Grand Café Brinkmann

Classy restaurant in the middle of the Grote market. I love the decorations inside the restaurant. We didn’t make reservations but there are plenty of empty table during lunch hour. I believe you seat yourself here because as we were waiting around to be seated, a group of people behind us just went straight to the table like they own the place.
I ordered a fish soup since everyone kept telling me the fish soup in Europe is the best. And they’re not lying. Soup was fresh with different kind of fishes. I literally drank every drop of that soup.
As for the restroom, you don’t have to pay to use but there’s someone there «monitoring» and «directing» traffic which I think you supposed to tip him.
Overall, pleasant experience. I was nervous that I would be disappointed based on how upscale looking it’s outside. (Upscale= overpriced and underperforming)

A typical place for tourists from outside Haarlem and/​or outside the country. Little change you’ll find locals here. Although it’s been here for ages it’s lost a lot of it’s glamour in the last decade. Something that didn’t change with the new owners.
You may wonder, how did you as a local ended up here? We’ll on the first sunny day (‘rokjesdag’) everybody want’s to sit on a terrace in the sun. And because they had several spots while all other terraces were crowded it seemed a good choice.
And oh well, a beer is a beer. Service was prompt.
We didn’t order food because of other dinner reservations. And we were glad. The things we saw passing weren’t appealing. Typical tourist menu. Lots of calories for money.
And to top it of, you have to pay for the use of the toilet. Even if you’re a paying customer. I really dislike that.
So, great for the view and a drink. For food I would suggest so many other options.

Popped by for some beers and snacks when we where visiting friends in Haarlem. Nice location and great for people spotting. Prices where good, service with a smile and prices good for that great location.

The Grote Markt, where the Brinkmann is located, is full of mediocre yet expensive restaurants to take advantage of unknowing tourists. I would NOT call the Brinkmann mediocre or overly expensive. The service is always decent, the patio is always completely full when it’s sunny and the food I’ve had has always been good.
If I’m going to recommend a café in Haarlem centrum that I KNOW will be a good visit, it’s either this or Café Fortuyn.

Not sure why the reviews are so bad here! The Brinkmann is a beautiful, classic Dutch Grand Café, dating to the 1800s. Old fashioned décor, very high ceilings, large open space with a long bar, lots of wood accents. It can be a little touristy, but to be honest, few tourists actually make it to Haarlem, so it doesn’t bother me.
I always enjoy having a drink at the Brinkmann with friends. Coffee’s good, other drinks are too. Not sure I’ve ever eaten anything here, so I can’t judge the food. Service has always been very reasonable.
I recommend sitting in the back room, to your left when you come in. Feels a little more ‘gezellig’ and intimate than the front or outside on the square.

Only buy a beer at this establishment. We waited over an hour to be served a simple hamburger. When our food arrived it was raw and tasted like uncooked meatloaf. Terrible service and food.

Touristy and a rather dead atmosphere. Not very good service.