Grand Café Brinkmann in Oude Stad

Today (Sept. 14) we had lunch on the terrace, which tasted delicious. The staff, however, was a joke. The girl with the nose ring was completely inattentive, looked unkempt, and was wearing worn-out and really filthy Adidas sneakers. She had our table in her section but barely looked around, causing us, and others too, to wait far too long. Eventually, we asked a colleague to take our order, and then she shuffled over. Instead of standing politely in front of us to take the order, she stood behind us, forcing us to crane our necks to place our order. The table was really still dirty and wasn't cleaned. Food was served on a dirty table and only half-written on the menu. Empty cups were not cleared away. Very peculiar. It was the same again when paying; we couldn't make any contact because she simply wasn't looking. We asked a colleague again if we could pay. And there she came shuffling over again. I said something about it, but that clearly didn't bother her either. This lady is bad for your good name. The rest of the staff could also adopt a somewhat more proactive attitude. All in all, not a positive experience.

We ordered a veal patty. It was factory-made meat (cubes). It wasn't hot either, but lukewarm!! For the main courses, you had to order supplements separately. They are not included in the price. All in all, it was not a good choice to eat here.

Great beer selection, great food and the service is wicked quick!

Good service, but the food was very mediocre.

This is a stalwart of ours following shopping in central Haarlem. It never fails to impress us, Summer or Winter. Yesterday, it was very hot sitting outside, where the screen did not quite protect us from the Sun, so we moved inside without any protest from the staff who very promt and polite. Do try the crispy chicken and apple pie!

Had a delicious meal, lovely atmosphere in an authentic setting. Excellent service with a beautiful large terrace overlooking the market and church.

Ceasar salad was nice. Overall a bit pricey but has a good view and atmosphere

Very well located, lovely atmosphere

Nice place to people watch, good coffee too - only the toilets weren't that nice...

The coffee tastes awful and is expensive: €5,20 for a flat white. One of the worst coffees I've had in the Netherlands. The coffee I make at home in my Aeropress with Lidl's cheapest beans ground in my cheap hand grinder tastes way better than this bitter brown water with milk fluff.

Great selection both inside and out with tasty food and drinks and excellent service, highly recommended. Nachos, delicious

Great atmosphere on the Church square in the heart of Haarlem, there was a grear feel about this cafe, very vibey and the waiters were very friendly. I would go back anytime.

If I could give zero star, would have. The lady waiting the tables was rude af, was very particular on the table to sit despite the whole restaurant being empty. When asked why other customers are sitting in the front rows, she said they came earlier

Historical place, nice flat white, traditional and delicious apple pie. Good place to visit

Great food, great service. They have a gluten free option! Well priced.

Amazing and fast service, yiu can smoke outside which is very important to me as a Serbian citizen 😀 Staff is very kind, I recommend this place.

Since I only had drinks, I can't comment on the food, but judging by the people around me, it looked delicious. The seating area was great, with a view of the church. The carillon played the whole time, which I really enjoyed. The staff was very attentive, and my drinks arrived very quickly.

What a great restaurant! We stopped for a late lunch at one of the cafe's outdoor tables, under the awning. It turns out it's a great place to people watch and relax if you're out and about in Haarlem's center. We ordered the fish and chips, which was crispy and light with a nice serving of a tartar style sauce. My wife had the beef croquette which she really enjoyed. I had 0.0% Lowlander Wit Beer which paired nicely with the fish. If you get a chance, take a look inside at the cafe itself. It's a beautiful building!

We ate there three times last week with friends and our dog. The food is delicious and very reasonably priced. We didn't need to make a reservation. The ambiance is a bit like the 70s, reminiscent of the GDR era—apologies for that—but it's cozy. The service was incredibly friendly and attentive. Thank you!

Attentive staff, fast service. Great view of the market square – we had a great lunch with delicious paninis.

We visited spontaneously and were pleasantly surprised: good food, but a bit expensive if you want to sit in the front row on Haarlem's market square.

Great cafe/restaurant on the main square in Haarlem with views of the church and other interesting buildings. Good for people watching and chilling in the morning for breakfast. Great breakfast and coffee. Reasonably priced for town centre tourist location.

Love this place in Haarlem, always try to go here when im visiting Haarlem, great location, nice view of the square. Good food and very reasonably priced.

Had some drinks and crispy chicken as a snack. The chicken was nice and tender. Nice and crispy on the outside.

We had some drinks at a historic cafe in the square, it was nice, but we regretted going to Haarlem, it wasn't anything special.

Great staff. Always served quickly and kindly. Just like Grand Café l’Opéra on Rembrandtplein in Amsterdam was 20 years ago. A pleasure to visit. They still know the ropes there.

Cozy terrace right in the middle of the Grote Markt. Great for people-watching and having lunch. Excellent service and tasty food.

It was very busy. It took a while before we were noticed. Beautiful interior. Food was tasty but not special. 2 people

Well...you want to find your spot, because they have plenty of beautiful spots. Good service.

Grand Café Brinkmann on the Grote Markt in Haarlem is one of those places where history, the city, and the view almost naturally blend into one another. You aren't just sitting "on a terrace" there; you are literally sitting on one of the most vibrant squares in the Netherlands, surrounded by centuries of city history. The story begins in the 19th century. In 1879, brothers Heinrich and Joseph Otto Brinkmann opened their café-restaurant in Haarlem. Not long after, in 1881, they moved to the Grote Markt. There, it grew into much more than a café: it became a kind of mini-empire with function rooms, a cinema, a bowling alley, and places where the entire city gathers. But the true heart of Brinkmann has always been in that location itself: the Grote Markt. The place: right in the middle of Haarlem's life The Grote Markt is the city's central square, with the impressive Grote Kerk (St. Bavo Church) as a silent giant on one side and the continuous urban interplay of terraces, markets, and people on the other. Grand Café Brinkmann is situated right in between, like a sort of “lodging spot” on the square. From the terrace, you look out over: * the wide open space of the market * the facades of historic buildings surrounding the square * and the constant movement of people: cyclists, tourists, and Haarlemmers lingering for a moment The view: a living theater What makes it special is that the view is never the same. In the morning, you see the square awakening with coffee and newspapers. During the day, it fills with the market, the sun, and conversations on the terrace. And in the evening, it transforms into a warm glow of lights, glassware, and the buzz of conversation. You also always look towards the Grote Kerk, which continues to tower above everything. That gives the square something almost timeless: modern life against a medieval backdrop. A place where the city comes together As a result, Brinkmann has become not just a café, but also a kind of “seating corner of the city.” For generations, people have come here for lunch, coffee, or a drink, but above all to look: at the square, at each other, at Haarlem itself. And that is perhaps the most beautiful thing about that place: you don't actually have to do anything there. The view is enough.

"A mega burger 🍔 with super delicious fries and homemade mayonnaise – simply delicious!" 😋

Beautiful interior, a very cozy atmosphere, and delicious food. Highly recommended💖

The apple pie is delicious, moist, and soft. The coffee is also tasty, and the panini had a wonderful flavor with melted cheese. It is a great cafe for a quick bite if you are in the area.

We went here for lunch and it was really good. Tasty sandwiches and good service. And what a beautiful building, a historic place with a story, that makes it extra special.

My favorite spot when I cycle to Harlem for a break

Beautiful old building in the city center. Prompt and friendly service, and lunch was also served quickly.

Good classy restaurant in centre. Try the satay! Coffee is good as well.

Delicious food and a good atmosphere & service. Everything ran smoothly. Thanks to the kitchen staff. Really, very good. Despite the busyness before the Whitsun weekend.

Nice nice place, it was busy but our food got quick anyway

Apart from the fact that there are only 2 toilets, everything is great!

Had a drink and ate bitterballen. Great bitterballen, served at the right temperature. Fast service.

A large, centrally located café right on the main market square. We'll gladly come again!

A lovely café in the heart of Haarlem. Great service. I can't comment on the food; we only had coffee.

Went for a quick coffee and pastry.

Stew is very good. Big enough for two actually. The spicy paninni with chicken was excellent.

We stopped in for desserts and coffee, and they're delicious. We chose apple pie, cappuccino, and black tea. The service was quick, and we were lucky to find a seat—there were some available. It was very crowded, like a train station or an airport. And there were only two restroom stalls, so it was very crowded. The downside was that people came with huge dogs, and the seating area was very dark. I'm terribly allergic to dog hair, so I had to find other seats, which took a while.

I've been going to Brinkmann's for years, though it's been a while. But today I went to Haarlem, so I had lunch there. That was a bit disappointing... we could only sit in the back (a very dark room), but the food was truly awful. A goat cheese sandwich on two ordinary toasted rolls—I think the goat cheese was sliced ​​with a cheese slicer because it couldn't have been any thinner—and some lettuce thrown on top. And all that for a whopping €13. My girlfriend had pancakes with fresh fruit, which meant less than half a banana and a total of six blueberries. So that was the last time I went there. A shame... faded glory.

Over €12 for mulled wine that's impossible to drink! And when you politely point this out (it really didn't taste good), when the staff asks if everything was to your liking, you're told, "Too bad, but it's premixed, and we were out of cinnamon sticks because it was busy, but it still comes to €12.20." So, don't ask if you don't care!

Nice place to eat and have a drink

Too expensive for what you get. 2 slices of bread with 4 thin slices of goat cheese. And the fried eggs finished with a few slices of pickle. I've had better experiences at other restaurants, otherwise I wouldn't be writing this. Friendly staff. But I think this restaurant still exists based on the old reputation of previous kitchen staff. The place is packed, which is actually a miracle.

Delicious coffee, great apple pie. It's incredibly sweet, though, so you'll be full afterward.

You pay a hefty price, and it's unclear why. The building is beautiful, but the furniture is dingy and old. It could use a makeover. The service is adequate, but that's about it. The food is fine, but not outstanding. Nothing justifies the prices at this restaurant.

It has a very pleasant and peaceful atmosphere. We had a very enjoyable evening under the heater in the rain. We drank coffee. The service was a little slow, but I would still recommend it.

A charming, traditional restaurant. The service and atmosphere were great. The mulled wine was okay. The kip satay was perfect. The fish and chips were also delicious, but the fish was a little small. I would definitely go again.

A warm drink after a lovely walk through Haarlem. It was incredibly busy, but the service was fast and attentive!

Very nice and pleasant restaurant. Good food and friendly service.

Nice place, but it's incredibly annoying that main courses like satay and hamburgers are simply served without fries, and the staff doesn't even ask if you want them. Just make the dish more expensive instead of hiding it so you're actually paying a lot.

Very friendly service with good food.

Everything is fine and dandy. But it's just too busy, too much, too cluttered.

Very nice for a snack or a drink

Great grand café. Friendly waiters. Beautiful establishment.

We come here regularly. The service is simply excellent. I ordered a hamburger for lunch, without realizing it cost €18.50, without anything on the side. Disappointed, I asked two employees what they thought. Just in a normal way. Their response was that they don't really have an opinion about it. Not that it's too bad for you, sir... I suggested that maybe you could report this to a manager, but they didn't think it was necessary. That's why I decided to leave this review anyway. The price for this hamburger and the way people react here are outrageous.

Pretty cool place. Soup s amazing, and sandwiches are great. Gets pretty crowded though

We had a great time with drinks. The service was excellent and friendly.

Lovely café, dog-friendly. The coffee and hot chocolate were very good. The cake has been better.

Friendly and welcoming service. We had a delicious lunch.

€19,50 for a plain burger is insane… no salad or French fries. Location is wonderful, great helpful staff.

Nice place in a lovely setting, let down by the toilets. A place with at least 60 tables outside plus many more inside has only one gents one ladies and one disabled toilet. You couldn't make it up

One of the best spots of Haarlem to sit on a sunny day to enjoy the Grotemarkt. The staff is nice but not many for the size of the terrace. The food and drinks are delicious.

A beautiful place in the centre of Haarlem. Old style, historic and in one word: perfect. Friendly and fast service. If you visit Haarlem, you have to come here to taste a chocolate cake (really awesome) and a beer!

I definitely recommend the beef stew with fries. Deliciously tender and well-seasoned. The croquette sandwich was just as good as it should be.

Beautiful authentic café-restaurant. Pleasant terrace on the market square.

Cozy, delicious food and drinks. Excellent service. The warm apple pie was especially delicious.

Friendly and efficient staff, nice seating on the patio, but 19 euros and 50 cents for a perfectly average hamburger without any fries, salad, or vegetables is absolutely absurd! The hamburger isn't worth more than 9 euros and 50 cents! We paid 10 euros too much for what's served. It's a good thing we enjoyed the sun on the patio, otherwise this would have been a major disappointment.

This café has a brilliant atmosphere, old skool but highly recommended. We had flat white coffee, they came with biscuits, a slice of chocolate cake and apple pie with cream. The chocolate cake was lovely but the apple pie was better, and one of your 5 a day 😉. It had a cinnamon flavour to it and went down a treat with the coffee. I wasn't disappointed in either of them. We didn't reserve a table but found a seat. The staff were very friendly and service was quick. They also have a good selection of beer and sell food too. Well worth a visit.

After entering, we were quickly asked what we wanted to drink. This turned out to be the only way to get fast service. The drinks arrived quickly, but we then waited half an hour before deciding to pay instead of ordering lunch.

Beautiful location, nicely decorated, friendly and hospitable service. Unfortunately, when we were there, there were a lot of noisy guests, which somewhat detracted from the atmosphere.

Tea glasses are too hot to handle. I would use other glasses with handles.

Good place to drink something or have dinner! Cozy place, good atmosphere and nice food. Thanks!

If you visit Haarlem, you have to stop by Brinkmann. It's almost a cult favorite. It's always been a pleasure.

Probably one of the oldest establishments in Haarlem. Pleasant terrace. Fast and friendly service. It doesn't need more...

At the side of the main square with plenty going on, the attentive staff, amazing selection of beers (14), extensive menu, quality foodand reasonable prices make this a restaurant NOT to be missed.

Great ambient and good service.

Good service and food, if you are Latino, you will probably notice that the presentation of some foods like the croissant is very different

Very charming restaurant, friendly service and very tasty food!

Convenient Lunch Spot Across from St. Bavo Church After visiting the impressive St. Bavo Church, we stopped for lunch at Grand Café Brinkman, which is ideally located right across the square. The café has a classic, old-style atmosphere and a cozy terrace perfect for people-watching. The staff were friendly and service was very good — attentive and welcoming without being overbearing. The lunch menu is fairly limited, but enough for a light bite. I ordered the fish and chips. It was okay, though not particularly memorable. The portion of fries was generous, but the fish itself was a bit small and lacked flavor, which made me wonder if it might have been a frozen filet. Still, it’s a convenient and pleasant place to take a break, especially if you’re exploring Haarlem’s city center. A nice spot for a quick lunch or drink with a great view of the square.

Samen met ons gezin en Oma mijn verjaardag gevierd. De Brinkman is gezellig maar het was deze avond helaas niet zo druk. Lekker aan de kaasfondue! Prima gegeten en de service was ook prima. Nadeel is dat er niet zo’n groot buitenterras aanwezig is met het warme weer. Wat maakt dat we van de winter graag terugkomen.

Finally a decaf cappuccino that tastes like coffee!

Nice café in the heart of the city. The cheese and tomato panino is overpriced and undercooked. The coffee is delicious.

We just went to spend the evening during sunset on the terrace and have some drinks. Quick service and a pleasant atmosphere.

We only had a cappuccino, which was quite a small cup for €4.00. Right on the square in front of the church.

Great place in Haarlem, great staff

A lovely restaurant with friendly service, a delicious large hamburger, and apple pie, plus a great view of the square in front.

Everything was perfect, but unfortunately the coffee was a bit less.

Lovely large terrace situated towards the big market and the sun. Also shady spots. Nice service and delicious food.

Large and busy restaurant but with excellent efficient waiter service. Good food and drink at reasonable prices.

Sat in the sun on the Grote Markt. Enjoyed a nice lunch.

Terrace on the central square is a bit cramped.

Large terrace on the Grote Markt in Haarlem.

Large brasserie style in Paris at the beginning of the century, an old-fashioned but very charming charm, on the main square what's more!