Maastricht Restaurants

There are many Italian restaurants but the friendly staff at Giovanni convinced me to eat here rather often. Most of the time when I pass they wave at me now. There is a beautiful view overlooking the Markt (marketplace). The interior is quite nice and they have enough space for large groups in the back. It is at left in the photo and I WILL take another picture soon. I pass here 2 - 10 times a day

Favorite Dish: Pizza -- I love the oven baked pizza here!

Of the three places to get Frites near my house this is the best -- not the most popular. They always make the frites fresh and they are delicious. This is down a small cobblestone street from the Markt next to Hotel Borda.

Favorite Dish: Frites (or fries)

This is another small Cafe and this one feels 300 years old inside (maybe it is older). I feel it is ideal place for coffee or a mid-day meal. If you want to find a local cafe (no tourists -- but now I've spoiled that haven't I) just walk south from the Vrijthof following the paved (not cobblestone) road until you see this Cafe -- right where Tongerseestraat starts.

2 more images

On my first night in Maastricht, I had dinner at the Café Charlemagne on the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. Before my trip, I had made plans to meet VTer Ger (Ger4444) there. Unfortunately, Ger was unable to meet me because he wasn't feeling well.

First, I should note that the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein is one of the most picturesque pleins (squares) in Maastricht -- or anyplace in the world for that matter. It is named after the Romanesque Basilica of Our Lady that is the centerpiece of the plein.

The Café Charlemagne is one of the many sidewalk cafés and pubs located on this lovely plein. On this evening, I ate outside and enjoyed the great atmosphere. To eat, I had satay, fries, and a salad. The satay was served with a delicious peanut sauce. I learned that, since the island group of Indonesia used to be a colony of the Netherlands, Indonesian dishes such as satay are served at many restaurants. To drink, I had a Wieckse Witte (See Local Customs Tip on Wieckse Witte).

In sum, Café Charlemagne is a great spot to enjoy a meal outside on the lovely Onze Lieve Vrouweplein.

Favorite Dish: Satay with peanut sauce

4 more images

Café Jour De Fête is one of the many cafés located on the Markt which is one of the larger pleins (squares) in Maastricht. It has a large outdoor seating area. Like most of the sidewalk cafés, you can just seat yourself where you like -- and a waiter or waitress will take your order.

It was early afternoon when I visited -- and the weather was fantastic. First, I enjoyed a cappuccino. Then, since I was in the Province of Limburg, I decided to order some Limburger cheese. Of course, Limburger cheese is best known for its pungent odor -- which was not as strong as I thought it would be. It was soft and spreadable -- and it was served with a delicious baguette. After I was finished eating, I ordered a Lipton iced tea filled with delicious, fresh fruit. On a warm, sunny day, I highly recommend sitting outside on the Markt in Maastricht with one of these delicious iced teas at the delightful Café Jour De Fête!

Favorite Dish: Iced tea filled with delicious, fresh fruit

4 more images

On a tip from VTer Ger (Ger4444), I ate at the restaurant Pieke Potloed on my second night in Maastricht. It is located on a narrow street in the center of the city. They have seating inside, including a nice bar. They also have a large outdoor terrace in the back covered by umbrellas. Since the weather was great on the evening that I visited, I ate outside on the terrace.

The atmosphere is relaxing, and the staff seems genuinely interested that you enjoy your dining experience. My waiter was both professional and very friendly.

On my waiter's suggestion, I enjoyed the restaurant's specialty -- pickled rabbit. It was served with a brown sauce, fries, and a salad. I highly recommend this dish if you want to try something that is both unique and tasty while in Maastricht.

To drink, I started with a La Chouffe which is a fine Belgian beer. I followed that up with a Wieckse Rosé (see Local Customs tip for review). After my dinner, I enjoyed a regular coffee with a delicious crème brûlée topped with vanilla ice cream.

If you want to enjoy a great meal in a delightful Burgundian atmosphere, Pieke Potloed is an excellent choice!

Favorite Dish: Pickled rabbit - the house specialty

1 more image

Near the VVV, there is a small shop named Pinky that serves great Belgian-style waffles. More accurately, these waffles are of the rectangular, Brussels variety. See my Liège page for more information on the oval, Gauffres de Liège (Waffles of Liège). You really need to try both varieties!

Favorite Dish: Waffles

4 more images

The Gauchos grill restaurant is nicily situated at the northern edge of the Vrijthof Square and has anattractive pavement café on the Square. The evening for our VT meeting at the 21th august we decided to have our pre VT dinner in this Argentinian grill restaurant.

It was a perfect location for this meeting. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere, not the traditional western cowboy style like some other Gauchos restaurants in this chain. The food was delicious food. From the restaurant we could have a look in the open kitchen.

Favorite Dish: We had different meals...of course mainly meat like many kind of steaks, the gigantic T-bone steak, spare ribs, spiced chicken, potatoes with sour cream and a salad bar.