The best hotspots in Maastricht
After Amsterdam, this is probably my favorite city in the Netherlands: Maastricht. You can eat, drink, shop and go out so wonderfully here — everything you could want. And I’m amazed by the food and drinks every single time. I often only go for a weekend, which is far too short, because Maastricht has so many great restaurants and hotspots.
Are you heading to the Limburg capital soon? Then this is the ultimate list to keep handy. Making reservations is recommended, otherwise you may end up disappointed.
The best restaurants in Maastricht
1. Onglet
There’s a good chance you’ll get this place recommended to you more than once, and rightly so: it’s such a great spot. These days they’re also open during the day and you can pick up incredible sandwiches there (also highly recommended), but be sure to stop by in the evening for an extensive dinner. You can order à la carte dishes, but the most fun option is to go for the six-course menu. All courses are meant to be shared, and of course you can still order one of the specials on the side. Or, for example, a cheeseboard afterward.
Wycker Brugstraat 27
2. Café Sjiek
This has been one of Maastricht’s most popular hotspots for years. As a result, you’ll find all kinds of people here: young and old, locals and tourists. It’s a great mix, and you’ll have a wonderful time both indoors and outside on the summery terrace. Don’t come here for a quick meal, but take the whole evening. You won’t want to leave. The menu features simple but high-quality dishes. Something for everyone; even a picky eater will find something they like here.
Sint Pieterstraat 13
3. Le Bon Vivant
This is also a great place for an extensive dinner: you can order Ă la carte or choose the five- or six-course menu. Nice bonus: everything can also be ordered fully vegetarian. The wine list is fantastic, and I love the interior: it feels as if you’re sitting in a gigantic wine cellar.Â
Capucijnenstraat 91
4. De Kaasbar
Well, of course this is a must visit for every cheese lover. The name really says it all: you order cheese and drinks here. Be sure to ask for advice on which wine goes best with which cheese, because the staff can help you with that.
Koestraat 14-16
5. Bistrot-Bar ‘t Wycker Cabinet
A very popular all day spot, with classic dishes on the menu. They’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and I can wholeheartedly recommend all three. Pancakes or a breakfast bowl for breakfast, Eggs Benedict or a Croque Monsieur for lunch, and steak tartare or escargots for dinner. As I said: true classics, but executed absolutely well.
Wycker Brugstraat 29b
6. Toscanella Apuana
Admittedly, I don’t find the interior amazing, but the food makes up for everything. Authentic Italian, with handmade pasta — and you can taste it. They also serve pizzas made with active charcoal dough. That sounds incredibly exciting, but they’re mainly wonderfully thin pizzas, as if you were in Naples.
Rechtstraat 22
7. Le Tapage
If you’re looking for an affordable bistro where you can get a perfectly good meal, you’ve come to the right place. You can get a three-course menu here for €32.50, which I think is a very reasonable price, but à la carte they also serve a good carpaccio and chicken satay.
Sint Pieterstraat 8A
8. NOON
Right on the Meuse, so the view is certainly taken care of, but this is a very cozy place in any case. The menu features dishes to share, and although I’m sometimes a little tired of shared dining (“Are you familiar with our concept?”), it works really well here. They’re also open until 1 a.m. every evening, so you can happily keep having drinks after dinner. Tip: order the Indonesian rendang.
Griend 7
9. La Bodega
Yess, tapas! And on a very gezellig street too. In the evening, people enjoy drinks here in abundance, naturally at La Bodega as well. The tapas are good, the price is very reasonable, and I was also extremely impressed by the sangria. Definitely recommended, especially if you’re planning to continue having drinks or go out in the city afterward.
Platielstraat 9
10. NOVO New Dining
Fine dining at a high level and in a very beautiful modern interior; a place after my own heart. It’s especially fun that anything is possible here, because they even have a menu made up entirely of desserts. Yes, that’s obviously a must try for every sweet tooth.
Aan de Brikkenbouw 4F
More tips for Maastricht? Let us know!
Read also:
- 7 reasons to book a weekend in Maastricht soon
- 14 of the best dim sum restaurants in the Netherlands
- The 14 best wine bars in Amsterdam
Image: Onglet & ‘t Wycker Cabinet
