Weekend in Den Bosch: here you eat, shop, and sleep
Den Bosch is such a city where you understand within ten minutes why people stick around. Everything is within walking distance, but it is large enough to keep you entertained for a weekend. Old facades, strong coffee, good shops, and the coziest restaurants. I live nearby and have become a regular in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. I will guide you through my favorite spots in the historic city.
Dining in Den Bosch: the best restaurants
When I think of delicious dining in Den Bosch, I think of Korte Putstraat. And I surely can't be the only one. In this cozy street, it is always pleasantly noisy, and the terraces almost blend into each other. This creates the ideal place for people-watching, and I love to take advantage of that. My all-time favorite is Coco73. You can make it as crazy as you want; À la carte, shared dining, or a chef's menu. But whatever you do: please end the dinner with a pitcher of scroppino. Eight doors down, you arrive at Restaurant LUX which is also not lacking. I really enjoyed an embarrassing amount of hand-dived scallops there. You eat these seafood fresh from the shell.
But anyone who thinks everything can be done in that one street is quite mistaken. You can enjoy a lovely lunch at Fret. They cook plant-based, but not dull. They give the image surrounding vegan food a good kick in the butt. I didn't believe in it (why make it difficult when it can be easy) until a friend dragged me along. Since then, I've been the president of the fan club. But if you want to sit down at a table full of comfort food, Teds is the place. Here you can enjoy a tasty bite from nine to five. Of course, a weekend in Den Bosch is not complete without, you guessed it, a Bossche bol. The whipped cream delicacy is at its best at Banketbakkerij Jan de Groot.
The best shops in Den Bosch
Once you've eaten your fill, the real work can begin. Den Bosch is one of my favorite cities to shop in. Every corner you turn, you spot a cute boutique, but Den Bosch also simply has a ZARA. If you're looking for timeless items, Nûe is a gem. They sell beautiful materials, calm colors, and pieces that will still be relevant in five years. A luxury in a time of the fastest fashion ever. If you prefer the opposite: patterns and lots of color, you will most likely succeed in finding home accessories at AAF Concept Store. But I actually recommend wandering around and peeking into shop windows until it gets creepy. This way, you stumble upon the real hidden gems.
And if you, like me, always have a lost guy trailing behind you, pop into Glass Store. A men's store with tough but especially original streetwear. Here, my friend and I immediately forget that we ‘were just looking’. Afterwards, I always take him to the spoon state for a craft beer and a bitterbal. This way, these kinds of outings easily hold up.
Hotels in Den Bosch for a good stay
Your weekend stands or falls with a good mattress. Because as charming as all that dining and wandering is, somewhere between the third coffee, fourth shop, and second glass of wine, fatigue hits mercilessly. Less than ten minutes' walk from Korte Putstraat, you will find Hotel ’t Keershuys. Imagine wooden beams and crooked lines. It is a boutique hotel hidden in one of the oldest buildings in the city. And you can feel that, but in a good way. Do you prefer an extravagant hotel room? In Good Seasons Hotel you will spontaneously feel like a Bridgerton. The high windows and details ensure that. You almost expect someone to come in with a silver tray of tea while you casually review your plans for the day. But if you know me a little, you know that my preference sometimes leans towards sleek. Especially when sleek is paired with a rooftop bar and restaurant. I'm talking about hotel The Den. We like to have a gin and tonic or three there ‘for the view’.
Conclusion: Den Bosch has everything for a perfect weekend
Now that I think back to all the days I've spent here, I actually want to make a reservation again immediately. And that says enough. Hopefully, I've subtly hinted at my weakness for this city, although I fear there is little subtlety about it. Whether you come to dine until the tables are empty, to score a few kitten heels you didn't need, or simply to wander around for two days: Den Bosch delivers. And that every time again.
Image: Sigy Kops
