordered Entrecôte, Lamsburger and Pasta gekonfijte eendenbout. They were very satisfied and happy with the meals they got and so was I. As for the last part we finished our dinner with some New York Cheesecake and Griekse natte sinaasappelcake. Overall we had a wonderful experience, really good food, excellent service, the place felt a bit cramped but still very cozy. Definitely coming back for more !

Exquisite food, amazing setting and very friendly people!

A great place to have dinner, honestly I love it. Friendly service even though it was busy. Food here was delicious, especially the appetizer, red wine makes more flavorful to it. A must-visit when you are in Leiden.

I've had better Loempia. The attention of the waiters was not bad. They need to pay attention to the salt content of the dishes. Traditional Thai beer is my recommendation.

Such a lovely place. Great food and service. Really enjoyable experience.

We have gone there few times. But in the recent past the quality seem to have gone down and it just got more pricey. Quality overall is decent (from very good in the past). We had vegetarian starters and a main course with mocktails. Not so impressive to stand out. Service is good with friendly staff.

This restaurant in my opinion is the rare gem, the food is beyond excellent, the service is exceptional and the views are gorgeous. The interior is where this place leaves a lasting memory, decorated with absolute attention to detail, the lighting and comfortable seating makes you feel at home.

Nice Thai food. Had 2 courses with a nice chefs tasting starter! Friendly staff & upstairs is a bit too dark.

Nice Thai restaurant right in the center of Leiden. The food is good and at a good price. You can get a 2 course meal for 28€ where you can choose one starter and one main course (including dessert ends up to 33€). The wine selection is not very good though.

Food was amazing, there were many options The atmosphere was also very nice, but we waited for nearly an hour for the food to arrive.

The ambience is quite interesting, cocktails were smooth and food was delicious. Vegetarian options could be limited. Service is decent maybe because of busy time they missed to give us plates and had to wait long for servers to take orders.

Lovely spot that has a funky vibe. The food was delicious and fresh (and affordable), plus they also serve cold pressed juices. It’s loud inside, but it’s all part of the experience. The restaurant is wonderfully decorated, and each room has its own photograph moment. The servers were extremely efficient and friendly (plus they all spoke English, which made ordering a little easier). If you’re in Leiden, make sure to visit! You might need to book ahead of time.

We stumbled upon this place after arriving in Leiden after a long travel day from Brussels. We had no real plan for dinner and just looked for highly rated places nearby so we didn't know what to expect. When we first walked into the foyer... I'll admit we were confused... But I'm glad we figured it out because the place was so cool and beautifully decorated. We got lucky that they had a table for us despite being walk-ins. They served us bread and butter to start and it was so delicious! The bread was still warm and I don't know what was in the butter but it was really good! We got the crispy chicken bao as an appetizer, then I got the salmon tartare as a main and my partner got the burger. All were absolutely delicious. The atmosphere in this space just added to the overall experience. I'm glad we found this spot as it totally deserves all the great reviews it has gotten!

Probably one of the best 40 euros I have spent. Paco Ciao has such a serene atmosphere. It's not your usual restaurant in terms of aesthetic but that adds to its allure. The music is excellent and is played at a volume that allows for conversation. The food options are great. 10/10. Get the cheesecake for desert. It's wonderful They have terrific vegan/vegetarian options too. I highly recommend for any and everyone. 10/10 experience.

I loved the Atmosphere. Loved going through the closet door. Feels like you in a fairytale movie. I liked all the decorations in the place. I got a jasmine tea and Carrot cake. They gave free popcorn. The carrot cake was so delicious. Probably one of the best I have eaten. The toilet had a mirror ball with some music playing. It was a little busy so the staff were running around. But they were very friendly.

It was a truly great experience having lunch at Pacco Ciao. I am almost without words to describe how special it was. Each room has its own authentic design, and the place is beautiful. The staff were wonderful and incredibly attentive. The food is diverse and delicious. It is definitely a place that stays in our memory. Loved it 🥰

From the moment I walked in I knew this place was special. The breakfast here was absolutely excellent — fresh, beautifully presented and full of flavour. The service? Top-notch: the staff were attentive, friendly and made us feel right at home. If you ever find yourself in Leiden and looking for a standout breakfast, Paco Ciao is the place. Highly recommend!

Pizzq and pasta are very good. Arancini are tasty but a bad joke as a size imitating the biitterballen not the real ones

Me and my friend, who is also a big foodie, agreed that this is the best pizza either of us have ever had! (Even better than Italy!) The crust was sublime and the cheese was amazing. It was perfection in the form of a pizza

One of the best Italian restaurants in Holland. We tried several things on the menu and everything was AMAZING, following the Italian traditional cousine! We will be back soon!

Will come back here whenever I find myself in Leiden again.

This pizza with shrimp wasnt in the menu then they made it just for me as requested.. i had a great experience, great foods and nice staff.. We will definitely coming back

I don't usually go to an Italian restaurant when I am not in Italy, but I have to say that food here was delicious and Italian. Kind and welcoming service. I highly recommend their curulgiones.

Always a very reliable choice, with excellent pizza and many regional specialties

Nicest and smiliest and most patient service i have ever seen in the NL in 4 years! Beautiful spot on the canals, peaceful terrace. Food was really good too. Will come back asap

Little restaurant near the water, the place is very cute and well finished, with nice ample windows. Staff is super welcoming and nice. Food is great, the concept is to share so you can taste different things. Oysters were great and also the crispy pork is super recommended. If you want a nice experience, come here.

Lunch was great, we chose the four surprise dishes, to share for two people, the quantity was enough for lunch and price was really good. We definitely recomend it.

Reasonably good lunch and service. The menu is fairly limited but pleasant service. Great location for watching boat traffic through the bridges on a summer day. Pleasant.

Nice place on water. Perfect spot for a business lunch.

Really nice place to dine and great service! Very nice team of people! Shared dining concept which works well.

Amazing fresh seafood. The location is great and so beautiful. The food is fresh and tasty. The staff is friendly. I highly recommend this place.

Cozy restaurant. You can choose from a “tapas” style menu or a la carte. We chose some tapas as starters to share, but some were unfortunately a bit cold. The pizza was fine. All in all, the food was not the best, but definitely not the worst. The atmosphere of the restaurant and the friendly service made the experience totally worth it!

We had a lovely evening here! The place is really cool and a bit different, but it’s a style we really like. It’s super busy, but not noticeable at all - the servers are kind and patient and the food is brought out quickly. We really liked all the different options of food on the menu. I personally also loved that dessert was included in the shared dining menu - as someone with a gastric sleeve I always miss out on getting dessert when going to a restaurant, because usually just getting one dish is more than enough. This gave me the option to include dessert without wasting food and money - I love that. Will say that the portion sizes of the shared dining dishes are a bit surprising, sometimes you get way more than expected and sometimes you get 2 mini croquettes that counts as one dish. Would be nice if that would be made more clear on the menu or was a bit more consistent. All in all we’ll definitely be back! :)

The service was good, most of the tapas were good, the pizza, we had 2, were quite average.

Tasty food! Good service. Their appetizers are great, but a bit too much for 2 persons (we chose the vegetarian taste).

Very good place to eat in Leiden. The pizza’s are incredibly good. The tiramisu also tasted amazing. Service is quick and friendly.

The reason why the American pizza is sold by slices is because you have one and you feel sorry later. Pizza made by chef Mattia will make you want another one and feel fresh.

The concept is quite nice: choose 5 dishes for 27,50. Half of the dishes were very good, half of them were mediocre. Staff was not very professional, but quite friendly. There are not a lot of soft materials used in the location, so if you don't like loud sounds...

We were in the small wine cellar for a private meeting, enjoying several wines of the wine list with some small bites. Service was very friendly and welcoming. Cannot judge the main area for dining but it looked tempting enough to remember for a next time in Leiden

Had lunch here today. Staff is friendly and very helpful. Both service and food was fast. The salmon was very good and bread really fresh. The combination of tastes complimented really well. If you want lunch and do not read Duch, make sure you either have the lovely staff to help you choosing - both lunch and dinner meny came together 🙈, but we sorted out with jokes and laughter

Really nice vegan option. Not ‚just‘ vegetables, but nicely prepped and very fresh & delicious starter and main dish. Nice atmosphere, but a little noisy/loud- so OK for big tables, maybe not as cosy for two as you‘d wish.

Absolutely awful. We waited an hour for burgers that tasted like cardboard. In the meantime, the plates of the previous guests on our table were not cleared away and no cutlery or napkins were provided. All this despite the staff not seeming to be particularly busy. A pity there is no option to leave 0 stars.

The location is very lovely and elegant. The food is tasty and original. Negative note from my side is that they are extremely slow. Make sure you have plenty of time and are not hungry because they will make you wait 30min before even showing you the menu! (And no, watching it online in their website won’t do because it’s not the actual menu they have). Expect your visit to last around 2.5/3hours. Way too much waiting for my tasting.

Went for a beer and a bitterballen. Hit the spot perfectly. Superfast service. Super delicious food. Great service. What more could you want?? Great location in the city. Definitely will tell my friends to come here once the world opens up again.

A shame there is no option for 0 stars. I came here with my brother and partner, the food took an incredibly long time to arrive, during this time, the staff, who did not appear to be busy at all did not clear the table which was filled with the plates of the previous guests. When it arrived, the food was overcooked and tasteless, and there was no cutlery, so we had to wait even longer for them to bother to give us any cutlery. No napkins either, and they never cleared the table. Terrible, would not recommend, very disappointing

This place is really awesome! The crew was really kind and helpful, nice atmosphere and a lot of amazing beers and many other drinks 👌

Many choices of beer! Went there around 3 on Friday so a bit early for them, quiet.

Top Bier on tap, top Service, good food. Great atmosphere!

One of my favourite pubs in Leiden and a must go to if you love beer. Wide range of beers on tap and bottle or can. They are also constantly changing what's on tap so each time you visit you can try something new. Have some nice snacking options if you are hungry. Staff are very friendly and service is always good

Amazing place for craft beers in Leiden. Nice interiors, many tables, also outside. 30 different draft beers, plus many more in bottle. Selection is great, from IPAs to Triplet. Staff very friendly and cozy. Food is also available. Only little complain is that for an average-high price most beers are served as 0.25cl, which however seems to be standard in Holland.

Cozy place with a great atmosphere. They have a wide selection of beers, all very tasty. Perfect spot to relax and enjoy a drink with friends.

30 beers on tap, a handful of these made on the premises. Did not have any food, only tried one type of beer and enjoyed the atmosphere (rock music playing softly in the background). Service a bit slow. Update after my forth or fifth visit: The place has become really expensive (minimum 10 Euro per 0.5l) while the service has stagnated. No cloakroom, so in wet weather long jackets and umbrellas are your problem.

I liked it very much. The menu has a few classics with a twist abd the quality is very good. The portions were great.

Great dining experience. Very good food, lovely service and nice atmosphere. Small, tasty portions, carefully combined ingredients, and presented and served nicely.

I was there for a company casual dinner. The place is super cozy. Is small but nice. The staff are kind and did what they could in their best. We were a lot of people ordering different things but everything came correctly and in a nice time. Nice place to go, even for less people.

Three stars and that is mainly because of the service. The food was not that good, meat was cold when it got to the table and the side dishes, I know a matter of taste, but in my opinion they are not matching. The different tastes don't combine at all and therefore this didn't feel like a meal, but more like all over place. Service was okay though, friendly and on time. Wouldn't recommend based on value for money.

Great place. Amazing sandwiches that you should try

Stumbled across this place when looking for dinner near my BnB. Friendly service, great food with interesting Asian influence on modern European dishes. Relaxed vibe. Recommended

Cozy, nice atmosphere, affordable and good service. Would definitely recommend this place. Only drawback is that it's a bit cold, but that's the weather! Oh yes, it's dog friendly too...

Lovely location, great drink selection, and good food too. Highly recommend.

Great place to enjoy good wine. The wine list is wide and varied, and the charcuterie board with local products was really tasty and of very good quality. Very friendly atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit.

Lovely restaurant… food is fab, service great, vibe very chilled

Terrible, terrible service. The rudest waitress I have ever encountered in my entire life. We were a group of 8 and ordered some dishes to share. When we asked for plates, the waitress refused, saying there would be "too many dishes to do" and that finger food was "meant to be eaten with fingers" and this was just the "way things worked there". An unbelievable attitude—not just for a waitress, but for any decent human being.

Lovely place! I recommend their own brewed cider! The interior is amazing! I would definitely come back if I could

Delicious food and an exquisite pairing of wines. Beautiful setting too, of course! Service was great, including the knowledge about the wines you’re served.

Lovely place, cool atmosphere, great selection of wine and competence of the waitresses recommending very good wines. The food is really tasty and gourmet, portions are on the small side.

Very nice good, cozy atmosphere, nice young crew.

We were there for lunch. The food took 1h to come, the salmon and potatoes were half raw, the Greek salad did not come with bread as one week before, and the so-called 'feta' was very, very far from being feta. If they do not have the capability to serve everyone within a decent time and with the same quality, then they should simply not accept so many reservations. As far as the four of us are concerned, Cronesteyn is history.

Typical Dutch brasserie. Okay for a quick lunch or dinner. The free parking is a big plus. If you're looking for a fast meal at a reasonable price, it's a good place. Just dont expect too much.

Nice, calm, friendly, collected, my first impression of the waitress that greeted me. After taking an immediate liking to her, I ordered a nice capuchino and an "uitsmijter" (bouncer) which is white or brown bread with fried eggs, cheese and/ or ham. The roadworks made sitting on the terrace a bit of a drag, to no fault of the establishment. Looking out over the canal adds to the relaxed atmosphere. Will go again. Do ask for a glass of tapwater, it is very nice as tapwater goes.

Nice location, service friendly, but food just overpriced. (2023 inflation I know, but small portions, no standard fries and salad with main course, that is really a miss)

The food was great, I had a grilled entrecote and it was absolutely amazing, but even more amazing were the staff. Menu selection felt a bit scarce, but that's understandable to keep quality high.

Cozy place with nice service.

Perfect place for brunch, good selection of savory food, for example they serve excellent old comte cheese with breakfast bun, other sandwiches are also good. Reasonable prices, nice staff

Just landed in Leiden after long flight from my hometown, Bali, I picked out this cafe just to have little talks with my friends, the staff were very great, and I love the coffee immediately and it's also pretty close to my student housing, outside sitting by the canal is great option on a sunny day! Definitely will be my number one suggestions if someone ask me great cafe in Leiden

Stopped here for coffee on a Sunday afternoon. Sat in front of the counter. Ordered a cortado. 15 minutes on... Nothing. 18 minutes later... Yes! I got it. Amazingly tasty. Probably just an incident. I will go back again when it is less busy.

BorgmanenBorgman never disappoints. Sunday lunch today great lunch soft tasty scrambled eggs in a bowl toasted sourdough on the side, no soggy bread. Ems had the eggplant, a beautiful slice of flavours and texture. Well done Tom on the food and the team on the coffee and make us feel always “at home” The Lekkies

Great coffee spot with some tasty desserts! Cinnamon bun is recommended

The service here was really disappointing. It started raining, and while other tables managed to open their umbrellas themselves, we couldn’t. I asked the older man for help, but we were ignored for a long time. When he finally came, he refused to open ours, saying they will close in 50 minutes. He basically didn’t want us to stay. His attitude was super rude. I also don’t think the food stands out. The matcha and cake were just average. I love supporting local spots, but only when they deserve it. This one doesn’t.

Great coffee (espresso and flat white) and delicious pastries. It's definitely worth a visit if you're in Leiden.

Excellent experience for coffee lovers. They take their coffee seriously, and it shows. The menu offers a lot of options to discover. I will be visiting this place often, and try the wide menu of this true coffee-laboratory.

Stopped by for a cortado and a treat. I asked for a recommendation, and she suggested the apple crumble cake — it was delicious (8/10). The cortado was perfect, and the café had plenty of seating with a charming, cozy atmosphere.

One of the best coffee places I’ve been to in Netherlands. Nice location, friendly stuff (very nice and kind actually, and they are always open for a small talk or even some questions about coffee beans etc). You’ll get really nice beverage here that’ll definitely suit your taste. I’m into black coffee, and espresso and filter coffee here tastes amazing. I’d gladly come here again and again :)

Great great coffee with many varieties of roasts to choose from. The berry cheesecake was so delicious too. Apart from what they offer, the owners are very lovely people who can give you good recommendations if you are lost with what to pick!

A lovely and extensive menu filled with the best coffee and tea variants. All the drinks are brewed/prepared with love and care, and this is what you taste as well! Whether you’re an experienced coffee drinker, or a beginner like me, it’s a pleasure to drop by and enjoy the drinks. The staff is amazing, service with a genuine smile and the provided advices on the variety of filter coffees is educative and understandable! And let’s not the forget the homemade cakes, which are also lovely! The best coffee experience in Leiden? I’m pretty sure!

My absolute favorite cafe. The chai latte is insanely good (I’ve not had anything close as good here in Leiden or Netherlands yet). The carrot cake is insane too! The service is always so lovely as well!! Really adore this spot!! I wish it was open every day of the week🥹

What a gem of a find in the city! Smooth well roasted coffee with perfect foam. The service is true blue Dutch and really heartfelt. Great options for dine in food, take away cakes and pastries. Will definitely now add this to our Saturday morning market walks.

We took 6 courses incl. Wine arrangement and it was amazing. My friend has some allergies and they called her one day before we came to ensure that the food is safe for her. The service is excellent. One small remark: maybe add only little pata negra to the scallop dish as it can overtake the taste (I am fans of both but as combination, it can be better). So far the skrei is the best dish! We will definitely come back!!

We went for a 7 course dinner. It included the following: Halibut with smoked eel & horseradish. Seabass with lardons. Lamb with baba ganoush & artichoke. Rendang stew with pumpkin chutney. Cheese course. Dessert with basil sorbet & rhubarb. The food was very nice. A bit heavy on the foam side and therefore a bit repetitive, but the taste was good. No extraordinary tastes, the most spectecular was the basil icecream. Some of us had the full wine glasses and some half. We didnt see the difference. The half was 3 small sips and so was the full. This was a bit dissapointing. The first time we notified the waiter that both were equally full so he gave 1 sip extra to the full glass people, but the next courses it was the same again. For water you had to partly pay. Also beware that bread to start with also includes 21 euro ham which we were unware of, and which we would not have ordered if we knew since some of us were vegetarian. All in all, food was nice, not overly special, but good, especially in combination with the greedy wine pouring it felt on the expensive side with +/- 180 euro pp.

Very good food! Friendly staff. We had a great dinner.

What a surprise. We chose the 5-course chef’s menu and were blown away by the creativity, depth of flavor and variation. Leiden needs more restaurants like this. If you’re looking for fine dining with a relaxed atmosphere, this is for you.

Hidden gem! A new reataurant in our neighborhood. Many tried it before but I so much hope this one survives. It’s right in Leiden’s city centre on one of our most beautiful canals, but easily overlooked. The food, wine and service certainly shouldn’t be overlooked!! Personal, informal service with star-begging cuisine, in a cosy, stylish atmosphere: what more do you want??

Very nicely located a little away from the hustle and bustle. Really nice service team. There is no a la carte but changing menus. You choose the number of courses. Also vegetarian. We were very satisfied with the extremely tasty and beautifully presented food. 4 courses cost €65.

We Had a fantastic dinner in this beautiful place. Food is delicious, service is exceptional and overall great atmosphere with a romantic setting. Can’t wait to come back.

Really nice place especially if on a sunny day. Freshly made delicious orders. It is best to come on foot or by bike as there is no parking available. Other option with an auto is to park on the other side of the road and take a short walk.

Really great atmosphere! With the farm animals around and the terras. Also inside with a spot for small kids to play and a couch. They are not open till late, but good service from kind people. Are coming here more often now with people.

I'm really disappointed with what the new owner did with the menu. It was originally fully vegetarian with plenty of vegan options, but now there are meat options on the menu. I used to come here all the time because of its standards to not have meat on the menu, but now that that's no longer the case, I unfortunately won't be eating here anymore. It's not simply because of the fact that there's meat on a menu, but because of the change of standards of the restaurant. Plus the bathrooms were not clean when we went there, and the food was not as great as I remember, and there was a hair in my food.

Used to stop by weekly, but lately it has gone downhill in a major way. The wellness stands out like a sore thumb and the place keeps losing any nature it had left, in place they are making more buildings. They say they are nature friendly, but removing the flower garden and birds for wellness is far from it. There used to be a beautiful wild area with thorny bushes on the other side of the wellness across the water. Now it has turned into a desert with hardly any growth left. They call it an animal food forest but no animal wants to live there. There used to live so many birds in the brambles, now only silence. I will never again come here it is very sad to see.

Update July 2025; This is no longer a vegetarian restaurant and that annoys me. I really wonder if they keep the fish and meet separate from the vegetarian dishes. Pretty sure they will throw the beef croquettes in the same oil as the vegetarian/vegan ones. Really reconsidering skipping this place for lunch in the future… 2022: Glad they are open for pickup. Food is simple but nice. Good place to get something to eat while you are in Cronesteyn.

The place is located in the middle of the park, completely surround by nature you don't notice you are still in the city. The staff is super friendly and helpful, I came here to study and they provided me with a really nice atmosphere to make it possible. The food is also very nice and the place is very warmly decorated, both inside and outside.

If you want to escape the busy city and enjoy some peace and quiet? Then this is the place you go to. After enjoying the park you can sit with the chickens, sheep and drink some tea. All pictures by Dry Lightning Photography. All rights reserved.

Amazing food with a rich variety of tastes. We were surprised about how creative the ingredients can be arranged on a plate. The service staff is friendly and quick.

What a gem! Just a short five-minute walk from Leiden Central Station, on the charming Stationsstraat, you’ll find Café Visscher — a place that instantly draws you in with its Bohemian charm and warm ambiance. The interior is beautiful, stylish yet cozy, and the staff’s friendliness makes you feel right at home. We had a lovely table by the window, watching the city come alive with the excitement of the upcoming Leiden's Ontzet celebrations. The menu is a feast of creativity, offering refined dishes with harmonious flavors and beautiful presentation. Every plate felt like a small work of art. If you appreciate cuisine that combines elegance with soul, this is the place to be. Prices are slightly above average, but the quality and experience make it worth every euro. Café Visscher is a delightful spot we’ll surely return to very soon.

The restaurant experience was satisfactory. The cuisine was somewhat uninspired. Specifically, the tuna appetizer lacked flavor, and the beef entree was not as tender as anticipated. However, the service was exceptional, with staff demonstrating remarkable friendliness.

I love coming to this place, especially for lunch when I want something more, not just a sandwich. The tuna salad was delicious.

A hidden gem just steps from Leiden Central Station! We had lunch at Café Visscher and loved it — a beautiful interior, warm service, and a relaxed atmosphere. From our window table, we watched the lively scene outside while enjoying a creative, flavorful menu with every dish thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. If you love good food, great ambiance, and genuine hospitality, this place is a must.

The name café is an underestimate for what it really is, great restaurant. Nice atmosphere, very good food and reasonable pricing. The staff is very friendly but sometimes they forget something. But anyhow do recommend the place and will return.

I completely concur with Epicurian Flow’s review — this place is delightful. We walked in for lunch without a reservation straight from the train station. My husband had the gnocchi, and I had the tuna salad. Beautifully presented food, prepared and seasoned perfectly, all in a chic, boutique-y feeling atmosphere. A lovely place for a civilized lunch.

The outdoor terrace is a very cozy place on a summer evening. Great atmosphere. The staff was at times a little slow. The hamburger was good, nothing special. Multiple vegetarian dishes on offer, which is a big plus.

It's a really nice restaurant in Leiden! We were a big party and had to make reservations ahead of time. The service staff were really nice and attentive throughout our meal, and we had a good time. For starters we tried the smoked salmon (€12.5), dry-aged entrecote with crab salad (€12), fennel ceviche (€10), Dutch mozzarella with roasted grapes (€11) as well as the bread with olive oil (€6). And if we had to choose just one, the majority of us would recommend the Dutch mozzarella because it was a good mix of savoury and sweet. It was appetising and definitely a good one to start the meal with. For the mains, we tried the beef of the day, the pork belly(€23), polenta cake(€19.5) and sea bass(€23). Folks enjoyed the roast beef, but i personally liked the pork belly, which had a good ratio of fat to meat. It was well-cooked and the meat was like melting in my mouth. The polenta cake is a very good vegetarian option, but im not sure if it was vegan. All our mains came with fries which was nice.

Great place for both indoor and outdoor lunch, good quality and service.

Very good restaurant! Nice view, delicious food!

Ordered a ribeye. Meat was of poor quality and also tasteless. The table next to us had the same complaint with a different type of steak. No gesture at both tables. This place used to have great food, but we will not return.

Hey, looking for a great, cozy, and delicious restaurant at 8pm on a Saturday night and you forgot to make a reservation? Give this place a go. The menu is small because every dish is unique and prepared with care. The portions are huge- they even give a basket of fries with the entree which I barely touched even through they were really tasty because my entree was more than enough. Highly recommend the burrata appetizer (it's so refreshing and flavorful!) and the ribeye (served perfectly medium rare). The prices are very reasonable, too (18-22€ per entree) Honestly we tried to make a reservation for a Saturday night day off and called 8-10 different restaurants in the center- they were all completely booked! This was the only restaurant available, and completely worth getting out of the city center. I would even recommend going for drinks on a date night- they have a lovely fireplace and couches.

We enjoyed a great family gathering. Lunch was delicious. We sat at a long table in de beautiful serre.

Lovely place for dates and gatherings. The ambience is warm and the staff is welcoming. The food was delicious and so was the dessert. The artichoke special was tasty but the portion size could have been bigger. I knocked one star off only because they charged us for tap water. As a visitor it was unusual for me, but maybe it's a standard practice in NL.

Really enjoyed Sunday lunch here. The cocktails and sangria were great and the tapas portions were a good size. It wasn’t too busy, which made it nice and relaxed. Staff were super friendly and helpful. Definitely coming back to try dinner next time!

Wonderful place! Beautiful interior, great cocktails and amazing food. Everything we ordered was delicious! And I had the best pornstar martini! All the waiters were incredibly kind. Great for a romantic date or dinner with friends or family.

Food looks good, but only in appearance. Lamb was very chewy. Octopus was also very chewy and ‚fishy’ while normally it doesn’t taste like this. I got food poisoning after the visit in Los Cosmos. Desserts were also very average. As mentioned before, everything is served really beautifully but it doesn’t taste good. Drinks were not mixed properly so the essence was only on the bottom. I doubt I will come back to this place.

nice atmosphere by the canal. The service is not very fast however they are friendly. The food quality moderate. The cocktails are nice though. You can try the white sangria.

Everything was good, we enjoyed our dinner but the only thing that annoyed us was the €25 service fee for the birthday cake, which I brought myself (including the birthday candles). They only served it with a big knife and a spatula—no fire for the candles and no extra plates for the cake. Charging €25 just for placing the cake on the table doesn’t make sense. That’s not a real service. It would make sense if they had cleared the table, brought the cake properly with new plates and cutlery for all guests, instead of just putting it on the table.

Good place and vibe! I felt that the food could be better. I've had the same dishes in other places and they were so much better! Its a really nice place for shared plates though!

We had a lovely meal at Cafe de Gaper but it’s definitely a place for a special meal. The atmosphere is really great, warm and welcoming, and the staff were very friendly. The range of dishes was good, with several choices for each section - the pork belly was outstanding as was the raw tuna and the scallops and chorizo dish. I would say that it’s pretty expensive - the tasting plates range from around €15 to €21, which means at the recommended 3-4 dishes, the bill can quickly add up, especially if you add on any bites or a dessert. The wines were very nice, with some good options at the €7-8 a glass. Overall a really lovely place for a celebration dinner!

We had a lovely evening at Cafe de Gaper. The atmosphere is relaxed, the place is elegant, the food is extremely tasty, comparable to Michelin star restaurants. We did the wine pairing and it was a great idea as the wines were one of the best we ever had. My only suggestion would be to extend the dinner slots by at least 30 minutes. Thanks to the stuff and the chef for such an amazing experience. Will come back soon.

Remarkably bespoke experience! Warm and welcoming staff, knowledgeable and engaging. Really appreciate how intensely they showcase their passion for the food and beverage they serve. Remarkable combinations of innovation and variety. Take it from a non-regular wine drinker; staff can pair a wine to a dish / dishes with expert skill!

Amazing cuisine, great menu and wine list. Very tasty desserts. We will definitely come back!

This is your sign to book and go this restaurant. Amazing food, amazing staff, amazing service. Top ambiance. Did I mention the food is amazing? Oh, I did. Now go!!!

Great new place that leiden needs. The food is delicious full tastes that surprise you and give small explosions in your mouth. And still the food is light. Due to two young but very experienced good chef and sous chef. Love the good service! Very friendly and well willing to give you advice. And the good warm atmosphere with lovely vibes, lively. But even it’s often fully booked you can have a good conversation.

Lovely location next to the canal with food that will knock your socks off. Flavours on flavours, my friend said the prawns were the best she'd ever had! 🦐🦐😋

We had a great time at ’t Pannenkoekenhuysje Oudt Leyden, it’s a cozy, traditional pancake house right in the heart of Leiden. The atmosphere felt warm and welcoming, and the service was friendly and helpful throughout. We tried a few different pancakes, starting with the apple and cinnamon, which was nicely balanced and full of flavor. My personal favorite was the chef’s special pear pancake, the pear was soft and tasty, and the combination worked really well. That said, I think it would’ve been even better with a little less sugar on top, so that guests could sweeten it to their own taste if they wanted. We also ordered the savory pancake with ham, cheese, and pineapple, which turned out to be good, especially with a bit of syrup, which the waiter recommended. That mix of sweet and salty actually worked really well. The traditional “kids” mini pancakes with butter were also very good. We enjoyed a couple of Heinekens and ginger beer alongside the meal, and everything came together nicely. If you’re in Leiden and want a relaxed place to try traditional Dutch pancakes with both sweet and savory options, this spot is definitely worth visiting.

This is a very cute place and the locals definitely love to eat here. I was recommended it by a local and it does not disappoint! The food is great and the service is fast. The people are friendly and the atmosphere is really nice. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, but I went inside since it was lightly drizzling. I will recommend this place to everyone and I will be back for sure!

Stopped by after researching the best food spots in the Leiden area and decided to try a pannenkoek. I started with a cappuccino (10/10), followed by the soup of the day—mushroom (9/10)—and finished with the Nutella pannenkoek topped with bananas (10/10). The portion was generous and absolutely delicious. I’m glad I went with a sweet option over savory. Cozy atmosphere and plenty of seating, too.

What a pancake! The portion was massive — the photo doesn’t do it justice! Delicious and full of flavour, it was such a fun and memorable experience. The service was great — friendly and attentive. Loved the cozy atmosphere and unique charm of the place. A must-visit if you’re in Leiden!

Lunching with my colleagues. Nice big pancakes. Big portion. One serving may be good for two people You will feel full. ☺️

A different take on crêpes, definitely not what you’d typically expect, but still delicious! It’s a unique concept that’s worth trying at least once. Locals enjoy it from time to time, and it’s quite well known in the Netherlands. Give it a go!

Went early Thursday evening and the place was empty. Ordered the bacon and cheese pancake. Served on a huge plate but unfortunately the more I ate of it the more I had the taste of old cooking oil and made it less enjoyable unfortunately.

Good food and don't worry about negative reviews about service. The staff is really friendly and do a great job. It's not cheap but well worth a visit. We all really enjoyed our food.

couple of weeks ago we had a company dinner at the "Puur" which was a lot of fun. The food was great and the staff were very friendly and attentive. Big thank you to the Kok and Virginia for organising a very tasty menu for our group ( 15 people) and adjusting it to our wishes. They literary can adjust any of their dishes to a vegetarian, gluten and/or lactose free or " anything I can not eat/hate" free dish! I would recommend this restaurant for a team or even a private dinner.

Absolutely 5 stars and then some!! On the whole trip here the most amazing food experience I've had, the service was simply lovely! And the food of exception quality And surprisingly the prices aren't even high in the slightest! If you're considering eating here definitely do so!! Can't recommend it enough!

Staff was friendly. Do not take the surprise menu whilst pregnant. Cooks apperently have no experience with pregnancy and food. Atmosphere is okay, but the toilets were dirty.

Stop looking! Puur is Culinary & Service Excellence at its best in Leiden. A must if you like good food. I had the onion soup special of the day and the ribs.

The food was pretty simple, I was expecting better although it wasn't the worst of it. We sat on the terrace. After sitting down at 6:00 p.m., they took good care of us, bringing us the menu and bread, but then no one came to serve us. They brought the first course after 20 minutes without bringing or asking for drinks, eating after 30 minutes without a drink, we had to go inside 3 times to ask about the drink, the bread, the following dishes... Horrible service. The main course we ordered with potatoes, they never arrived, I had to tell the waitress to please remove them from the bill, she forgot and she had to bring another one. Inexperienced waiters, inattentive and unwilling. Very basic and cold food.

Relaxed atmosphere, great food & wine! And everything at reasonable prices 😀

Good steak! They know how to prepare a steak properly medium-rare. The sauce with the steak was okay but not outstanding. The ceviche was okay but missed some spices. Furthermore, the portion was quite small. The fries with the main are good. We had a mixture of desserts that was nice. Additionally, the tea served was good and had real tea leaves.

Very pretty spacious pub with vegan options. The spinach soup was AMAZING. I will definitely visit this place again, with my next visit

Old wooden interior, nice atmosphere. Mackerel sandwich had nice relish in it.

Amazing amazing spot. Arrived without disclosing dietary restrictions, and the service team and chef made sure to be as helpful and accommodating as possible. 10 stars for their service and helping me! Food was delicious, and I will definitely be coming back!

We ordered high tea, were highly disappointed, the "cakes" were mini muffins, small donuts and a small square of cake (these all looked shop bought possibly AH?) and a scone, also possibly shop bought. Sandwiches were average. We paid €27,50/person for this. The service was average and slow, and when asked on the origins of the building, I was told they didn't know but someone else did who wasn't there. What was meant to be a treat but very disappointing.

Cozy place with great food and drinks!

Delicious food and excellent coffee. Great interior and very friendly staff.

Best fine dining restaurant in town. Compasionate cook and staff, good atmosphere in the restaurant. We had a 6-course dinner with pairing wines. Dishes are good in portion and flavours (the fullness of fattiness and umami).

Since quite a while the best non-Michelin star rated restaurant. You get what you pay for, outstanding service and good food in an amazing ambiance

Always a pleasure to dine here. This is a fine dining restaurant but not too formal. The restaurant is not going for a michelin star, they want to cook with pleasure and not be bound by michelin requirements, do their own thing and they got it right. The dishes are made with passion and you can taste that. Must go if you visit Leiden.

Third time in two years and our 6-course menu with wine pairing matched our memories: excellent! Food is great, well prepared and presented, with a very welcome diversity and alternance of seafood, meat and vegetables. Good service as well, very professional and friendly. And we really appreciated their flexibility with one of our guests who does not eat seafood: they prepared a special version of the 6-course menu, just for him. Nice touch! Very interesting wine pairing with wines coming from all over the world (good luck if you want to go "blind tasting"!). With perhaps one remark: their selection is a bit "static" as over the last 2 years, we had 2 or 3 wines coming again and again. Good ones, no worries, but new ones would be appreciated. Ah... and if I wanted to be super picky. For wine lovers, their wine glasses are below average: too thick and heavy. But no drama either and this won't prevent us from coming again!

Tonight, the sea bass, dessert and their wine pairings were the best courses I have had in a very, very long time. Some of the best fine dining, if not the best, that Leiden has to offer. With quality ambience. Without the fuss of formality. Phenomenal.

Best place ever in Leiden! Great chef and great service. Our experience there couldn’t have been better, thank you! For that range of prices in Leiden you cannot find anything better. I’ll recommend to try the entire menu. Every single dish is worth it and specially the veggie dish is a must.

The food was very good and the staff was quick and friendly. The waiter patiently explained everything about our food which added to our experience. It is on the expensive side, but it’s not surprising for a fine dining place.

On balance I think this is my favourite restaurant in Leiden… love the chilled-out vibe, service is friendly, and the food is good (especially for the price you pay). Have eaten here numerous times, both for dinner and lunch, and have always been happy to have visited… on vibe and price/quality it’s just a good place to dine. My only comment is that I often find the choice of meat main courses a little limited.

I went to have dinner here on my way to Amsterdam. My original plan was to dine at the restaurant right next to this one, but it was full and I had no reservation. So I came here. Don’t even know what cuisine does this restaurant have but it turned out it’s French, same as the restaurant next door lol. The waitress was friendly and helpful, recommend me a few dishes. I had an app that was vegetable based pie (forgot the name), a catfish as main course and a German pie thing as dessert. Food tasted good. The only reason I knocked down 1 Star was the service was really slow. I spent about 2 hours here. Not sure if this is common in Europe but if you are time constrained this might not be the best option.

Amazing canal front cafe tables. Laid back service. Don't be an annoying American in a rush to eat and you will love this place!

We used to come for tasty shrimps, but today the service was quite disappointing. We walked in and the only available waiter was chatting with his friend. We took the first free table we saw. Couple of minutes later when the guy was ready discussing news with his friend he informed us that the table was reserved (no sign of it spotted) and threatened to put us in a black list (oh-oh) if we don't liberate it immediately. That's some customer's service! Verdict: not recommended to visit unless the wild waiter is away

Nice dishes Great for a quick bite Not super fancy nor exotic

Very nice place.. a really creative menu ...for sure a place to go ..

Caesar salad good, but the benedict eggs not so much due to the sauce. Lovely staff!