Abel. Grand café restaurant in Wijk 03 Poortugaal-Zuid

We thought we'd have a nice dinner at Abel's as a fitting end to our mini-vacation and for our wedding anniversary. What a disappointing mess. I know everyone struggles with staff that is, to put it mildly, "worthless," but hey, you have to run a business, right? I understand completely if it isn't what it used to be. Well, Abel, if you send an email asking "what did you think of it," then you should be able to handle the criticism you receive and at least respond. Apparently, this restaurant does not respond to complaints. That is why I have decided to make this public: 1. Upon entering, the way was blocked by a staff member, causing me to bump into her. Reason: she was just chatting with her colleague, and that wasn't about the reserved tables or anything like that. 2. Twice (!) my husband received his ordered beer and I didn't get my wine. I walked over to the waitress and asked if it was such a difficult order that you forgot my wine twice. It seems to me that you would pay extra attention after the first time, wouldn't you, if things have already gone wrong once? The answer I received was: "my colleague thought I poured it and I thought my colleague did this." That you actually dare to say that. Scandalous. 3. There was a group of 20 people (I think a football team or something) who were happily drinking heavily and acting ridiculously loud; no one could understand each other, but they did get all the attention from the waitresses. 4. The same item is listed twice on the menu; when we asked what the difference might be, no one could explain it to us and no one followed up on it. The food was dumped on our table, no "bon appétit," no one asked in between if everything was to our liking, no napkins on the table, and no one asked if we wanted a third drink. I paid the bill and, however ashamed I was, I didn't leave a tip. You used to be customer-friendly and held quality in high regard. And apparently you do want to know how it was, but you don't respond to criticism. So professional. (this review is about a visit made in June)

A very cozy restaurant at the Rhoon Marina

So close to Vlaardingen and yet so far away..what a lovely atmosphere and treats, and beautiful location 🙏🏼

Had a wonderful high tea; the seating is very cozy and comfortable, the service is very friendly, and the food was delicious!

We wanted to get married at Abel because of the beautiful location and requested a quote for an intimate wedding (max. 20 people) on a specific day. We were immediately told that they expected a revenue guarantee of €8,500, followed by the advice to get married on another, more affordable day. As if they could look into our wallets. This dismissive remark was reason enough to rule out the venue immediately. However, everyone deserves a second chance, so we celebrated my birthday here later with 10 people. We sat nicely outside at a table, but around lunchtime the sun became too much for our party. When we asked if the parasol could be opened, our request was denied: too many people would want to sit outside. Out of necessity, we moved inside. The food was delicious, but that is not all — customer service counts too. This came across to me as haughty, and I absolutely detest that. For me, this was therefore the last time.

We had a very relaxed and pleasant evening in this atmospheric restaurant. The dishes were of high quality and the plates were carefully presented with fresh vegetables. With an extra salad that was also nice and fresh and tasty. Crispy fresh fries are highly recommended. Attentive service in a pleasant way. And all this in a beautiful location.

We had a high tea with our work last Tuesday. There were a number of dietary requirements, including vegetarian. Vegetarian snacks were served separately. However, there were salmon sandwiches among them. This is really unacceptable! Halfway through golfing, we went for a drink. After that, the game was stopped immediately. Peculiar... doesn't this company want to make money? And besides, having a quick drink after golfing for a while is perfectly normal, isn't it? It's a shame this wasn't mentioned beforehand. It is a beautiful location though... otherwise, very disappointing. I am adjusting this section following the owner's reaction. The moment you want to take a short break, and the clubs are immediately taken away because, according to the company, the game stops then, that is just very strange. I don't understand the owner's reaction in this matter.

Had a nice lunch, and a few days later a dinner as well. Dinner service was a bit disappointing, but maybe that was a coincidence, because everything ran smoothly during lunch.

We arrived on a quiet Sunday afternoon and waited for more than half an hour without even being looked at. People who arrived much later than us were served sooner and could enjoy a drink. We walked away because we no longer felt like being served by people who show favoritism.

Good service, delicious food, and reasonable prices; in short, highly recommended!

A brief escape from the hustle and bustle, yet still very easily accessible. The food is of good quality and the service is always friendly and attentive. Again today.

The food and atmosphere were nice. Having a golf course and greenery in front of the table made the atmosphere even better, but the service was weak. It was impossible to order from anyone other than the waiter attending to your table; waiting 30 minutes for a simple bottle of water was absurd. There was also a significant lack of communication between the waiters.

Stopped for a quick snack and a drink. Delicious ice cream too.

I came with my sister-in-law for coffee and cake to celebrate her birthday. At the reception, there was no greeting. She looked at us, waiting for our reaction. I asked if we could sit outside. That was allowed, in a very specific spot. Staff members came by but made no eye contact or offered us anything. It wasn't that busy, so we didn't understand it at all. We left after 25 minutes. The 1 star is because we were allowed to use the toilet.

The only downside was that there was a long time between the starter, main course, and dessert.

Very expensive, a bottle of water €2.95, an omelet €11, cappuccino €3.65. Personally, I think that's a lot; 3 eggs with some bread and lettuce for €11 is absurd.. I only had coffee.

Nice place. They are proactive and attentive to the needs of the group.

in a word "amazing" We would book again in a heartbeat

Well... it has nothing to do with the Abel of the past anymore.

We ordered a high tea with work, having emailed some dietary questions beforehand. They hadn't received them, but apparently they did; we had the email and were able to show it. The teapot for the high tea was empty, supposed to be refilled, but we never saw it again. Snacks straight from Sligro, poor quality. While golfing, we asked if the young man could show us the tee shot again; no, he wasn't in the mood, and didn't have time for it. Later, everything was cleared away quite quickly when we wanted a quick drink; the clubs were gone, and we had to finish the round in one go. So just don't do it with work; the service really left a lot to be desired. We asked 4 times if the soup bowls we had stacked could be removed; we were told they were working on it, but they still have to come, I think they are still standing there. If you want to order something, bring a flag so you can wave it, otherwise they won't see you, and you'll die of thirst. Moreover, the owner's response to every somewhat negative comment is that he does not recognize himself in it, which is a real shame because then things remain as they are. A little more self-insight would be nice.

As always, I had a nice lunch at Abel. But still, I won't be coming here for lunch anymore; 100 euros for 2 lunch dishes, 2 desserts, 2 teas, and 2 lemonades is really no longer in proportion to what you get. The location and service can't make up for that anymore.

We had made a reservation at Abel but were directed to Tasman, and that is definitely inferior to Abel. Lunch was okay. The staff were slow and ignored the group for a long time.

Bit crowded and noisy but nice place. Good varied menu both for food and drinks. Friendly and quick service. More poche then cosy. Apparently you can play food golf there too,😁 might try it next time.

Had a super delicious meal, friendly staff, just be sure to ask the customers if everything is to your liking even when it's busy when you walk past, beautiful location, extensive menu, easy parking

It is a beautiful and cozy restaurant, but a bit noisy. The food was tasty and plentiful, but it took a while to arrive.

Super large terrace with plenty of parasols and therefore shade. Great service and excellent food. I don't think it would be very nice if you're alone, but definitely recommended for a group!

What a farce again tonight! Had to wait a long time for the meal. The staff thinks it's more important to clear an empty table first than to take care of the customers who are still there; a rather strange form of hospitality, isn't it? In the end, we just paid via the QR code, otherwise we would still be sitting there after 3 hours... only got an ice cream at Abel Ice Cream... no flavor boards, no prices, so you have to ask the staff. This guy brought our drinks earlier, but he couldn't name all the flavors... sorry, but we won't be coming back here anytime soon.

Had a good meal, reasonable prices. Nice atmosphere, clean, and super friendly staff.

Had a drink before the pitch & put. Very friendly staff.

Food was kept waiting for far too long before being served. Surf and turf arrived dried out, with a dried-out crust on the mousseline and skin on the sauce; it arrived lukewarm. The meat was visibly dried out on the outside. The seasonal vegetables were mainly all-season onion, bell pepper, zucchini, and carrot in a brown/black charred variety. We skipped dessert. The only bright spot was the sweet potato fries, which were also dark. Starters were inconsistent. And all that for a hefty price. Excuse me that it was so busy due to a wedding and party... that is unacceptable. Then they should accept fewer guests. I think this place is simply too big to maintain consistent quality... or it is always this mediocre.

A lovely place to be, with friendly personal service and very good food. Steep pricey, sure, but the atmosphere at Abel makes up for a lot.

Fine for lunch. Quite busy though, there was only a table left in the blazing sun.

Very nice, we had lunch here with my daughter, son-in-law, and the kids.

The service is quite worse, we had waited 1.5 hours for the food! Wasting time!

Top location by the golf course. Fantastic food, lovely atmosphere, but the waiting times for the food are outrageous. Table of 8, waited 1.5 hours for lunch which eventually turned into dinner, despite apologies from the staff. A pity.

Nice restaurant, nice surroundings, good food, friendly staff

I had a delicious meal at this restaurant; the food was excellent! However, in my opinion, the staff on the terrace could show a bit more proactiveness and ask guests if they have anything to drink or would like something to drink, especially on a warm summer day. I found that to be a minor drawback.

With a party of eight people on May 30 Food well taken care of. Beautiful location. Our wait staff checked too infrequently if anything else was needed.

Greatly improved Service efficient and relatively fast Food varied, fries too soft, rest excellent

Nice place, but very busy on a Sunday afternoon. We sat at the table for over an hour before our lunch order was taken. The dishes were fine, but there is a lot of variation between them. For almost 20 euros, you get 2 sandwiches (yes, sandwiches) with 2 small shrimp croquettes. Whereas for the same price, you could get a well-filled plate if you chose the carpaccio, for example. The shrimp croquettes were disappointing.

My daughter passed her exams, so we went to Abel, where we had previously had an excellent meal. We had lamb for €61 (for 2 people) and were served small pieces of lamb on sticks, the vast majority of which consisted of fat and tough pieces. We reported this to the waitress and were offered coffee on the house (we didn't feel like it at 9 o'clock). We also mentioned it when paying. Following our reservation, Abel asked me how it had been, which I reported as described above. The response I received was that they would have preferred to resolve it on the spot... I responded to this, but haven't heard anything since. A pity.

It was a bit disappointing this time... service was certainly good, though... and the atmosphere was really good... I'm used to better food... burger was hard, lukewarm, and a bit too red inside...

Had a lovely time sitting on the terrace, friendly young staff. Drank delicious sangria with a very tasty snack from their varied menu! A nice, atmospheric place, lovely surroundings for walking or playing a game of golf.

Atmosphere 100%. Service slow, moody, and not very friendly. The food was nice but nothing special.

We had a high tea for a baby shower. The restaurant itself and the decor were really beautiful and atmospheric. The courgette soup was delicious. The sandwiches did contain a lot of fish (salmon and tartare) and carpaccio. The profiteroles also had a different filling. This one was a bit too sweet. We were seated somewhat at the back of the restaurant, so we constantly had to ask the wait staff for extra tea/drinks etc. That was a shame.

Had a delicious meal, wide selection, good and friendly service. Relaxed atmosphere, definitely recommended.

Super nice, beautiful location. Friendly service and had a delicious lunch. Top-notch place!!

For us, the first and last time. A very nice and beautiful place, the service did its best. But everything took a very long time, the food was lukewarm when we received it, and you really got very little for the price you paid... what we did have was tasty though!

I ordered and ate pork belly today, but for the amount of pork belly—6 thin slices (pork belly consists of thick pieces), on some thin cucumber slices, 4 drops of sauce, and some chopped vegetables—you pay €15.00. That is really way too much to pay. I myself would be ashamed to put this on the table for this amount.

Nice place with a pleasant atmosphere. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and helpful. You receive a warm welcome. Definitely recommended!

What is supposed to be the most beautiful day of your life sometimes turns out differently. My daughter and son-in-law are putting the finishing touches on their wedding 4 months before the date. Upon arrival, they ask if the save-the-dates have been sent out yet? My daughter explained that everything is already arranged and the invitations have already been sent out. The lady's reaction: “Oh, then I don't have very good news.” It turns out that a large company party is planned. This company had called the week before the meeting to say that an extra 250 people would be attending. A total of about 750 people. They now need the section that was reserved for the wedding for the party. My daughter wants a romantic wedding. Abel's solution was the Tasman building. My daughter is absolutely not keen on that. Another option was having everything in the dome. Now she is getting the deposit back. The costs of the cards and other additional expenses are not being reimbursed. It would have been to Abel's credit if they had told that company, "We have a wedding that day; can it be a week earlier or later?" I am literally sick of it. Scandalous. So if you are looking for a venue for a romantic wedding, look elsewhere. Unless you rent out all the buildings.

Great restaurant, had a wonderful time with a large group. Excellent vegetarian options, but I wouldn't recommend it for vegans.

Sitting on the clay was a bit unpleasant; the table wobbled enormously because of it. The waiter was very polite. The food was very mediocre. The bread was really stale. The omelet was bone dry. The chicken was soggy in the sauce. The coffee was cold. Not recommended

Beautiful, customer-friendly outdoor location! Good food with friendly, knowledgeable staff…

A wonderful place to sit and eat. The atmosphere is good and the staff very friendly. Highly recommended

Had a delicious meal with the family during a spontaneous visit

We were invited to first have a drink in the sun on the terrace and then take a seat at the set table inside. Abel understands that a hospitable reception and the feeling of being welcome are very important when you go out for a bite to eat. And the food was delicious!!

It was lovely and we had a delicious meal. Remco, thank you so much for the nice gesture towards us, you were great. Furthermore, the service was top-notch, nice and friendly ladies 👍 We will definitely visit you again. Kind regards, Thea Pits

In itself a fine location, nice terrace, nicely decorated restaurant, but the price-quality ratio is not good. Pasta is hard and does not taste fresh. Tuna is smothered in too much sauce, and fries are mediocre. With a slightly larger group, you have to wait a very long time for the dishes. With 3 courses, you easily sit at the table for 3.5 to 4 hours. It took well over an hour before we received our starter. The worst part was that there was a trash can smelling of poop standing right near the tables.

Not worth any stars at all. They don't honor agreements. They lie straight to your face that you didn't call, even though you did (multiple times). We left immediately after being called liars, so I have no idea if the food is any good, but if it's made by staff like this, it's inedible. Update after Abel's comment: Full of falsehoods? Impressive that you can deduce that without having contacted them to hear the story. If you have any decency, you would first check how things actually went (I haven't spoken to anyone after this lunch fiasco). I hope to hear from you soon xxx

In terms of hospitality, not what you should expect, and certainly not at these prices. Upon entering, we asked if we could have a drink on the terrace. The response we received: from behind the bar—they didn't walk over to us—it was said: "if there is a spot." To which we replied: inside is fine too, hair. The response to that was: "there is no service inside." No "unfortunately," no "we'll take a look with you," no "nice to see you, we'll surely find a spot," but just the above. And when we walked on, we were told: "the back terrace is closed." Only to then walk onto a terrace with at least 5 free tables. If the idea is to make guests feel welcome, that certainly didn't succeed. When, after 5 minutes, we preferred a different spot and asked politely instead of just sitting down, it was approved with a sigh and a groan. This is the 3rd time I've been here, and I had exactly this feeling the 2 times before as well. The food is expensive, and the portions are small. I found the quality reasonable then. All in all, not what I would expect from such a magnificent empire that has so much potential. Here, I had expected them to know the tricks of the hospitality trade. Especially the hospitality part. It could so easily be done differently, without extra effort or cost.

Improved significantly over the last two years. Very efficient and sharp staff. Beautiful, busy terrace. Tasty food. Not cheap, but definitely worth the price...

Eaten there for the first time. The menu wasn't entirely to my taste. But I chose something I thought I might like. There is quite a lot of fig and date in the dishes. But I had the Chinese pancakes and truffle pasta myself, and they were tasty. Friendly staff.

We got married on April 26 in the Dome of Abel, followed by drinks, dinner, and a party. In a word, amazing! Everything was very well organized. The service was fantastic. You will see us back at the restaurant!

Super high tea with many different snacks, savory and sweet. Great service and cozy atmosphere.

We had lovely drinks on the terrace, with a tasty tiered stand full of various snacks and a bowl of nachos; the wine was also top-notch. It is a quiet setting with a good atmosphere and service; we enjoyed ourselves again!!

Prices are quite high. Not a cheap place.

My parents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in March 2026, and they wanted to celebrate this in grand style with family and friends. And it was a wonderfully successful evening. From start to finish, there was attention and care for everything required in terms of organization, and there was good care for us and our guests. The service was very good. The food on the buffet was of beautiful quality and delicious. And the special attention given to the dessert for the 3 lactose-stricken family members was very well thought out. Lars, our contact person for the evening, was certainly the superstar of the night. His attention to detail, his attentiveness, and his gentle yet decisive approach were very impressive. Our parents had a wonderful time, and so did all the family and friends. It was a wonderfully successful evening. Thank you again, Restaurant Abel, and Lars and Naomi, for helping to make what is likely the last major celebration my parents will organize a reality. You did a fantastic job and helped create beautiful memories. We are impressed.

We had our wedding here; it was an unforgettable day and a wonderful experience. Great location, very nice staff, very professional and helpful. We are very grateful; we recommend it to everyone! Love to team Abel, Merve and Semih

The atmosphere was good and the music wasn't too loud; we could understand each other. In short, we were satisfied.

I thoroughly enjoyed the warm goat cheese salad while my lunch companion was enjoying bread with a croquette. 😊 Friendly staff. And a beautiful area for walking.

Super cozy place, great staff and delicious food.

A very nice place to have lunch. Friendly service and, above all, very tasty food.

Excellent like always, even on a real Busy Easter day.

We had a high tea. What we received was very tasty and plentiful. Highly recommended. Coffee and tea included.

Nice restaurant. A bit of an Ibiza rich people vibe, which felt a bit uncomfortable. However, it was really beautifully decorated because of that. The toilets smelled absolutely fantastic (due to a scent spray) and were clean. The staff was friendly but a bit distant and cool. The food was good and tasty, and arrived quickly!

I had the best birthday with my girls, for drinks & bites 🎈 🍰 But not just that, whenever I go everything is delicious and fast, this place is my get away, the people are lovely and kind the space is beautiful, big enough and comfortable everywhere. I am so excited that I get to know this place 🌸

We had a table in the conservatory, but it was cold and drafty!

very beautiful restaurant and terrace, and the surroundings as well

Cozy place with friendly service!

Cozy restaurant on the Meuse. Good service and tasty dishes.

Enjoyed a delicious high tea. Everything was plentiful, varied, and nicely presented.

What a beautiful location. We had a baby shower with a high tea. It was very enjoyable and the atmosphere was great. The high tea was delicious and the staff were super sweet.

A great place to spend time with the family.

Delicious food, great service, good vibe. I love the decor and atmosphere at Abel's.

I could talk about it briefly or at length, but nice people, good atmosphere, and delicious food. You don't need anything more, do you?

We rang in the new year with family and enjoyed a delicious, extensive lunch! The food was excellent The parking was great The atmosphere and hospitality were fantastic We'll be back soon, as it was hard to choose between all the delicious dishes!

Always delicious food, good service, and a pleasant atmosphere. We love coming here.

What a fantastic evening. The best Christmas Eve ever... We'll definitely be back next year.

Had a delicious lunch Had lunch

We won the high tea, which was fantastic. Lots of variety, neatly presented. Pleasant atmosphere and attentive staff. It was a real treat! Thank you.

The food was okay, portions were a bit small. The service could be a bit better.

What a wonderful place Abel is. The Christmas atmosphere is fantastic, the staff is friendly, and the price/quality ratio is excellent. Service 👍🏽

Yesterday afternoon, my niece and I had high tea. The service was lovely, with a good balance of savory and sweet, and a delicious soup to start. Our reservation was actually for 2.5 hours, but the staff let us sit an hour longer, but then asked if we wanted to leave. Every table in the restaurant was reserved, and this time of year, many businesses book dinners to celebrate the end of the year. If all the tables hadn't been reserved, we would have been allowed to stay.😊 Great place, and it's no wonder we love coming here. We'll definitely be back next year! Merry Christmas 🌲

A really nice place with delicious food and friendly service! The atmosphere is also very pleasant. It's nice to take a walk through the willow groves before or after your visit. The path starts at the harbor.

Had a company party It was very well organized.

Went once in the evening instead of in the afternoon, because of the sliding wall it was now more intimate and full of atmosphere

Despite the growth, the atmosphere and quality have been maintained to a high standard. The staff is skilled and professional without being aloof. Hospitable and welcoming.

Played 18 holes of footgolf at Abel's on Sunday and then had lunch at Tasman's. The service was poor, and it's a footgolf thing. We had to share balls because there apparently weren't enough, which I find truly bizarre. We had to bring the first two balls we heard back to the tee box so the last ones could play. Bizarre, inappropriate, and poorly organized. It makes it much less enjoyable. The lunch afterward was fine, with good service. We come here at least once a year, but in the past ten years, we've never experienced this before. Maybe we'll try a different course next time! We've since received a voucher, which we'll definitely use. Glad the error has been corrected!

It was a really nice place to see. We were sitting in the conservatory, but it was terribly cold there, which was a real shame. Everyone who came was freezing, and many people changed tables to sit by the fireplaces and haters. I don't quite understand why it wasn't heated up before people arrived.