The 5 best lunch spots in Maastricht

For me (as someone from Amsterdam), Maastricht is the best city for a weekend getaway in the Netherlands. It’s quite a journey from our capital, but I actually like that: it really feels as though you’ve escaped for a while. And the food and drink scene in Maastricht? It’s so good!

A weekend away naturally involves lots of walking and sightseeing, but also plenty of eating and drinking — and during the day, you can do that very well at one of these spots in Maastricht.

The best restaurants for lunch in Maastricht

1. Bistrot-Bar ‘t Wycker Cabinet
My favorite place in Maastricht for lunch, breakfast or brunch — literally everything on the menu here is so delicious. This is also a great recommendation if you’re looking for a nice restaurant for the evening, by the way. It’s always pleasantly busy, so booking is a must! The breakfast dishes are also very good here (think a breakfast bowl, grenache or a fresh croissant), so this is a great option for early birds too.
Wycker Brugstraat 29b

2. Onglet
Onglet is located in the former butcher’s shop of the Schürmann family in Wyck-Maastricht. And to keep that legacy alive, they still serve plenty of meat. In the evening, this is the place for fine dining – the restaurant is located behind the butcher’s shop, in the old workshop of the butcher’s shop – but during the day, it’s the perfect place to pick up lunch to go . The Italian sandwiches here are fresh and delicious; they remind me a little of the immensely popular Zero Zero in Amsterdam. And just like at Zero Zero, lunch here is really intended for takeaway; sitting down isn’t possible (the entrance is the shop entrance).
Wycker Brugstraat 27

3. Falstaff
I personally love bar-hopping, and eating in bars too: no unnecessary fuss, just good and simple. Well, they’ve understood that perfectly here. My favorite dish on the menu is the lunch platter: a large platter with several dishes (such as a croque monsieur and a salmon-and-bacon sandwich) that you can share between two people. But the Flammküchen and Steak Tartare are also highly recommended! And yes, it’s a bar… So you can certainly come back in the evening for a beer.
Sint Amorsplein 6

4. Buitengoed Slavante
‘High up, but low-key’ is how they describe Buitengoed Slavante themselves, and I completely agree. It’s not exactly in the city center, but it’s more than worth the trip. Grand-Café Buitengoed Slavante was built in 1846 and decorated with the grandeur of that era. Here, you really get away from the hustle and bustle, and you have a beautiful view of the water. Tip: rent a bike and cycle there from the city center, because you’ll be there in no time. The menu isn’t large or complicated, but there’s something for everyone; various kinds of classic sandwiches and even onion rings (which are genuinely my guilty pleasure). And an extra plus: they work with products from their own region and local producers. So if you taste something really delicious, buy it in the city and take it home with you!
Slavante 1

5. Van Wyck
And this is my other favorite in Maastricht, located opposite number one (they got their name from the street). The name can be a little confusing, but they are two completely different places. I think this is a wonderfully cozy spot in Wyck anyway – and conveniently, it’s close to Maastricht Station. High Tea lovers will also be very happy here, because it’s incredibly delicious. If you don’t choose that, make sure to save room for a possible dessert (because it works perfectly after lunch); the pastries here are *chef’s kiss*.
Wycker Brugstraat 28

Read also:

• Talking beer on the new podcast ‘Fuck Wijn’
• 5 of the strangest beers in the world
• Make the most of your space with this beer-crate table

Image: Buitengoed Slavante // Van Wyck