Smit-Bokkum — Restaurant in Edam-Volendam

Tucked along the waterfront in Volendam, Smit Bokkum is more than just a restaurant—it’s a journey into Dutch culinary tradition. The family-run smokehouse has been perfecting its craft since 1856, and you can taste that heritage in every bite.

The star of the show is, without a doubt, the smoked eel. Rich, silky, and infused with a deep, wood-smoked flavour, it’s served with a simplicity that lets the craftsmanship shine. Other smoked fish, from mackerel to herring, are equally worth trying, each carrying its own nuance. The menu goes beyond the smokehouse classics, offering fresh seafood and regional dishes that feel both rustic and refined.

What makes Smit Bokkum special is the authenticity of the experience. You’re not just eating; you’re stepping into a living tradition. The adjoining smokehouse and museum add an extra layer of appreciation, especially if you take a tour and see how the fish is prepared.

Service is warm and welcoming, with staff eager to share the story behind the dishes. The setting by the IJsselmeer makes the whole experience relaxed and atmospheric, perfect for lingering over lunch or dinner with a glass of wine.

Smit Bokkum is a must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of Dutch heritage and some of the best smoked fish you’ll find anywhere. A short trip from Amsterdam, but worth every kilometre.

A true Volendam gem where history, flavour, and culture...

I recently visited Smit Bokkum in Volendam and had a memorable dining experience. The restaurant's rustic ambience was charming, and the food, especially the smoked eels, was absolutely brilliant. The flavors were exquisite and authentic, truly showcasing the best of Dutch seafood cuisine.

However, I must mention that my positive experience was slightly marred by the differential treatment we received as foreigners. This might be my assumption wholly but still worth mentioning I guess. We recognised that the restaurant was a bit busy but our service was noticeably delayed, and our requests for water were initially ignored, requiring multiple reminders. I feel it's important for any establishment to treat all customers equally and provide prompt and attentive service regardless of their nationality. I honestly hope it wasn't discrimination as I really loved this place and I hope others do too.

Despite this issue, I believe Smit Bokkum is a fantastic place to experience traditional Dutch seafood dishes. The quality of their smoked eels and other offerings is top-notch, and the rustic ambiance adds to the overall charm of the restaurant. I hope that the staff can work on improving their service consistency to ensure a delightful experience for...

As a seafood lover we went to restaurant with huge expectations, maybe this caused a slightly disappointment on us. I cant complain about the food, it was delicious. We went to restaurant at 17:30 and after that it became very crowded, tables were so close each other and space was very limited. Due to it is very busy staff was struggling to serve timely. However they are very nice all evening to us, we should thank them. Even my English is good I had a problem to order my main and in conclusion the dish was not the same what i ordered. Eel soup was tasty even it has just few eel meat in it. Smoked Fish dish was good but the portion can be a little bit more. I tried to order Eel in the pan with eel souce but they served me fried in the butter. Thats fine i enjoyed. Prices are good can be reduced may be couple of euros. They keep alive their heritage. We love this kind of restaurents...