Kobus Kuch

Kobus Kuch is a cafe on the Beestenmarkt, one of the most pleasant squares in Delft. The name of the square, which means cattle market, recalls its original function, when farmers brought livestock to sell in the centre of town. Nowadays the cattle are long gone, and the square is lined with terraces, bars and restaurants, with trees and old houses framing a space that feels easy and sociable. It is a short walk from the Markt, the big market square with the Nieuwe Kerk and the town hall.

Delft is best known abroad for two things, the blue-and-white pottery known as Delftware and the painter Johannes Vermeer, who lived and worked in the city in the seventeenth century. The city is also the home of the Technical University, and students form a significant part of the population, which gives the cafes and terraces a youthful energy. A cafe like Kobus Kuch fits into that picture, serving locals, students and visitors who stop for a coffee, a snack or a drink after sightseeing.

The menu in a Dutch cafe of this kind is usually simple and flexible. Breakfast, sandwiches and lunch dishes are common during the day, with cakes and pies to go with coffee and tea, and in the evening the emphasis shifts to drinks, with beers and wines and light meals. Many places offer vegetarian options, and some have a board of daily specials. The terrace is a key part of the appeal, with tables set out in good weather and a good view of life on the square. In cold weather the inside is warm and wooden, a typical example of the brown cafe tradition.

Practical details such as menus, opening hours and prices change, and it is best to check them locally. The place is popular, so tables on the terrace can fill up quickly on sunny afternoons and weekends, and it helps to arrive early or be prepared to wait.

The cafe suits visitors who want to rest between visits to the Vermeer Centre, the canals, the old churches and the nearby Agnetapark. A stop can be as brief as a coffee or as long as a leisurely evening. It works for couples, groups of friends and families, and the square itself is a good place for people-watching.