Seek and find
Have you ever considered Enschede for a weekend getaway? After reading this new Enschede City Guide, you will! Nestled in the heart of Twente, close to the German border, you'll find this creative city with a surprising number of great hotspots. From former factory buildings now creative hubs to trendy coffee bars, a vibrant food scene, and green parks where you can completely escape the hustle and bustle. What I love about Enschede is that you can still feel its industrial roots, yet it's also a young university city. Another great thing: almost everything is within walking distance, and the shopping is excellent. A great mix that's perfect for a city break (with friends) with a night (or two!) in your own country.
Café Coberco © Your Little Black Book
Enschede City Guide: these are the 32 hotspots not to be missed
In this new city guide, I'm sharing all my favorite spots for coffee, food, accommodations, and fun things to do. Enjoy!
Special accommodation in Enschede: At Jacob's
During our weekend in Enschede, we stayed at Bij Jacob's rectory in the village of Lonneker, just outside the city. This new boutique hotel is a real surprise, consisting of a main building and several rooms in the old rectory where we stayed. The building itself is impressive: tall windows, historic details, and a warm, modern decor that perfectly suits the atmosphere of a boutique stay. In the morning, we had a delicious breakfast on the terrace overlooking the square. The hotel's charming restaurant is open all day and also perfect for drinks. We arranged bicycles through the hotel, and in less than 15 minutes we were in the heart of Enschede. Enjoy the city during the day and the picturesque Lonneker in the evening. It felt a bit like having a secret hideaway: away from the hustle and bustle, yet close to everything!
By Jacob © Your Little Black Book
These are the 9 nicest shops in Enschede
If there's one thing you're good at in Enschede, it's shopping. The city's regional appeal is evident everywhere, and the shopping scene is extensive and easy to explore on foot. Besides all the well-known chains, like Sissy Boy Homeland, you'll also find plenty of charming smaller boutiques. So, a day in Enschede isn't complete without a stroll through Haverstraatpassage, Zuiderhagen, and the surrounding streets. The shops and boutiques in these streets truly give the city its own unique character. Here are some places to keep in mind:
Wonder & Melon
Wonder & Melon is a must-see concept store full of fashion, lifestyle, and gifts. Everything is colorful and on-trend! This is one of those places where it's hard to leave without buying something. They also have a great kids' section! Zuiderhagen 41 – wonderandmelon.nl
Wonder & Melon © Your Little Black Book
Rosee
This colorful fashion boutique is the perfect place if you love brands like BA&SH, Gestuz, and Rotate. They also have a lovely collection of eye-catching jewelry. Definitely pop in if you're strolling through Haverstraatpassage! Haverstraatpassage 84 – rosee-enschede.nl
Mr. Frintage
A must-see for anyone who loves retro and vintage home decor with a story. This shop is full of vintage lamps, furniture, and other unique home accessories. Pijpenstraat 32-34 – mrfrintage.nl
SPITS Vintage
Vintage shoppers will love this store. Everything is well-stocked, and they also have lots of cool accessories, from vintage designer scarves to earrings. The collection changes often, so there's always something new to find. Zuiderhagen 43 – spitsvintage.nl
Spits Vintage © Your Little Black Book
Concordia Design Store
They have exhibitions and you can shop for unique items. This is the place to go for design, art, and creative gifts from (mostly) local artisans. They also have original gifts for kids! Oude Markt 15 – concordia.nl
Mrs. Janne
Mevrouw Janne is a cheerful shop full of fashion, gifts, and accessories. A household name in Enschede, they recently moved to a larger location! Read on: even more fun items to shop during your visit to Enschede. Haverstraatpassage 40 – instagram.com/mevrouwjanne
Entrance Store
This store is a must-visit if you love minimalist fashion and lifestyle items in natural hues. It's simplicity at its finest! Haverstraatpassage 42A – entree-store.nl
Entrance Store © Your Little Black Book
Ginger & Sage Vintage
This is one of those vintage shops where you'll want to go treasure hunting. The selection includes vintage and reworked fashion with a fresh, modern twist. A great place if you're looking for sustainable shopping and something unique. Haverstraatpassage 28 – gingerandsage.nl
CLOF
In the Haverstraatpassage, you'll find KLOF, a store that never fails to surprise. What once began with a strong selection of men's clothing and stylish sneakers, now you can also shop women's collections from brands like Carhartt and Stieglitz. You can also find beautiful home accessories and HKliving tableware, which you can buy individually. It's the kind of fun concept store you'll want to pop into whenever you walk by! Haverstraatpassage 17, Enschede – klof.nl
Groovy Anton
Yep, Enschede is a fantastic city if you love vintage. Groovy Anton is a vintage haven with carefully selected brands. Think Levi's, Nike, and Ralph Lauren, all with a second life. But what makes this shop even more unique is that the owner, behind the sewing machine, creates the coolest combinations with items from the shop. From reworked sports shirts to tote bags, and recently, handmade jewelry. Haverstraatpassage 22 – groovyanton.com | TIP: Discover more great shops in Enschede here >>
Groovy Anton © Your Little Black Book
You'll want to discover these 18 restaurant and lunch hotspots in Enschede
We had such a wonderful and delicious meal during our weekend getaway in Twente. There's something for everyone. The trendy coffee shops and lunch hotspots are especially great. Where should you make a reservation or definitely visit in Enschede? I've compiled a list of our favorites.
Frank & Charlie – all day hotspot
Ask the cool girls for the ultimate lunch spot in Enschede, and they'll undoubtedly say Frank & Charlie. And believe me: this is definitely the place for a great start to the day or a delicious lunch. The setting is industrial, yet feminine, colorful, and incredibly creative. In good weather, you can sit outside, but inside there are also all sorts of different nooks and crannies, each with its own unique atmosphere. Don't expect your standard sandwiches here, but a menu full of fusion comfort food with a twist. I recommend, like us, sharing a few things so you can sample as much as possible. You can really taste that everything here is made fresh in-house and with love. You might have to wait a bit for a table, but trust us: it's definitely worth it. Windbrugstraat 12, Enschede – frankencharlie.nl
Frank & Charlie © Your Little Black Book
Café Coberco – lunch or dinner
In Enschede's old Melkhal, you'll now find the fantastic restaurant Café Coberco. The building alone gives you a wow feeling the moment you step inside. Imagine an industrial setting with high ceilings and plenty of raw details, combined with vintage furniture, a large open kitchen, and blue accents. It's the kind of place where you immediately sense the love and attention they give to the ingredients. The menu is packed with seasonal dishes prepared with regional produce. Honest flavors, without frills, yet presented in a surprising and creative way. I was there for lunch this time, but I already know I'll definitely be back in the evening the next time I'm in Enschede. It left me wanting more! De Coöperatie 15, Enschede – cafecoberco.nl
Café Coberco © Your Little Black Book
The Grant – cocktails & bites
The perfect place for late-night drinks with delicious dishes and bites? That's The Grant! Start your evening with a cocktail and some oysters on the terrace or at the bar. The atmosphere is international, and once you're inside, you'd almost forget this bar-restaurant is right in the heart of Enschede. Want to stay for dinner? I get it! Luckily, you don't have to choose; you can share everything on the menu. We went for a pre-dinner drink, but it's also a great tip to enjoy a delicious cocktail, a nice glass of wine, a sparkling wine, or a craft beer after dinner. Just saying! Marktstraat 2, Enschede – thegrant.nl
The Grant © Your Little Black Book
FRIDA – books & coffee
Books are HOT! And I honestly can't believe we haven't had a few more great literary coffee shops like FRIDA in Amsterdam by now. A colorful book café where you can stop by not just for a good cup of coffee, but also to browse the books and art displayed all around you. It's the kind of place where you instantly feel at home, whether you're here to work, read, or just write in your journal. For me, it truly felt like a place that adds something to the local community: accessible, inspiring, and just a little bit different from your typical coffee shop. We should have more of these! Stadsgravenstraat 56, Enschede – thefrida.nl
FRIDA © Your Little Black Book
Van der Poel – tastiest ice creams
Ask a local in Enschede where to find the best ice cream, and chances are you'll immediately get "Van der Poel!" It's such a household name in the city that it's practically a must-try for any day in Enschede :-). They have dozens of flavors, but I went for good old pistachio.
Van der Poel © Your Little Black Book
Stanislaus Brewskovitch – local brewery
In Enschede, you'll find perhaps one of the most unique beer cafés in the Netherlands: Stanislaus Brewskovitch. Housed in an old church, this brewery brews its own beer on-site, and you can watch the tanks while enjoying your drinks. They also have many of their own beers on tap and in bottles to sample. The menu is packed with comfort food that pairs perfectly with beer, from burgers to ribs. They also have many seasonal beers, so there's always something new to discover. Another great feature: they often have live music on weekends. Stadsgravenstraat 59, Enschede – stanislausbrewskovitch.nl
Stanislaus Brewskovitch © Your Little Black Book
The Broodbode – lunch & coffee
For a delicious lunch in Enschede, De Broodbode is always a good idea. One of their locations is located in the Haverstraatpassage, and the aroma of freshly baked bread hits you as soon as you walk in. The menu features well-filled sandwiches with both classic and surprising combinations. This is one of those places that's accessible, yet simply fun and delicious, and where you can really go with everyone. Even the kids! Tip: They have several locations in Enschede. Haverstraatpassage 70, Enschede – broodbode.nl
The Broodbode © Your Little Black Book
The Twentsche Foodhal – everything under one roof
In a cool, industrial building on the edge of the city center, you'll find De Twentsche Foodhal. This is the place in Enschede where you can bring a group of friends or family and make everyone happy, as it offers multiple international cuisines under one roof. From street food and Asian bites to pizza, vegan options, and more: you simply choose what you're in the mood for and create your own mini-world trip of dishes. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and especially on weekends, it gets pleasantly busy. It's also a great place for drinks! Hoge Bothofstraat 39a, Enschede – twentschefoodhal.nl
The Twentsche Foodhal © Your Little Black Book
STOET – coffee & sandwiches
In the Enschede library, you'll find STOET, one of those places that instantly makes you happy. The vibe is relaxed and homey, with colorful furniture and a creative design that perfectly suits the location. It feels more like a living room than a café, which makes it easy to linger longer than you intended. The menu features sandwiches (stoet) with delicious topping combinations that you'll definitely want to try. I remembered this place from the first time I was in Enschede, and YESSS, it's still great! Especially in good weather, the terrace is also a lovely place to sit. Pijpenstraat 15, Enschede – stoet-enschede.nl
STOET © Your Little Black Book
Mrs. Brown – for the tastiest cakes
If you're in Enschede and craving some truly good cake, Mrs. Brown is the place to be. The display cases are overflowing with delicious pastries from their own bakery, right next to their breakfast and lunch spot. Next time we stop for coffee, I'll make sure we haven't just had breakfast. The cakes looked absolutely fantastic, and I still regret not having something delicious with our coffee. Besides, this place is located on one of the city's most charming historic streets, so that alone makes it a must-see in Enschede! Walstraat 10, Enschede – mrs-brown.nl
Mrs. Brown © Your Little Black Book
Bardot – brasserie with hidden terrace
Bardot is located on one of Enschede's main streets. A brasserie every city should have! The restaurant has several charming nooks and crannies for any time of day. There's even a play area for the kids. But the real gem? For me, it's the hidden courtyard. It's so beautiful and peaceful. Almost magical! The menu features French and Mediterranean dishes, with something for everyone. Perfect for a long lunch, drinks, or a leisurely dinner. Langestraat 47c, Enschede – bardot.nl
Bardot © Your Little Black Book
Bitterzoet – nicest coffee hotspot & bakery
I've saved one of my favorite hotspots for the end of this delicious food list. Because if there's one place you simply can't miss, it's Bitterzoet. They make perfectly brewed coffee and the most delicious iced lattes. But the real reason to go here is the divine cruffin croissants. The fillings change with the seasons, but the pistachio is always a hit. Everything is freshly baked in the bakery behind the shop, and you can taste it! Chances are you'll be back the next day to try more! Zuiderhagen 34, Enschede – bitterzoet-enschede.nl
Bittersweet © Your Little Black Book
| TIP: For the best sourdough bread in town, head to Petit Bakkerie! This is also the bread they use at Bitterzoet. Unfortunately, they were closed when I was in town, but besides delicious breads for home, they also have sandwiches to go and coffee.
These restaurants are also nice for dinner in Enschede:
Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to try all the good restaurants that evening, but I did, of course, ask all the business owners I spoke to in detail about their favorites. These tips are on my shortlist for my next city break to Enschede:
- Restaurant Amelie: a new fine dining hotspot on the edge of the city center.
- Restaurant Joann: for those who want to win a Michelin star.
- Tentje Teman²: eat as if you were dining with friends.
- Café Soleil: seasonal and cozy.
- Lovely Local: small-scale with surprising dishes.
| TIP: View more addresses for delicious food and drinks in Enschede here >>
the Old Market one large drinks terrace in Enschede
Tip: alternate the nice food hotspots and shops with art
From street art that you'll encounter everywhere if you pay attention, to fun museums that you really want to visit. These final tips for light dingen of you doen make your weekend in Enschede complete!
Rijksmuseum Twenthe – art that surprises
Located in the Roombeek district, the Rijksmuseum Twenthe is a museum that will surprise you with its diverse collection. You'll literally walk through time here: from classical paintings and religious art to modern and contemporary works. What makes this museum worth a visit is that there are always multiple exhibitions on display simultaneously. But the best-kept secret? It's the beautiful museum garden! There's a lovely museum café, and you can also enjoy your coffee and a treat outside. An oasis of tranquility, so beautiful.
Rijksmuseum Twenthe © Your Little Black Book
The Museum Factory – a must with kids
The Museumfabriek is a must-see museum if you're visiting Enschede with children. Housed in a former textile factory, it's now a place where nature, technology, and history converge. You'll find a diverse mix of exhibits: from taxidermied animals to fossils and ancient inventions. The best part? You can experiment and discover for yourself, which makes it feel like more than just a museum. I'll definitely be taking my son there next time. View more museums in Enschede here >>
Street art route – walk along colorful murals
Enschede has a surprisingly creative side, and you can discover it with the free street art route through the city center. During the walk, you'll pass dozens of artworks: from enormous murals that illuminate entire facades to small, almost hidden works of art that you only see if you pay close attention. It suddenly makes a regular city walk much more lively, and I really enjoyed spotting everything. Download the route for free here >>
Street art route Enschede © Your Little Black Book
Have fun planning a day trip, overnight stay, or weekend getaway to Enschede! I'm curious to see which hotspots you'll add to your list.
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