From the boat
Moor at a restaurant
Terraces along the Dorpsgracht and the Binnenpad have their own docks. Pick a 2-hour route and you have time for lunch on the way.
Home›Restaurants in Giethoorn
Eat & drink
Restaurants in Giethoorn
From a pancake on the canal to two Michelin stars: where to eat in Giethoorn, and how to get there by boat.
Eating by the water
Moor, eat, sail on
Most restaurants in Giethoorn sit right on the Dorpsgracht, the one-way village canal. With a rental boat you moor at the restaurant’s own dock, eat on the terrace and continue your route afterwards. Our free navigation app marks the restaurants and the mooring places.
Our own Restaurant Old Blue is at the canal cruise dock at Ds. T.O. Hylkemaweg 7, next to Hotel Old Art. Guests step from the terrace straight onto one of our boats.
- Restaurants and moorings marked in the navigation app
- Moor only at marked spots, never under a bridge
- Restaurant Old Blue at our own dock
- Picnic baskets for eating on board
Three ways to eat
From the boat, at the dock or on board
At the dock
Restaurant Old Blue
Our own restaurant, served on Delft Blue: à la carte, buffets from 10 people and a 2- or 3-course dinner from € 24.50.
On board
Picnic on the water
Regional picnic baskets from € 12.95 and borrel boxes from € 13.95 per person, added to your booking and ready at the dock.
The list
Restaurants, cafés and ice cream in Giethoorn
Our own restaurant first, then the rest of the village. The wave icon means the terrace is on the water. We do not list prices of other restaurants; check their websites for menus and opening hours.
Regional à la carte · our own restaurant ·
Restaurant Old Blue
Served on Delft Blue, with an open kitchen, 100 seats inside and a terrace on the canal at our cruise dock. Buffets from 10 people, 2- or 3-course dinner from € 24.50.
French · two Michelin stars
De Lindenhof
Two Michelin stars since 2005 under chef Martin Kruithof: creative, classic French cooking in a thatched farmhouse with an English garden. Book well ahead.
Dutch grand café ·
Grand Café Fanfare
Grand café on the Dorpsgracht with live music on a regular basis. A classic stop for lunch or a drink in the middle of the village.
Restaurant
’t Vonder
On the Binnenpad near the village entrance, with a public car park behind it. Menu and opening hours on their website.
Pancakes & buffets
Hollands Venetië
Pancake restaurant in the village with buffets from 10 people. Menu and opening hours on their website.
Pancakes
De Babbelaar
Pancake restaurant in Giethoorn, a favourite with families. Menu and opening hours on their website.
Pancakes
HistoMobil Pannekoekenboerderij
Pancake farm at the HistoMobil car museum, with glow golf, laser game and an escape room on the same site. Opening hours vary; call +31 521 361 498.
Restaurant
’t Achterhuus
Restaurant in the village. Menu and opening hours on their website.
Restaurant
De Otterskooi
Restaurant in the Giethoorn area. Menu and opening hours on their website.
Pavilion restaurant
Smit’s Paviljoen
Pavilion restaurant in the village, also the place locals check for ice-skating news when the lakes freeze. Menu and hours on their website.
Ice cream
IJssalon Koppers
24 flavours of Italian ice cream, a short walk from our cruise dock and Restaurant Old Blue.
Ice cream & coffee
IJsmakers
Italian scoop ice cream, coffee and cake. Also at Markt 32 in Steenwijk.
Coffee & ice cream ·
Venice Giethoorn
Coffee and ice cream on the Dorpsgracht in the centre of the village. Easy to reach by boat.
Snacks & ice cream ·
Snackbar-IJssalon Geythorn
Snacks and ice cream on the water along the Binnenpad. Quick and simple between two bridges.
Cheese dairy
Kaasmakerij Giethoorn
Artisan cheese with free tasting. Perfect for filling your own picnic bag before you sail.
Prices of other restaurants are not listed on purpose: they change, and we only publish what we can confirm.
Reserving and timing
July and August between 10:30 and 15:30, all weekends and the Easter, Ascension and Whitsun holidays are the busiest moments in the village. If you want a terrace on the water at lunchtime, reserve ahead or eat early or late.
De Lindenhof is a destination restaurant with two stars: book well in advance. For groups from 10 people, Restaurant Old Blue serves buffets and lunch menus at our dock; see the group page.
Prefer to stay on the water? Order a picnic basket with your booking and moor on the Bovenwijde lake.
Restaurant Old Blue, at the dock
Delft Blue, an open kitchen and a terrace on the canal. Combine with a canal cruise or step from the terrace straight into your boat.
Questions about eating in Giethoorn
Where can I eat by the water in Giethoorn?
Restaurant Old Blue at our dock has a terrace on the canal; Grand Café Fanfare, Venice Giethoorn and Snackbar Geythorn are on the Dorpsgracht and the Binnenpad. The wave icon in our list marks terraces on the water.
Can I moor my rental boat at a restaurant?
Yes. Mooring at restaurant docks and at the marked spots in the navigation app is allowed. Never moor under a bridge or along private gardens.
Where do I eat pancakes in Giethoorn?
De Babbelaar, Hollands Venetië and the HistoMobil pancake farm at Cornelisgracht 42. See our pancake page.
Is there a Michelin restaurant in Giethoorn?
Yes, De Lindenhof at Beulakerweg 77 has held two Michelin stars since 2005. Reserve early.
Can I bring my own food on the boat?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own. You can also add a picnic basket or borrel box during booking.
Where can a group of 20 or more eat?
At Restaurant Old Blue, next to our cruise dock: buffets from 10 people, lunch menus and coffee with cake. Ask for group menus via the group page.
Book your boat, plan your lunch
Rent a boat from € 24 per hour, moor at a terrace or add a picnic basket. Booking online in advance gives you the best price and a guaranteed boat.