Drink & Eetlokaal Het Schoolhuis in Waterland

Except for the fact that the bathrooms weren't very clean and there was no soap. But it's in a good location near Amsterdam.

They were voted best apple pie in Netherlands, and I believe it. It's a wonderful place to stop and take a break while out on the bikes. The staff are really fun to be around and very informative. Then there's the apple pie!

Very friendly and hospitable, well taken care of

Delicious apple pie with real whipped cream, tasty cappuccino. Excellent.

Nice stop during our bike ride. Small-scale, cozy

We had lunch here on the recommendation of friends because of the surroundings. The surroundings are beautiful, but what slow and disappointing service. We waited a full hour for our lunch. Many items on the menu were also unavailable. And the price-quality ratio of the meager Caesar salad is shameful.

Completely non existent service - quite shocking really. Waited over an hour to get served and another 25 minutes for my coffee and chocolate cake to come out. The food wasn’t bad but I got unlucky and all their house specialties were sold out - they even ran out of milk 🤷‍♂️ They have a nice back seating area, albeit it’s hard to get seat there as they have no system for sitting guests down (it’s a kind of free for all). Disappointed given I cycled 45 minutes to get here and I saw such glowing reviews.

Had a delicious meal on the terrace in the shade. The portions are large and very good in terms of taste.

Good food and drinks and friendly service.

Apple pie is good. With large, thin apple slices; no purée. And not too sweet.

We thought it was a nice place to grab a quick drink! The place is indeed nice, but after waiting 15-20 minutes for someone to take our order, we became a bit less happy. No friendly interaction with the staff. The iced coffee doesn't deserve the name coffee; it was disgusting! A bitter, lukewarm drink from which all the coffee aroma had already gone, with a splash of nasty coffee creamer... the beer was better, but not really cold either! Disappointing!

Had a delicious meal Fantastic place

I don't mind paying good money for freshly squeezed orange juice, but 4 EUR for 100ml is just bizarre.

Restaurant with a terrace situated by the ditch with a view over the meadows. The other terrace is located by the road. Well sheltered by parasols. Nice atmosphere. Good and efficient service and delicious food! It was also lovely that the house cat sat undisturbed in a chair by our table. This restaurant is highly recommended! You can also eat inside. Dogs are welcome.

Much has already been said about the apple pie, but it is really true… what a delicious apple pie they have here! We saw it, freshly baked in their own kitchen! Top baker!!

Great service and beautiful place

Pre-drinks arrived quickly. After that, the pace dropped completely. Nice terrace, but much more could be made of it.

Lovely spot in the shade with a view of the meadow. The sparrows are chirping around us. Unfortunately, the service is not very quick. We arrived on the terrace at 1:00 PM and our lunch wasn't on the table until 1:50 PM. We did have a delicious meal though!

Lovely spot just outside Amsterdam. Great food, a unique location, and within cycling distance of Noord. From here, you can also do the White Bridges route when the ferry is running—great fun!

Funny stop while cycling. They have great apple pie. Looks nice and has a lovely terrace. Good service.

Lovely place! Good food and beautiful surroundings

An old schoolhouse in Holysloot. Very cozy. The service was exceptionally friendly and fast. The salads were delicious.

Nice and simple lunch in this cafe in Holysloot, where you feel like you’re in a countryside bubble. Nice views, sunny terrace and nice service.

The location is truly beautiful, right in the middle of the polder. When you sit there, you can hear the frogs croaking and the birds singing. The terrace is also nicely set up with pleasant tables and chairs. So, in terms of atmosphere, it is absolutely spot on. Unfortunately, the service was a major disappointment to us. The staff is very young, and that is reflected in the service. We had to wait a long time before we were served, and the food and drinks also took quite a while to arrive. Additionally, we had ordered two Cokes that were ultimately never brought. The biggest problem was the Eggs Benedict order. We had clearly indicated that it needed to be served on a gluten-free bun due to a gluten allergy. However, the dish was served on a regular bun, and my girlfriend had already taken a bite. Only then did the staff return with the message that it was not gluten-free. As far as we are concerned, that is simply unacceptable. You have to be extra careful with allergies. We felt that a simple "sorry" was not sufficient in this situation. Of course, it is fine to work with young employees, but proper guidance is important. Especially when it comes to allergies and providing good service. As a guest, you want to be able to trust that such matters are taken seriously. It is a shame, because the location is truly fantastic. But due to the mediocre service and the mistake regarding the allergy, we will not be returning here.

The apple pie here is some of the best I've had! Highly recommend if you're visiting the Amsterdam area.

We had called ahead to make a reservation for lunch. We were told that reservations were not possible due to a wedding, but that we were nevertheless very welcome. Upon arrival, however, the opposite turned out to be true. Initially, there was no staff to be seen. When someone finally walked by and we asked if we should perhaps order inside, we were told that the wait staff would come to our table. Ten minutes later—we had already been seated for 25 minutes by then—we were finally able to place our order. It was now 2:49 PM. When we wanted to place our lunch order, we were told that this should have been done by 2:45 PM at the latest. We would have gladly done that too, if we had been served sooner. We then asked if the drinks menu was still available, but that turned out not to be the case; only cake was still possible. We initially cancelled our order based on that. However, when we discovered that there were no other places to have lunch in the area, we placed our drinks order again. The waitress's reaction was: "Oh, but you had already ordered that, hadn't you?" So, apparently the order hadn't been cancelled at all, but it hadn't been served in the meantime either. After another ten minutes, we asked again where the drinks were. We were then told to be patient. Fortunately, they were brought shortly afterward. A little later, we were told that bar snacks were available after all. We ordered vegetarian bitterballen and cheese sticks, only to be told fifteen minutes later that there were no vegetarian bitterballen. Shortly after that, however, the chef came to tell us that they had been found after all. Then, when the cheese sticks were served ten minutes later, we were told again that there were no vegetarian bitterballen available after all. Paying inside also turned out to be impossible because there were “too many receipts.” If guests are not welcome due to an event, just state that clearly and honestly. That prevents frustration and ultimately benefits everyone.

Cute little restaurant in one of the last ‘untouched’ small villages in the countryside north of Amsterdam. Where time stands still. Although they do serve oat milk, so I guess they somewhat keep up with the times. Lovely people, lovely (and very big) apple pie, and very nice lunch as well. Come here to enjoy the view outside, looking out over the meadow fields as far as the eye can see.

A very nice spot just outside Amsterdam. You can sit comfortably on the terrace here and look out over the meadows. Also easily accessible by bike. Charming to take a short walk in the village.

Beautiful terrace, lovely in the sun with a fantastic view. The first coffee I was served was watery. The second one was okay. I didn't say anything about it, but watery coffee doesn't make me happy… UPDATE 10-05-26 Went out for a nice bike ride again today and stopped at the Schoolhuis for a retake. We had forty-five minutes for two cups of black coffee. It was busy, because the weather was nice. So I just walked straight inside to order two coffees at the bar. “Where are you sitting, sir?” I was asked, “then we will bring it to you shortly.” After forty-five minutes, we got back on our bikes. Didn't get any coffee or see any staff anywhere near our table. Other people asked us as we were leaving, “were you served?” “No, unfortunately.” But we had a lovely time, so next time we'll just go back for the retake.

Stopped here on a bike ride - great Apple pie!

What a lovely place to enjoy. Small village and nice people

According to various reviews, the apple pie here is very tasty. Well, "very tasty" doesn't quite cover it! The apple pie is delicious: lots of apple and a wonderfully crispy crust. The owner is (rightfully) very proud of it. And she is also proud of the building itself (a former school where her mother went and converted into this establishment by her father). We will definitely be back!!! And folks: Google Maps indicates that the road is closed, but Het Schoolhuis is still accessible!

Ordered coffee, a beer and an apple pie, everything was just right and delicious and the service was very fast. The restaurant is located in a typical rural Dutch house and I found that to be very interesting as well. Would recommend a stop or visit, seems a popular location for a weekend.

Edit: The atmosphere inside is great now. The coffee too. Hats off! 3 stars added ;-). Partly due to the exceptional hospitality experience. Great place. Due to roadworks, it's been difficult to reach by car for a while now. It's even better by bike. Delicious fresh cakes. The atmosphere inside isn't always pleasant (due to the staff/owner?). It's nice to sit in the authentic building. There's also plenty to see on the walls. Beautiful view outside. The coffee could be better; tastier and stronger.

What a cute hidden gem in Holysloot. We had a wonderful lunch and across the street there is a playground and a cute vintage store so win win for the entire family.

Super fun place. Nicely outside the city, yet still close by. We had a delicious piece of cake and a great toasted sandwich, and then we had energy to continue walking.

Pretty cool place to eat and drink during your bike trip, most of the food is homemade and tasty, service is nice

A warm welcome, a beautiful setting, friendly staff, and a relaxing atmosphere. The apple, cinnamon, and raisin tart is delicious. Thank you!

Beautiful place and delicious coffee and apple pie

A beautiful and cozy place in a small, quiet village. Delicious food and courteous and pleasant service.

Food, service, and outdoor patio were top notch! Highly recommend.

Excellent cakes, good coffee and tea selection. They have decaf and oatmilk. My favourite is the chocolate truffle cake - white & dark chocolate mousse on a very chocolatey base. Delicious! They have 3 cats, one of which required extensive stroking - or we were sitting on its personal spot! Service can be slow when it's crowded in good weather.

Super fun place! The atmosphere is great. Always a good destination for a trip out of Amsterdam for some delicious apple pie or something else delicious.

Super fun place! The atmosphere is great. Always a good destination for a trip out of Amsterdam for some delicious apple pie or something else delicious.

cozy restaurant hidden in a small village with lovely atmosphere. i can recommend the tomato soup and the apple pie - it was one of the best ones i’ve ever had :) thank you, i hope i will be able to visit again.

A lovely terrace with an unobstructed view. Great nachos!

Hidden gem tucked away by expansive fields in a small village - definitely off the tourist trail and worth the effort to find. Their breakfast menu shines with excellent on-toast options. We went for the vegetables, goat cheese, and salmon varieties, all impressively fresh and flavourful. The espresso was properly roasted with good body. The apple tart is visually stunning and tastes as good as it looks, though it's a bit tricky to navigate with a fork. One portion is generous enough for two, so plan to share unless you're particularly hungry.

We enjoyed a delicious apple pie at a lovely spot overlooking the meadows just north of Amsterdam during a bike ride through the "rural north".

The food was absolutely wonderful, the service was outstanding, and the place has such a peaceful and heartwarming vibe. Thank you for such a beautiful experience! 🥹✨❤️

Okay, lunch isn't exactly cheap these days. But at least you get your money's worth here. Normal prices and a lot of food on your plate. And the staff is super friendly and helpful.

A lovely, cozy place with delicious apple pie. A perfect stop during a bike ride through Waterland.

Okay! Unique location! Warm welcome.

Very nice shop, well hidden in Holy Cross, nice girls who helped us and everyone else.

Great experience, very friendly service!!! My respect to the kitchen, it was truly delicious :)

It was a wonderful experience! Beautiful view over the meadows and very friendly service! The food was delicious, nothing to complain about.

Disappointing experience when booking a surprise party We had organised a surprise party for my mother and had contacted this location weeks in advance. Unfortunately, the communication was very difficult: emails were hardly or very late responded to. As a result, I had to send one more email for every email. When we finally arrived on the day of the party, it turned out that several agreements that we had made clear had not been met at all. When we calmly said something about this, we were simply laughed at. The owner was also downright rude and unprofessional in her response. She did not come to greet us. After we repeatedly asked if she would come outside to discuss it, she sent someone else and her response to the fact that communication in advance was very difficult: Yes, we are not an email company. It was a big disappointment on a day that should have been special. We would certainly not recommend this location for organising a party or event. However, the rest of the staff did their best, which is why my father left a tip. The service ultimately made for a nice day. We are not the only ones: both here and on tripadvisor you can read very unpleasant messages about the owner.

It was a great stopover during my countryside bike tour in Amsterdam. As a global traveller and food enthusiast, I never pass up a good recommendation. The balance of caramelised apple and crispy butttered crust was exceptional. Adding a dose of cream was the icing on the cake. The sweetness level didn't overpower the apple fruitiness. So those craving high sweetness might give it a pass. There are good foods around us, but those leaving a lasting impression are far and few. This one undeniably makes the list.

Bad service with very young staff. Amazing how you are treated. I still had to pay and the service already sent the next customers to our table. This one was waiting impatiently. In short, we were looked away. Extremely unhospitable, a shame because it is a very nice place.

Stopped here for a bit during a bike ride. Fantastic little gem. The family who runs this place is lovely. Their cake smells so good but unfortunately I’m already full and didn’t want to have something heavy as I still have a good distance to go on my bike. I’ll defo try to return on my way back to try their food! Update 26/5/25: Returned to the cafe as promised from my visit two years ago. I had traditional Dutch apple pie which was phenomenal. The views from the tables at the back garden are the best!

Never heard of Holysloot. But got a tip from my daughter. Visited today. Nice atmospheric restaurant. Lots of flies though. Annoying. Food? Mediocre. Ordered a dish with grilled vegetables. Expected them to be warm. But they were cold. Not tasty. Bread was fresh though. Wife ordered asparagus soup. Thought it was very watery and no asparagus in it. Ordered mineral water. They didn't have it. But tap water. After we paid (with a €5 tip) I saw that they had charged me €3.50 for that glass of tap water by putting Chaudfontaine Red on the bill, which I certainly didn't get. Not nice. Last time I went to Holyshoot. Not recommended.

What a fantastic place, definitely recommended

Beautiful place among the croaking frogs.

Beautiful rural location, good food and drinks, with a cozy terrace. The history of the Schoolhouse is also interesting. The boss talks about it enthusiastically.

Very nice place for drinks and lunch. Top

Great place with very tasty lunch and a very sunny outside garden

Relaxed in the sun on the terrace by the meadow.

Just a few drinks was fine. Unfortunately, the promised nuts were gone.

They are warm, friendly people and good service.

Me and my little daughter waited 20 minutes outside to be served. Nothing happened. Went inside to ask if we can order something and was told by the waitress that she will come in a minute. We waited another 15 minutes. Nothing happened. Thank you very much for your fantastic hospitality!

Wonderful small place to get a beer or food while out biking around. It's a converted schoolhouse and very charming on the inside, but outside has very nice patio seating

A lovely, cozy Cafe' Restaurant, in the middle of the green Waterland. The hospitable owner and her friendly employees immediately make you feel welcome. Ps. the Eethuis also has a beautiful garden/terrax.

Nice place to sit. Both outside and inside. The ride there is always fun.

When we arrived around lunch time, the business was closed. But just as we decided to continue cycling, the staff arrived. They had no guests and were taking a walk. So I could still enjoy it. Friendly service and nice location!

Had a drink on the terrace. Nice place in a village at the end of a (long) dead end road through the meadows. The ride on the motorcycle alone was great.

Stopped here during a bike tour of the Dutch countryside. Spectacular apple pie in a calm and quiet setting. Have a slice of heaven outdoors, then get a slice of history indoors by walking through this charming building.

Amazing apple pie Nice waiters Nice view

Very nice place to sit. Nice atmosphere! Also had a nice meal.

What a nice place to land after a round of cycling with a delicious piece of apple pie. Top

We had an awesome lunch here after a leisurely bicycle ride from Amsterdam. Atmosphere was great sitting outside overlooking the canals and country side. Maise the cat was a highlight. We were served by wonderful waitress who was attentive and knew the menu well. The food was fesh and excellent. We had some open sandwiches a bottle of white wine and finished with the apple pancake. Filling and beautiful food. Well worth the visit.

What a beautiful place to stop for lunch. We were staying in Amsterdam and wanted to see rural Netherlands and we thoroughly enjoyed our bike ride out to Holysloot. The venue, service and food was amazing. Loved all the animals - the swan, birds and the fabulous cat. Highly recommended!

Great views, great pie, and a cat

Had a delicious lunch, had the smoked salmon on delicious fresh bread. Highly recommended. The homemade apple pie for dessert was also great. Friendly staff and good service. Thanks

Excellent coffee and delicious apple pie.

Very cozy place with a rustic atmosphere and the most delicious cake! Best break on the bike you can imagine.

What a beautiful place! With delicious food & great service!

on 24-08-2024 I visited the School House, my favorite. Once inside, my wife ordered a chicken sandwich and I ordered a soup. Unfortunately, I have no choice as I have swallowing problems due to radiation. I also asked if a piece of salmon could be fried soft. The salmon was recommended with various dishes, so that shouldn't be that difficult. The answer was, there is no salmon, even though it is stated on the menu. Very strange. The soup was green and watery and the sandwich my wife ordered was very dark and I couldn't find anything that looked like chicken on the sandwich, all in all very poor. the staff was busy with the smartphone and paid no attention to the customer at all. It will be a long time before I get back here

Heard in the corridors that this had the best apple pie in North Holland, so we had to check it out. Nice large piece with a beautiful view of the land. The garden where you could sit was summery and cozy. Definitely worth the bike ride!

Nice summer terrace. Ideal as a stopover for cyclists

Delicious coffee and delicious homemade apple pie! According to my cycling buddies, the cheesecake was also very tasty!

Very nice place in the middle of the Amsterdam countryside. This apple pie is delicious!

We were reminded by the guide who recommended the apple pie, it is far away and you have to go by car, we ordered to eat and it took them a long time to serve us, the food is good and so is the pie but they have to improve the service

Cycled back to the school house for a drink in July 2024 after a long time. This time we had a good time and, despite the crowds, the service was quick and friendly.

Especially a very nice place, near Amsterdam. Tasty beers, nice toasted sandwiches and good, enthusiastic boys and girls in the service.

Rurally located. Delicious homemade apple pie

Walked away after a wait of 25mins. Did not get the chance to order as they were so slow. When I walked away, the staff was complaining that they really wanted to be at home 🥹

Great place to chill in the good weather with lovely food and setting.

Apple pie was fantastic. I cannot judge further

Everything was fine, just a shame about the broken sharp crockery. I would have thrown that away at home. Dangerous and not restaurant worthy.

A very nice cafe. The home-baked cakes are a hit.

Messy, wrong order and had to wait more than half an hour to pay. Very chaotic.