On an adventure in culinary Zwolle

The first location I go to is Sam's Coffee for a coffee workshop. Owner Sam brews three different kinds of specialty coffee with subsequent assignments to place the taste of coffee within a flavour profile. Despite the fact that I really like coffee, my tastes let me down somewhat as I only really know how to place one of them well.

What I like most about Sam's Coffee is that the focus here is on an honest product. All coffee is 100% traceable. Owner Sam works with families including Perdomo Rojas and Rojas Zuñiga of Rojas Specialty Coffee. The coffee comes directly from coffee farmers in Africa, Asia and South America.

You might think, a bookstore in a list of hip restaurants in Zwolle? But this bookstore also features Brasserie in de Broeren. I immediately get very excited about this because I love books and coffee. The brasserie is a nice place to drink coffee with a homemade pastry, sit down for lunch or have a drink together. I think the sandwich with Tynjetaler (a Frisian hole cheese), cress, radish and cherry tomato sounds super delicious.

This bookshop and brasserie is special for another reason. Namely, the bookshop has been located in an old church since 2013. The imposing building is still largely intact. Admire the unusual, colourful stained-glass windows, the gigantic organ and painted ceilings.

When you think of culinary Zwolle, of course De Librije cannot be missed. This starred restaurant is owned by Jonnie and Thérèse Boer. A dinner at Librije is truly an experience. Here, nature and relaxation come together. For example, the restaurant has sprouting vegetables and herbs so that the story behind the dishes can be told to guests. Regional and sustainable local products are used.

During my visit, I get a tour of the restaurant. We get to see where private dinners are organised and get to take a look in the wine cellar. To top it all off, we get three pieces of art on our plates and a homemade non-alcoholic cocktail to taste.

Reading the name might make you think of fireworks, but a visit to De Gillende Keukenmeiden is definitely a celebration. We finish our lunch at this fine spot. In the middle of the city, an attractive terrace has been created with flowery corners. We plop down at a large covered table and are welcomed with a tray full of (vegan) cakes. Looks delicious, right?

At De Gillende Keukenmeiden, the mission is to make everyone happy with homemade goodies. Local, sustainable, organic and seasonal products are used. So eating a cake is not only a nice moment for yourself but also a sustainable choice. Choose a cosy table inside or plop down in the garden for breakfast, coffee, tea, lunch or high tea.

The sixth restaurant on this list of hip restaurants in Zwolle is Beautanica. Beautanica is a very nice place for anyone who likes to drink wine. After all, you can tap as many as 64 wines by the glass via a specially developed wine wall. Would you rather taste the wine first? Then you can also tap a sip. The vintners have selected wines from the best wineries around the world. Several wines have even won international awards!

Besides wines, it is also possible to have drinks or dinner at Beautanica. In botanical atmospheres, enjoy smaller dishes that are perfect for sharing. The menu features several vegan appetisers. Be surprised by the Cauliflower Crisp, Bao Bun Rendang or Sticky and Spicy Winter Carrot.

My culinary voyage of discovery ended with Zwolle's most sustainable fine-dining seafood restaurant, Salty Seafood. This restaurant works with fisherman Hendrik Kramer from Urk. Hendrik is considered a pioneer in sustainable fishing. So you can be sure that the dish on your plate not only tastes delicious but was also caught in an environmentally friendly and fair way.

We are surprised with some delicious, small fish dishes. Chef Nino, together with his team, creates unpredictable taste sensations. Fresh catches are combined with seasonal vegetables, making the menu constantly changing. This way, you never dine with the same dishes.