Van der Valk Restaurant Het Haagsche Schouw Leiden
Historic Oude Rijn restaurant with a large terrace, broad lunch and dinner menus, free parking and convenient A44 access.
At a glance
Prices
Pricing is mid-range to slightly above. Lunch can cost roughly €10–€25, while most dinner mains are €21.95–€39.95. The three-course menu and lunch buffet provide greater price certainty. Drinks and optional side dishes are extra.
Plan ahead
Opening hours
- Monday – Sunday
- 07:00–22:00
Why visit?
Restaurant Het Haagsche Schouw is part of Van der Valk Hotel Leiden and sits on the western edge of the city, directly beside the Oude Rijn. The site began as a medieval ferry house, later becoming a toll point and inn, giving it more history than the average hotel restaurant. Its practical strengths are clear: waterside dining, free parking and easy access from the A44. The trade-off is that it is not in Leiden's historic centre.
In good weather, the large terrace is the main reason to visit. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the bar and brasserie open in the evening. A terrace table cannot be reserved separately. Guests reserve the restaurant and may only add a terrace preference, which matters on sunny weekends.
The menu is broad and familiar. Premium sandwiches cost roughly €12.95–€16.95, soups €8.95–€12.95 and meal-sized salads reach €24.95. Most dinner mains start around €21.95. Many fish and meat dishes sit between €28 and €40, while the 400-gram chateaubriand costs €64.95. The three-course menu is €43.50, the adult lunch buffet €24.50 and brunch €34.95.
The public Google snapshot was 4.1/5 from 1,042 reviews, while Tripadvisor showed 3.6/5 from 116 reviews. Guests frequently praise the terrace, view, interior and friendly staff. Recurring criticism is specific: waits can increase when busy, attention may drop after the first order and execution is not equally consistent every time. The independent score is therefore 8.0/10 rather than a direct conversion of Google.
The broad menu works well for mixed groups, with vegetarian and vegan choices plus a separate children's menu. Online information is not sufficient to guarantee coeliac-safe preparation or severe-allergy protocols, so call ahead to discuss bread, fryers, work surfaces and cross-contact. Wheelchair users should also confirm the entrance, table spacing and adapted toilet directly.
Honest verdict: a strong option for a relaxed lunch, family dinner, business meeting or meal where parking and access matter. Visitors seeking a small chef-led kitchen or an evening in the historic centre will find more distinctive choices elsewhere in Leiden.
What makes it special
- ✓Historic former inn and listed building beside the Oude Rijn
- ✓Large weather-dependent waterside terrace
- ✓Most mains €21.95–€39.95
- ✓Free parking and EV charging at the hotel
- ✓Google snapshot 4.1/5 from 1,042 reviews
Prepare your visit
- Reserve the restaurant in advance, especially at weekends.
- Add a terrace preference but do not treat it as guaranteed.
- Check brunch and lunch-buffet availability for your date.
- Contact reception or sales for groups of 21 or more.
- For coeliac disease or severe allergies, call ahead and discuss cross-contact.
- Guests with limited mobility should confirm entrance, table space and adapted toilets.
Who is it for?
- Families seeking a broad menu and children's choices
- Business visitors and hotel guests
- Groups with varied preferences
- Visitors who value free parking
- Couples wanting waterside dining in good weather
Crowds & changes
In dry, mild weather the terrace is the main added value. The historic interior remains attractive in rain, but an important part of the setting is lost.
Facilities
Confirmed facilities include free parking, EV charging, terrace, bar/brasserie, children's dishes, vegetarian and vegan choices, group dining and reservations. Terrace seating, an adapted toilet and coeliac-safe preparation are not guaranteed online.
Our editorial assessment
How does Van der Valk Restaurant Het Haagsche Schouw Leiden score?
Het Haagsche Schouw is strongest as a spacious, accessible waterside restaurant. Its historic building, large terrace, free parking and broad menu suit families, business meetings and groups. The cooking is dependable rather than highly distinctive. Recurring reports of waiting times and variable attention when busy keep the score at 8.0/10.
Leiden
Score breakdown
Location & atmosphere
9.2/10The historic building and large terrace directly beside the Oude Rijn give this branch more character than an average hotel restaurant. The waterside setting is a major strength, although it sits outside the historic city centre.
Food & drinks
7.4/10The menu is broad and familiar, ranging from sandwiches and salads to tournedos, sole and vegan curry. This works well for mixed groups, but the cooking is more dependable and predictable than distinctive or innovative.
Value for money
7.3/10Prices fit a mid-range hotel restaurant: mains start around €21.95, while many meat and fish dishes reach €35–€40. The €43.50 three-course menu and €24.50 lunch buffet are comparatively straightforward value options.
Service & guest experience
7.2/10The Google snapshot of 4.1/5 from 1,042 reviews is solid. Recurring positives include the view, terrace, décor and friendly staff. The main criticism concerns waiting times, reduced attention after the first order and inconsistent execution when busy.
Choice & dietary options
8.3/10Breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, buffet, children's dishes, vegetarian and vegan choices are available. A complete public allergen guide and firm cross-contact information are missing, so coeliac dining requires advance discussion.
Planning & accessibility
8.0/10Opening hours, menus, group options and reservations are clearly explained. Free parking, charging points and proximity to the A44 are major advantages. A terrace table cannot be guaranteed, and online detail about thresholds, circulation and adapted toilets is limited.
＋Strengths
- Large terrace directly beside the Oude Rijn
- Historic building with more character than a standard hotel restaurant
- Free parking, charging points and easy A44 access
- Broad menu with vegetarian, vegan and children's dishes
- Suitable for families, business meetings and larger groups
!Points to consider
- Outside the historic centre and less convenient for an entirely walkable visit
- A terrace preference may be noted but cannot be guaranteed
- Recurring criticism of waiting times and attention at full capacity
- The menu is broad and dependable but not especially distinctive
- No complete public information on coeliac-safe preparation or adapted toilets
✓ How we assessed it
The score is weighted using factors relevant to this type of place. It is our editorial assessment, not an average of visitor ratings.
Assessment based on checked sources; an on-site visit is only stated when one actually took place.Sources checked
View the score calculation
Frequently asked questions
How much does food cost at Restaurant Het Haagsche Schouw?
Premium sandwiches cost around €12.95–€16.95. Most mains cost €21.95–€39.95 and desserts €8.95–€13.95. The three-course menu is €43.50.
When is the restaurant open?
The restaurant opens daily from 07:00–22:00. The bar and brasserie open from 17:00–23:00. Kitchen orders are accepted until 22:00.
Can I reserve a terrace table?
Not specifically. Reserve the restaurant and add your terrace preference. The venue will try to accommodate it but does not guarantee a terrace table.
Is parking free?
Yes. Ample free parking is available at the hotel, together with EV charging points.
Are vegetarian and vegan options available?
Yes. The menus include several vegetarian dishes as well as vegan curry and vegan croquettes. The range is broad enough for mixed groups.
Is the restaurant safe for coeliac guests?
This cannot be guaranteed online. No complete adult allergen guide or clear cross-contact protocol is published. Call ahead to discuss bread, fryers, work surfaces and separate preparation.
Is Het Haagsche Schouw suitable for children?
Yes. There is a separate children's menu, children aged 0–3 join brunch and the lunch buffet free of charge, and high chairs are available on request.
Can the restaurant host large groups?
Yes. Online brunch and buffet bookings are available for up to 20 people; groups of 21 or more should contact reception or sales. Private dinners are available from 30 people.
Are dogs allowed?
According to the official restaurant information, pets are allowed on the terrace. Different rules apply indoors and in the hotel, so confirm in advance.
Is the restaurant wheelchair accessible?
Public listings mention accessible hotel areas, but the official restaurant page gives little detail on thresholds, table spacing and adapted toilets. Confirm the required route and facilities in advance.
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