Restaurant Witlof — Restaurant in Nijmegen

Restaurant Witlof boasts a fantastic location with beautiful river views. The interior is clean and elegantly designed, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Service was friendly but never intrusive, which we appreciated. We opted for the surprise five-course meal, which started with an amuse-bouche: mushroom bitterballen with chive mayonnaise. Neither of us typically enjoys these ingredients—I'm not a fan of mayonnaise, and my partner isn't particularly fond of mushrooms—but this dish won us over. The first course was celeriac with apples and a sour cherry sauce. Celeriac isn’t something we usually order, which is exactly why we enjoy surprise menus. It ended up being a delightful dish, especially with the tartness of the cherry sauce. Next, we had a duo of broths served in charming tea cups—one fish-based and the other chicken-based. Both were tasty and well-balanced. The third course was hoisin pork with pak choy and mushrooms. While it was well-prepared, it felt like the least exciting dish of the meal. The hoisin sauce was quite mild, and I tend to prefer restaurant dishes that feel beyond my own cooking abilities—this one, I could envision making at home. The fourth course, however, was the standout. It featured perfectly cooked chicken—both leg and breast—with the leg stuffed with a flavorful mushroom filling. The sauce (which I, unfortunately, don’t recall) tied everything together beautifully. The dish was moist, elegant, and downright delicious. For dessert, we had a choice between cheese or a sweet option, and we both went for the sweet. It was an absolute hit: blood orange sorbet with fresh passionfruit, pineapple, and green apple, accompanied by crispy fried filo. Light, refreshing, and the perfect way to end the meal. We’d love to return, especially since the restaurant changes its menu weekly based on what’s in season. The pricing was also reasonable—160 euros for two five-course meals, a glass of wine, water, and bread....

Food was ok. Food plating was good. Good cookery; tasted flavours of used ingredients, and the combinations of different ingredients elevated the dishes + spot-on seasoning. However, the hot meals were barely warm. The lego pea mash was cold. Even unappetizing, for the main dish, mashed potatoes were also barely warm. Portions were on the smaller side for most of the entourage i was with. For the settings, i understand the idea of a suprise menu, but it looses its suprise once the table(s) a few cms away from you are "suprised" before you and you already know what to expect. Sitting could be better, a bit cramped and too noisy when full. Wine...

What a marvelous evening. What runs like a well-oiled machine exemplifies some of the best of culinary experiences I’ve ever had—if not the best of Nijmegen. From the charming vibes upon entering, to the personal, yet professional service, the entire experience oozes of top-notch restaurants. Each dish was unique and delicious, surprising and delighting the senses through the night. We opted for the wine pairing and each one matched perfectly with the variety of dishes. We had a “surprise” 5 course menu, so we can’t wait to come back again and be surprised. Again, one of, if not THE best of restaurants...