Outdoor terraces in the Zaanstreek

| Nienke Aussems | |

As soon as the sun comes out, the people of Zaan head for the waterfront in droves. And to be honest? We understand that all too well. Along the Zaan, near old warehouses, marinas and hidden quays, you’ll find terraces where you can easily while away the hours.

What makes the Zaan region so special is its mix of industrial heritage, windmills, historic villages and creative waterside restaurants and cafés. Not your typical promenade, but unique spots full of character and history.

As the editorial team at Zaans.nl, we’re constantly on the lookout for new hotspots, events and local tips. In our opinion, these are the best waterside terraces in the Zaan region.

Café Fabriek

At the Zaandam lock, you’ll find Café Fabriek: industrial, creative and popular with a wide audience. The terrace is situated in a spot that’s constantly bustling: boats passing through the lock, people strolling by and the liveliness of the city in the background.

Especially on sunny days, there’s a relaxed, almost urban atmosphere here that fits in well with Zaandam’s creative character.

Read more about the factory

Batavia 1894

Batavia 1894 is situated right on the River Zaan, next to the historic warehouses of Wormer. The location alone is remarkable: a listed warehouse dating from 1894 that is now one of the region’s best-known dining and drinking venues.

On sunny days, the terrace here quickly fills up with cyclists, walkers, locals and visitors exploring the Zaan region. It’s the view of the water and the boats passing by in particular that makes this a place where you can easily spend hours without realising it.

Read more about Batavia
Drone photo of Batavia 1894 in Wormer

BAZ Restaurant

BAZ is the sort of place you almost want to keep to yourself. It’s relatively unknown to many visitors, but that’s precisely what makes it so lovely. The terrace is situated in a quiet spot by the water in Zaandam and feels more like a hidden urban gem than a busy restaurant.

Especially on warm summer evenings, there’s a relaxed atmosphere here that you wouldn’t necessarily expect in the heart of the Randstad.

Read more about Baz

De Hoop on d'Swarte Walvis

Perhaps one of the better-known terraces in the Zaan region: and, to be honest, there’s a good reason for that. From the terrace, you can look out over the Zaan-style cottages on the Lagedijk whilst boats sail past continuously on the Zaan.

Yes, it’s popular with tourists. But at the same time, it’s still simply one of the loveliest spots to stop off at during a day out in the Zaanstreek.

Read more about the Walvis

Eetcafé de Toog

Some terraces you only discover when someone tips you off about them. De Toog is exactly that sort of place. Tucked away by the water in Zaandam, without much fuss, but all the more cosy for it.

This is one of those terraces where you actually just wanted to pop in for a quick drink… only to find yourself still sitting there hours later.

Find out more about the Toog

Havenrestaurant Nauerna

Havenrestaurant Nauerna is the sort of place you tend to discover through word of mouth. The restaurant is tucked away in Nauerna marina, between Assendelft and Westzaan, and feels surprisingly peaceful for a spot so close to Amsterdam. From the terrace, you can look out over the water and the boats slowly sailing in, which makes it feel almost like a holiday on sunny days.

Find out more about the Harbour Restaurant

Do you have any more tips for waterside terraces? If so, please email them to Info@zaans.nl/en

Other tips from the Editorial Team

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