De Dikke van Dale in Binnenstad

This is the perfect place to have a drink. Enjoy a casual and intense time with friends.

Everything was very tasty, fast service, I will come again and again

Somehow, I hadn't been to the Dikke van Dale in all those years. And now I could kick myself. It is simply cozy and a pleasant place to be. The interior is nice, the service is good. I only went for a drink this time; next time I'll have a bite to eat too.

These amazing people are sharing their ice cube supply with us on the hottest day of the year! Well-tapped beer on top of that, plus 100 other types of beer in stock. TOPPERS! Thanks and greetings from Eindhoven. Bye!!! Tank!

Very good service. Attentive, polite. Good selection with many types of beer, including Quadrupel, which you don't often see. Good food. Nice terrace by the water with the setting sun. Top-notch.

Sitting in a boat on the river, enjoying a delicious beer from a catalog of delicious beers. Amazing.

My husband said he had found a nice spot named after me. I cried for a few minutes in the bathroom because I am indeed chubby, but anyway, he is bald and has few friends due to what I suspect is a good dose of autism or some other serious disorder. My little dog Femke fell off the terrace boat into the water because one of our Natjoos blew away and she wanted to chase after him because she has a mind of her own, but then a star-studded guy came along who looked a bit like an Oompa Loompa, but in the most attractive way, to lift her out of the water, and then I briefly thought about jumping into the water myself because I wanted to be lifted by him too, and preferably with him taking off his shirt, but then I remembered again that I am indeed chubby, so that wouldn't work. The tears welled up in my eyes again.

A beautiful, classic grand café in Leeuwarden, right on the canal. A recently updated and extensive beer menu, with a particular focus on lesser-known, yet equally delicious, beers. The dinner menu is also more than excellent, with the meat dishes prepared in the Broiler standing out. Deliciously tender. Vegetarian and fish dishes are also delicious. All this, combined with a charming atmosphere and hospitable and friendly staff, guarantees an unforgettable evening out.

We were inside and enjoyed it very much... The food was good and the service very attentive...

Fine, we were visited multiple times by staff members who were eager to help us. Three times in a row might be a bit much, but it was well-intentioned and they were fine staff members, so I take it positively. Only had drinks, so no idea what the food is like.

Nice place for a drink, but can be busy and sometimes dark.

Wheat beer half liter €9.50? Crazy. Cheers

Had a delicious meal with a beautiful view of the water

We sat there for a while and had a drink; we didn't eat, so I can't judge that. Cozy lighting and nice and warm with the patio heaters. Polite service, highly recommended ❤️

I was just there with my husband and found the atmosphere and service very good. We both enjoyed the food as well. We chose hearty dishes... Eating out has become quite expensive these days. Everything was very good! A lovely experience... in this book-themed restaurant...

Let’s talk about this menu from **Dikke van Dale Leeuwarden**, because… it is a choice. And not necessarily a strong one. At first glance, everything seems to be right: warm lighting, a smiling waitress in a dirndl, a cozy-looking bar in the background, and a perfectly poured beer. All the ingredients for that typical “cozy pub” feeling are present. But the longer you look, the more something feels off. Because this is clearly an AI-generated image. And once you realize that, you can’t unsee it. And that is where the irritation begins. Because let’s be honest: this isn’t a futuristic concept where AI imagery adds anything. This is a pub. A physical place in Leeuwarden, with real people, real staff, and real guests. And yet, there is someone on the cover who simply doesn’t exist. Why? It is not as if this was a complicated photoshoot. You don't need an international model, a huge budget, or weeks of preparation. You literally need someone to put on a dirndl and hold a beer. That is all. There are more than enough people—staff, locals, aspiring models—who could have done this with ease. In fact, that probably would have added charm. Instead, we get this… perfect, but empty appearance. The face is just a little too symmetrical. The atmosphere just a little too stylized. The whole thing feels like a stock photo that was supposed to be given a soul by accident, but missed that moment. It lacks exactly what hospitality needs: authenticity. And that is the sore point. Not that AI exists or is being used, but that it is being used here in a way that actually diminishes the experience. A pub is about atmosphere. About people. About personality. When you open the menu and are greeted by someone who literally doesn't exist, it subtly undermines the whole idea of ​​hospitality. It basically says: “This was easier.” Or even worse: “We thought this was good enough.” And yes, you can feel that. It also raises questions. If the image is fake, what about the rest of the atmosphere? Is the business’s identity just as generic? Is the experience just as… interchangeable? It creates a distance even before you’ve taken your first sip. What makes it even more bitter is that this doesn’t feel like innovation. It doesn’t feel like a creative choice, but like a shortcut. Typing in a prompt and generating “smiling waitress with beer in cozy pub” isn’t art. It is convenience disguised as progress. Meanwhile, there are photographers, designers, and yes, real people, who could have filled this with character. Someone with a genuine smile. Someone with a small imperfection. Someone who tells a story without words. Those are the details that bring a place to life. Instead, we get something that is technically fine, but emotionally empty. Something that could have been anywhere and therefore doesn’t really belong anywhere. And perhaps that is the most passive-aggressive part of it: it isn't bad enough to be immediately condemned. It is just… soulless. Just convincing enough to get away with it, but too artificial to really work. So yes, the cover “does its job.” There is someone with a beer in a pub setting. Check. But at the same time, it radiates a lack of effort and originality that is hard to ignore once you see it. In a time when authenticity is actually becoming increasingly important, this feels like a missed opportunity. But anyway, the non-existent waitress looks satisfied, at least. That is worth something too. *This review was written by AI because apparently that is the standard

The food takes a long time to arrive. I am hungry.

Sunday, March 15. We had ordered carpaccio for lunch. It was a shame that the sandwich with the carpaccio, in particular, had no taste. The meat was not carpaccio (I come from the meat industry myself); it was truly tasteless. No roasted pine nuts, just some puffed nuts. Neither of us had had such bad carpaccio in ages. They really could have made something better out of this.

We had a delicious meal here. We also had a few drinks afterwards. They have a wide variety of beers on the beer menu. The Van Daal Limoncello Wit is definitely recommended!

It was tasty and cozy, but a bit pricey..

Had dinner with a friend. Lovely atmosphere. The food was truly delicious and the service was great. One tip from us: serve fries without salt so we can choose our own.

Cozy, eating in the library. Friendly people.

For me, it's the place to be if you're looking for a nice drink. Excellent service, and you never have to wait long. A wide selection if you like beer, and the sour is simply cozy. The fact that it's always busy (except on Sunday evenings) speaks volumes.

Had a delicious stew. Highly recommended. Despite the busy hour, service was quick. Lovely atmosphere. Highly recommended!

It was a great place to sit, and the nachos are fantastic! The prices of the appetizers are particularly low, even though the portions are very generous. The staff is friendly. However, they rarely come by, so you often end up without a drink.

Beautiful location, fantastic service. Great food and drink menu, beer and wine, super cozy atmosphere, and fast, friendly service. Highly recommended!!

Nice atmosphere. Even though it gets busy, the place is spacious. The food is good, but the prices are slightly above the area average. Still, you can have a great time here.

After a long walk, I plopped down here. The seat in the back was still available. It's located in the back, away from the rest, which does provide some privacy. Unfortunately, it's right next to the toilet entrance. There's a very wide selection of beers, which I'm especially pleased with. The prices are steep, that's for sure. But I thoroughly enjoyed the more exotic brands and varieties. And the nacho platter was one of the best we've ever had, so definitely recommended! The Orval cheeses weren't particularly flavorful.

Nice atmosphere inside, large beer selection

A charming restaurant with excellent service and a great menu. And a wide selection of craft beers. Absolutely fantastic!

Upon entering, I politely asked if there was room for two people. While I was asking, the waiter stood there, yawning straight in my face, without a hint of embarrassment. He did eventually answer my question, but it was blunt and curt, as if I were asking a stupid question. We were supposed to get fries with the club sandwich, but the waiter told me it would take two minutes. After 20 minutes of still no fries, the waiter finally, with some difficulty, brought them to the table. He gave some unusual answers about why the fries hadn't arrived yet and whether we still wanted them. However, the club sandwich had already been gone for a while. Incidentally, this portion of fries was nothing more than four simple fried potatoes. It's a great place for a drink, but I wouldn't go there for the food and service.

Sat for hours under the hedge, enjoying drinks and snacks. Super friendly staff, fast service. Large tent, plenty of space. Heated outdoor patio.

Grumpy service. Inside too!! Not a second time

Great place in the heart of Leeuwarden. A traditional atmosphere with a (relatively) young crowd. The staff also create a great atmosphere!

Food and drink were delicious. Carpaccio could be less without dried tomatoes and more of something else.

We wanted to have lunch here and fortunately that was possible. Very friendly staff and we were served very well. The atmosphere was great and the food was really tasty too. We enjoyed ourselves!

Delicious, cozy and great location.

Grand café, expansive beer garden, excellent food. Fantastic atmosphere.

You can have a nice meal there. Nice menu.

It's very cold inside, and the price of a beer is ridiculous. 4 euros is exactly what K can buy a beer for in Amsterdam. You can barely see anything in the store; it's very dark.

What a great place! A huge selection of beers. Excellent staff who constantly walk by and make eye contact to see if they can help you.

Finally, a place with delicious, truly excellent apple pie! In fact, it's the tastiest apple pie in the Netherlands!

Cozy, good service, delicious food 👍

In the heart of Leeuwarden, on Nieuwestad, you'll find this lovely, atmospheric restaurant. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a café (ideal for drinks and/or a bite to eat). A big plus is the huge selection of specialty beers (100 different types). The menu is excellent. I enjoyed a delicious Black Angus steak. The staff is friendly and efficient!

Highly recommended. Very friendly service, good food at reasonable prices in a great atmosphere.

Today we thought we'd give the Van Dale a try. Unfortunately, while ordering a golden rakker, we were turned away. Not because we were too loud, nor because of the drinks. It was purely because we weren't pretty enough. They gave us one star. That's why I'm giving this Van Dale a 3-star rating. Too bad again.

A really great store, although the prices have become extremely high in recent years, but this is the case everywhere.

The service is friendly and prompt. We opted for the surf and turf platter, and they left out the pork tenderloin because we don't eat pork, replacing it with some other meat. It was delicious! It would have been nice to have more fries and perhaps some salad or vegetables. The dessert was also delicious.

After choosing a different spot twice, we were still not noticed, so we went somewhere else.

The food was good. The thick burger is truly thick. The music was a bit loud for our taste. The Irish waitress was very pleasant and friendly.

Best of locations in Leeuwarden. Great food and drink selection. Kind staff

This restaurant is amazing! The most amazing food ever! Very sweet and friendly personal, great atmosphere. Highly recommend!

We had lunch here today. It tasted good, but the price of a carpaccio sandwich is completely out of proportion to what you get. Way too expensive. We paid €40 for a rather meager lunch.

Sit comfortably and enjoy a delicious meal

Very cozy, very friendly and cheerful service, and delicious food at a very reasonable price. We were a group of seven and had both lunch and dinner here during our day trip to Leeuwarden. Conveniently close to the station (a 10-minute walk).

The food was good, but the price-to-quantity ratio was disappointing. A small schnitzel and one small portion of fries for three people. This could be better.

Received a far too expensive bill for a drinks night. They probably also charged us for the table. After a phone call, they told us the receipt was lost and nothing could be done. It's a shame they didn't think anything further. Absolutely no cooperation. And then they had the nerve to end the conversation with, "See you next time..." 😅

Hier kan je lekker eten en goed borrelen. Helaas geen rookvrij terras en je moet echt reserveren want gezien de centrale locatie is het altijd druk. Mooie inrichting

Een mooi plekje op het terras kunnen bemachtigen en hier lekker genoten van een heerlijk soepje met een lekkere verfrissende smoothy.

Voor de tweede keer waren we bij restaurant De Dikke Van Dale. Het eerste wat mij opviel aan dit restaurant is de vriendelijk en gezellige bediening. Verder een uitstekkende ambiance zowel binnen als op het terras. Op het moment dat we gingen zitten kwam er op een rustige niet opdringende wijze een serverster naar ons toe die als eerste ons tafeltje netjes afnam en ons op zeer vriendelijke wijze vroeg of we wat wilde drinken. Nadat ze de bestelde drankje op tafel had gezet vroeg ze of we ook wat wilde eten. De laatste keer, zondag 13 juli 2025, hebben we verse mosselen besteld. Nu ben ik zeer kieskeurig zeker wat mosselen betreft. Maar wat betreft deze mosselen konden qua smaak zo in de Librije worden geserveerd. Ik heb echt nog nooit zulke lekker mosselen gegeten. De smaak was zo goed dat we de sausjes er niet bij nodig hadden. Vol van smaak en gekookt in een heerlijk kruiden/groeten boeket. Maar ook de eerste keer was het echt super goed vertoeven in De Dikke Van Dalen.

We had a fantastic meal with a large group of friends. A lovely large table where we could all sit (16 people). The restaurant looks beautiful inside.

What a nice place to have lunch or drinks. Great atmosphere.

Nice cafe, restaurant. Friendly service, fast service, good products. Nice place to sit. Water for the dog.

When we go into town with friends we always end up here. A good range of beers and other drinks, friendly staff, good food and a good atmosphere.

We always have the nacho vega and the loaded fries. This time the nachos were a bit disappointing, they were very dry while they are normally more generously topped.

Our number 1 spot for a bite to eat and a drink

Cozy pub where you can drink Duvel 6.66 on tap!

Great food and very attentive service. So nothing wrong with that you would say, except that of the four vegetarian main courses that they had on the menu according to their website, only two were actually on the menu. That disappointed us.

There's still room for improvement! The meat was excellent, but only kept warm. Vegetables and side dishes were rather lackluster. Very confident pricing. Service: yes, they were there. But nothing more.

De bediening was uitstekend, maar het gerecht met de Broiler gemaakt sloeg nergens op. De speciale Amerikaanse grill waarin onder zeer hoge temperatuur bereid wordt, was in werkelijkheid een shoarma grill. Voedsel werd er een beetje onder verwarmd en daarna in een warmhoudkast gelegd. Ons eten was lauw, niks gegrild. De kok in kwestie had geen idee waar hij mee bezig was. Na onze klacht en mijn vragen aan de kok, kregen we het dessert gratis. Toch jammer.

Had a nice lunch with a friend. Nice to just have a cup of coffee or beer. Atmospheric environment. Young and friendly staff.

Not really the quality delivered here is very average to poor. Typical tourist cases because of the great location. There are significantly better places in Leeuwarden

On a weekday in sunny weather you had to wait a while for a picture to take a seat. But the service is top notch. We will definitely come back here when we come to Leeuwarden.

Nice evening with my "youngest" daughter..

enjoyed the vibe and satay chicken sandwich a lot

Thank you so much! Really cool place with attentive waiters 🥰 We were a big groups:) The only thing that was a little sad was that approximately after about 22:30 they no longer served coffee and tea. The snacks were delicious, and the latte macchiato was excellent! There were also heaters on the ship and it was really warm, despite the cool weather 👍 Thanks a lot! A really cool place with attentive waiters 🥰 We were a big group :) The only thing that was a little disappointing was that after about 22:30 they stopped serving coffee and tea. The appetizers were delicious and the latte macchiato was excellent! There were still heaters on the ship, and it was very warm, despite the cool weather 👍

Nice place with ditto beer list. Food could have been a little better but all in all it was a nice evening

Nice place with a lot of beer to choose from 👍

Nice cafe with delicious food and nice terrace.

Had a drink on the terrace. Long wait!

Very nice place, very bad hotel room. Very shabby and a bit dingy. We left again. There was no money back. Employees were friendly.

Last Sunday we had lunch here with our son. We always like to come to you! Unfortunately, it was a bit disappointing when it comes to the price in relation to what you get. The carpaccio sandwich on the menu is €14.95, so you would expect a well-filled sandwich. However, when my sandwich was served, it was a small, cut baguette with very little carpaccio meat on it (not what I am normally used to from you). In the end, a drink was taken off the bill, but I actually think it is a shame that so little is delivered for (I think) quite an amount for a carpaccio sandwich. The fries you get with the club sandwich (7 fries) are also very little. Very unfortunate!

Gezellig, overal leuke doorkijkjes met aandacht voor details. Pistolet dikke van dale was heerlijk. Mag van mij meer Pindasaus bij, maar is persoonlijke smaak.

Very nice cafe in the heart of Leeuwarden. Recommended :-)

Nice atmosphere and location, friendly service. Only had coffee there, so no opinion about the food.

Great place for a nice meal. Good menu and cozy atmosphere. Not too expensive. Good beer list with something for everyone. Can recommend it for dinner.

Apparently they call these nachos. I expect whole chips and not crumbs left at the bottom of the bag. Sent nachos back and then received the same plate back. We won't be coming here again!!

Our regular place for lunch. Super cozy inside and plenty of choice where to sit. The staff are friendly and the food is delicious.

Heerlijke ambiance maar wat een slechte bediening. Totaal geen interactie. Geen lach. Geen vraag. We hebben de collega maar gevraagd om 8 bitterballen en hebben het eten en de volgende drankjes maar laten zitten. Ik kom er niet weer.

Very cool and above all large café 👍

You really come there for the big beer book. Nice atmosphere, something for everyone, young, hip and old. You should definitely go there and have a nice bite to eat is highly recommended.

Cozy atmospheric restaurant. With a nice menu. Nice service 👍🥳

If you want to wait 30 minutes for your drink you should go here. We wanted to eat but were not asked about this.

Excellent tent, nicely furnished and excellent lighting. Service is very friendly and helpful. The dishes are of excellent quality and more than sufficient. Unfortunately we received cold fries, but that was resolved immediately and we quickly received new portions. The desert is unfortunately not very extensive. Definitely recommended.

Cosy, large restaurant. Very popular with young and old. Cozy interior. Food delicious, more than enough and beautifully prepared. Separate children's menu. Play corner for children. Staff very attentive. Toilets on 1st floor. No separate children's changing area, but there is a changing mat in the ladies' toilet.

Had a few drinks on Friday afternoon before Christmas. It was very busy but they were helped immediately. Very cozy tent, definitely recommended.

22 euros for a gourmet meal with some fries but no vegetables was outrageously expensive.

Atmosphere was nice, but a “no ads” policy doesn't make sense

Cozy pub, but if you want a quick drink that is not possible.

This was not the first time, and certainly not the last time, that we have eaten here. Everything was to your liking again.