Restaurant ‘De Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis’, formerly a Westzaan orphanage, with a beautiful ‘smuiger’ (tiled fireplace) and terrace…

Restaurant ‘De Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis’ (in Hope of the Black Whale) is a unique specialty restaurant located in three historic buildings in the Zaanse Schans. The complex includes a former village orphanage from Westzaan dating back to 1717, a merchant’s house, and a 19th-century warehouse known as a ‘Vleethuis’. This Vleethuis (a word which translates to ‘warehouse on the water’), was used for storing ship’s gear belonging to whalers and fishermen during the winter. This location was convenient as it offered them a direct connection to the sea via Zaandam. A striking feature of this building is the weather vane on the roof, which indicates the wind direction to those in the room beneath.

The restaurant also contains the unique ‘Commandeurskamer’ (‘Commander’s Room’), which retains the appearance it would have had in the era of the whalers. The beautiful views of the Zaan River and Gortershoek on the other bank give guests the impression that they are dining aboard a ship. The restaurant is aptly named ‘De Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis’, after the whale ship that sailed to the North Pole numerous times in the 17th century.

The large dining room is home to a very special, beautiful lilac-colored tile fireplace depicting ‘The Judgment of Solomon’ and other Bible stories. And with its views of the Zaan River and the windmills, the beautiful terrace adds the finishing touch to this specialty restaurant.

De Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis has hosted an impressive array of distinguished guests over the years, including King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, many other members of the royal family, and celebrities such as Charles Aznavour.

Across from the restaurant is the ‘Overtuin’ (literally, the garden across the road) belonging to De Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis. It features a rose arch, yellow paving stones, a sundial and classical statues tucked among the hedges. In days gone by, the wealthy ensured they could enjoy expansive views by establishing their front gardens on the opposite bank to the road. Altogether, De Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis is a unique and historic place in the Zaanse Schans, uniting culinary pleasure with the region’s rich history.

The former orphanage dating from 1717, in its previous location in Westzaan