De Brug About us
The café by the bridge since 1908
First a coffee house for waiting skippers, now a bright grand café with a terrace and its own jetty.
Coffee for skippers waiting at the bridge
In 1908 the bridge keeper's wife started a coffee house in the little house next to the bridge. Skippers who had to wait drank coffee there. Since 2019 Lysanne and Jorn Veldkamp have run De Brug: it has become brighter and bigger, but happily the view has stayed exactly the same.
We opened the building up to the water. Inside everything is bright: white walls, oak floor, big windows and the river bouncing the light inside. The old bridge keeper's house is now our bar. The little windowsill where the bridge keeper put down his coffee is still there.
- 1908
The coffee house
The bridge keeper's wife pours coffee in the little house next to the bridge. Skippers waiting at the bridge join in.
- 1962
A conservatory on the water
A conservatory is added on the waterside. On Sundays it fills with walkers and cyclists.
- 2019
Bright and open
Lysanne and Jorn take over De Brug. White walls, big windows, a terrace with 200 seats and its own jetty.
- Now
From breakfast to drinks
Open every day from nine to eleven, with the bridge still right outside.
The people behind the bar
Eighteen permanent staff, joined in summer by students from town.
Lysanne Veldkamp
Host and owner
Knows which regulars like their cappuccino extra hot.
Jorn Veldkamp
Chef and owner
Fetches the fish himself and is already making pancakes at eight.
Hamza Zwart
Manager and harbour master
Keeps an eye on the jetty, helps with the lines and knows when the bridge opens.
From the baker, the fish auction and the market garden
Bread
Fresh from the baker on the quay at half past seven in the morning.
Fish
Jorn picks out what goes on the menu that day at the fish auction himself.
Vegetables
From a market garden further up the river, whatever the season brings.
Beer
Local beer on tap, with a different craft beer every season.
A visit in four steps
By the water it should be easy. Come in, sit down and leave the rest to us.
- 1
Walk in or book
During the day you just walk in. Coming to eat or with a group? Then book.
- 2
Choose your spot
Inside by the window, on the terrace or right at the front on the jetty. Just say.
- 3
Table service
You order at your table, even on the busiest summer day. Nobody has to queue at the bar.
- 4
Stay as long as you like
Breakfast drifting into lunch? Fine. We never rush anyone from their table.
Come and sit on the jetty
With a cup of coffee on the jetty, or at the table with grandpa, grandma and the grandchildren.