Food and Beverages in Bergen aan Zee

Bergen aan Zee is a small, easy-going village set among the dunes, and that shapes the dining mood too: no busy nightlife boulevard, but a handful of pleasant places within walking distance, in the heart of the green dunes.

All in the compact centre: the greatest concentration of places to eat is around the Zeeweg, the Van der Wijckplein and the C.F. Zeiler Boulevard, all just a few minutes' walk from the beach.
Dining between dune and sea: set right in the North Holland Dune Reserve, this is where you settle in after a beach walk or a cycle through the dunes, the sea breeze still in your hair.
Fresh from the North Sea: as a true seaside resort, fresh fish, kibbeling (battered fish) and Dutch new herring naturally feature on the menu here, best enjoyed with a sea view.
More choice in the artists' village of Bergen: if you'd like more variety, the well-known artists' village of Bergen is a few kilometres away, with plenty of restaurants and terraces around the Ruïnekerk and a rich cultural heritage.

Regional products: the taste of Bergen

Bergen aan Zee itself is small, but the surrounding region of dunes, polders and the old town of Bergen and the Egmond villages yields a few fine regional products you can taste to your heart's content here.

Abbey beer from Egmond: in the neighbouring village of Egmond aan den Hoef, Brouwerij Egmond brews the artisanal abbey beer Sancti Adalberti, tied to the centuries-old Egmond Abbey, from a fresh blonde to a robust dubbel, tripel and bock.
North Holland farmhouse cheese: the polders around Bergen produce creamy local farmhouse cheese, recognisable by the quality label for recognised North Holland regional products and at its best straight from the farm shops and at the regional markets.
Fresh from the North Sea: as a true seaside resort, it's also all about fresh fish here, from the catch of the day to Dutch shrimp, served in the many fish restaurants and beach pavilions with a sea view.
Something sweet from the artists' village: in the nearby artists' village of Bergen, around the Ruïnekerk you'll find artisanal bakers, chocolatiers and ice-cream parlours, ideal for something sweet with your coffee after a stroll through the village.

Restaurants

For many people, not having to cook is one of the greatest luxuries of a holiday, and Bergen aan Zee. offers plenty of scope for it.

For every moment: pull up a chair in a pancake house, a restaurant or an eetcafé. From a quick, tasty bite to a beautifully prepared multi-course dinner, there is something in every price range.
Breakfast and lunch: many hotels and eateries serve breakfast until 10:00, and in the Netherlands lunch is usually taken between 12:00 and 14:00.
Dinner and later: dinner is generally served between 17:00 and 20:00. Many restaurants close around 22:00, but various venues, terraces and bars still serve dishes and snacks after that.
Current opening hours: for a full overview with details and opening times for each restaurant, see TheFork.nl and Eet.nu.

From local land and sea: many places like to work with regional produce from the surrounding area, from fresh North Sea fish and North Holland farmhouse cheese to the abbey beer from neighbouring Egmond, so you'll find the taste of the region on your plate too.

Terraces

Thirsty after a warm day, tired from an outing, or simply fancy a drink? In the centre you're well served all day long.

For every thirst: all day long they pour soft drinks, beer, cocktails and more, whatever you're in the mood for.
The right spot: settle down at one of the many cosy terraces or cafés in the centre of Bergen aan Zee., nicely in the sun, in the shade or out of the wind.
Convivial until late: at the bar or around the table, with friends or to meet new people, enjoy the atmosphere and let yourself be indulged into the small hours.

Strand Bergen Aan Zee 1807 03, Bergen aan Zee

Beach pavilions

The beach at Bergen aan Zee. is a treat in summer and winter alike, and the beach pavilions turn it into a full day out.

From a snack to dinner: on the sandy beach you'll find several pavilions where you can stop for a drink, a bite or a full meal, while the sun casts its last light across the beach.
Handy for the beach: some sell beach gear such as kites, the toilets are open to everyone on the beach, and there is often hire of beach cabins, beach chairs and windbreaks. In summer there's usually a volleyball net too.
Open in winter as well: especially at weekends, a number of pavilions now stay open. Wonderful after a bracing walk through storm and wind along the roaring sea: gazing out over the wild water from behind the glass, with a hot coffee or a good drink in hand.

Handig om te weten

Een paar praktische tips maken je uitje uit eten net wat soepeler.

Reserveer in het hoogseizoen: in de zomer en op mooie weekenddagen zitten de populaire zaken snel vol, dus een tafel vooraf reserveren voorkomt teleurstellingen.
Pinnen kan bijna overal: betalen met pinpas of contactloos is in de meeste zaken vanzelfsprekend, maar kleinere strandtentjes rekenen soms een minimumbedrag voor kaartbetaling.