Hi! I'm Menno, your guide today. Below is my personal list of what's actually worth your time in Delft. Not everything — just the good stuff.
Remember how I told you Vermeer never left Delft his entire life? This is where that story continues. All 37 known paintings, full scale, plus the story of how he actually made them. If the tour got you curious about the man — this is your next stop.
Remember when I explained how Delftware was basically the Dutch reply to Chinese porcelain? This is the last factory from that era still going. Still painting by hand. You can watch them do it, walk through 350 years of history, and take something beautiful home.
Two churches, both unmissable. The New Church has the mausoleum of William of Orange — yes, the one we talked about at length. The Old Church leans and holds Vermeer's grave.
Don't worry — the tower will remain upright while you are inside. I promise!
A combined ticket gets you into both. And if your legs have anything left: climb the New Church tower. 376 steps. The view over Delft is one of the best in the Netherlands. You'll want to go up.
No walking tour can show you Delft from the canals. This is the oldest sightseeing tour through the city centre — and the view from the water is simply stunning.
Full disclosure: you've already heard most of what the guide will tell you. From me. You're welcome.
But the angle is completely different, and that alone makes it worth it.
Remember the brown-orange facade we stopped at — the one where I told you about Delft's 200 breweries during the Golden Age? That's this place. The "Delfts Brouwhuis" is keeping that tradition alive. Local beers, good stories, no pretension.
My favourite spot in the city for a proper Dutch pause. Get the pancakes. Or try one of their cakes with ouderwetse smaken — those old-fashioned, slightly herby flavours I mentioned. Always full of locals. No reservation needed.
View on Google MapsOnce crowned Best Apple Pie of the Netherlands — and it still holds up. But there's a proper lunch menu too, at a fair price. Good terrace on the Beestenmarkt, one of the nicer squares in the city.
View on Google MapsThe best sandwich shop in the centre — quick, affordable, no fuss. No seating, just grab something and keep walking. Perfect if you're not ready to stop yet.
View on Google MapsThere are a few Greek restaurants in Delft, but this is the one I keep coming back to. The terrace boat on the canal is unlike anything else in the city. Small, unhurried, genuinely good food. This is where I take my family when we have something to celebrate.
View on Google MapsCosy in that slightly chaotic way — small tables, eclectic feel, always lively. But the food is genuinely good and the atmosphere pulls you in. Sits on one of Delft's quieter squares, which makes the terrace especially worth it.
View on Google MapsAn artisanal brewery built on the foundations of a medieval brewhouse from around 1300. Good for an evening beer tasting or a simple dinner. The interior is really, really well done.
View on Google MapsLike the classics in solid quantities? Then Billy Beer (Bear, not beer) is the place for you. Meat, fries and salad on a wooden plank is the typical formula here.
View on Google MapsThis is the place where the 1654 keg house explosion originated from. Haute cuisine and frankly not my thing but I have to say it was very tasty! Bring your wallet though, especially if you're going to add a wine arrangement.
View on Google MapsI've never been here because I'm not a fan of multiple small courses. Instead I like a bigger plate, but I've heard good things about this place. A bit more pricey though.
View on Google MapsMore recommendations coming soon — I'm still eating my way through the city.
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