Travel

This is how you spend the perfect 12 hours in Eindhoven

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When you visit a place often, you sometimes forget how many fun and unique spots a city has. I grew up in the Brabant village of Mierlo (maybe you know it from actor Frank Lammers) and Eindhoven has always been the big city nearby. That’s where I can regularly be found throughout my life. There are all sorts of nice spots and I’m happy to share them with you. This way, you can spend the perfect 12 hours in the ‘City of Light’ of the Netherlands.

First, food!

Let’s start with an important part, food! Eindhoven has all kinds of lunch spots where you can go. A good place to start is the Markt. This square is located in the heart of the city center and is surrounded by various restaurants where you can have lunch and later also dine. To be honest, it doesn’t really matter where you sit here. The Queen, Lutz Gastrobar, De Vooruitgang, or De Wildeman, it’s all delicious and cozy. If you want to have a more luxurious lunch, you can go to the Kleine Berg, one of the most famous shopping streets in the city. Here you’ll find Restaurant Wiesen, which has a Michelin star and serves refined dishes. At Lucie Cocina, you’ll feel like you’re in Spain for a moment with traditional tapas dishes.

Time to shop

After lunch, it’s of course time to shop. If you’re already on the Kleine Berg, this is a good place to start. Here you’ll find IQ Studio, a women’s shoe store where you’ll want to have everything. Sneakers, pumps, loafers. You name it, they have it. A little further in the center, you’ll come to the Piazza Center with stores like Zara and the Bijenkorf. This square is also located on the Demer, the longest shopping street in Eindhoven. Here you’ll find all kinds of shops, from Rituals to Pull & Bear and from ICI Paris to Urban Outfitters.

Dinner time

I can imagine that after shopping you’re hungry again. Fortunately, Eindhoven also has plenty of spots for a good dinner. A real recommendation is Down Town Gourmet Market, just a 5-minute walk from the Markt. This food market consists of various small restaurants and kitchens together. Think of Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Dutch, and Indonesian. Everyone orders from their favorite spot and comes together in the middle to eat in a cozy atmosphere. On the Kleine Berg, there’s the restaurant Mangiare, an Italian place. I still dream about the shrimp pasta.

Cheers to a lovely evening

To end your day in Eindhoven perfectly, you can have a drink. At Café Loulou, you’ll get delicious cocktails and snacks. The café is located near the station, which is very convenient if you need to catch a train afterwards. Want to enjoy a beautiful view over the city? Then Vane Skybar is the perfect place, also close to the station. Here you can enjoy luxury drinks while overlooking Eindhoven. It doesn’t get better than this.

Extra tip

Anyone who loves art and culture can go to Strijp S, a district just outside the center. This used to be an industrial area but is now known for its industrial appearance. You’ll find all kinds of restaurants and shops there. Every 3rd Sunday of the month, there’s the FeelGood Market, a market full of design, vintage clothing, snacks, and live music. A must-visit!