24 hours in Gouda
Sometimes you feel like traveling, but not like traveling, you know? So this weekend my boy and I were in Gouda. To celebrate love (something with 9 years), to shop, to lunch, and to toast. What a lovely city. Buckle up, friends, time for a round of Gouda in a nutshell. Here you go shopping, strolling, and snacking.
Wakey wakey, here you go for breakfast/brunch
I'll just assume for convenience that you wake up in Gouda in the morning. You're hungry. You want to eat. For the tastiest smoothie bowls, you go to Miss Nice Banana, a vegan to-go food & juice bar completely in Hakuna Matata vibe (think banana plants, bamboo bowls, and tropical wallpaper). Owner Hesse-Anne makes everything herself, from juices to smoothie bowls and from soup to wraps. Me like big time.
Address: Zeugstraat 34
Time for some shopping
The nicest shopping streets in the city if you ask me? De Lange and de Korte Groenendaal. You’ll find all kinds of small boutiques and Sander really had to drag me out of stores. I found ‘Heb ik VIA’ the cutest. They sell all kinds of stuff you don’t really need, but just want to have. Super fun if you want to buy a gift or if your home could use some humor.
Address: Lange Groenendaal 72a
Pitstop at the tastiest cheeses: ‘t Kaaswinkeltje
This cheese shop is not only popular with tourists but also with the locals. And rightly so. This is a typical place that I can really go wild about. Seriously. So. Much. Goodness. Together. Cheese in all colors. Truffle cheese. Rosemary cheese. Beer cheese. Pepper cheese. Basil cheese. Crumble cheese. You name it. Dangerously good. They also conveniently vacuum pack so your cheese stays fresh for home. Guess three times who took that truffle cheese home…
Address: Lange Tiendeweg 30
Lunch
Brasserie-Bar De Zalm has been a staple in Gouda for years and now that I've been there, I understand why. You won't find fish better than here. Of course, you choose the dish ‘Salmon, Salmon, and more Salmon’. Smoked, marinated, and in tartare form; love it. Feel completely transported to Paris.
Address: Markt 34
And to finish off the shopping round…
…you stroll through Wilhelminastraat, Naaierstraat, Nieuwe Haven, or Kleiwegstraat. You’ll also find many cute shops in Zeugstraat and Stoofsteeg. By the way, on the VVV Gouda website, you’ll find a ton of nice addresses and tips. I personally downloaded the Xplore Gouda app. Click on the shopping route ‘Experience the Gouda streets’ (made by students from InHolland Rotterdam) and you’re guaranteed to catch all the highlights.
Do: visit the Kamphuisen Syrup Waffle Factory
Oh how lovely, playing tourist in your own country. In Gouda, they don’t make stroopwafels, but syrup waffles. For just ten euros, you can book the Kamphuisen Experience and I can’t really tell you too much about it, other than the fact that you just have to experience it. Within an hour, you’ll be back outside, with a top memory and fresh waffles in your hand. Do it!
Address: Markt 69
Spa Gouda
In the middle of the city center is the most beautiful city spa. It’s like an eastern thousand-and-one-nights fairy tale for total relaxation. Treat yourself to that massage or that hamam relaxation hour. You can then feel all cozy for dinner.
Address: Lange Groenendaal 79
Dinner: Brunel
A restaurant where everything is just right, where you can relax your shoulders and know that everything will be fine. The menu. The wine. The meat. You know the deal. A tip from me: those scallops with Parma ham and sea asparagus are unbelievably delicious. A tip from him: the tournedos with truffle sauce. And don’t forget the dessert tasting.
Address: Hoge Gouwe 23
Or dinner tip 2: De Lichtfabriek
Walk in here and it immediately feels ‘not Gouda’. With towering ceilings, light installations, and cocktails that are to die for, this is exactly the urban jungle where you want to end your evening. And it’s Instagrammable too. That sea bass from the oven is so, so tender. Delicious cheese platters, chocolate fondues, and super juicy meat: this is where you want to be.
Address: Hoge Gouwe 189
Rolling into bed
I don’t think there’s a more beautiful place to end the day. My Instagram inbox has never been so flooded as this weekend. For everyone who wanted to know in which Airbnb Sander and I slept: for 100 euros a night you sleep in this gigantic apartment in the heart of Gouda. By the way, say hi to Marina, what a sweetheart.
Address: Achter de Waag 14
P.S..: Coming by car? Then it’s best to park at Klein Amerika or Schouwburgplein. It only costs you eight euros for 24 hours.
P.P.S.: Oh shit, was it already over? I think so, right? Gouda, I’ll come stay again soon!
