10x hidden gems in Dordrecht you don't want to miss

To be honest, there’s nothing I enjoy more than breakfast. You could literally wake me up for it. In Dordrecht, I find exactly what I’m looking for at Hazel. A picturesque little spot in a listed building that tempts Anne-Floor and me to pop in for a while. Inside, Hazel smells, sounds and looks like a cross between a bakery and a trendy coffee shop. We glance at the menu and a smile spreads across Anne-Floor’s face. “Chai latte, overnight oats, lemon cake, sourdough toasties…” Her list cheers me up too. And just when I think it’s going to be hard to choose (a bit of everything?), we spot the vegan breakfast option. That turned out to be a great and tasty start to the day.

Hazel, @Hazel, Voorstraat 130

Fabrics in all colours and patterns are piled from floor to ceiling. At a long table, several women are chatting, drinking coffee and embroidering the richly decorated cushions. At the front, they are on sale for enthusiasts looking for something beautiful. We are shown around by Marieke, who found her mission at Wereldwijven after years of working in aid. "This is a place where women feel welcome and find their way in a new society," she explains. One of the women at the table looks up, smiles and then plunges back into her handiwork in full focus. Wereldwijven Ateliers is a heartwarming place.

Wereldwijven Ateliers, @wereldwijvenateliers, Voorstraat 178

Somewhere hidden in a back street, a church with a unique facade flaunts itself. An armour of stained-glass-inspired windows surrounded by a bronze frame. Rightly called the Art Church. We study the drawings. A mix of Biblical figures and explosives. As is often the case with art, I am not quite sure what to make of it. "Unique," I decide. "And photogenic," Anne-Floor adds. Inside, the art comes alive, as you can often find a fascinating exhibition. Best check the calendar for that.

The Kunstkerk, @kunst.kerk, Museumstraat 65

As evening falls and the lanterns switch on, we stroll towards dinner. In the heart of Dordrecht's art district, we find Bistro La Bohème. This bistro has been lovingly named by chef Rob after Charles Aznavour's song La Bohème. The menu is an ode to his wife Jackie, who, as a vegetarian, often had little choice in restaurants. "I want everyone to eat fantastic food, to have lots of choice and to be surprised. Even if you are vegetarian," he tells us at the table. Tonight, we are treated to a 4-course vegetarian surprise dinner. A feeling of joie de vivre creeps up on us when hostess Irma puts two glasses of bubbles in front of us. "We are going to pamper you," she says with a wink. None of it lied. Think: tomato tartare with saffron mayonnaise, celeriac steak and the tastiest goat cheese. Good to know: a surprise menu at Bistro La Bohème is never the same and Chef Rob can accommodate all your (di)dining wishes.

Bistro La Bohème, @bistrolaboheme, Steegoversloot 189

Back to Dordrecht, because there is still plenty to discover. Such as Bluebirds in the Backyard. Ever since we wrote about it earlier this year, Anne-Floor has wanted to go there. And that turns out to be justified when we walk into this vegan lunchroom/concept store/urban jungle/workplace. Bluebirds in the Backyard is in a beautiful monumental building called Huis Roodenburch. Think: historic details, huge ceilings and Insta-worthy interiors. From the concept store in the basement, which is full of gadgets, we walk up the marble staircase to the first floor. The place is huge and each room has its own charm. Love and attention has also been put into our vegan lunch, as our halloumi salad and hummus with flatbread look like something to eat.

Bluebirds in the Backyard, @bluebirdsdordrecht, Wijnstraat 153

You want to taste this! It is hereby said: do not leave Dordrecht without tasting a cinnamon roll from Bakkerij Samen. Completely handmade without frills, with a large dose of love for the trade and sustainably baked. Bakers Mo and Sahar give us a look behind the scenes. Mo says: "My love for bread and baking comes from my mother. She was an award-winning pastry chef in Iran." Now he works daily with his wife Sahar to supply Dordrecht with the tastiest cinnamon rolls, homemade (!) croissants and disembossed breads. We tasted the cinnamon roll with pistachio and rose petals and immediately took some home.

Bakery Together, @bakkerijsamen, Voorstraat 292b

We conclude two days of discovery in Dordrecht with a creative hidden gem at Atelier Klei & Zij. Behind pink-tinted windows, artist Eva's creations already beckon to us in the shop window. This young female entrepreneur sells her handmade collection of jewellery in her own boutique. Ceramics was instilled in Eva thanks to her mother and she now has her own workshop and kiln. "People often ask me why I make jewellery from such fragile material," she says as we carefully admire a pair of earrings. "Jewellery used to be a sign of wealth and only for those who could afford it. My choice of porcelain is a reaction to mass production. Precisely because it is fragile. Then you have to treat it with love." Eva will soon launch a new collection, but everything in the boutique is timeless.

Atelier Klei & Zij, @kleienzij, Voorstraat 114