Restaurant Café de Belgische Keizer in Wijk 10 Binnenstad

Hamburger delivered too quickly. Still undercooked upon arrival. Did get a new one... but unfortunately that wasn't really cooked through either. Shame...

Every week at roughly the same time, I visit this restaurant (after finishing my regular volunteer work on Mon-o); the weather has been so good these past few weeks that I have been making this visit to the outdoor terrace for weeks now. The standard or quality of the lunch I ordered (fried egg) remains excellent.

Cozy terrace in the city center. Tasty food and a great selection of craft beers.

Nice atmosphere. It is a shame, though, that the prices aren't clearly indicated on the menu. I ordered a gin & tonic. It is listed at €6, but actually it is around €9. Very strange. The sparkling iced tea wasn't good either.

The half chicken was neither crispy nor spicy, downright bland. The cordon bleu looked like it had been reheated in the microwave (or sous vide?) and contained very little ham and cheese. The fish and chips consisted of one miserable piece of fish with a whole lot of chips. It was a truly tasteless meal, certainly not like in Belgium!

A bit old-fashioned. Reasonable selection, but all the beer types are really mixed together. No separate section for Blond, IPA, etc. Not sorted by name either, a point for improvement.

We ate here as a couple. The ordered fish and chips were disappointing. It looked like a frozen Iglo 'lekkerbekkie', which you don't expect in a restaurant. The satay was fine.

Very cozy inside! A real traditional pub. Many Belgian beer options and a large terrace.

Had a lovely afternoon sitting on the terrace with colleagues.

It is super cozy and the service is friendly. We were there with 30 people for lunch. The quality was good and affordable.

The Mojito was listed as 6 euros on the menu; I thought 6 for a disappointing cocktail was acceptable. The price was incorrect; I paid 11.95. It was indeed still a disappointing Mojito with just one sprig of mint 🥲

The location is good, but the food is mediocre. Certainly not bad, but it’s not something I’d say is delicious. The biggest downside of this restaurant is that the staff are more preoccupied with each other than their work. So it takes a very long time to order, pay, or ask for a drink. Even though it wasn't really busy when I was there. The atmosphere on the terrace was good, though, and inside it really still feels like a traditional pub.

Just a nice place to grab a drink on the terrace. You don't have to wait too long for drinks. The staff are attentive.

Super fast service, good beer, and good food!

Good service, great food. We sat upstairs and it is quite cozy.

The food is very good, the staff friendly, and the price is good; highly recommended. Also, if you like beer, you're in the right place here.

So, my second home. That says enough.

Salad with way too much onion—I’m not exaggerating; it contained half a sliced ​​red onion, lots of cucumber and tomatoes, and half arugula. Very little dressing, making it look more like raw vegetables. Furthermore, the scampi were tasty, but the price-quality ratio was really too high. 3 euros worth of vegetables for a few scampi for 18 euros. Unfortunately, constructive criticism was met with a very nonchalant response. There were plenty of tasty craft beers, though. Chicken satay with fries was okay; nothing special, but tasty.

Nothing special, very dry bread.

We had a delicious meal and generous portions. We ate here twice, and on the second day, the service was very unfriendly. When we asked if a beer was included with the hamburger menu, we were rudely told that we should have ordered it immediately. Couldn't the staff have pointed this out during the ordering process? The first beer we ordered was practically thrown at us, and we had to ask for cutlery while our plates were right in front of us. We truly felt like we were being treated like an afterthought. During the night, while closing up, we heard the staff talking about the guests; we slept in the Hanze Hotel with the windows open (perhaps keep that in mind next time?).

The food not only looked amazing, but tasted great too.

We stopped here while exploring Zwolle. The service was quick, attentive, and friendly. The food was delicious, the drinks were chilled, and the outdoor seating area had a lovely atmosphere. We give it full marks – we'll definitely be back! 👍

Absolutly amazing experience with beer and food. I ordered rib eye steak and my partner kip sate. Both very tasty with a lot of side dishes like salads and french fries. Everything just prepared, warm and delicious. We were not able to finish our meals as they were huge. The girls and the boy serving us were friendly and helpful. The belgian beer was wonderful like always.

I highly recommend this place if you’re looking for beer that is flat and tastes old. My friend and I both experienced this and complained to the server who did not seem to care. Waste of money.

Cozy café where you can also eat well. Beautiful and atmospheric terrace.

Large selection of Belgian beers on tap!

We had a delicious meal and it is highly recommended to go there.

A bit mediocre. Quite expensive for a small amount of orange juice. Staff just shuffle around. The price-quality ratio, in particular, is not quite right.

Fine and good food. In the mood for a good glass of beer? Then you've come to the right place.

Quite cozy, but terrible chairs.

An interesting establishment in design, unusual tables made with the help of barrels. The menu has classic local dishes. We especially love fish and chicken on bread. There is an opportunity to sit outside or inside the establishment. We prefer to sit outside. Even in winter there are heaters and blankets, which makes the rest as comfortable as possible.

Just a nice, busy cafe for a cozy drink together. Not big at all. We had made a reservation. And that was a good thing, because otherwise you can't eat upstairs in the restaurant. It's always full, you see. But you can grab a bite to eat downstairs too, though. Upstairs has been nicely renovated in an old-fashioned style. Nice menu, a bit of everything. Service upstairs was slow to get going. The food was good.

The atmosphere is always good at De Belgische Keizer, tasty beer, fast service, and a great terrace.

Lunch with friends. It can be quite busy on Saturdays. Good food at a reasonable price.

Very nice place for a drink, plenty of choice and very nice friendly staff , quick service too

The only real reason we ended up here was a dinner gift card we received, and the restaurant selection is very limited and mediocre. The food is okay, but way too expensive. The service was poor; plates weren't cleared, while three waitresses stood chatting at the bar. If you go to the café for a burger, fine. But not upstairs in the restaurant for a night out.

Simply delicious food, not ridiculously expensive, nice service 👍🏻

Cozy café with a wide variety of beers. The view from the terrace is beautiful. Zwolle is a beautiful old city with a great atmosphere.

Overall, it's quite good and cozy. It's all a bit cramped.

Food and service were very good

Lots of craft beer, but the staff isn't super cheerful and the atmosphere... sort of techno EDM dance music... wasn't quite the mood for a cafe. Also very noisy.

A really nice Belgian beer café. Beautiful, large, historic building with high ceilings. A surprising beer menu with many local beers, including on tap. Excellent drinks menu. The service is attentive, welcoming, and fast. Highly recommended!

A real pub with a wide selection of craft beers. A great team of staff.

The mojito mocktail was not good. We made this known to the wait staff. They told us that there was nothing wrong with it (without smelling or tasting it themselves) and that half of it had already been drunk. However, only one sip had been taken; the glasses are simply only half full. No 'sorry,' 'too bad it doesn't taste good,' or other option was offered. Normally, I don't find this a problem; it can happen. However, the unprofessional attitude and rude tone of this lady were particularly inappropriate. It has nothing to do with hospitality; it is a real shame.

Nice place to eat and have a drink.

Somewhat disorganised service, however the food was good, and good portions.

We were here for a company function. Food was some of the best I had in Netherlands. I really recommend them.

Cozy, light-brown cafe. The service was friendly and incredibly fast. The chicken satay is the best I've had in years. Nice, large pieces on a generous skewer: well-seasoned and juicy. A little more salad would be nice, otherwise, it was perfect. Perfect for solo diners, couples, or groups.

Nice and well heated terrace, fast service.

Basic menu, well-prepared and tasty food. Service is attentive and fast. Inexpensive.

We had a great meal at a beer café yesterday!

After the movie we went into town.

A three-course meal combined with a package at the Great Escape. A great meal, good food, and plenty of delicious beer to drink.

A really nice and cozy restaurant. Cozy and atmospheric. The food was also excellent! Highly recommended.

Lukewarm coffee. We reported this too. We received the same lukewarm response...the coffee machine must be broken. Nachos are delicious. It's a cozy place, though.

We drank a Belgian beer there 🍺, although it was quite expensive.

Wonderful Flemish atmosphere! The stew is highly recommended.

Glasses remain empty for a short time

A real pub that's fun! It was loud for our kids at first, but after a while they got used to it.

Enjoyed the surf and turf well cooked and presented, with great beer

Had a great dinner through work. We definitely had enough food, and the salmon was well-prepared and flavorful.

We sat outside. It's a very nice setting surrounded by terraces. The food was good, and the service was excellent. De Belgische Keizer is doing well and remains a well-known name in Zwolle.

Good for a quick bite, tasty and good

Had a fantastic party last weekend. Friendly staff and everything was perfectly organized. Great location right in the city center, near a parking garage (which is expensive, though). We also had dinner there, which was also fantastic. So, highly recommended.

Great food, I've been there many times with both my partner and friends. Good value for money. Always a great choice to pop in for a bite. You can't go wrong here. Reservations are recommended.

Lang wachten op eten en het eten was ook gewoon matig. De serveerster zorgt nog voor 3 sterren in plaats van 2 maar het is echt matig

Very tasty food after a day of shopping...atmospheric location

The staff was excellent. The food was delicious, and the service was fast and efficient.

Last visited August 2025 Good selection on beers. Good comfort food.

Just like it used to be. Good beer and delicious bitterballen.

After shopping, we had a nice time with our son. Great beer menu, delicious Belgian beers. Enjoyed a bittergarnituur (a Dutch snack) with it, delicious! Fast and friendly service.

Sat on the terrace, it was lovely. The service was great.

Excellent food and great beer. Nice atmosphere on the edge of the market square in Zwolle.

We had a wonderful lunch on the cozy terrace. The hamburgers were delicious, and the fries were also delicious. My girlfriend also said the salmon on bread was delicious.

Long waits for drinks and then they're forgotten. But honestly, it was also very busy. We were with a large group.

Had a nice time sitting and drinking with my brother, uncle and aunt from Ridderkerk.

Delicious food and good service, service

A rustic vibe in the restaurant we sat outside the restaurant, food was good , Belgian beers were awsm good service too

There was a piece of glass/hard plastic in the food. I reported this to the staff, but I didn't get anything back, not even an apology.

Nice pub to have a drink before/during/after shopping! Knowledge of the many beers, relaxed atmosphere and good snacks!

Cozy café with an extensive beer menu, the staff comes a little too often and too quickly to ask if you want something else to drink, to the point of being annoying, that could be a little less

Inside it smells of cat urine. Hamburger looked like a shoe sole and I think the fries had been put back in the grease 4 times. It was rock hard. Stairs I had to climb inside were pitch black. You really couldn't see anything. Luckily my neck wasn't broken.

Had a team outing, it was very enjoyable and well done

Good food. Friendly staff. Good atmosphere.

Every time we had a delicious meal and drinks.

Nice brown pub next to the market, with an excellent beer selection

Nice place with many types of beer. Terrace is on busy market square which creates a lot of atmosphere

Had a nice lunch with a beer and a snack board. More than enough for 2. Friendly service and the price is okay. Come by for some very tasty sandwiches.

Always fun and has a good vibe. Definitely worth it.

The food was fine. Even though the top floor was half empty, the tables were very close together. Very noisy. Service fine.

Old style and cozy bar. The chicken saté was great and beer selections is amazing.

With the reference to Belgium in the name, they live up to their name, as many beers as there are to drink. Both on tap and in the bottle.

Had a delicious meal with a group of nine A reserved table on time. It was busy and a bit noisy in the upstairs room. But the food: starter, main course and dessert and the service is good and pleasant. Friendly staff And for a very reasonable price Definitely worth repeating.

The restaurant is a cozy pub to have a drink and something to eat with friends and acquaintances. Very friendly service and quick service. The prices are local and OK. The selection of food is sufficient and everything from snacks to burgers is available. Thanks for the pleasant evening!

Like almost everywhere in the catering industry, the whining of the people in the service does not do me any good. When I'm having a good conversation, they keep nagging whether everything is going well. It was very bad at The Belgian Emperor! Gosh, breaking in again and again. I know they should do this but it has the opposite effect on me.

Great restaurant to eat. The waitresses make it pleasant and have a good time. Food is fine and plenty of choice.

Went for a business meeting. Very friendly staff and delicious lunch provided

Great food. Great menu. Space a bit tight. You shouldn't have difficulty walking there given the space and the stairs. Also quite noisy when there are many people. Friendly service

Noisy but a nice cafe, lots of beers

Food was ok, but not very special. It was cold inside every time the door opened. Furthermore, the service asked a little too often if they wanted something to drink.