Restaurant De Olifant ***

Rating: 7.5

In the summer of 2023 we did a boat trip with friends over the river Vecht, winding its way between Amsterdam and Utrecht. At the end of our trip, going back towards Breukelen, we stopped at The Olifant (the elephant), a restaurant located alongside the river at the Straatweg.

The restaurant building probably dates back to the eighteenth century. Until the opening of the A2 in 1954, the Straatweg was the most important connecting road between Utrecht and Amsterdam. There was also a ferry service at De Olifant across the Vecht to the Zandpad for centuries. A beautiful place for an inn!

In the early 19th century, Napoleon ordered the road to be paved as part of the Route Impériale 2. The story goes that the name De Olifant comes from the large, imposing wagons that could only drive on paved roads and that stopped at this inn to refresh the horses. The so-called Elephant Chariots.

Since January 2020, Frank & Nelienke, have been the proud owners of De Olifant. Frank was a manager there for a number of years, prior becoming owner.

The kitchen is Italian oriented. Since 2023 we have been included in the list of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina. An association that safeguards Italy's culinary heritage.

The "Medaglioni di Filetto di Manzo with pepper sauce was great as was the Branzino alla Livornese. If you are in the neighbourhood, drop by and you won't be disappointed.

BREUKELEN, UTRECHT, NETHER:LANDS.