Gooische Eats

Tag: Italian in the Netherlands

  • New Restaurants in Het Gooi: 6x Openings to Know About

    New Restaurants in Het Gooi: 6x Openings to Know About

    When it comes to food and drink, there’s no rest for the wicked in Het Gooi. From new wine bars and steakhouses to exciting international flavours, the Gooise food scene is keeping us on our toes. And frankly, I’m not complaining.

    In fact, it’s one of the many reasons why I like living here as there is always something happening.

    In this article I’ll be listing new restaurants in Het Gooi that are on my radar and worth keeping an eye on.

    Restaurant GEES

    Located at Biersteeg 15, GEES is the concept of chef Gees and host(woman) Kim, who are bringing their own approach to dining in the heart of Hilversum’s city centre.

    The concept promises thoughtfully prepared dishes, good wines and a relaxed atmosphere, with room for both a proper dinner and a casual drink accompanied by something tasty.

    With its opening scheduled for 22 October, GEES is one of the first newcomers on our list. According to their website it’s already possible to reserve a table.

    Address: Biersteeg 15, Hilversum

    Wijnbar Druif

    Located in the former Soof, Wijnbar Druif is a new concept from Ewout Jansen of Il diVino and Paul Hoogermolen of Roast, merging together their experience in wine and hospitality.

    The particularly intriguing part is that the bar plans to offer more than 60 wines through a self-service wine dispensing system, allowing guests to pour smaller tasting portions and discover different bottles without committing to a full glass. You can read the full source article here.

    It’s a concept that enables those who want to discover different wines, without committing to a bottle.

    The opening has been announced for around mid-November, although an exact date has yet to be confirmed. Keep your eyes peeled!

    Address: Langestraat 124, Hilversum

    Loft88

    Let’s move over to Bussum, where Loft 88 is preparing to open its doors at the former Bel Ami location on Brinklaan.

    With locations in Utrecht, Bilthoven, and Ijsselstein, the restaurant’s “all-day restaurant” concept is about to also land in Het Gooi. Think chic, beach-club-inspired vibes with a crowd-pleasing menu of stone-oven pizzas, smash burgers, and much more. Don’t forget about their drinks menu, ranging from specialty coffee to cocktails.

    The new location is expected to offer an approachable setting for different occasions, whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee or settling in for a dinner.

    Mark your calendars because Loft88 will be officially opening on December 11th, 2026!

    Address: Brinklaan 86, Bussum

    Papa Steak

    Laren’s restaurant scene is welcoming a newcomer from The Hague.

    Papa Steak, known for its steakhouse concept, is preparing to open a location on De Rijt. As the name suggests, meat takes centre stage, making this a bucket list destination for meat lovers who want a special evening.

    Housed in the former Het Visatelier space, this lively second location serves up premium sharing-style cut steaks (their USA Black Angus Ribeye), fresh fish, and crispy fries.

    The restaurant’s website has announced December 2nd as their planned opening date.

    Address: De Rijt 2, Laren

    Saigon Garden

    Vietnamese cuisine seems to be having a moment in Hilversum.

    The former Royal Mandarin’s location is about to get a makeover, as Saigon Garden is preparing to bring Vietnamese flavours alongside cocktails and traditional Vietnamese coffee.

    This will be Saigon Gardens’ second location, with an existing restaurant in Leiden. The restaurant is expected to feature a French-Vietnamese-inspired interior, bringing together two cultural influences in one dining experience.

    With its combination of Vietnamese flavours, drinks and an intriguing new setting, Saigon Garden is certainly one to keep on your radar.

    Opening is expected around November, but keep checking their socials for updates.

    Location: Emmastraat 9, Hilversum

    Yerevan

    Out of all the new restaurants in Het Gooi scheduled for opening, I think this one catches my attention the most.

    Taking its name from Armenia’s capital, the restaurant promises an intriguing addition to the region’s dining landscape. Armenian cuisine is all about rich traditions, generous hospitality and bringing people together over good food.

    I admit I had no idea what Armenian food looked like, so I consulted my bestie Google Search. In a nutshell: lots of meat, legumes, spices, and different types of bread.

    There is no official opening date at the moment, but their Instagram says “soon”. So definitely check their socials.

    Address: Kampstraat 22, Hilversum

    Keep Your Eyes Peeled

    With so many new restaurants in Het Gooi, the food scene isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

    Of course it can happen that I’ve missed an opening, so please do let me know if there are other locations worth mentioning.

    Tot de volgende keer!

  • An Italian Identity, With a Twist

    An Italian Identity, With a Twist

    Until now you’ve known me to be an Italian living in The Netherlands, exploring the food scene in Het Gooi.

    But there’s an important detail: I’m not entirely Italian.

    *surprisedpikachuface*

    Where It All Started

    My story actually begins at the foot of Table Mountain, in Cape Town. My father is British and Italian, my mother from a remote farm in Zimbabwe. A year after my birth, we moved to Padua in northeastern Italy, my dad’s hometown.

    I didn’t just grow up with two standard languages, English and Italian. I learnt to speak the dialect of my hometown (Venetian) and I can speak a tiny bit of Fanagalo. The latter may not be familiar to many of you, it’s a language that incorporates Zulu, Afrikaans and English. In fact, I grew up thinking that braai (barbecue) and shongololo (millipede) were British English words. LOL!!!

    Life in Italy

    Growing up in Italy I was always seen as somewhat of a foreigner, despite having an Italian last name and holding only Italian citizenship. I also had plenty of fun with friends and had my sporting achievements that I’m still proud of.

    Truth be told I always felt a bit different compared to my peers.

    First of all, I don’t look Italian at all. At school I was always the tallest in my class out of everyone. Awkward.

    Secondly, being born abroad and having a foreign mother, some used that as a metric to measure how Italian I am. There was a lot of ignorance as well, as many didn’t know what Zimbabwe was. For years I told people my mother was South African, because that’s a better known country (and my birthplace).

    People in Italy would genuinely asked me whether the average South African looked and dressed like Die Antwoord. yikes.

    Life in The Netherlands

    I moved to The Netherlands in August 2015 to study at university. Life in Italy was fun, but I felt like I was missing something and not using my international background to good use. So I went to study International and European Law.

    Not only did I graduate, but I worked at companies I never thought I’d work at in my life. I met inspiring people and faced challenges that shaped me and how I see things. I’m not the same person I was when I left Italy.

    Life in the Netherlands also was important for my identity and passions in life.

    Suddenly, I’m Italian and thrust into the community. I went from being seen as exotic to one of the others, surviving abroad. Meeting other Italians, with their unique backgrounds, is a mystical experience.

    But living here also didn’t make me forget my Southern African roots either. Here you can find biltong and chutney (and other treats), you can watch the Bokke in many bars, and you can listen to their experiences too.

    I have friends from both cultures, and from the Netherlands, and I cherish them.

    Why Gooische Eats?

    I was always a bit of a foodie. My mum was born and raised on a farm, the daughter of a farmer who grew tobacco, cotton, and tomatoes. On top of that, he had his own cattle for meat and leather. So of course I grew up knowing where produce came from and how to spot good quality meat.

    Fun fact: I’m a big fan of tomatoes, must be genetic..

    On my dad’s side, we own land with olive trees and have our own olive oil. When I was little, my grandmother used to take me to see the harvest and then go visit the olive mill to see what the process looked like. Every year, just after the Christmas break, I bring back some family olive oil.

    I’ve enjoyed meals of all kinds, from homemade to Michelin star. Coming from a mixed background also means having the pleasure of enjoying so many different cuisines. There’s nothing like mum’s Sunday roast with gravy or her jerked chicken, or dad’s carbonara and tortellini. And don’t even get me started on my mum’s spice cabinet. It’s a dream!

    On top of that, I’ve been organising monthly dinners at restaurants in Hilversum and nearby. That meant I not only had plenty of photos but realised I can recommend places to friends and family too.

    Where To Next?

    One day, on a whim, I created @gooische.eats.

    Now, I have a blog too. Who knows what comes next? The world’s my oyster, I guess.

  • Michelin Stars & the Dutch Culinary Renaissance

    Michelin Stars & the Dutch Culinary Renaissance

    For years, The Netherlands has had a less-than-flattering reputation when it comes to food. The Dutch consistently get stereotyped as not being interested in food, with many citing Calvinism as being the reason why.

    In the country’s defence, it’s not easy to be compared to other cuisines such as the Italian or French ones. On the one hand, there are some legitimately good dishes that are worth trying; on the other hand, I think there is also very good marketing.

    However, over the years, something has been quietly changing. For the better. Yesterday, news broke out that seven Dutch restaurants received their very first Michelin star.

    Stars and Culinary Glory: Who Are the Recipients?

    Bij Sidney, Loenen aan de Vecht — Sidney Heinze

    Wild Atelier, Hoog Soeren — Jonathan Zandbergen

    Rozewied, Kortgene — Noëmie Haentjens & Ferdy van Rijswijk

    Ambrozijn, Valkenburg — Sven Nijenhuis

    Nassau, Groningen — Christian de Vries

    De Cuijt, Mierlo — Yukyung Lee & Koen van Weert

    Le Epifaan, Veeningen — Jarno Eggen

    The truly fascinating part is that these establishments are quite diverse from one another. Bij Sidney celebrates classical gastronomy. Rozewied looks towards the surrounding land and waters while incorporating inspiration gathered through travel. De Cuijt cleverly incorporates Korean influences into French cooking, while Wild Atelier reinterprets the Dutch tradition of cooking with game. Meanwhile, Nassau takes almost the opposite approach in embracing visual minimalism on the plate and allowing the product to take centre stage.

    It’s also worthy of note that two restaurants added an additional star: Azurite in Delft and SUIS in Schin op Geul.

    The Netherlands now has 119 Michelin-starred restaurants: 98 with one star, 20 with two stars, and one with three.

    The Dutch Culinary Renaissance and Its Legacy

    It would be wrong to say that these recent accolades appeared out of nowhere. Over the years, while The Netherlands has been handling criticisms and harsh stereotypes on its food, a group of chefs has been working hard to prove that serious gastronomy can thrive here.

    The first name that comes into mind is Jonnie Boer. Together with Thérèse Boer, he transformed De Librije in Zwolle into an institution of Dutch gastronomy. The core inspiration are the Dutch seasons and its local produce. In line with its philosophy, the restaurant decorates its spaces with artwork that is also available for purchase. A full sensory journey.

    Jonnie is credited to have shaped an entire generation of chefs. Also, De Librije has recently managed to keep its three stars and remains the country’s only three-star restaurant.

    Another influential figure that shaped the Dutch cuisine scene is Sergio Herman. He took his family’s restaurant, Old Sluis, from one Michelin star in 1995, to three. What I find the most interesting in Sergio’s case is how Zeeland plays an important part. Ingredients from the sea and the landscape around him became part of his culinary identity.

    Another important influence is Sidney Schutte, who worked with Jonnie and Thérèse Boer. Known for his contrast gastronomy, he pairs European, Asian and South American flavours. Schutte has earned and maintained two Michelin stars at Restaurant Spectrum, where he was Executive Chef. He is currently working on his upcoming project The Gym; if you are in the Gooi area, check out Rust Wat and Bar Schutte.

    Therefore, the latest recipients of their Michelin stars feel less like an isolated success and more like another sign of confidence in Dutch gastronomy.

    All Good Things Come to Those who Wait

    But now the question might be “How is this all impacting the horeca sector?”

    Simple, Michelin restaurants raise expectations around ingredients, wine, bread, coffee, service, presentation, sustainability and hospitality, some of those expectations eventually filter down into the broader restaurant market.

    There’s also a talent effect. Young chefs and hospitality professionals train in highly regarded kitchens and venues, move elsewhere and eventually open their own businesses. Sidney Schutte worked for Jonnie Boer and is now trailblazing in his own right.

    Lastly, it sets new standards in the hospitality sector. Suddenly there’s an understanding around atmosphere, product quality, presentation, optimising the menu, improved service, and so on.

    Congratulations to all establishments.

  • Fat Kee: A Budget-Friendly Favourite in Den Haag

    Fat Kee: A Budget-Friendly Favourite in Den Haag

    Many moons ago, I used to be a broke law student in Den Haag.

    That meant that finding affordable places where to enjoy a meal was vital. One location that quickly became a staple was Fat Kee.

    Located in Gedempte Gracht 23, Fat Kee doesn’t need intros as its status nowadays is legendary and they deserve it. Located in the city’s Chinatown, the restaurant is situated in a historic area where the first Chinese eateries opened in the 1950’s. They offer Chinese-Cantonese cuisine, with Indonesian and Surinamese options as well.

    Not only do they have affordable prices and large portions, they (used to) stay open until very late (1am). When I first arrived in The Netherlands, it was difficult to find places open after 8pm because kitchens would close early, 9pm, and restaurants soon after so I had to order things fast. And, still to this day, I like to take my time.

    I say (used to) in brackets because Google says they close at 9:30pm; whereas their website states at 1am. Always best to check.

    More than ten years later, one of my favourite dishes to order at Fat Kee is their nasi goreng with egg, ham and meat (ei, ham en vlees). In today’s economy the dish sets you back around EUR7,20 and they give you enough to take back home. Below is a reference. In my uni days (ca. 2017), this would set me back around 5 euros.

    The restaurant is always packed, but somehow staff will always find a place for you. Service is fast, so even if you have to wait to be seated chances are that you don’t have to for long.

    Yes, their menu is quite big but everything is equally delicious and if you’re unsure about what to pick, ask staff. Just make sure to let them know your spice tolerance and your preference between meat and vegetarian/vegan. The waiters/waitresses will do the rest.

    I’ve explored several items on their menu. I’ve tried wanton soup for the very first time here, their Peking Duck is superb, and the tjauw ming is just a dream. Again, see below for reference.

    I’m not even sure how I discovered Fat Kee in the first place to be honest. What I do remember was that it was an early and quick discovery, because I’ve brought many friends and family here. Maybe it was because I was on the hunt for something affordable to eat, late in the evening, and just by sheer chance I found them.

    Me and my best friend still occasionally talk about the restaurant and the moments we had together here. These are priceless.

    The only thing they don’t do is dessert, which I think is a pity but I also understand why at the same time. They have an extensive menu with appetizers and mains, desserts could be too much.

    Nonetheless, there was a Chinese bakery conveniently placed right next door to Fat Kee called QQ Bakery, now Liu&U. Usually I could get a pastry for a very reasonable price.

    Even though I live in Hilversum nowadays, whenever I have the chance to visit The Hague, or someone asks me for recommendations on where to eat there, one of my first immediate answers will always be Fat Kee. There are of course other great Chinese/Indonesian restaurants nearby, and I will discuss that in future, but this location in particular is special to me.

    Of course in future I will share other locations, especially budget-friendly, that I used to go to as a student. They say sharing is caring. But for now, tot de volgende keer!

  • Flavours of Het Gooi: Bussum Culinair 2026

    Flavours of Het Gooi: Bussum Culinair 2026

    A little while ago, I was scrolling through Instagram when I came across an event called Bussum Culinair caught my attention.

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  • Storie italiane all’estero: pizza, mafia e latitanza

    Storie italiane all’estero: pizza, mafia e latitanza

    Correva l’anno 2019. Sto leggendo le notizie del giorno online e scopro che arrestano il pizzaiolo di uno dei miei locali italiani preferiti.

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  • Where to Have an Aperitif in Het Gooi: My Favorite Spots

    Where to Have an Aperitif in Het Gooi: My Favorite Spots

    Sometimes, when life seems too fast-paced, an aperitivo in good company is bliss. Especially when you can pair it with the Dutch golden hour and enjoy a beautiful terrace.

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  • Waar kun je matcha drinken in Hilversum? Dit zijn de leukste plekjes.

    Waar kun je matcha drinken in Hilversum? Dit zijn de leukste plekjes.

    Ik houd meestal niet zo van trends, maar matcha is ongemerkt toch een van mijn favoriete drankjes geworden.

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  • Where To Drink Matcha in Hilversum.

    Where To Drink Matcha in Hilversum.

    I’m not usually the biggest fan of trends, but matcha somehow managed to creep its way into becoming one of my favourite beverages.

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  • Where To Enjoy Ice Cream in Het Gooi

    Where To Enjoy Ice Cream in Het Gooi

    After posting where to eat pizza, today let’s talk about delicious ice cream in Het Gooi.

    Honestly, this topic is easier compared to pizza because most, if not all, of the ice cream parlours I’ve tried so far were very good.

    Enough blabbing though, let’s cut to the chase.

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