Things to do in Delft
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De Zeven Zonden
Unique, offbeat and cosy - try the kangaroo dish cooked French-provincial style.
reviewed
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Nieuwe Kerk
The 14th-century Nieuwe Kerk houses the crypt of the Dutch royal family and the mausoleum of Willem the Silent. There are exhibitions about the House of Orange and the church.
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Royal Delft
Royal Delft is the only original factory operating since the 1650s.
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Municipal Museum het Prinsenhof
The Municipal Museum het Prinsenhof is a former convent where Willem the Silent was assassinated in 1584 (the bullet hole in the wall is covered in Perspex to protect it from inquisitive visitors). The museum displays various objects telling the story of the Eighty Years War with Spain, as well as 17th-century paintings.
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Museum Nusantara
The Museum Nusantara shines a light on the Netherlands’ colonial past. There’s a collection of furniture and other lifestyle artefacts from 17th-century Batavia (now Jakarta), as well as a ‘colonial department’ detailing the beginnings of Dutch rule in Indonesia.
reviewed
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E
’t Walletje
’t Walletje Tables front this small bistro on a pedestrian street near the town centre. Lunch has good smoothies, sandwiches and salads. At night three-course specials (€20) are artfully prepared and feature nice accents such as pesto side dishes with seafood and steaks.
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Legermuseum
The Legermuseum has a collection of old Dutch military hardware displayed in a restored 17th-century arsenal. There are also exhibits on the modern Dutch army, including the controversial and disastrous role it played as part of the Bosnian peacekeeping force during the 1990s.
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Vermeer Centre Delft
Sort of a high-brow theme park, the Vermeer Centre Delft explores the artist’s life and works in detail, but actually has none of his paintings. Displays go into great detail about each of his paintings and place the subjects in their historical context.
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Artusi
It's a bar as well as a restaurant, and Italian dishes are the name of the game. It's a stylish place, but not too snobby. Thank God for that. All the usual Italian faves are here, plus ramped up, out-of-left-field goodies like duck udder with olives and balsamic sauce.
reviewed
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La Vieux Jean
Brilliant displays of flowers grace the front window of the fine French bistro, which serves a delicious steak frites (French fries) and other classic fare. It’s as thin as a shaving of truffle and seating is limited.
reviewed
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de Candelaer
The most central and modest outfit is de Candelaer, just off the Markt. It has five artists, a few of whom work most days. When it’s quiet they’ll give you a detailed tour of the manufacturing process.
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De Visbanken
People have been selling fish on this spot since 1342. The present vendors line the display cases in the old open-air pavilion with all manner of things fishy. Enjoy marinated and smoked treats or go for something fried.
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Stadys Koffyhuis
Savour Delft from seats on a terrace barge moored out the front. Savour drinks, sandwiches and pancakes while admiring possibly the best view in Delft – the Oude Kerk, just ahead at the end of the canal.
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Eetcafé De Ruif
Wonderfully rustic, with a low ceiling and canal views from a rear terrace. Try the much-loved local Stellendam prawns. At night it’s a popular place for a glass of this or that, with or without prawns.
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Vlaanderen
This café-restaurant has a Flemish name but a French-inspired menu. It's good for people-watching, too, with its convivial terrace. Baked and smoked diamond hare gives you an idea of the dishes on offer.
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Museum Lambert van Meerten
The Museum Lambert van Meerten has a fine collection of porcelain tiles and delftware dating back to the 16th century, all displayed in a 19th-century mansion.
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Cafe de Oude Jan
A late, late option dating back 100 years (lovely copper beer taps), by day this cafe has fine tables on a tiny square just a bit away from the mobs of the Markt.
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Oude Kerk
The Gothic Oude Kerk is 800 years old and is a surreal sight: its tower leans 2m from the vertical. One of the tombs inside is Vermeer’s.
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Locus Publicus
Glowing from within, this beer cafe has more than 200 beers. It’s charming and filled with cheery locals who’ve found their new candy store.
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De Delftse Pauw
De Delftse Pauw employs 35 painters who work mainly from home. It has daily tours, but you won’t see the painters on weekends.
reviewed
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OJV de Koornbeurs
An underground dance floor with alternative tunes. It’s a 21st-century meet market in a 14th-century meat market.
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‘t Klooster
More than 120 regional beers by the bottle and six Belgian brews on tap. Nice, airy and convivial.
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Abessinië
West African cuisine with starchy tubers, meats and pulses combined with spices, sauces and herbs.
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Canal Boat Tour
See Delft on a 45-minute canal boat tour departing from Koornmarkt 113.
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Town Hall
An unusual combination of Renaissance construction surrounding a 13th-century tower.
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