Bombari is exactly the kind of place I want to use as a blueprint here. It's hard to capture what makes it so great in a single sentence, but it possesses the one thing missing in so many Dutch restaurants: actual culture.
What started as a pizza oven on a boat in the canals of Amersfoort has evolved into a thriving local cultural hotspot and that is exactly why it works. Located a short walk from the city centre in a seemingly boring office area - conveniently next to the train station. The place is always packed (and rightfully so). By 2026, it's definitely not just the locals who have found out about it, but eating here still feels like a party.
Bombari serves - by a long shot - the best pizza in Amersfoort. We're talking a true Neapolitan-style dough baked in a wood-fired oven. But instead of your standard topping choices, they bring their own unique twists to the table.
Honestly, in most places (looking at you, fusion restaurants... ugh), that kind of menu would be a massive red flag. A Carbonara pizza? Surf & Turf?
It sounds absolutely unhinged - and frankly, some of their pizzas are. And, let's be real: at €15 to €20 a pop, these pizzas aren't exactly cheap. But here's the thing: you aren't getting a basic pepperoni.
When that "Surf & Turf" hits your table and you realize it's cod cheeks, 'nduja, and a sweet potato base, you know the chef is a creative madman - and you'll forgive the price. They use high-quality ingredients, and it works beautifully. When you taste that pastrami, mustard-dille sauce and Provola work on a pizza - Carbonara pizza doesn't sound so crazy anymore after all ;-)
Beyond the food, it's the perfect spot to stick around for drinks. Proper Aperol Spritzes and ice-cold limoncello served in homemade frozen shot glasses are the standard here. It's the kind of place you go to for "a quick bite" and then end up going home after midnight.
Bombari doubles as a creative hub for the community - hosting everything from date nights and "carve your own limoncello glass" workshops to Mario Kart tournaments. Hell, I even watched the Dutch national team play a World Cup match here at 3 AM because the crew stayed open just so everyone could watch it together.. It's the kind of spontaneous magic that only happens because of the people who run the place with passion, work the floor, care about their customers and constantly keeping that raw, authentic vibe alive.
Fair mention: it can get completely slammed on sunny evenings and weekend dinner rushes, so booking a table is recommended. That said, if you roll up a bit later in the evening, you can usually snag a spot as the crowd transitions into drinks.