Café De Vergulde Kruik

At De Vergulde Kruik, you step into a café where history is still visible everywhere. The building on Haarlemmerstraat is a national monument and was formerly a liquor store. Many old elements have been preserved, making the interior feel very different from that of a modern café.

Stained-glass windows, Delfts blauw tiles, an antique bar counter, and striking brass work give De Vergulde Kruik its character. The café itself dates back to 1881, and the interior has been preserved and enhanced with great attention to that history.

A cafe where you can also eat well

De Vergulde Kruik is more than just a place for a beer at the bar. You can go there for lunch, drinks, and dinner.

The kitchen suits the character of a café-bistro: accessible food that pairs well with a drink, where you can drop in for a light snack or a full meal.

Drinks and snacks also play an important role. As a result, you can just as easily walk in here for a glass of wine or beer as stay for dinner later in the day.

Beer, wine and jenever

At the bar, the serving of drinks clearly receives attention. Beer forms an important part of the pub, but various wines and jenevers are also served.

One of the most striking historical details is the brass beer tap. According to De Vergulde Kruik, this is the only brass beer tap of its kind in the Netherlands. Various original brass elements can also be found in the back room.

For those who do not drink alcohol, coffee and other beverages are naturally also available.

Old details that you easily overlook

The charm of De Vergulde Kruik lies partly in the small details. Some parts of the interior are much older than the café itself. For example, there is an authentic bar counter dated to around 1800.

Original documents, stained glass, and old tiles have also been given a place in the building. As a result, a visit feels almost like a brief introduction to the history of the Leiden hospitality industry, without having to stand in a museum.

From casual drinks to a party

In addition to regular lunch, drinks, and dinner, De Vergulde Kruik is also used for groups and private gatherings.

In addition, the café regularly organizes its own activities and traditions, including tastings and special evenings. A well-known recurring activity is the meatball competition, which has been organized at the café for many years.

It is precisely that combination of a historic interior, café life, and food that makes De Vergulde Kruik a place where old Leiden is still a very visible part of daily life.