Because Zwolle is just a fantastic city: 24 hours in Zwolle
The Netherlands is beautiful. Why keep stepping onto a plane when it might be just as nice to spend a night away in your own country? That's what I mean. So that's why we've come up with a new plan here. We're going to cruise through the Netherlands in a Renault TWINGO. Looking for the very best spots. Ready for Zwolle? Wow, what a lovely city. These are the spots you can't miss.
Breakfast
You can talk about it for a long time or a short time, but actually, for the real sweet tooth among us, there's only one place you want to go: Gillende Keukenmeiden, for the absolute best homemade cakes. Perfect for breakfast, but also as a snack if you're in the mood for coffee with something sweet. Additionally: check out the high tea.
Shopping
The great thing about Zwolle is the countless boutiques. I think we spent over an hour browsing in Loft. Where else do you want to make pit stops? Kootuur, Spotted, Galerie Nende Kunst, and of course the Chanel of concept stores: Moonloft. It's technically impossible to just look around here for five minutes. You've been warned: you want to take everything home.
Nice streets/places for photos?
- In the Kromme Jak: instagrammable street including living goals
- The Pelserbrugje
- The Thorbeckegracht
- The Vispoortbrug
- Offff the Diezerpoortenbrug (yes, a whole lot of bridges here)
Lunch
WannaWaffle
This is such a nice spot that I think they should immediately come to Amsterdam and Utrecht as well. At WannaWaffle you eat, you guessed it: waffles, but with a twist. Besides the sweet classics (oh damn, white chocolate or Oreo and ice cream), you also find savory waffles with smashed avocado waffles, pulled chicken, hummus, salmon... You can't think of anything crazier. You get it: this is a must.
Vito’s
In Utrecht, they have Broodje Mario, in Zwolle, they have Vito’s. It's a real institution. You simply can't skip it on a first visit. I don't know exactly what they do with those warm focaccias from the oven, but it's insanely good. For a delicious typical Italian family feel, but also just to grab a sandwich if you want to shop further. Buon appetito! Oh, and of course, take the pastrami.
Dinner
Man, in Zwolle, they know how to eat. The Coperto Restobar has been one of my favorites for a while. More in the mood for a good piece of meat? Ingeburgerd is where you need to be. A burger restaurant, yes. Another nice one: Dogtails. One of the hipper places in Zwolle where they serve amazing hot dogs with quality cocktails. Nice concept. Sushi? At Blue Sakura, you eat in a church and that's really cool. Or: the belly of Paris for a delicious French dinner. And I haven't even mentioned De Librije, for when you really want to go all out. You get it? Dinner in Zwolle is tricky. There. Is. So much. Good food.
Furthermore, I also asked you for Zwolle-eat-tips (which I unfortunately didn't have time for because shit, only 24 hours, but I already knew some and they are definitely worth mentioning).
- De Hofvlietvilla: with a beautiful terrace garden by the water and a great view over the city canal.
- Brownies&downieS: and especially for the Browniecrumble pancakes with vanilla cream.
- Blij: the nicest city café with divine platters.
- Bookstore Waanders In de Broerenkerk: for lunch with a view.
- Theetuin Stadsland: a very nice picking garden.
- BrasserieJansen: for a beer on the city beach.
Sleeping
With several hotels on the checklist, there is only one that I would immediately recommend to everyone to end those 24 hours in Zwolle, and that is Pillows. One of the best boutique hotels in our country. The minimalistic design, the spacious rooms, the divine beds, the scented candles upon entering... This is what you want and more. Plus: they are close to the station and in just five minutes you can walk into the center.
And then we cruised back towards Amsterdam. take the Renault TWINGO Shit, Zwolle, was that it already? Next time, a few more hours together please. You get it: I’ll be back!
