In the Nieuwmarkt neighborhood, at an address with a striking history, Eetcafé Van Beeren has made a fresh start. Behind the takeover are five young entrepreneurs: Xander Waller, Jasper Gottlieb, Wout Meulemans, Fons Lagendijk and Xavier Berben. Together they also run The Heron in the Jordaan and Café de Druif. Van Beeren is their third business, and the line is clear: affordable food without sacrificing quality.
The name is not a random choice. The café is named after Gerrit van Beeren, who started a greengrocer's store at this address in 1936. That past is incorporated into the identity of the place. The new owners are aware that they are taking over a historic address, and bear that name with seriousness. Waller and his fellow entrepreneurs are known in the city as advocates of the idea that good food does not have to be expensive, through De Reiger they already did that.Behind the café is a cozy courtyard garden, one of the better-preserved outdoor spots near the Nieuwmarkt. Eating outside is possible until 10 p.m.. Inside, it's a classic eatery: no sleek designer interior, just a place you'll find yourself without too much fuss. Open daily from 16:00, the kitchen comes on at 17:00.
The menu revolves around Mediterranean eatery classics. Three courses for about thirty euros, that's the promise. No elaborate menu guiding you through endless choices, just recognizable food that's right. The philosophy behind the price is deliberate: the owners see affordability not as an afterthought but as a starting point. In a city where eating out is becoming more expensive, they explicitly choose a different course.
In a city where eating out is becoming more expensive, they are explicitly choosing a different course.
Xavier Berben, Fons Lagendijk and the rest of the team are aiming for a place accessible to everyone in the neighborhood, not just those who happened to manage to book a table early enough. Van Beeren is open daily until 01:00. The combination of historic location, a courtyard garden near the Nieuwmarkt and a price that's just right makes this a business to keep an eye on.