Ratatouille Food & Wine — Restaurant in Haarlem

Michelin-grade cuisine overshadowed by an incredibly unpleasant dining experience.

Recently, we had lunch with some friends at the restaurant that we have frequented on numerous occasions, even during the COVID takeaway period. While we must acknowledge that the service has always been somewhat lacking, this time it reached an unacceptable level. The staff persistently and aggressively pushed additional items, made ongoing mistakes regarding one of our friends' medical intolerances. Furthermore, their demeanor bordered on rudeness as soon as we expressed our disinterest in ordering a bottle of wine. In an effort to expedite our departure, we opted to forgo coffee altogether, which won us another round of tangible hostility. The saving grace came in the form of the youngest server, who genuinely made an effort to serve our dishes and explain them with kindness and enthusiasm.

It is worth noting that we arrived early and the restaurant was not crowded or under significant pressure.

While the food itself was deserving of its Michelin accolades, the behavior of the staff casts a significant shadow. It becomes a disservice to the talented chef and the rest of the team.

As a local resident, it saddens me to admit that I will not be returning in the foreseeable future. Fortunately, Haarlem offers a multitude of other exceptional dining options.

EDIT: Reading some of the comments, it seems that working around some basic food intolerance is indeed quite a struggle for the staff. This is...

Ratatouille is a gem of a restaurant that delivers on every front—food, atmosphere, and service. From the moment we stepped in, we were captivated by the warm and inviting ambiance. The décor perfectly balances elegance with a cozy, relaxed vibe, making it an ideal spot for any occasion.

The food was nothing short of spectacular. Every dish we tried was a testament to the chef's creativity and skill. The flavors were rich and balanced, with each bite more satisfying than the last. We had a lot of fun with the cheese course, presented in the most entertaining way possible. The cheese waiter, with a twinkle in his eye, rolled over a cart laden with an array of cheeses and quipped, “they see me rolling,” as he artfully selected, sliced and served each selection. It was a small moment, but it added a wonderful touch of humor and personality to the evening.

But what truly sets Ratatouille apart is the staff. Every person we interacted with was warm, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy what they were doing. Their passion for hospitality shone through in every detail, from the thoughtful recommendations to the impeccable service.

In short, Ratatouille is a restaurant that knows how to make an impression. Great food, a fantastic atmosphere, and some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet—what more could you ask for? We had a wonderful time and will definitely be...

If you are looking to get away from the business of Amsterdam, head over to Haarlem - an equally beautiful and charming city with a small town feel. Nestled on one of the main streets in Haarlem overlooking the canal, Ratatouille Food & Wine is not only a wonderful experience because of the food but also the location in such a historic and beautiful city.

My partner and I really enjoyed our first Michelin star dining experience at Ratatouille. The restaurant atmosphere is approachable and relaxing. Service was extremely professional and courteous, and our server gave us excellent recommendations for wine pairing with our food. We chose the chef’s menu which included six courses in which we had a variety of seafood, vegetables, and duck. The food was absolutely delicious and flavours were outstanding. We tried foods that were out of our comfort zone, but it was well worth it! Each course paired various flavour, texture, and color to create an outstanding culinary experience that we won’t soon forget.

Every detail of our experience from start to finish felt well thought out, and we felt truly cared for by the staff. There wasn’t a moment where our water or wine glasses were empty, and our servers explained each dish to us and answered any questions we had about the food. It was lovely to meet the chef after our...