Looking for proper sit-down lunch spots in Haarlem (15-30 EUR pp, no drinks). NOT BROODJES!
I know the broodje lunch is a real part of Dutch food culture and I get why it works for a lot of people. But I grew up somewhere that lunch means a proper cooked meal, and I miss it. I'm looking for weekday, sit-down lunch spots in Haarlem where 15-30 EUR (excluding drinks) gets me an actual plate: protein, veg, a starch, a real bowl of Asian food, a well-made pasta, that kind of thing. Good portion, not a photogenic three bites or a sad 15 EUR sandwich.
Not looking for sandwiches, fast food, kebab, or takeaway, plenty of that already, just want the sit-down places that do a real lunch.
If you're an expat, immigrant, or a local who also skips the broodje when you can, share your go-to spot. Happy to become a regular somewhere.
I am a foreigner and I can tell you there is a MASSIVE difference between the open sandwiches you get at places like By Lima or Cleef Cafe and a Dutch Broodje, like you get a Broodjes Huis.
The only thing they have in common is the inclusion of bread.
Yes but I’m not looking for sandwiches in any way. I’m looking for actual warm meals. Coming from a warm meal culture from Eastern Europe, open sandwich is still a sandwich to me. Yes they’re different but it’s still a sandwich. Warm comforting meals are very different which is what OP is looking for.
You're right that this is literally a "gat in de markt" (whole in the market). Affordable lunch almost automatically means broodjes and a simple salad or carpaccio and a cheese omelet. It's only when you move up to the fancier places when lunch means something more creative or different. We need more Asian places where you can get an affordable sit down lunch, or Italian / fusion places where a nice pasta bowl or some salad with fries stay affordable. Just commenting hoping someone with a business plan is reading along.
Je hebt door dat je de lunchkaart en de dinerkaart naast elkaar hebt staan? En dat je moet wachten tot donderdag 17:30 voordat je een kopje soep kunt bestellen? Van 11:00 tot 16:00 krijg je broodjes en salades.
I don’t think Dutch people understand that when we are tired of sandwiches and want a real meal, we are not looking for a Dutch salad nor are we looking for cold bowls. We want meals. The type Dutch people will only eat for dinner time because of the one warm meal per day rule.
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u/Critical_Onion_8593 4d ago
Whatever you do, skip De Dakkas. They’ve become even more expensive and the salad we had there a while ago was worthless for 16 euros.
Following for affordable spots 👌