Brasserie Monopole in Wijk 00 Centrum

After experiencing slow service and waiting for food much too long, the food was actually really good. And portions more than enough. But the atmosphere is too much one of a tourist trap, although the staff was all in all friendly. The feeling was that it needs more staff at busy hours.

Very loud, somewhat hectic service. Exorbitant prices for drinks and food. Despite asking three times if we could have two extra small plates... no response.

A fantastic restaurant facing the square the staff are brilliant very friendly, the food was well presented and tasty. Highly recommended

Scammers! At 15:15 you are still forced to eat. Just having a drink is not possible Worth 0 stars

Service is extreeemly slow..have been waiting for our meals for more than 30 minutes now.

We have been coming here for years with great pleasure!! Again today😊 With the best service from the staff and the tastiest food.

They are working now, they are behaving very badly and it is as if they are withdrawn; for example, when I want to order something, they act as if they didn't hear it, even though I called and I came here a long time ago and the old employees weren't like this, they were friendlier and more polite. I feel a bit uncomfortable with this situation.

The soup and meat were good, the fries were very soggy and we had to wait a very long time for our drinks and food. At least 1.5 hours for food.

Friendly service and delicious food. Cozy terrace.

Absolutely awful experience! I came in with friends for drinks yesterday night and we felt unwelcome from the moment we arrived. The waitress was consistently rude, condescending, and dismissive throughout the evening. When we asked for the bill to be split, she rolled her eyes and said, “No honey, we can’t split the bill.” Not being able to split the bill wasn’t the problem — her attitude was. Things got even worse after we paid. She came over, touched my arm without my permission, and told me, “Honey, you just need to calm down,” despite the fact that I was always completely respectful toward her. When I tried to speak to a manager, the bartender informed me they 2 were alone and she continued provoking me saying: “oh it must be so hard to enjoy a drink on a Friday night” “honey just don’t take it personal” instead of de-escalating the situation or even apologizing. We were eventually asked to leave. I’ve rarely experienced service this disrespectful and unprofessional. A genuinely unpleasant experience from start to finish, and definitely somewhere I will never return to.

The cheesy nachos I had in here were terrible, the drinks are super expensive and the waiters yell at you... Will not come here anymore. Staff is sometimes very nice and sometimes very rude. Also if you are students, you cannot split the bill. Just go to another place.

There was NO customer friendliness. The waitress took the order incorrectly and then started flipping out at us and yelling at us, knowing that we can speak Italian.

We had a delicious meal here; we took the schnitzel menu. It is located on the Vrijthof and is very cozy.

Beautiful terrace, warm welcome

Very unfriendly lady who kicks me out at 1 o'clock.

The Monopole itself seems primarily geared towards tourism, but those familiar with the area can also count on at least the best possible service.

We had a delicious meal. Excellent service and genuinely friendly! Definitely recommended.

Waited too long for the food. The steak with vegetables was cold when I received it. It was warmed up, but the gravy was suddenly gone. The Pepsi Max was in a very small glass (looked more like a small long drink). Never again for us.

I had sour meat, but it was dry and only a few pieces were tender, as they should be. Additionally, it was raining heavily and they also had a leak in the kitchen. Yet they kept cooking in the small kitchen! My advice is not to go here with this quality and the excessive prices! The people are friendly, though.

At the Vrijthof, where we quickly got a seat at Monopole with a group of 10, which the waiter arranged in the blink of an eye by pushing tables together. He apparently overheard something about the previous experience (Amadeus, a 0) and joked that he was just going on a break, but immediately took down our order. It was brought promptly, and a second round with a snack platter also arrived quickly. The waiters were friendly and seemed to be having fun among themselves, which is noticeable. Highly recommended as far as we are concerned.

First, flan and coffee. Unfortunately, the rice flan was already a bit on the stale side, but oh well, after 8 pm there isn't much choice. The staff was very slow and not really paying attention, and not just with us. And the Ghent Straffe Hendrik was unavailable 🤨

Beautiful spot on the Vrijthof food good, service could all be a bit faster. you see them shaking hands a bit, but we had to wait 20 minutes before someone came to take our order. the lunch was very good and affordable +- 16 euros for an Italian roll with some toppings

Simply good. A nice spot to enjoy a bite and a drink. Extensive menu with a wide selection, and you can also order meat or fish dishes in the afternoon. The staff is extremely friendly; they also thought of the dog right away and our children received a treat immediately. The food is flavorful and simply good, nothing special.

We spent a lovely afternoon on a sunny day. The pleasant atmosphere and the fans providing some relief from the tropical temperatures were greatly appreciated by our entire party.

Ate here for lunch. The tables on the terrace are terribly close together; you're practically sitting on your neighbor's lap. The food was mediocre; the tuna salad tasted very bland. The beef croquettes had little to no flavor. Prices are also ridiculously high. It tasted like a quick way to make a lot of money. Tip: don't go here. Maastricht has much better to offer.

Top location, very tasty food, excellent service 👌

€7.50 for a slice of flan that also had a very dry base!

Be prepared for a hefty price tag! We sat down here for a slice of vlaai; every trip to Maastricht starts here, a delicious piece of rijstevlaai. Iced coffee is also highly recommended. Actually, it's all too expensive, but very tasty. Around €4 for a slice of vlaai and €6 for iced coffee

Had a delicious meal at Monopole, Fabienne is a real star and she does her job wonderfully!

We had a nice meal, just had to wait a long time between the soup and the main course. Otherwise a good restaurant, just not 5 stars for us, but hey, 4 stars isn't bad either. We would go back there in a heartbeat. I would say go there sometime and experience it for yourself.

Once again, I booked an André Rieu package with my husband and granddaughter. Thank you very much for the good seats and the excellent service, which ensured we had another wonderful evening. Best regards, the Steijn and van Egmond family. See you next year.

Had a wonderful evening with delicious food and a fantastic concert by Andre Rieu.

We had dinner at Brasserie Monopole last Thursday and it was an unforgettable evening, not only because of the delicious food but especially because of the attentive and friendly service. We will definitely visit Maastricht again because of Brasserie Monopole.

Crowds equals cash! André Rieu terrace arrangement, there were simply too many tables placed. Very uncomfortable.

We had some great time in this year's André Rieu dinner experience on 4th July 2025. We enjoyed great food and very timely service. Thanks to Randy and all team. Hope to see you again next year..! 3rd July 2026 Wonderful dinner, lovely atmosphere, and excellent service. A special thank you to Marianne for arranging such a beautiful place for us, and to Randy for his warm and attentive service. We had a truly memorable evening at Café Monopole. Highly recommended!

We only had drinks. Service was quick and very friendly. Tourist prices.

We had a wonderful evening with excellent food, including gluten-free options. The staff and service were outstanding 🫶

Friendly staff, delicious food, highly recommended

A great restaurant with friendly and very hospitable service The food is also super We go there every year when we are in Maastricht

We had a wonderful time sitting and eating. The staff were super friendly!!

Very nice brasserie with a lovely terrace on the Vrijthof. Great for people-watching. Very pleasant service, too, provided by sweet and friendly staff. Definitely recommended for a relaxing time to unwind. We come from far away, but we will certainly be back here again.

Wow, Es and Randy really make it a party! A big smile, a friendly word… true hosts! The food is also genuinely delicious! In short…. Highly recommended!

Here, during our weekend trip with the sisters, we got to know Randy and, of course, the other staff. We felt very welcome. That is why we went back there whenever we were in Maastricht. We are still in contact with Randy. The food there is superb. We will definitely go back when we visit Maastricht again. I certainly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Maastricht. Regards, Marja

Been a few times with my sisters! Randy is our star, he arranges everything! A very cozy restaurant with great food and drinks.

Tourist trap, do not eat in Vrijthoff or Markt

Esdras and Randy, in particular, are great people from the Monopole, always fun and full of laughter 😎

It is a good restaurant with tasty food and lovely waiters, so definitely go!

Wine glass with lipstick. A "new" one is brought, but then the lipstick is smudged all over the glass. Then they even get into an argument that it is a clean glass.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent experience at Brasserie Monopole Maastricht We had a wonderful experience at Brasserie Monopole, beautifully situated on the Vrijthof. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, exactly what you look for during a visit to Maastricht. A special mention for waiter Randy. His personal service was truly excellent. He took the time for us, actively thought along with us, and helped us fantastically with the tickets for André Rieu. Thanks to his dedication and commitment, we were able to enjoy our visit without a care. In addition, Randy creates a particularly pleasant atmosphere with his friendly attitude, humor, and attention to his guests. You immediately feel welcome and appreciated. Such employees really make the difference. Thanks to Randy and the Monopole team

Had a delicious lunch, sublime host named Randy!

Everything was delicious, very nice regional cuisine and friendly service!

We went for a drink when we opened the menu and saw that you could make reservations for Andre Riue. We asked for information, and sure enough, there was still room. Randy informed us well. We look forward to coming back in July. We will be dining there then as well, and can tell you what it is like.

Been here many times and it's always been great, and the service (Randy and of course the rest too) is always friendly and welcoming.

Really nice and well located. The staff were incredibly friendly. Very pleasant...

You mainly pay for the location; the food is okay, but nothing more than that. The welcome and service were friendly, though.

Had a delicious breakfast for a good price. Very friendly staff.

horribly rude staff, follows you around the terrace/restaurant to ask you about your intentions -- both times my company and I entered the restaurant we were literally stalked and rudely questioned by a staff member. service was rude as well, doesn't take their time with you and taking your order felt as an inconvenience to the staff.

Not bad, but not top-notch either. It does have a nice location and a cozy, heated terrace. Food: schnitzel was okay, but the accompanying vegetables tasted excessively of garlic. Asparagus à la flamande was quite dry and had very little butter sauce. The sour meat, on the other hand, was tasty, and plenty of fries were provided. I think the prices are a bit higher compared to other places in town. It is mainly aimed at tourists and quite pushy about ordering extra items you don't really need.

I arrived and was greeted by a friendly young man with a huge smile. He spoke to me kindly and showed me straight to a table. The Aperol was just the way you like it. I don't remember his name, but the doorman who worked on Wednesday, May 13th is a sweetheart of a guy!!!!

We had been looking forward to our trip to Maastricht and certainly to grabbing a drink on a terrace at the Vrijthof. Unfortunately, the square was completely taken over by the fair and Pluvius ruled with a firm hand. Fortunately, we were able to sit dry under the large parasols (with heating), and the friendly service made up for a lot. I will have to review the menu later; there was shopping to be done. Umbrella up!

We received tremendous cooperation and help from manager Randy at the Ambulance Wish Foundation! Thanks in part to him, our patient had a beautiful and wonderful last wish!

As a gentleman, and a man of God, I feel morally obliged to announce the following message: Should one be in search of an establishment where cutlery appears to be used more as a weapon than a dining instrument, congratulations your pilgrimage has ended. If thou intendest to place an order and seeketh a member of staff, and by some miracle findest one, do inform the rest of us. We, too, remain searching, days later, older and wiser. Pray keep a vigilant eye upon thy personal belongings, for ownership becomes a rather flexible concept the moment one crosses the threshold of this venue. The proprietor must surely possess pockets of immeasurable depth, for the personnel were engaged in a joyous polonaise across the floor, rather than the vulgar act of taking orders. The personnel electing to enjoy a coffee break at the very moment service is required is, admittedly, a fascinating exercise in priority management though one assumes they required the caffeine to recover from the tremendous effort of doing absolutely nothing. Now, to the cuisine, ladies and gentlemen. Should you order the mushroom sauce, prepare yourself for an intimate encounter with a mushroom. Singular. Possibly imaginary. Certainly symbolic. The shrimp croquettes were acceptable in flavour, though one cannot help but feel they would have benefited greatly from the presence of actual shrimp, rather than their distant relatives still frolicking freely in the North Sea. The XL burger, I must concede, was rather decent a recommendation I make wholeheartedly, provided it is ordered to take away, thus sparing oneself the full theatrical experience of the service. In conclusion, I departed this establishment not nourished, but enlightened reminded that patience is a virtue, expectation is a sin, and hope should be left at the door alongside one’s belongings. I extend my gratitude to this bistro for the life lesson, the spiritual test, and the unexpected hunger that followed. I shall not be returning, but I will remember it fondly in the same way one remembers a minor illness: unpleasant, avoidable, and best not experienced twice. May God bless this place… and may He guide future guests elsewhere.

Took centuries to get our order and everything was extremely overpriced! Service was ok and the atmosphere was pretty nice .

Enjoy a delicious meal on a cozy, warm outdoor terrace

We spent a mid-week stay in Maastricht and it was nice and relaxing. We regularly sat on the terrace at Brasserie Monopole, the staff were nice and attentive and the host was nice and friendly.

Had a drink at Monopole last night. Very good service and very friendly service.

They were anything but friendly, just rushing, rushing, rushing. We had to wait almost fifteen minutes before being helped, so we flagged someone down. Then the coffee was almost gone, and only then did the waffles we ordered arrive. Then they were insistently asked five times if we wanted more, even though we'd already asked for the bill twice. Next time, we'll just walk away. Everything was way too expensive.

When we sat down, someone remarked: "These are tables for eating only, not just drinks." This had already been pointed out by two staff members, and I politely replied several times that we wanted something to eat. I didn't feel welcome, but we stayed and ate anyway. At the beginning of our meal, when we sat down, we were offered a drink, but it was gone before we even received our food. (I also had to ask if we could order our food because it took a long time for anyone to come and take our order.) For the rest of the evening, we weren't asked if we wanted another drink. However, while we were in the middle of a conversation, someone else's drink order was placed on the table, to which I replied that I didn't order it (it happens). Then, when we had finished our food, the table was cleared, and even then, we weren't asked if everything was to our liking or if we wanted dessert or a drink. We waited a while to see if we could speak to another staff member or if they would come to our table. We'd been sitting at this table for a while without drinks or food, but after waiting 15 minutes, I decided I'd rather pay instead of ordering dessert and waiting even longer. I finally spoke to someone again and got the response, "Please wait, we're on our way." That was perfectly fine, but only after waiting another 10 minutes did another staff member arrive. "What do you want?" I responded by saying I'd like to pay. This response wasn't entirely appropriate for a restaurant. The food was delicious, but the service was terrible, and I found the bill quite hefty. Of course, you know the price before you order, but when you have to pay €72.50 for 3 appetizers, a portion of fries, and 2 drinks, I think I should expect a smile rather than constantly having to chase after everything.

We were there during the Christmas market. It was so atmospheric. The service was great, and the food was really good. We had rabbit and sauerkraut, and the beers were delicious.

During the Christmas market, the three of us popped into the brasserie for coffee and something to eat. We had two cappuccinos, one hot chocolate, and three apple strudels. The cappuccino was lukewarm, and I'd have preferred it. I fell off my chair while paying... I had to pay a total of €45.00. Unfortunately, there are no prices listed anywhere, so I'm afraid they can charge whatever they want. We won't be back anytime soon.

SCAMMERS! DO NOT GO THERE. For 4 coffees and 2 sweets we paid 55 euros. They scammed us while sweetly talking to us.

We didn't eat there. But we enjoyed sitting on the terrace and having a drink. Very friendly staff.

Delicious pea soup with smoked sausage and rye bread with bacon on a cozy, atmospheric, and pleasantly heated terrace. Friendly and efficient service.

Friendly staff. But there's clearly no one with much experience who can oversee the place. The wait for a drink takes 15 minutes. 200ml soft drink, €3.60. Dirty table. Lovely heat lamp, nice Christmas atmosphere.

Would not recommend Overall it is an overpriced tourist trap - the food is very mediocre, service is fine, but all you’re paying for is the seating at a nice location We got a salmon salad and it was truly just one egg, some salmon and some leaves with half a baguette for €24,5. I would say it’s not very filling or satisfying for the price you pay

Expensive for what you get. The chicken ragout wasn't tasty, it was limp. The atmosphere was okay, and the service was also okay.

Pass by, cafe, worst food,Pass by, cafe, worst food,

The price was too much for the quality of food one receives. The atmosphere was nice though!

Beautiful view of the Vrijthof square and comfortable seating. Friendly staff who give you a warm welcome. Cozy, beautifully decorated terrace and a wide selection on the menu. Even now that winter is slowly setting in, it's a pleasant place to be. It's definitely worth 5 stars!

Bad food. The schnitzel tasted like nothing. The service was far too slow. Not recommended.

The food was expensive for what you get, but it was okay. Nice location, of course. Strange situation: you could only pay in cash...with unclear, confusing explanations...no other payment option, so everyone had to use their debit card. Long wait times, and I saw several tables leave. Not really worth going back.

We came for a drink, and we were treated to a sociological experiment in passive-aggressive service. The bearded waiter (yes, that one) exudes a kind of subtle hostility, as if you've personally offended him simply by existing. He ignores, selects, and smiles only at those who apparently deserve his approval. It's not once. It's not twice. It's three times. I'd rather drink elsewhere, where the glass is filled with something other than contempt.

Best waitress in Holland...food was awesome and super cool venue 😎

While we were looking for a place to have dinner (5 people on a Wednesday evening after a day of shopping), a waiter cordially invited us to take a table in his establishment 😉. We didn't regret it: it was very good, we were well served and the atmosphere was very warm.

Unfriendly and very arrogant staff.

The food was delicious. Unfortunately, it seems impossible to find enough Dutch-speaking staff these days. That doesn't detract from the overall service atmosphere.

Delicious food. Cozy atmosphere and very friendly staff!

I'm never coming back. Last night, my girlfriend and I went here for dinner. We were given a baguette as a starter and ordered a salad and mussels and fries. After the baguette, over an hour passed. Then I asked the waiter if our main course was being prepared yet. The waiter told me they were waiting until the starter (the baguette) was finished, and that the guests had time to finish it first. A ridiculous answer, considering we'd been without drinks for quite some time and had never been asked if we'd finished eating. Then it took over 45 minutes for the main course to arrive. The salad had clearly been under a heat lamp and was damp. The mussels were okay. We were never asked again if we wanted a drink. No free drink was offered. When I tried to raise the issue, the waiter interrupted me because he was being yelled at from inside. A real disgrace.

Long wait, then food served that was already cold without cutlery, staff that didn't speak Dutch.... Top ☝️

Smooth service in a great location. The kitchen doesn't perform miracles.

The food is good, with a delicious schnitzel and fries. The service is very good, and they speak many languages. We thought the beers were very expensive at €6.75. There were five of us, and the main course, drinks, two desserts, and coffees cost €250.

Nice service. Prices are high (tourist prices). The food took quite a while, but it was good! Being a tourist hotspot, it's quite hectic and noisy outside under the umbrellas.

Very large store, but you still have to look for a spot on the terrace.

Bad experience: the first glass of prosecco was still empty. The replacement glass was dirty with lipstick. The mussels were full of sand. After complaining about this, no action was taken. At checkout, I complained again, but there was no response. Very poor service.

I had a truly excellent onion soup, and my husband had an apple strudel. Both were delicious. The limoncello spritz was good and reasonably priced, but overall, the value for money is obviously commensurate with the good location.

A very enthusiastic young man who politely welcomes you in Dutch and chats about the Vrijthof square and the Rieu concerts. That makes you feel welcome. Unfortunately, this quickly fades when his colleagues take over, and even ordering a beer becomes difficult because they don't understand Dutch.

Beautiful cafe with a fantastic environment and view

We popped in for lunch. And we certainly got the picture. A quick drink, a quick bite, and then we were out of here. No standard mayonnaise with the fries, and it was incredibly expensive. We also ordered a Coke, but it was more like an ice cube than a Coke. Not recommended.

Went for lunch this afternoon. After the Meuse cruise, I felt like something sweet, so I chose the Liège waffle with whipped cream. My husband opted for a ham and cheese toastie. Very well seasoned and beautifully presented. The waffle was delicious, and the coffee was good too. The service was friendly and helpful. No long waits. Simply excellent. Highly recommended.

The food was delicious, and the service was fantastic, especially our host, Daniel. He's very friendly and cheerful. He's the kind of person you'd love to be served by. Greetings from Bebbie, Truus, Carmen, and Sandra 😉