Guidebook for Bergen op Zoom

Janneke
Guidebook for Bergen op Zoom

Food Scene

Our weekly hangout for sure! The coffees are honestly superb, the homemade pies are made by the owner's wife and are so worth the guilty pleasure. Also; best staff in town. Amazing lunchmenu as well. Do check out the cosy garden in the back if the weather let's you. Note: every month they change the art on the walls with work of local artists or photographers.
Inspire Coffee
9 Zuivelstraat
Our weekly hangout for sure! The coffees are honestly superb, the homemade pies are made by the owner's wife and are so worth the guilty pleasure. Also; best staff in town. Amazing lunchmenu as well. Do check out the cosy garden in the back if the weather let's you. Note: every month they change the art on the walls with work of local artists or photographers.
The nicest budget Italian restaurant of the city with local nickname "The small Italian." Very extended menu for a fair price and cosy atmosfere. Booking on beforehand is advised if possible.
Restaurant Il Maccherone
9 Korte Bosstraat
The nicest budget Italian restaurant of the city with local nickname "The small Italian." Very extended menu for a fair price and cosy atmosfere. Booking on beforehand is advised if possible.
This is where you go for delicious Indian curries just around the corner! The owner is the sweetest Indian guy you will ever meet, the interior isn't the most modern but the food and service really makes up for it. Also very recommended for vegan food lovers!
Handi Indian Restaurant
1 Antwerpsestraat
This is where you go for delicious Indian curries just around the corner! The owner is the sweetest Indian guy you will ever meet, the interior isn't the most modern but the food and service really makes up for it. Also very recommended for vegan food lovers!
If you want to go fancy go here! This is the most famous high class restaurant in the city center on a top A-location.
8 residents recomanen
Restaurant 't Spuihuis
1 Spui
8 residents recomanen
If you want to go fancy go here! This is the most famous high class restaurant in the city center on a top A-location.
Very hipster kind of place but with the ever laidback touch of the Dutch, so no need to act posh. ;-) Here they cook with local season products so every week something fresh and different! Super cool location with beachvibe garden as well!
Ministerie van eten en drinken Bergen op Zoom
39 Zuidzijde Haven
Very hipster kind of place but with the ever laidback touch of the Dutch, so no need to act posh. ;-) Here they cook with local season products so every week something fresh and different! Super cool location with beachvibe garden as well!
The newest Italian in town and very highly recommended! BEST pizza’s! The owner is a very talented young guy who makes it his "mission" to please every, single guest. If you have diet wishes, allergies or any questions, no problemo at this place. Also, because they cook with fresh products every day they have a collaboration with the app "TooGoodToGo" which allows you to pick up a healthy, fresh meal here for only €4,49 on every weekday.
Ristorante La Grotta
30A Grote Markt
The newest Italian in town and very highly recommended! BEST pizza’s! The owner is a very talented young guy who makes it his "mission" to please every, single guest. If you have diet wishes, allergies or any questions, no problemo at this place. Also, because they cook with fresh products every day they have a collaboration with the app "TooGoodToGo" which allows you to pick up a healthy, fresh meal here for only €4,49 on every weekday.
Great new Burger bistro to have a bite or even just for a drink. Very nice burgers, good service and prices. On weekends the waitress might jump behind the piano for some spontanious live music and than carry on with serving you after a few songs!
Bistroclub De Stadsburger
3 Zuivelstraat
Great new Burger bistro to have a bite or even just for a drink. Very nice burgers, good service and prices. On weekends the waitress might jump behind the piano for some spontanious live music and than carry on with serving you after a few songs!
The owners, Dennis & Carla started this lunchroom with their son, Jules. They work mostly with people who have a disability, like their son Jules so they can still participate in society despite a work limitation. Lovely place for lunch, good menu, very laidback atmosphere.
Gewoon bij Sjuul
14 Kortemeestraat
The owners, Dennis & Carla started this lunchroom with their son, Jules. They work mostly with people who have a disability, like their son Jules so they can still participate in society despite a work limitation. Lovely place for lunch, good menu, very laidback atmosphere.

Drinks & Nightlife

CLOSED DECEMBER 2019: Café Culturel. Our favorite bar! In the weekends there is always action here. Every fridaynight they host Toko Thai where a Thai lady cooks meals for €10,- You can reserve via the Facebook page. Often there are all kinds of events, live music and DJ's. Alternative oriented. EVERYBODY is welcome here! Note: they make their own candy shots, delicious but lethal.. ;-)
Les Vedettes
27 Lievevrouwestraat
CLOSED DECEMBER 2019: Café Culturel. Our favorite bar! In the weekends there is always action here. Every fridaynight they host Toko Thai where a Thai lady cooks meals for €10,- You can reserve via the Facebook page. Often there are all kinds of events, live music and DJ's. Alternative oriented. EVERYBODY is welcome here! Note: they make their own candy shots, delicious but lethal.. ;-)
Litteraly 10 steps left around the corner and down the small stairs! Poolbar and beer café. Here they have many different beers on tap and bottled. Also there are pooltables and with good weather a lovely beergarden in the back with lounge terrace. From now and then they have live music and the best cocktail menu in town!
Provoosthuis
36 Potterstraat
Litteraly 10 steps left around the corner and down the small stairs! Poolbar and beer café. Here they have many different beers on tap and bottled. Also there are pooltables and with good weather a lovely beergarden in the back with lounge terrace. From now and then they have live music and the best cocktail menu in town!
Local hangout! Extended beermenu, excellent wines, cosy livingroom atmosfere, one of the best bars on the big market square! Note: former owners of "Biercafé 't Locomotiefke"
Kunst- en Proeflokaal "De Wereld"
28 Grote Markt
Local hangout! Extended beermenu, excellent wines, cosy livingroom atmosfere, one of the best bars on the big market square! Note: former owners of "Biercafé 't Locomotiefke"
Concert venue with A-status and the place where I (Janneke) work during the week. Amazing quality of sound, even better event volunteers on the floor!! Check out the program on the website www.gebouw-t.nl for local and international bands.
Poppodium Building T
96 Wilhelminaveld
Concert venue with A-status and the place where I (Janneke) work during the week. Amazing quality of sound, even better event volunteers on the floor!! Check out the program on the website www.gebouw-t.nl for local and international bands.
Here they have 100 different kinds of beers in the assortment. Very wide choice of tap beers as well. Also: BEST bitterballs in town! The last ray of sunshine you can catch on this terrace on the big market square.
Biercafé 't Locomotiefke
11 Grote Markt
Here they have 100 different kinds of beers in the assortment. Very wide choice of tap beers as well. Also: BEST bitterballs in town! The last ray of sunshine you can catch on this terrace on the big market square.
This is where the locals go! In case you visit Antwerp, do go to the Dageraadplaats for dinner and drinks. The center of the square is a big basketbal field and there is many playground equipment. At night the starry lights above the basketbal field go on and the sky is illuminated...
136 residents recomanen
Dageraadplaats
Dageraadplaats
136 residents recomanen
This is where the locals go! In case you visit Antwerp, do go to the Dageraadplaats for dinner and drinks. The center of the square is a big basketbal field and there is many playground equipment. At night the starry lights above the basketbal field go on and the sky is illuminated...
Nearby Bergen op Zoom is ofcourse also Rotterdam, which is great for eating, drinking and shopping! Our favorite street to go to is most definitly Witte de Withstraat, or as the locals call it, "Witty". As soon as the spring hits the country you can basicly have a good time here every single day of the week, day or night.
324 residents recomanen
Witte de Withstraat
Witte de Withstraat
324 residents recomanen
Nearby Bergen op Zoom is ofcourse also Rotterdam, which is great for eating, drinking and shopping! Our favorite street to go to is most definitly Witte de Withstraat, or as the locals call it, "Witty". As soon as the spring hits the country you can basicly have a good time here every single day of the week, day or night.
Bodega Waldolala, a wine bar in a beautiful old building with a very rich history. This building was the housing of a brothel for many years and before the Bodega it was an old and woredown Carnavals bar. Since 2019 the Wattimena family has turned it into the most fine wine and tapas bar, so do not skip out on this one!
Bodega Waldolala
84 Moeregrebstraat
Bodega Waldolala, a wine bar in a beautiful old building with a very rich history. This building was the housing of a brothel for many years and before the Bodega it was an old and woredown Carnavals bar. Since 2019 the Wattimena family has turned it into the most fine wine and tapas bar, so do not skip out on this one!

Sightseeing

The Moses Bridge is a must see just outside of the city. It is next to a nature area with forrest and a architectural highligt. One look on Google (or Instagram) will make you want to go here. People from all over the world come to this area to visit.
El pont de Moisès
8 Schansbaan
The Moses Bridge is a must see just outside of the city. It is next to a nature area with forrest and a architectural highligt. One look on Google (or Instagram) will make you want to go here. People from all over the world come to this area to visit.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in town with regular changing exhibitions. Note: many locals get married here because of the beautiful midieval setting.
20 residents recomanen
Het Markiezenhof
8 Steenbergsestraat
20 residents recomanen
One of the most popular tourist attractions in town with regular changing exhibitions. Note: many locals get married here because of the beautiful midieval setting.
The watchtower Pompejus is a recently build litteral highlight! It is next to the Moses Brigde just outside of town and very cool to check out while there. Amazing view over the lovely countryside guaranteed.
Uitzichttoren Pompejus
3 Ligneweg
The watchtower Pompejus is a recently build litteral highlight! It is next to the Moses Brigde just outside of town and very cool to check out while there. Amazing view over the lovely countryside guaranteed.
Recently renovated and now open for public is Ravelijn Op den Zoom, one of the few remains of the famous fortifications of Bergen op Zoom. The Bergse fortress was an important part of the Zuiderwaterlinie and guarded access from the south to Holland and Zeeland. A visit to this pentagonal island and the casemates is only possible with the help of a guide. Inquire at VVV Brabantse Wal about the possibilities.
Ravelijn op Den Zoom
Ravelijn op Den Zoom
Recently renovated and now open for public is Ravelijn Op den Zoom, one of the few remains of the famous fortifications of Bergen op Zoom. The Bergse fortress was an important part of the Zuiderwaterlinie and guarded access from the south to Holland and Zeeland. A visit to this pentagonal island and the casemates is only possible with the help of a guide. Inquire at VVV Brabantse Wal about the possibilities.

Entertainment & Activities

The Climbing Forrest is very cool to do with kids. It is next to the lovely hostel StayOkay and is in a beautiful natural area. It is in the same forrest as the outdoor playground 't Appeltje and Franken Fruit.
13 residents recomanen
Climbing Brabantse Wal BV
1 Boslustweg
13 residents recomanen
The Climbing Forrest is very cool to do with kids. It is next to the lovely hostel StayOkay and is in a beautiful natural area. It is in the same forrest as the outdoor playground 't Appeltje and Franken Fruit.
Escape the Gate! In one of the most famous monuments of the old town you can play an Escaperoom game. I have never done it but it has only top reviews.
Gevangenpoort
Lievevrouwestraat
Escape the Gate! In one of the most famous monuments of the old town you can play an Escaperoom game. I have never done it but it has only top reviews.
The Barefoot Path. Great for young and old! Walk for 2½ kilometer barefoot through the most beautiful places of the estate of Lievensberg. It is a very special way to experience the estate! Hard rocks merge into a baton path made out of tree trunks. Then the mud slides by your toes which is swepped away my moss.
Blote Voetenpad
5 Balsedreef
The Barefoot Path. Great for young and old! Walk for 2½ kilometer barefoot through the most beautiful places of the estate of Lievensberg. It is a very special way to experience the estate! Hard rocks merge into a baton path made out of tree trunks. Then the mud slides by your toes which is swepped away my moss.
Outdoor playground 'T Appeltje is perfect to visit with children. There is a nice playground in the forrest, they serve good food, for the kids as well and is in a pretty natural surroundings with a small animalfarm.
'T Appeltje
5 Balsedreef
Outdoor playground 'T Appeltje is perfect to visit with children. There is a nice playground in the forrest, they serve good food, for the kids as well and is in a pretty natural surroundings with a small animalfarm.
In4outdoor offers activities like workshops, bushcraft, survivaltraining, outdoor-lasergaming, natural education, yoga-thai chi, children's birthdays, adventural expeditions, geocoaching, fantasystories for kids to create and act.
In4outdoor
1 Boerengorseweg
In4outdoor offers activities like workshops, bushcraft, survivaltraining, outdoor-lasergaming, natural education, yoga-thai chi, children's birthdays, adventural expeditions, geocoaching, fantasystories for kids to create and act.
At the Tourist Information Center there is always an up-to-date listing of all the activities and events in the area.
8 residents recomanen
VVV Brabantse Wal
6 Steenbergsestraat
8 residents recomanen
At the Tourist Information Center there is always an up-to-date listing of all the activities and events in the area.

Essentials

Nearest supermarket at less than 5 minutes walking distance, very extended assortment.
Jumbo
1 Burgemeester van Hasseltstraat
Nearest supermarket at less than 5 minutes walking distance, very extended assortment.
Farmstore / Carefarm in the forrest near the Moses Brigde at the edge of the city. They sell delicious, honest food and you can also have a pitstop during a nice walk for coffee/tea/juices and pie in the farm's garden. Note: it's allowed to walk into the stables and check out the cows!
Boerderijwinkel / Zorgboerderij Den Hof
1 Buitenlust
Farmstore / Carefarm in the forrest near the Moses Brigde at the edge of the city. They sell delicious, honest food and you can also have a pitstop during a nice walk for coffee/tea/juices and pie in the farm's garden. Note: it's allowed to walk into the stables and check out the cows!
The local family Franken has a beautiful farm where you can get your fresh fruits & veggies. It's a very popular farm in the local scene as you can pick your own stuff straight from the land! Lovely to do with kids as well.
FrankenFruit
1 Balsedreef
The local family Franken has a beautiful farm where you can get your fresh fruits & veggies. It's a very popular farm in the local scene as you can pick your own stuff straight from the land! Lovely to do with kids as well.
Nearest bakery and most famous one in Bergen op Zoom. They sell all kinds of quality bread and pastry, but most of all the famous local treat "puddingkoeken".
Bakker Groffen
39 Burgemeester van Hasseltstraat
Nearest bakery and most famous one in Bergen op Zoom. They sell all kinds of quality bread and pastry, but most of all the famous local treat "puddingkoeken".
Local bakery with the most lovely woman as owner. Very high quality assortment, excellent service. Note: we pick up our bread here every saturday.
Banketbakkerij Stapelkamp
15 Steenbergsestraat
Local bakery with the most lovely woman as owner. Very high quality assortment, excellent service. Note: we pick up our bread here every saturday.
Shopping Center De Zeeland is the largest shopping mall with everything you need like Albert Heijn, bakery, butcher, liquor store. Also an All You Can Eat restaurant De Watertuin and a Bowling Center. Free parking at ten minutes walking from the house is here!
The Zeeland Leisure & Shopping
5 Markiezaatsweg
Shopping Center De Zeeland is the largest shopping mall with everything you need like Albert Heijn, bakery, butcher, liquor store. Also an All You Can Eat restaurant De Watertuin and a Bowling Center. Free parking at ten minutes walking from the house is here!

Shopping

This shop called "My Favorite Clothes" has an amazing collection of dresses and menswear! The price is above average but if you are looking for something hip & special, this is the place. The female owner has recently been awarded with the price of Local Store Hero 2016.
Mijn Lievelingskleding
7 Zuivelstraat
This shop called "My Favorite Clothes" has an amazing collection of dresses and menswear! The price is above average but if you are looking for something hip & special, this is the place. The female owner has recently been awarded with the price of Local Store Hero 2016.
One of the BEST alternative recordstores in the country!! If you are a true record freak take enough time to start digging here. The owner is a former employee who bought it years and years ago and managed to keep his head above water during the years records weren't cool and hip. He also happens to be the creative music programmer of our A status Pop venue "Gebouw T." Note: even a few rock artists love to come here and search for old hidden gems from time to time...
the Well
36 Bosstraat
One of the BEST alternative recordstores in the country!! If you are a true record freak take enough time to start digging here. The owner is a former employee who bought it years and years ago and managed to keep his head above water during the years records weren't cool and hip. He also happens to be the creative music programmer of our A status Pop venue "Gebouw T." Note: even a few rock artists love to come here and search for old hidden gems from time to time...
Love love love this bookstore. The owner & people who work here have the BEST advice and are always right with their tips on what to read next. There is also a lovely biologic coffee store / lunchroom on the top floor; café Helene.
Quist Bookstore
24 Fortuinstraat
Love love love this bookstore. The owner & people who work here have the BEST advice and are always right with their tips on what to read next. There is also a lovely biologic coffee store / lunchroom on the top floor; café Helene.
Local designers run and sell their design products here. If you don’t mind spending a little more this is THE place to go for gift shopping.
De Makers van Bergen op Zoom
5 Lombardenstraat
Local designers run and sell their design products here. If you don’t mind spending a little more this is THE place to go for gift shopping.

Parks & Nature

Recently renovated city park in the old center of the city. Very nice to have a picknick or a lovely little walk during the day. I must admit the atmosfere in the evening is sometimes questionable.
Anton van Duinkerkenpark
Recently renovated city park in the old center of the city. Very nice to have a picknick or a lovely little walk during the day. I must admit the atmosfere in the evening is sometimes questionable.
The beach in Sint-Annaland is besides the local citybeach at the Bergse Plaat the nearest here in the region. It is about 20 minutes drive by car and a beautiful peace of nature just around the corner. Note: small & local but not like the large beaches in Zeeland.
Strand Sint-Annaland
The beach in Sint-Annaland is besides the local citybeach at the Bergse Plaat the nearest here in the region. It is about 20 minutes drive by car and a beautiful peace of nature just around the corner. Note: small & local but not like the large beaches in Zeeland.
The citybeach of Bergen op Zoom would be described as "small but nice". It is ideal to chill out for a couple of hours if the sun shines and by bike it's 5 minutes away! There are also a few nice places to eat & drink in the summertime.
De Boulevard Noord
De Boulevard Noord
The citybeach of Bergen op Zoom would be described as "small but nice". It is ideal to chill out for a couple of hours if the sun shines and by bike it's 5 minutes away! There are also a few nice places to eat & drink in the summertime.
The Swimmingpond Boekenberg is a park with a beautiful natural pond! The hidden treasure of Antwerp during summertime. The entrance is free, there are lifeguards and for men it is obligated to wear tight swimmingshorts. You can bring your own drinks and food.
24 residents recomanen
Swimming Pond Boekenberg - Deurne
88 Van Baurscheitlaan
24 residents recomanen
The Swimmingpond Boekenberg is a park with a beautiful natural pond! The hidden treasure of Antwerp during summertime. The entrance is free, there are lifeguards and for men it is obligated to wear tight swimmingshorts. You can bring your own drinks and food.
One of the main beaches in Zealand with a very large and affortable parking space nearby the beach.
16 residents recomanen
Dishoek
16 residents recomanen
One of the main beaches in Zealand with a very large and affortable parking space nearby the beach.
This beach is for some reason not the most known one but it is very large, has a really nice beachbar with surfshop and most of all; free parking at the dam! Family friendly too. If we go to the beach, we go here or to Banjaard!
39 residents recomanen
Brouwersdam
39 residents recomanen
This beach is for some reason not the most known one but it is very large, has a really nice beachbar with surfshop and most of all; free parking at the dam! Family friendly too. If we go to the beach, we go here or to Banjaard!
Zurenhoek, or Borgvlietse Duinen, is a spectacular part of the Brabantse Wal’s nature. Every season has it’s own charm for taking beautiful walks here. Only 10 minutes by car from the city center and worth a nice morning or afternoon stroll.
Zurenhoek
Zurenhoek
Zurenhoek, or Borgvlietse Duinen, is a spectacular part of the Brabantse Wal’s nature. Every season has it’s own charm for taking beautiful walks here. Only 10 minutes by car from the city center and worth a nice morning or afternoon stroll.
THE local hotspot only 45 minutes away from Bergen op Zoom! For some reason this beach is not on the ‘hotspot’ beach for tourists but high on the list for locals. Highly recommended beach to go to!
15 residents recomanen
Banjaardstrand
15 residents recomanen
THE local hotspot only 45 minutes away from Bergen op Zoom! For some reason this beach is not on the ‘hotspot’ beach for tourists but high on the list for locals. Highly recommended beach to go to!