Recommended in Haarlem: DeDAKKAS – beach vibes on a parking garage
Are you planning a day in Haarlem soon, or do you have an appointment in the city? A great place for coffee, drinks, lunch or dinner is DeDAKKAS. You’ll be sitting in a huge greenhouse with views across the entire city. Delicious food on your plate, good company at your table and a beautiful sunset as a bonus: what are you waiting for?
You might not realise it when you step out of the lift and enter the restaurant. You see a cosy greenhouse, with a long bar and enough tables to find a quiet spot. Outside there’s a large terrace. Okay, nice. There are even trees and plants, bees are kept there and in the corner there’s a chicken coop. Fantastic views across the entire city. But take another good look: you’re metres above the centre of Haarlem, on the roof of De Kamp car park. Restaurant DeDAKKAS is exactly what the name says: a restaurant in a greenhouse, on the roof. Wonderful!
Cosy lemonade and such
The menu promises a feast in all shapes and sizes. Delicious chai latte, decent appetisers (oyster mushroom bitterballen and jackfruit balls, for example) and those cheerful lemonades from Fentimans and Cucumis to start with. Feeling a little cold? Go for the pumpkin and ginger soup. And when the weather is warmer, I’d recommend the asparagus salad. Dinner? The ravioli with mozzarella and broad beans did not disappoint, and the roasted celeriac across the way looked good too. No meat, you may be wondering? De Dakkas isn’t vegetarian, but it is nicely modern: little meat, plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. And the service is so relaxed and friendly.
Follow the signs
The atmosphere? A wonderfully relaxed beach feeling, partly because it’s just a little cooler up here on the roof than in the hot city, with excellent bites on the table. A lovely spot, then, DeDAKKAS. And convenient: if you’re not familiar with the city, simply follow the signs to De Kamp car park, drive all the way to the top or take the lift to the top floor and there you are, right at the door.
DeDAKKAS, De Witstraat 1A, Haarlem
Also read:
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- Don’t be a boor at the farmers’ market
- What expats and tourists think of Dutch service
Image: DeDAKKAS
