24 hours in Maastricht
Imagine, you go to Maastricht and only have 24 hours to spot the most fun places in the city. Where do you go? I'll take you to the coolest spots you must see. And don't forget to plan a 1500 kcal day menu for the day after...
Sleeping at The Dutch
I haven't slept there yet, but I will change that soon. This new kid hotel is anything but what you expect from Maastricht; not old brown, but powder pink, mint green, and baby blue, with a flamingo in the corner and a delightful, funky eighties-meets-tropical-paradise touch. It's a place where you expect Jane Fonda behind the desk and a nice kitschy cocktail shaker behind the bar. Hotel The Dutch is owned by the owners of Hotel Beaumont and restaurant Harry’s. In addition to the 50 cozy unique rooms, you will also find The Hangout, The Garden, and The Lobby Bar. You pay an all-in price for the room, minibar, wifi, breakfast bag, and ‘24/7 Hangout’ coffee, tea, water, and fruit.
Sunday breakfast at Harry’s
In the midst of the Paris of Maastricht and around the corner from your perfect little hotel lies Harry’s. Brother of, yes. An international brasserie where you almost feel like you're in France under the humongous white umbrellas. On Sundays, they serve a brunch between 11:00 and 16:00 that is how it should be, complete with Eggs Benedict, brioche French toast, Bloody Mary, and perfectly brewed coffee.
Treats to take away from Adriaan de Smaakmaker
At Adriaan de Smaakmaker, you will find artisan-produced mustard, jam, chutney, dressings, vinegar, mayonnaise, and much more deliciousness. The fruit that Adriaan works with in his tiny kitchen (in the shop) comes from local producers and is mostly untreated. The wiemelkesjam and Maastricht herb mustard are well-known in the city and far beyond.
Scoring that cute dress at AIM
One of my favorite boutiques in Maastricht is AIM. Not only because Aimée sells the cutest brands (with Isabel Marant on the horizon), but also because of the atmosphere and the lovely spotless white interior that looks like a swiffer goes through it 24/7 (that makes me happy).
Lunching in the garden of Café Sjiek
Eating at Café Sjiek, or ‘Sjiek’ as it's commonly known, is always a party. But when that can happen in the garden bordering the city park on a nice day, you feel like you're in southern France. Classics like a good Nicoise, shrimp croquettes from the house, or homemade Limburgs zuurvlees are on the menu for both lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, reservations are not possible, but feel free to wait, as the chance of encountering a nice regular at the bar is very high. And then time flies by while enjoying a glass of chic wine.
Drinks at Café Tribunal
Café Tribunal allows its regulars, life enjoyers (locals, that is), and tourists to enjoy real Maastricht coziness day in and day out from early to late. Chat with your neighbor at the bar, drink a second-to-last beer, eat a doppinda, and throw the shell on the ground. At Tribunal, it can all happen.
Eating at Gio’s
Nestled in the shadow of the Sint-Servaas on the Vrijthof in the heart of Maastricht, you will find Gio’s Cucina Casalinga (commonly known as ‘Gio’s’). Here you leave your phone number and are called when a table becomes available. Gio doesn't really like the digital world and therefore doesn't have a website or email address. You won't find a menu here either; you only have to choose from two different types of pasta and three different secondi. For wine, there is only the choice of red or white.
One last drink at...
Maastricht is known for its many cozy little brown cafes. And that's where I send you. You don't do heavy partying in Maastricht, at least not in some hardcore nightclub. You dine and move from terrace to buffet (in ABN that's called the bar) and repeat that. If you want to stand among the locals, you definitely shouldn't miss cafes In de Karkol, In Den Ouden Vogelstruys, De Bóbbel, and De Poshoorn. Order a pilske or haaf um and don't forget the kiesplenkske.
Tarts
You can't leave Maastricht without a fresh tart on the back seat of the car. For the best tarts in the city center, you must go to bakery Hermans, where you spontaneously get a panic attack from all the deliciousness winking at you from under the counter. If I'm giving you tips, go for the rice tart (which is always good) or the cherry tart. Are you getting on the train back home? Stop by Patisserie Royal where they have the best ganache in the city. And grab a small sugar bread for a snack. Well, childhood nostalgia.
