Café Restaurant de Eendracht Blaricum — Restaurant in Blaricum

Service has gone downhill since the change from Tafelberg to Eendracht and we had a very disappointing experience on March 30, 2022. :(

I live within walking distance to this place & would go to the Tafelberg regularly for many years and it was always lovely. Not so much now.

The details: I called the restaurant in the morning and spoke with a male employee, making a 14:30 reservation for 3 people.

Upon our arrival, 2 female staff watched us enter through the front door and they continued to stand at the back of the restaurant, ignoring us. As we approached them, their arms were crossed in front of their chests and they didn't smile or greet us; we were made to feel as though we were inconveniencing them. We had to say "Hellooo...hi...(they just looked at us...no "welcome" or can we help you?", nothing). We told them we had a reservation and gave our name. They looked in the computer, looked confused, asked our name again, they couldn't find our reservation. I told them I'd spoken with a gentleman on the phone and made the reservation that morning; they replied, "Oooohhh, you called", as if that wasn't a valid way to make a reservation. For the record; the restaurant wasn't even 1/2 full at this point. We were then asked where we wanted to sit (because, as noted above, there were MANY tables available). We sat in the sun room area, at a table visible from the main dining room and wood oven/bar.

We waited for 15 min before anyone came by for a drink order. There were no food or drink menus on the table to review while we waited. Scanning a QR code or searching for menu online was not a good option, as one of our party was a visually impaired (blind) person.

We finally waved a female server down and discussed drinks (again, no menus were provided so we were just guessing and asking). Server said "we don't have cocktails". I said "that's too bad, Tafelberg used to have a nice gin & tonic". Server replies, "Oh, well....we have gin, rum etc..." Apparently gin & tonic isn't a cocktail (it absolutely is).

We were told about the wines but no names, just "white, red, rose". I asked if the rose was dry or sweet, she said sweet. Again, there used to be a couple of options for rose wine but even if there's limited wine choices, provide a menu, or at least the staff should KNOW or OFFER to look / tell you the wine's name.

We got through the drink order and waited....and waited. Still NO MENUS to review. 15 min later, our 3 drinks arrive (glass of wine, gin and tonic with no garnish and a non-alcoholic drink) with food menus delivered at the same time.

20 min later, female server returns to take food order. When asked about certain dishes (I brought a guest who'd never been and she had questions), server seems irritated by the questions (eye rolling & sighing occurred) and didn't know answers to much. We ordered a second round of drinks with the food order because it had taken so long to even get the menus, we we'd finished our drinks.

Food arrived after 20 minutes, it was underwhelming. Chicken Caesar Salad had minimal pieces of overcooked chicken and the rest wasn't anything to talk about. The croquettes weren't enjoyed by the other guests either. The bisque was nice.

Nobody ever came back to our table to ask how things were, or if we needed anything else or wanted more drinks.

We had to make a great effort to get a server to the table to request the bill. We didn't bother to order more drinks because we felt unwelcome & ignored. Why sit in a place that makes you feel like you're a bother to them when we could walk home and pour a glass of wine in the time it took them to even approach our table. let alone service time.

I don't write many reviews and I only write this review constructively, hoping it will affect change. Retaining long term, loyal, local customers should be a priority.

I will follow up in the future at the restaurant with hopes of engaging with the management personally and giving it a second chance (certainly before I bring anyone back).

I desperately want this...

Cafе-Restaurant de Eendracht in Blaricum is more than just a cozy spot for delicious food — it’s a place where history, hospitality, and culinary craftsmanship come together in perfect harmony. Whether you’re stopping by for a quiet coffee on the sun-drenched terrace or gathering with loved ones for a hearty meal, De Eendracht invites you to slow down and savor the moment. The building that now houses the restaurant was once a private residence, with its exact date of construction unknown. It retained its residential charm until 1985 and was converted into a restaurant in the 1960s. Since then, it has become a beloved gathering place for both locals and visitors. Over the years, the property has had several owners and names. In 1980, it was known as De Graaf van Blaricum, then became Merpatis under the management of the Wattimen family. Later, it was renamed De Tafelberg, and in June 2020, it joined the De Eendracht group — all while preserving its unique character, spacious terrace, and the much-loved wood-fired pizza oven, which still plays a central role today. Nestled on the edge of the picturesque Tafelbergerheide nature reserve, the restaurant is the perfect stop after a scenic walk. Nearby meadows dotted with sheep and Scottish Highland cattle, along with a charming children’s playground, make it a particularly welcoming spot for families. And for guests with pets, there are fresh water bowls for dogs on the terrace — a thoughtful touch that adds to the restaurant’s warm, inclusive atmosphere. The menu at De Eendracht is created under the guidance of talented chef Mike Kuijpers, formerly of the acclaimed restaurant De Librije. Great care is given to sourcing high-quality, local ingredients: meat and cheeses come from the trusted Lindenhoff farm, beer from the Oedipus brewery, and fries from the artisanal team at Friethoes. Every Thursday, guests can enjoy Pizza Thursday, when all wood-fired pizzas are served at a special price. On Fridays, the star of the menu is the Eendracht Burger — a house favorite that keeps regulars coming back for more. De Eendracht is also proud to take part in the Chef’s Catch initiative, which supports sustainable seafood practices. The program focuses on using small fish that are often discarded by fishermen, helping to reduce food waste and protect the marine ecosystem. At De Eendracht Blaricum, you’ll find more than a meal — you’ll find a sense of belonging. With its rich history, dedication to sustainability, and love for honest food, this restaurant invites you to feel at home, enjoy nature, and make lasting memories. Come and experience it...

Date: 19/10/2025

Although the food and ambience are great, the service was a complete disappointment. From the moment we arrived around 8:00 p.m. until about 9:30 p.m., two waitresses spent most of their time chatting with two men instead of attending to customers. We had to ask twice just to get water — which never came — and eventually went to the bar counter ourselves to get it.

When we wanted to order dessert after dinner, the waitress couldn’t be bothered to even ask if we wanted anything. We had to go to the bar counter again to request a dessert menu, and only then did she bring it. After placing our order, we waited over 20 minutes for the dessert, and when we followed up, she gave the excuse that it was “still in the oven.”

Very poor service and a disappointing experience overall. This was our fourth or fifth visit here, but unfortunately, it’s going to...