Best Restaurants in Middelburg You Need to Try

It doesn’t take long to find a good place to eat in Middelburg, but picking where to start can feel like a small adventure. The city’s food scene combines old-world charm with a few playful surprises, from quiet cafés tucked into cobbled corners to bustling spots where the scent of sizzling pans drifts out the door. Some restaurants lean into Zeeland’s seafood traditions, while others experiment with flavours that feel unexpectedly modern. There is no stuffy formality here; just warm rooms, friendly service, and food that is made with care. Middelburg knows how to fit the moment, whether it’s a quick lunch, a long dinner, or something a little more special. This guide lists the best restaurants in Middelburg that locals like, and visitors often recommend, even if they don’t mean to.

[1] Brasserie De Bij

Brasserie De Bij is inside the hotel De Bij Middelburg, which itself is one of the best luxury hotels in Middelburg, at Vlasmarkt 56. It feels like you’ve stumbled upon a unique blend of history and modern comfort. The exposed beams and old-fashioned front of the building will remind you of Middelburg’s past. Inside, though, you’ll find comfortable seating, soft lighting, and a friendly hum instead of stiff formality. The food is made with ingredients from Zeeland and is served simply but with care. The dishes let the food speak for itself, not fancy plating. The place has a calm rhythm to it: a coffee in the middle of the day, a slow plate in the evening, and maybe a drink as the lights go out in the bar next door. On some nights, you can hear a light buzz from the cocktail lounge. It’s not too loud, but you can still feel alive. Even when you’re eating a quick meal, the staff moves around quietly and carefully, without being too close. If you start by walking around the old town of Middelburg, you’ll probably think “this was the right stop” when you leave. Not because it was loud, but because it quietly invited you to stay. 

What does it offer?

The restaurant at De Bij uses what the Zeeland region naturally has to offer, so the dishes change with the seasons and feel like they belong there instead of being taken from a generic menu. There is food and drink all day long, starting with a relaxed buffet breakfast and moving on to lunch, dinner, and whatever people want to hang out with, coffee, something sweet, or a cocktail in the bar area when the sun goes down. Guests who wish to relax in their room don’t have to miss out either; they can order meals to be brought to their room, making a quiet night in its own little treat.

[2] Wooncafé Koffiebar

The Wooncafé Koffiebar in Middelburg has a real living-room feel to it. It’s not flashy or showy, but it’s warm and welcoming. Almost everyone who walks in seems to smile when they see their morning coffee and homemade pastries. The menu is still simple but well thought out, with vegan pancakes, veggie sandwiches, salads, and light lunch dishes that never seem too complicated. There is a relaxed terrace for sunny afternoons, and the inside is warm enough to relax with a book or catch up with a friend. Even a simple cappuccino feels like a treat in this place, and the constant background noise makes it feel even more cosy. Wooncafé doesn’t try to wow you with fancy things; it just serves honest food, makes you feel good, and sets a mood that makes you want to relax. This café might be the quiet moment someone is looking for if they are wandering the old streets of Middelburg and want a break that feels real instead of staged.

[3] De Juf

De Juf in Middelburg is a great place to start the day because it smells like fresh cakes and warm bread as soon as you walk in. The café is bright and down-to-earth, and the menu changes every morning based on what the kitchen has baked. This means that there is usually something simple but surprisingly good to choose from. There isn’t much fuss between breakfast and lunch, and the staff keep things moving at a relaxed pace that fits the space. People often stay longer than they planned to because they enjoy coffee or a piece of one of their seasonal tarts. The atmosphere is friendly without being too pushy, and the wooden tables and soft conversation give the place a lived-in feel that makes it easy to relax. If you’re walking around the centre of Middelburg, De Juf is the kind of place that makes a regular break feel like a nice little break in the day.

[4] De Gouden Bock

De Gouden Bock is in a 17th-century building on the square in Middelburg. It has a quietly charming vibe that makes you want to slow down. The worn wood, soft lighting and smells of the sea all help with this. The kitchen is honest and down-to-earth. They make almost everything in-house, from bread to sauces, and they focus on using really fresh fish, shellfish, and seasonal vegetables. For lunch, you might have a fresh salad, homemade pasta, or a warm soup. For dinner, you can choose small dishes, like shellfish or a well-cooked North Sea catch, and put together your meal the way you like. The result is comforting but never boring. Every bite tastes like it came from a specific place and not just a menu. The atmosphere and pace, calm, relaxed, and not rushed, add just as much to the experience as the food. The staff is friendly, not polished, and you leave feeling like you’ve found a hidden gem rather than a flashy, overhyped restaurant. 

[5] Het Koffiepand

Het Koffiepand in Middelburg has the kind of warm, slightly lived-in atmosphere that makes people settle in longer than they planned. The smell of fresh pancakes and coffee drifts through the small space, and most dishes are vegetarian or vegan without making a big deal out of it. Their jackfruit croquettes and plant-based burgers get a lot of quiet praise for tasting unexpectedly hearty, while the lattes, oat milk or otherwise, feel like an easy comfort on a slow morning. It can get busy around lunchtime, so slipping in a bit early helps if you’re hoping for a calmer corner. What stands out most is how relaxed and unfussy the whole place feels, like a friendly stop for brunch or an afternoon coffee rather than a polished “destination.” It’s a simple café, but one that leaves a pleasant impression after you walk back out onto the street.

[6] Café Cliché

People are often surprised by Café Cliché in Middelburg in a quiet, almost accidental way. The space has a warm, unpolished feel to it, with soft lighting, a mix of furniture that looks like it has been used, and background noise that makes it easy to stay longer than you planned. Food comes out with small, thoughtful touches that aren’t too showy but show that the people who made it like to try new things and use bold flavours. The staff moves between tables in a smooth way, though they can be a little slow on busy days. Overall, they pay enough attention to visit and feel relaxed instead of rushed. It’s the kind of place where conversations go on and on, where a quick snack turns into another drink, and where flaws seem like part of the charm instead of a problem. Many visitors leave feeling like they found a place they would recommend to a friend, hoping it stays as simple as they found it.

[7] De Herberg

Here’s a more realistic, experience-based description of what it’s like to go to De Herberg. As soon as the door opens, there’s a quiet welcome that makes the place feel more like someone’s home than a restaurant. The low lights, the art on the walls, and the soft chatter make it feel relaxed and at ease, which makes any awkwardness go away almost right away. You’ll find classic brasserie-style dishes on the menu, like barbecued dorade and homemade falafel on naan bread. Some unexpected little treats show thoughtfulness instead of fuss. The portions are big, the prices are fair, and you don’t have to dress up for lunch or dinner. The terrace out front is a nice, quiet place to have a drink or dinner on a calm day. The staff is friendly and laid-back; they won’t push you, but they will clearly care if you have questions.

[8] Luuks Brood & Patisserie

Luuks Brood & Patisserie is a little off the main roads in Middelburg, and it has a calm, warm atmosphere that makes people stop and think for a moment. Throughout the day, fresh loaves and pastries come out in small batches, so the shelves never look too staged. They just look naturally inviting. People who come here often say that the croissants have that light, crackly texture that only comes from careful baking. They also say that the sandwiches taste surprisingly fresh because they use bread that is made on-site. There are always locals coming in to get their usual order and tourists who are curious about which pastry to get before it sells out. There isn’t anything that feels rushed or too polished, and the relaxed pace is a big part of what makes it so charming. It’s a good place to stop when you want something simple, tasty, and made with care.

[9] Restaurantje Nummer 7

Restaurantje Nummer 7 is in a building that is over a hundred years old and is close to the harbour in Middelburg. The place has a calm, historic feel that you only notice once you sit down. The room is warm without trying too hard, and the food is the same way: local fish, seasonal vegetables, and dishes that let the ingredients speak for themselves instead of dressing them up too much. There is usually a small surprise on the menu, something the chef adds when good produce comes in. This makes the meal feel like a quiet discovery. Even on busy nights, the service stays relaxed and doesn’t hover. They make suggestions without being pushy. It’s the kind of restaurant where the night goes by slowly, and guests leave feeling like they had a real experience instead of a staged one.

[10] Brasserie de Huifkar

Brasserie de Huifkar is right on the Markt in Middelburg, and the place looks welcoming right away, whether you see it in the morning when it’s quiet or later in the day when the square gets busy. The terrace fills up quickly, in part because the view is great for watching people and in part. After all, the kitchen sends out those comforting, no-nonsense dishes that taste good but are still familiar. The warm lighting and steady chatter inside create a relaxed rhythm that makes meals last a little longer than planned. The staff keeps things moving without being in the way, which makes the atmosphere more relaxed. This brasserie doesn’t try to impress with big gestures, but it does leave visitors with the simple pleasure of a well-cooked meal in a warm, busy part of the city.

Which Restaurant in Middelburg is the Best?

It depends on your mood which restaurant in Middelburg is the “best,” but Brasserie De Bij is often the main topic of conversation for a good reason. The mood is relaxed, but everything feels well thought out, from the warm buzz inside to the plates that come out looking simple but full of flavour. Most people who travel notice how relaxed the pace is, which makes the food stand out even more. The menu has a lot of familiar dishes with small changes that make you stop and think for a second without feeling like you’re in a fancy restaurant. People who live there say it’s easy to stay longer than you planned, especially on days when the streets are quieter.