We have compiled the absolute culinary highlights in the three-province borderland for you, which you can easily reach by boat or bicycle!
Dining Directly on the Water & in the Weerribben
You will experience the ultimate holiday feeling when you dock your boat directly at a restaurant pier or stop by the reeds after a bicycle tour.
1. Paviljoen Driewegsluis – The Perfect Boat Stop
The Paviljoen Driewegsluis is idyllically located at a crossroads directly on the river Linde.
What awaits you: A great international menu and a wonderful view of the passing yachts and sloops. The restaurant is famous for its juicy spareribs, traditional Dutch mustard soup (mosterdsoep), and first-class fish dishes.
Our tip: The pavilion features its own large boat dock. Sit on the spacious terrace and enjoy the bustling activity at the lock with a cold beer or coffee.
2. Culinary Discoveries along the Kalenberger Gracht
If you cruise south from Ossenzijl with your sloop through the national park, your path will inevitably lead you through the picturesque thatched village of Kalenberg. The canal here is lined with beautiful thatched houses – and great places to stop for a bite to eat:
Het Rietershuijs: Located directly on the canal, this upscale restaurant offers fantastic, seasonal cuisine. Perfect for a generous, stylish 3-course dinner in a quiet, exclusive atmosphere.
Café de Weerribben: The ideal contrast for an uncomplicated lunch stop. Here, you will find fantastic, traditional Dutch pancakes, tasty snacks, and freshly brewed coffee right by the water.
Enjoyment in the Nearby Surroundings: Oldemarkt & Wolvega
Just a stone’s throw from Ossenzijl, in the cozy hinterland, more true culinary gems are waiting for you.
🍽 3. Restaurant Bij Sem in Oldemarkt
The Restaurant Bij Sem (located in the nearby Kruisstraat in Oldemarkt) has a wonderful motto: “Enjoying is done together”. It features a modern, creative kitchen for true gourmets and food lovers. The menu features absolute highlights like “The Big Moo!” (a gigantic premium burger on a brioche bun with bacon and melted cheese).
The family plus: In addition to first-class food for adults, the restaurant features a large outdoor playground and a completely redesigned indoor play area for children.
4. Perron29 in Wolvega
If you drive a little bit north from Ossenzijl across the border into the province of Friesland, you will reach the small town of Wolvega. For anyone looking for something special, Perron29 is an absolute insider tip. This stylish restaurant specializes in “small plates”. Instead of a classic main course, you can assemble many small, excellently prepared specialties – from fine meat and fish variations to a grand, changing selection of cheeses.
🏛 A Culinary Stroll Through Town: The Best Restaurants in Steenwijk
If you feel like experiencing a historic town atmosphere, a trip to Steenwijk is well worth it. Around the atmospheric market square and the old alleys, you will find first-class dining options:
5. Restaurant De Oude Smidse – The High-End Experience
Tucked away in a beautifully authentic, former old blacksmith shop lies the Restaurant De Oude Smidse.What awaits you: Among connoisseurs, it is considered one of the absolute best addresses for an exquisite dinner in the entire region. The hosts, Martin and Eva, conjure up fantastic surprise menus that compete at an absolute star level in terms of presentation and taste. Perfect for a special holiday evening!
6. Woody’s House – A Paradise for Meat Lovers
The incredibly cozy Restaurant Woody’s House is decorated in the style of a Canadian log cabin and instantly radiates a warm atmosphere.
What awaits you: If you are a fan of perfectly aged, high-quality meat, juicy steaks, or the famous, tender spareribs, you have come to the right place. The portions are wonderfully generous, and the sauces and side dishes are created in “Woody’s Lab”.
⚖ 7. De Heren van de Rechter – Coffee & Dinner with History
Dominating the central market square of Steenwijk sits the impressive, monumental former courthouse. Today it houses the upscale Grand Café De Heren van de Rechter.
What awaits you: A great location steeped in history for absolutely any time of day. Sit on the sunny terrace during the day for a coffee or a typical Dutch “12-uurtje” (a combined lunch classic). In the evening, the venue transforms into a cozy restaurant for a stylish dinner.
Your Culinary Headquarters Directly on the Water
After a fantastic day on the boat and a delicious meal in the Weerribben, there is nothing better than coming “home”. Our luxurious holiday home Waterstaete 61 in Ossenzijl offers space for up to 8 people.
Here, you can end the day with a good glass of wine on the panoramic terrace directly on the canal. Alternatively relax by the electric fireplace in the living room. And the best part: Your own boat in the private boathouse is already waiting for the next culinary adventure tomorrow!
Check available dates now for your gourmet and boating holiday in Ossenzijl!
