We went out exploring in Deventer. Why? Because this historic Hanseatic city scores well if you, like us, prefer to take the greener path. Expect atmospheric streets, plenty of second-hand shops, lovely coffee spots, local hotspots, cosy catering establishments, all conveniently located close together. We’ll take you to Deventer and share our favourite sustainable discoveries. So: save these tips, grab your public transport card, and get inspired for a sustainable day out!
Nice things in Deventer: we follow the green path
Nice, Deventer is a city where you can just wander around without a plan. From the station, you can easily walk to the old city centre, which is full of narrow streets, historic buildings and colourful facades. Everywhere you look, you'll see traces of its rich Hanseatic past, such as old merchants' houses, hidden courtyards, the Waag (weigh house) on the Brink, and the enormous Lebuïnuskerk church towering over the city. And for those who already know Deventer from the Charles Dickens Festival In December (something else on our bucket list) you'll immediately understand what we mean by that nostalgic atmosphere. Tucked away between the historic buildings are lovely coffee shops, creative stores, second-hand shops and cosy eateries. What makes Deventer extra nice is that you'll still find a surprisingly large number of independent shops and small boutiques in the centre. The big chains haven't completely taken over this city yet, and that feels like a real breath of fresh air. Â
What exactly is a Hanseatic city?
Deventer is one of the oldest Hanseatic cities in the Netherlands. In the Middle Ages, trading cities in Northern Europe formed the Hanseatic League together. Thanks to its location on the IJssel, Deventer grew into an important trading city. Cities like Zwolle, Zutphen, Kampen, Harderwijk, and Doesburg also belonged to it, as did smaller towns like Hattem, Elburg, and Hasselt. You can even find Hanseatic cities in Friesland, such as Bolsward, Workum, and Hindeloopen. What do they have in common? Old streets, historic buildings, charming squares, and the feeling that you're stepping back in time. Discover more about the charming Hanseatic cities!
Start your day in Deventer at Koffiebranderij Roemar
Our first stop in Deventer is a top tip straight away: Roemar Coffee Roasters in the Walstraat. A lovely spot where you immediately feel the real Deventer. Here you can drink delicious coffee and tea amidst the scent of freshly roasted beans, loose leaf tea, chocolate, and all sorts of delicacies. Owner Rob proudly tells us that everything is actually organic, even if it's not prominently displayed on the packaging. And yes, the cakes and biscuits here are really a ten. If the cheesecake is still in the display case, we'd order it right away, because as far as we're concerned, you've got a packed schedule ahead of you. And Oh my, That cake over there is good!
At Koffiebranderij Roemar in Deventer, you can not only buy delicious coffee and tea, you can also enjoy it there (with treats!).
Fed up and full of food at Roemar? Then leave the shop and turn left towards the Bergkerk. Be sure to take a side street now and then on your way. This part of Deventer is so beautiful. Everywhere you see old buildings, colourful facades and streets full of climbing plants and flowers. If you like taking photos during a city trip, you'll probably have a hard time leaving this area. We found the Walstraat, Roggestraat, Kleine Overstraat, Spijkerboorsteeg and Menstraat particularly beautiful during our first exploration of the city. Check your Google Maps and don't miss a thing!
Sustainable and second-hand shopping in Deventer
When it comes to shopping and browsing, Deventer is unique in our opinion: the centre is large enough to wander around for hours, but the big chains haven't really found this city yet. And that's good news if you like sustainable and second-hand shopping, as there's plenty of great stuff close together in those cosy streets and alleys. Our tip? Check beforehand ‘Mindful Path Route van Deventer, so you can save some favourite shops in advance. Especially if you're only going for a day, you'll have to make choices, because there's so much to see.
The ReShare Store with its sewing workshop, Appel & Ei, and the sustainable fashion shop Blauwe Hand 1652 are three great stops on your Conscious-Living route.
Nice lunch spots in Deventer
For lunch we will be joining The Great Paw, a restaurant that lives by the motto ‘from the neighbourhood on your plate’, and with as much organic, vegetarian and seasonal produce as possible. That certainly fits well on the greener list. During our visit, we did hear that the business is being taken over, so we don't yet know exactly what the menu will look like in terms of sustainability. But luckily, you don't need to worry at all about finding a nice lunch spot in Deventer, as our followers immediately came up with good tips.
Mimic Bar often tipped by our followers who know Deventer well, particularly because of the colourful dishes, the good vega(n) options, and ‘the lovely balcony with perhaps the best view over Deventer’. Also The People's House frequently mentioned. This vegetarian lunch café works with organic and regional products, some of which even come from their own fields. What we find particularly special is that people who need support work here, making it truly a place where good food and doing good come together. Prefer to get out of the city and have more greenery around you? Then Park Café Mees Highly recommended. We deliberately saved this spot for drinks, but it's also definitely a good one for lunch. And Stefano's Paninibar The goose impressed us during our walk. It looked so cosy and colourful. And a panini always goes down well for lunch, doesn't it?
Plant workshop at The Wonder Greenhouse
This Deventer tip we might find the greenest of them all: a plant workshop at The Green House. Ideally, you should try to plan your trip to Deventer around such a workshop day if at all possible. It doesn't get much greener than this! We attended a workshop where we learned how to propagate special plants. And there we discovered that propagation is much more than just cutting off a twig and putting it in water. Some plants are propagated upside down or even grow into new plants from a single leaf. So, you can pick up this kind of fun plant knowledge from Mariëlle at De Wonderkas, while keeping your hands busy at the same time.
The Wonderkas itself is also well worth a visit, even if you're not attending a workshop. It's a truly, exceptionally beautiful plant shop, full of unusual plants that have clearly been chosen with great care. We especially liked the handwritten care cards that you receive with each plant. You can also indulge here for accessories: from pots to handy tools and gifts for anyone with a mild plant obsession. What makes the atmosphere extra special is the interior. The entire shop is furnished with second-hand and vintage furniture that the owners have collected over the years from family, friends, and at flea markets. This makes it feel as though you're stepping into a cosy, green living room.
Plant workshop at The Wonder Greenhouse.
Sustainable restaurants in Deventer
After a day of strolling, shopping, and workshops, it's time to sit down to eat. We'll be joining Restaurant Munditia, a relatively new restaurant opposite the cloister garden in a former theatre building. This location alone makes it special! At Munditia, they believe that dining out should be a bit like a theatre performance, with each course being a new act. The dishes look beautiful, the seasons play the main role, and everything feels very thoughtful without being stiff. So, if you're still looking for a special restaurant in Deventer that fits your greener criteria perfectly? Then we would definitely save this one. Extra impressive: Munditia received two chef's hats from Gault&Millau very soon after opening. Chef Stan van Lieshout was previously head chef for six years at The Lemon Tree, a much-loved ‘fine dining’ restaurant in Deventer that perfectly fits your greener list.
A sustainable restaurant tip in Deventer: Restaurant Munditia in an old theatre.
Other restaurants that were frequently recommended by our followers: Carrot. That's what creative cooking with vegetables is all about. During our walk, we discovered for ourselves At Antoinette's, a Franco-Portuguese bistro where we were given a spontaneous tour. Owner Alain enthusiastically talks about his sustainable choices regarding the menu and wines. We want to return just for a culinary experience at Alain's! And to discover more of Deventer, we would Finch Hotel to add. Wow, what a cool place that is!
A sustainable day out in Deventer
Whether you're coming for the second-hand shops, the cosy cafés, beautiful plant stores or just to wander around: Deventer is truly a city where you can easily fill a whole day without rushing. Everything is close together, the city centre is full of independent entrepreneurs, and behind almost every street, there seems to be a new coffee shop, courtyard or colourful facade hidden away.
If you have some time to spare, be sure to climb the tower of the Lebuïnus Church for a fantastic view over the city and the IJssel, stroll through the green Rijsterborgherpark towards the Vogeleiland (Bird Island), or take the ferry across the river for a walk through the Worpplantsoen. Are you travelling with children? Then the Wild William Play Nature Highly recommended. As far as we're concerned, Deventer proves that you don't need to travel far at all for a fun city break! And have we convinced you?
Discover more about this charming city!
You might also find this interesting
- Also see: Sustainable travel route for a day trip to Zwolle.
- Also see: Your travel guide for a sustainable day out in Leeuwarden.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
