De Volkslust Haarlem in Oude Stad

A lovely place to eat with excellent service. The food varies in quality—the guinea fowl was tough, the tiramisu very tasty.

Had a delicious breakfast at a great price. Delicious eggs with bacon and American pancakes 🥞. Friendly service. Definitely recommended if you have guests or if you just want to go out for breakfast. I've heard the dinner is also a hit, so I'll definitely go back.

The tomato soup was just soup and nothing special. The tagliatelle had very little spinach and sea bass and tasted bland. The waitresses were friendly, but they forgot to stop by for dessert. The restaurant was clean and relatively quiet.

I had lunch here this afternoon with high expectations, but I was incredibly disappointed. I ordered a carpaccio sandwich and received it without bread, which wasn't a big deal. Then I got a new one with a mountain of cheese, and the carpaccio was still completely frozen. I sent it back. Meanwhile, my friend had already finished his meal, and I waited 15 minutes for a new sandwich, which was partially frozen again. No one bothered to look at us, so I reluctantly finished the sandwich. We didn't receive a single apology or compensation. We went to pay and gave cash to a woman who simply took it without saying a word and walked away. Not a good day, sorry or thank you. Just left. All around us were complaints from other guests: the soup was cold and the fries were wet and soggy. In short, a very bad experience and not recommended!

The staff is super friendly, helpful, and fast! We had a delicious drink here.

The staff is super friendly, helpful, and fast! We had a delicious drink here.

After having a very good dinner of burgers and fish on Friday, we loved Volkslust and really wanted to try the breakfast. So, before leaving for Germany, we stopped by again for breakfast on Sunday morning, but it wasn't as good as expected. The food took about 45 minutes to arrive, and the poached egg on avocado was cold. My husband ordered the breakfast, but the croissant was cold. We really loved dinner on Friday night and expected more from breakfast. But we will definitely be back for dinner. The location is super central, and a very nice lady works there. Hopefully, we'll see you again soon.

Sat on the terrace in the sunshine, enjoying the sunshine. I forgot my sweater, but the friendly staff was so helpful in sending it to me! Excellent service!

Today afternoon we have visited the restaurant and sorry say that; it was a total disappointment. I never had a Flemish stew that bad. Not recommended at all….see how they serve Pink Gin!!

Food was amazing. We ordered the Volkslust burger and the steak. I would highly recommand everyone to visit for the burger they have really tender and good Cooked. One thing that is a bit dissappointing is the service with the drinks. Overall had a nice time will be back again for sure for the food. Very easy access from the train station.

Delicious food! In a great central location in Haarlem.

It was 10am on a Wednesday morning, 3 out of 20 (ish) tables only occupied so the place was dead. I’m just trying to check into a flight and the waitress came up to tell me the stop using my iPad…. Huh?! I was going to sit and work my way through 3 coffees, so instead finished up and left, that’s not how you treat customers when you’re dead empty.

Everything was perfectly arranged! Even for people with allergies or dietary restrictions (I have celiac disease; I can't eat cow's milk, lactose, fish, onions, or bell peppers). I don't often eat out, and I always find it intimidating to eat at a restaurant I'm not familiar with. We had lunch/brunch on the boat. You sail through Haarlem for about an hour and a half, enjoying delicious food and drinks. I called the owner beforehand to find out what I could and couldn't eat, and I think it's the first restaurant where everything went so smoothly and I didn't feel like a whiner. 100% recommended!!

We went to eat with my whole family last friday and the service at first was a bit dissappointing but the waitress then came and took the order after 15 minutes and to be honest we were a bit dissappointed about the food but the food was really delicious. Especially the fish it was a very rare and delicious. My mother personally thanked the chef. We are coming back for the food again

All around great spot for lunch, beer and/or a coffee. Great with kids

The restaurant is beautiful inside. However, there were too many staff for the five tables, and it still took half an hour before we could order our next course or drinks. Such a shame considering it's such a beautiful location!

It wasn't busy, but we had to wait a long time for service, even though tables around us were being served and cleared. The coffee was fine, but the apple pie clearly came from a cold refrigerator.

I've eaten here twice. The location is ideal, just a few minutes' walk from Haarlem station. Our first visit was very positive. The breakfast was delicious, and we enjoyed it. Unfortunately, our second visit wasn't as good. It took a full 30 minutes to order. Even though several staff members were milling around, it seemed like no one really knew what to do. Other guests also regularly approached the staff to ask if they could order or pay. It was clear that the team wasn't happy about it either.

Our waitress, Britney, was incredibly sweet and friendly. She helped us tremendously and made us feel truly welcome. The food was also delicious, highly recommended! 😊

We dined at De Volkslust restaurant with a large group. It was very enjoyable, and the Italian Shared Dining concept worked perfectly: delicious dishes to share in a relaxed atmosphere. The service was friendly, and everything went smoothly. Definitely recommended for a group dinner! :)

Very bad, food is prepared in Utrecht and prepared in Haarlem via the microwave according to the so-called chef

Extremely disappointing both food & service. Was advised of a 40 minute wait, no problem. Got drinks & all good. Hubby finished his beer, left on table & waited & watched waitresses walk past fairly constantly with not one asking if a refill was required so waited to see what would happen. After almost 15 minutes the empty glass was removed without a word or offer of refill. I finished my drink & same process, not one staff member noticed the empty glass or offered a refill so finally got attention of waitress as she was about to walk past again & got a refill, not very impressed. Finally food arrived & sorry to say my steak was medium well when ordered rare (hubbys was perfect) & my mashed potatoes were burnt. Even the chef grimaced when l insisted he try them himself. So fail on service & fail on food quality. To be fair the front of house lady immediately removed the steak from the bill & discounted hubbys as well, but as it's now 10pm a stop at Maccas next to our hotel is required. Extremely disappointing especially after last night's awesome experience at Bambu Kitchen & Bar which was a 5 star experience.

We had a lovely lunch outside by the water. The food was delicious and the portions were just right. The service was friendly and helpful.

We were very pleased with our visit. The breakfast was truly delicious and the staff were very friendly. The prices are absolutely reasonable. It was especially nice that we were allowed to order six minutes before breakfast was supposed to end. That was very accommodating. The food is really good here and you feel welcome. We would definitely come back.

Come May, enjoy a delicious drink on the Water Terrace on Nieuwe Gracht near Volklust in Haarlem! Want to eat something on the Water Terrace at Volklust in this wonderful summer weather? Order from the menu. Nachos are no longer available here. It's a shame the Water Terrace closes around 7:00 PM. I come here for the Water Terrace; I won't be going upstairs to the restaurant because that's not what you're here for. Watch out for the seagulls! If you're going to eat here on the Water Terrace at De Volklust, make sure you don't let the seagulls join you. These seagulls are very cheeky and will steal your food right off your plate. For more information, visit Tripadvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.nl/ShowUserReviews-g188593-d15147890-r938771512-De_Volkslust-Haarlem_North_Holland_Province.html

All guests an me and my wife waited endless outside while three waitresses were talking wach other inside

Wonderful waitresses, good food and nice location and a good owner…! But that manager quite arrogant and seemed quite cruel towards to the hard working ladies ( noticed that randomly walking by!)… mister be kinder… it’s 2025 and your attitude it’s not acceptable even by the costumers let alone from the poor (under) staff (ed)!!!!

Highly recommended! Our trip on the Volkslust Salon Boat Lola was a treat from start to finish. Skipper and host Jacob warmly welcomed us with a glass of bubbly, after which we comfortably settled into the beautiful salon boat. As we sailed past Haarlem's most beautiful spots, Jacob created the perfect balance of interesting stories, conviviality, and a relaxed atmosphere. The food was top-notch: delicious sandwiches on crispy fresh bread, delightful croquettes, a wonderful soup, and a wide selection of wine, rosé, beer, and soft drinks. Everything was perfectly taken care of. The service and hospitality were exceptional; you immediately felt welcome and completely pampered. In short: an unforgettable experience where atmosphere, service, and quality come together perfectly. We will definitely be back!

The food was delicious, the service was quick, but the prices were a bit high for a simple diner. I do have to comment on the bizarrely small portion of sea bass; a tiny fillet on a tiny bed of tagliatelle strings for €24, that's it. I mentioned it anyway, but the staff seemed clueless. The menu said "All dishes are served with salad," but you have to ask for it yourself :') Incidentally, my dining companion still didn't get a salad (nothing to worry about: lettuce pieces and a few tomatoes). Carpaccio and crêpe Suzette were delicious, but the stingy portion of the main course set a new low in Dutch restaurants.

Very nice restaurant, food is great and coffee to. Friendly staff.

The service is friendly, the atmosphere is good !!! But just to have a cup of coffee or a drink with the canal view !!!! THE WORST AVOCADO TOAST I HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE !!!! I am wondering how did they cook a pouched egg so cold !!!!

Most disappointing avocado toast I ever had.

It's nice to sit both inside and outside (also possible on the water). The 12-hour meal, which included a mozzarella sandwich, was good.

Great terrace on the water, nice service. Food isn’t the best but nice place for a beer :)

Today we had a lovely boat trip with lunch on the "Lola" through the Haarlem waters. We watched in admiration as the skipper expertly navigated the boat and made sure the guests had everything they needed. Highly recommended!

My perfect landing spot after a busy morning of planes and trains.

Well-filled sandwiches for lunch and enough choice. There is a part with background music and a part of the space is without background music. Generally a good impression, too bad about the cat that walked through the restaurant, I personally don't like it that much and the cat also peed on my daughter's bag.

What a top service. At the last minute of closing time of the kitchen we were allowed to moor our boat at the terrace and the food was served on the boat. Super nice, hospitable and sweet people at Volkslust.

Excellent!! AMAZING food and service. Highly recommend to visitors

Sat on the terrace in the sun. Relaxed atmosphere and the food was great. Definitely recommended!

I wanted to have a nice day out to eat. To my surprise I didn't like the atmosphere. I saw a male manager going off on his staff I was shocked. The food itself was really not worth the money.

Way too expensive, 25 euros for 4 croquettes with bread

The atmosphere is nice but the avocado toast and eggs benedict we got were very disappointing. I’d go back for coffee or drinks though

The food itself is fine. The fries were tasty. The rest is not very special. The service is terrible. The staff did not know the menu and did not speak Dutch well, which resulted in a miscommunication twice. Even with the simplest coffee.. The food was not passed on to the kitchen and the food was served in stages.

Apparently they had a bad day…. The staff did not know the menu and had to constantly ask the kitchen whether dishes were available or not, even though they were on the menu. When the food arrived, it was also very disappointing. Avocado toast was not fresh avocado but clearly a spread from a packet. The poached egg was cold. The stew had cold fries and was simply not tasty. Too bad, because the location is great. By the way, the wine was nice… in short, we will choose another restaurant for the time being.

The place has a very atmospheric and cozy vibe, and we were really looking forward to enjoying it. Unfortunately, the service was extremely disappointing. The waitresses were rude, unprofessional, and unable to provide clear information about the menu or ordering process. Their attitude made us feel very unwelcome. It was such a frustrating experience that we didn’t even get the chance to place our order. We left feeling very disappointed.

Great service, Dutch speaking! Cynthia and Floor kept the momentum going! Delicious food and nice portions! Value for money, highly recommended!

Operated by Floor and Cynthia. Very helpful and nice adequate service. Nice restaurant!

Atmospheric, didn't eat but did make a cup of coffee. Service was excellent👍

Very pleasant, Yusu dear employees. Were super helpful

absolutely great! During May 5 we were allowed to use the toilet here for free!!

Very nice atmosphere, good staff

Super nice place, super nice people behind the bar

Delicious food and the service is very friendly.

This place was busy but very slow with their service. Staff did not seem to be very enthusiastic either. What we ordered was ok

Wonderfully aired. Flemish stew with Flemish fries. Friendly staff and quick help.

Nice place where everyone is welcome. Very friendly and competent staff. We come here every week for a nice cup of coffee.

In summary, it is a shame that such a clumsy and disappointing business is located in such a beautiful location

What unfriendly service. We were sitting by the water and the waitress came to ask if we wanted to pay in advance. We pay, she arrives less than 5 minutes later, you have to leave now!!! While we were not frugal in ordering drinks and appetizers cold and warm, the bottle of wine we wanted another one of and our men had other drinks. We had already ordered and finished the appetizers and had also decided to continue dining here. But no, you just had to leave the terrace on the water. Hence my/our 1 star, the way it was said that you should just fuck off because of the two unfriendly waitresses!

Food quality was adequate. Service was slow. Furthermore, excellent at the same time for the price.

I went there for lunch with a friend yesterday. The service was disastrous. Every time we asked the waitress something, it was forgotten or ignored. You always have to walk in to get it. After an hour (after asking several times where the food was) we finally got the food served. We were given 12 hours without soup. Asked several times about the soup that accompanied the dish according to the menu. But this was again ignored by the waitress. When I asked about it at checkout, another employee said there was no soup that day. So the 12 o'clock is only a sandwich with croquette. The food was not tasty and served on a dirty plate. I don't go there anymore.

We deden een kleine bite, duidelijk 2 x mini hamburger en mini caprese en Vlaamse friet besteld. Kregen 1 mini hamburger, geen vork om je caprese om te eten. Service ging het navragen moest zelf vragen om vork aan de bar en vragen hoe of wat m.b.t. 2e mini hamburger. Kan gebeuren maar vertel excuses miscommunicatie we bakken er nu 1. Nooit meer! Niet eens bij betalen vragen of alles naar wens was. Zonde van mijn 50€.

Lovely little café/restaurant on the banks of a gracht in Haarlem. The scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on dark country-style bread and a little salad side were very tasty. And so was the latte macchiato. All in all, it is a very relaxing place.

Food very tasty, great service, nice atmosphere

Great experience having lunch here. The food was delicious there was a lovely girl from New Zealand working there! Recommended visiting this spot ☺️

Delicious food. Plenty of choice and very friendly service.

Despite mediocre reviews, I was 100% pleased with it. The organic hamburger is a winner. Flemish meat pan tasty but lots of carrot and little meat. Something went wrong with the orders and the coffee was on the house.

It was delicious and the service was great!

Our local in Haarlem. Great bar and awesome staff!

Had a delicious meal at De Volkslust. The carpaccio was buttery tender and the stew had a delicious flavour. The tomato soup was also very good. Friendly and attentive service in a pleasant atmosphere. In short: definitely recommended if you are in Haarlem! Point for improvement: toilet does not smell very fresh, overflowing trash can and not completely clean.

We had an outstandingly good lunch at Volklust in Haarlem today and the service was friendly, helpful and efficient. Thoroughly recommended!

Good location, nice deck on the canal with the sun out. Service personnel didn’t seem to be trained well. The milk of my cappuccino was burnt and scorching hot, could melt iron bars with it. Watch out, you pay 50 cents per glass of water (about 1,5 sip of water per glass), and they don’t tell you beforehand.

Yesterday I wanted to sit there by the water, unfortunately five tables were all reserved. I asked how can I make a reservation and last night I made a reservation with the comment that I would like to sit by the water. Reservation was made at 2:30 am. At 2:20 am I was there, all the tables were full and the lovely lady had told me that they no longer had any reservations for outside. I tell them that yesterday I was there and I made a reservation and that's why I came especially today to give them your very sweet smile. I understand the story, but on the other hand I came specially from Hoofddorp to Haarlem and I was empty-handed.

Nice place, very mediocre service. Lax and disinterested. Yes sir, just order via the app. Poorly tapped glass of beer, without foam and level in the glass almost two fingers below the line. Clean waitresses. A shame for a café in such a beautiful place.

After 30 minutes of sitting outside no one bothers to serve you even after asking 3 times. Horrible experience.

Moderate experience at Volkslust. Popped in for a cup of coffee. The cookies that came with it tasted old. In addition, inexperienced service, it seemed. After walking in it took at least +/- 10 minutes before someone came to ask if she wanted something to drink. Seemed like they were behind the bar on their phone. Price was okay. But to be fair, we only arrived shortly. Still, it prevents me from returning here again.

It was so nice. The food was delicious and the bartender Cynthia was so nice and cozy, a really nice atmosphere.

Nice decor, friendly service, but the food was disappointing. We ordered toasted brioche avocado with poached egg from the menu and were looking forward to this delicacy. Unfortunately, we got a slightly over-toasted brown sandwich instead. The eggs were well poached but lukewarm instead of warm. So a disappointment. When asking the waiter it turned out that they always serve this dish this way. Our sincere advice: make sure you have brioches at home if you put this on the menu, or change the menu.

During a beautiful sunny day we sat here on the terrace, out of the wind and in the sun, what more could you want! The service is very attentive and regularly comes outside to ask if everything is still to your liking. We didn't eat anything, but only had a nice drink, highly recommended!

Worst breakfast ever. Waited an hour on a plate with cheese and lettuce. Even though it was vegetarian, it contained raw ham. It seemed to us that the bread was from the day before yesterday. When asked, "the cook was unfortunately tired today". I think he should just stay in bed tomorrow...

Expensive for what you get. Tasty, but not very special.

One of my favorite places for lunch in Haarlem and in the Netherlands. They serve massive portions and have nice salads options. Salad with burrata is my favorite :)

Nice tent. Cozy, smooth service. Beautiful starters. Vedett on tap. High long table for having a drink or reading a newspaper.

Portion for what passes for stew with fries was meager to say the least. Taste was ok though

Avocado toast is shockingly less taste. Staffs are not friendly - no smile, looks dull to me - it’s waste of the nice view.

Great place for a coffee + Friendly service Great atmosphere

Volkslust Haarlem is a charming gem nestled on Kruisweg in Haarlem, Netherlands. My wife and I dined here five years ago during the magical tulip blooming season, and the experience remains vivid in my memory. The atmosphere of the restaurant is inviting, blending a warm, homely feel with an air of sophistication. Its location in the heart of Haarlem made it an excellent choice for a relaxed yet refined meal after a day of exploring the vibrant tulip fields. The menu was diverse and thoughtfully curated, offering a delightful mix of traditional Dutch flavors and modern culinary twists. We started with an appetizer platter that showcased local cheeses and fresh bread paired with a flavorful herb butter. For the main course, I opted for a beautifully cooked steak, while my wife enjoyed a seasonal vegetarian dish featuring fresh asparagus and a creamy hollandaise sauce. Each dish was presented impeccably and tasted as good as it looked. What truly elevated our visit was the exceptional service. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, providing recommendations and ensuring that every aspect of our meal was perfect. Their friendliness and genuine passion for hospitality left a lasting impression. The ambiance was enhanced by tasteful décor and soft lighting, creating a cozy setting for an intimate meal. We particularly appreciated the large windows that offered a view of the bustling street, connecting us to the vibrant energy of Haarlem while we dined. Volkslust Haarlem is a restaurant I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone visiting the city. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner or a memorable meal during tulip season, this establishment delivers an experience that’s both delicious and delightful.

Nice and cozy and relaxed. Extra star for the friendly and motivated staff.

Probably the best place to have a quality breakfast in Haarlem!

There's a blond man working here. He is super rude to everyone and I kept hearing him shouting at his colleagues

Went for dinner on a Wednesday night, so it was not busy . We had steak and fish. Total cost for main courses alone was 55 euros. Total bill was 90 euros with only four glasses of wine a bottle of water and some bread .Worth it .. NOPE the fish was grey and over cooked, the steak was flat and presented already cut into pieces, strange. A serious lack of presentation which you would expect when a course costs 28 euros. I did not finish the fish because frankly I could cook something substantially better. Good luck

We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary at 'de Volkslust'. A truly excellent experience. The entire program was discussed pleasantly and in detail with the owner, the hostess and the cook well before the holiday. That gave me peace of mind. The hostess was easily accessible in the run-up. She responded promptly to our questions and comments and thought along with us. The tables were stylishly set, the shared dinner was excellently prepared by a top chef and his team. And all of this was supervised in an excellent and hospitable manner. The service was fine. During the dinner, special attention was paid to the children present who could indicate what they would like to eat. It was therefore a real celebration for them too. We felt completely unburdened. A real recommendation!

Lovely place. The chocolate cake is fantastic and the location is perfect. Highly recommended.

We had a great evening at the Volkslust during our party! The shared dinner was fantastic – delicious dishes to enjoy together, with attention to taste and presentation. After dinner the party really got going with a DJ and saxophonist creating the perfect atmosphere. The music and live sax made it energetic and unique, and we danced with our guests until the early hours. It was an unforgettable evening that fully met our expectations. Definitely recommended for anyone who wants to celebrate something special!

Excellent coffee and the most delicious cakes I’ve eaten in the whole of the Netherlands so far! Lovely staff and an all around wholesome vibe 💕

Seating is breathtaking specially in sunny days you can sit on the deck! Good coffee but not the best cakes. Have t tried their sandwiches

Excellent burgers, really good beer and good service. Well worth a visit. Recommended ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Extremely rude staff, who cannot handle complaints and tell customer "there's nothing I can do about the slimy tomato" and "go somewhere else if you are in a hurry" - after a 1,5 hour wait. Terrible!

We arrived at 10:00, got our drinks at 10:30. At almost 11:00, we had to ask for the menus as they never came. Food finally came at 11:30. I was shocked to see the size of the bread. Tomatoes on top were slimy, not fresh at all. When I went to the girl at the counter to complain, she said she coudn't do anything about it. When I complained about the slow service, she said: if you are in a hurry, you should go somewhere else. Shocking! Terrible service, bad food and unacceptable behavior all together. There are many other places in Haarlem, don't waste your money and time at this crappy place.

The service is subpar, but the beer is delicious and cools well.