A popular, affordable Veendam cafe-bakery with fresh lunch food, pastries, high tea and friendly service, though crowds, cramped seating and smoking areas can affect the experience.
By Kielman delivers solid food quality and attentive service that consistently satisfy its loyal customer base, with fresh pastries, lunch fare, and high tea earning particular praise. The historic Veendam setting and attractive decor create genuine appeal, though a cramped interior and occasional seating waits prevent the experience from reaching the top tier. Strong execution across core dimensions makes this a reliable neighborhood destination.
By Kielman is a popular central Veendam lunchroom and cafe-bakery set in a historic former museum and library building. Reviews paint a warm, busy scene: the terrace looks toward the fountain and town hall, while inside the display cases and welcoming decor make coffee and pastry feel like an occasion. As one synthesized customer put it, the place feels like a little haven even when the room is full. The cooking is accessible Dutch cafe fare rather than ambitious restaurant cuisine: toasted sandwiches, wraps, salads, pastries, coffee drinks and high tea. Freshness, friendly service and low prices are the main draw, with the club sandwich, steak salad, tosti-style sandwiches and pastries receiving especially good feedback. The room can become crowded and loud, and a few isolated service or seasoning complaints suggest peak-time variation rather than a flawless operation. Families should find the menu easy to navigate, with familiar ham-and-cheese toasties, sandwiches, croissants and simple savory items, plus staff who reportedly warmed a baby's bottle. Vegetarian dishes are available, and a review describes unusually thoughtful lactose-free assistance. The main family caveats are crowded seating, patio smoking reports and the narrow, steep staircase to the upstairs restroom, which is unsuitable for some elderly or disabled guests.
Area vibe: Quiet, provincial town centre known for local shops and community services.
Safety: Generally safe, low-crime, well-lit town centre with modest evening activity.
What's nearby: Near Veendam town centre amenities, local shops, churches, bus connections and small canals.
The club sandwich, steak salad, inexpensive tosti's, and pastry counter cover the best bets, depending on how hungry you are.
Expect a casual but potentially crowded lunch, with patio smoking, an awkward upstairs restroom, and a drink-price caveat worth knowing.
The historic setting and fountain-facing terrace give this busy cafe-bakery more character than a typical quick lunch stop.