Dining Around Eindhoven

You might wonder about the cuisine of the Noord Brabant region, and you’d be right to do so; however, the Eindhoven area sports many outstanding restaurants at similarly outstanding prices.  Two specialities of the area, mussels and white asparagus, have “seasons,” during which restaurants will tout these foods as the finest delicacies in the world.  Well… let’s just say that asparagus in any color is still asparagus.

A list of the Michelin starred restaurants in the Netherlands can be found at: Allesopeenrij

We’ve spent three years checking out the restaurants in Eindhoven.  For us, they fall into two categories.  The ones to which we would take children, and the ones to which we would go by ourselves.  Most of the restaurants we have listed below have websites as well.  Go to  Google and enter the name of the restaurant and the city, and you’re like to get more information. 

Our recommendations are:

To Die For (two stars, way expensive, unforgettable)
Clos St. Denis, Grimmertingenstraat 24, 3724 Vliermaal-Kortessem
(close to Hasselt, about an hour south) +32-12-236096

Culinary Elite (one star or darn close, expensive, elegant, creative)
Avant Garde, Fredericklaan 10D (in the PSV Futbal Stadion) (250-5640)
De Luytervelde, Jo Goudkuillaan 11, Eindhoven (262-3111)
De Treeswijkhoeve, Valkenswaardseweg 14, Aalst-Waalre (221-5593)
De Lindenhof, Beekstraat 1, Nuenen (283-7336)
Kastanjehof, Heuvel 4, Gemert (0492-361-912) (http://www.kastanjehof.com)
Le Soleil, Lukersteenweg 443, Lommel, Belgium (+32-11-648783)

Romantic, “European” Ambiance Restaurants – Good to Great Food
De Oude Toren Herberg; Oude Torenstraat 6, Waalre (221-4930)
VaNDijK Kunst & Antiek, Stadshaven 24; 5256 BA Heusden-Vesting
(0416-661175) http://www.mvandijk.nl (45 minutes away)

Our Favorite Family Restaurant Kindvriendelijk Restaurant De Leemer Hoef Gestelsestraat 102, Waalre (221-5406)

The first word means “kid friendly.”  On Friday through Sunday nights, this restaurant has an entertainment room for children.  They play dress up, do simple crafts, have their faces painted and watch Disney videos in Dutch.  When their dinner comes to the table, the kids are called to the table.  There’s a pretty reasonable list of kids’ foods, including chicken nuggets, the sundry Dutch meats and pancakes.  The restaurant is an old farmhouse, and has a fireplace, and heavy beamed ceilings.  The restaurant managers seem delighted to help foreigners.   Not inexpensive, but well worth it considering that you are not paying for a babysitter.

Other Restaurants To Which We Take Our Kids

Antonio’s, Dommelstraat 16, Eindhoven (244-6547) Eetcafe Carioca, Grote Berg 4/6, Eindhoven (245-5337)

Kids’ meals are substantial, and have real vegetables.  The kids like it for the guava juice; the alcoholic beverages are strong.

Las Salinas, Burgemeester van Hooflaan 157; Veldhoven (253-3860) Longhorn Steak House, Eindhovensedijk  29, Oirschot (262-2496)

There’s more than steak, but it IS a grill.  They let you throw peanut shells on the floor.  Order the dessert with the sparklers for the kids.  Just north of the airport.

Eetcafe Merlijn, van Vroonhovenlaan 57, Veldhoven (253-2887) Mouragio Greek Tapas Restaurant, Eindhovenseweg 46A, Aalst, (222-3667)

Ask them if the kids can see the old American cartoons in Dutch.

Touch of India, Geldropseweg 22, Eindhoven (211-1549)
Windmolen Bar Brasserie; Windmolen 17; Veldhoven (255-3383)

Dinner under a windmill; great for out-of-town guests.