Title says it all. I've heard about the following spots but I want to get other opinions.

• Appeltaart Imperium
• By Lima
• Bakkerij Van Vessem
• Queens Tearoom/Bij Babette

If friends or family are visiting Haarlem for the first time, where do you usually take them?

It could be a well-known attraction, a favourite café or restaurant, a nice walk, or a quieter spot that most tourists might miss. What's the one place or experience you think gives visitors the best feel for Haarlem?

Wij (ik en men vrouw) gaan van 14-16augustus naar Haarlem. (Overnachten in het Metzler house)

Wat raden jullie allemaal aan om te doen?

Het is blijkbaar ook Haarlem jazz dat weekend?

Wat zeker op de planning staat is een fietstocht naar de kust (Bloemendaal m, Zandvoort), shoppen en Haarlem verkennen natuurlijk, en we willen graag een erotisch lingerie/sexshop meepikken (aangezien die in België me zwaar tegenvallen), een leuke coffeeshop?

We overwegen ook om een dagje Amsterdam te doen al denk ik dat we het weekend ook perfect kunnen invullen zonder Amsterdam?

Alvast bedankt voor alle informatie

Hello everyone,

I've been thinking a lot about something lately, and I'm curious whether other people feel the same.

I've noticed that many of us have colleagues, neighbours, social media, WhatsApp groups... and yet it can still feel surprisingly difficult to find genuine community.

I mean the kind of community where people know each other's hearts, share meals, exchange skills, borrow tools, water each other's plants. Where we bring soup when someone is ill, celebrate together, help each other move house, learn from one another and grow together.

I'm especially interested in hearing from women, migrants, internationals, and anyone who has built a life far away from where they grew up - but I'd love to hear everyone's perspective so, if you feel you have something to say or add, please do.

I'm genuinely trying to understand whether other people are longing for something similar, or if I'm simply romanticizing an idea that no longer fits modern life.

A few questions I've been asking myself, if you'd like to answer:

• Do you feel a sense of community where you live?

• What's something you wish existed that would make you feel more connected?

• Have you ever experienced a community that truly felt like home? What made it different?

• If you could create your ideal community from scratch, what would be non-negotiable?

I'd really love to hear your stories, thoughts and input on this. And maybe feel like I'm not alone with it.

Thank you.

Ik ben ook vooral benieuwd of er leuke plekken zijn om te dansen in Haarlem. Of gewoon clubs of bars waar het meestal gezellig druk is en waar veel mensen tussen de 20 en 27 komen. Het lijkt me leuk om nieuwe mensen te leren kennen en gewoon een gezellige avond te hebben.

Ik weet dat slachthuis een tijdje dicht is, maar ken geen andere plekken.

Hebben jullie aanraders?

Hi!

Ik heb donderdag een date en ik heb gezegd dat ik een tour door Haarlem ga geven langs allemaal leuke plekjes.

Mijn grootste probleem is dat ik al een tijdje niet meer ben uitgegaan in Haarlem, dus ik weet even niet meer welke cafés en eettentjes echt de moeite waard zijn of überhaupt gezellig. Alles wat ik vroeger altijd bezocht, is helaas inmiddels al dicht.

Wellicht zijn er nog leuke activiteiten die dag?

We zijn er donderdag de 23e rond 15:00–16:00.

Hebben jullie misschien leuke aanbevelingen?

Last week one of my boat cushions was stolen and while out boating today I saw a whole stack in the bushes somewhere near the bridge at Nieuwe gracht / Leidse vaart. Unfortunately mine wasn't among them, but in case you're missing a cushion, maybe check in the parks/bushes.

It seems to happen a couple of times every year there are people either sleeping on my boat, or stealing stuff. I added a lock so my battery is secure, and now it's the cushions. It's quite annoying..

Hi all! Looking for outdoor pull-up bars / calisthenics spots close to the city centre. Any recommendations? Places i should know about?

Does anyone know places showing the final? Other than the Irish pub and sportscafe?

Nothing to do tonight? We are having our first game night at Launchpad023. We have a variety of card games and board games, but we also encourage you to bring one of your own to share! Come alone, come with friends! See you at 19:00 :-)

Launchpad023 is located at Wateringweg 65 in Haarlem.

Hi! I’m looking for suggestions for a trainer who can help me build muscle and get strong. I know I can just go to a gym and ask but I’m hoping someone has a good recommendation for me because it’s all a bit daunting.

What I really don’t want is any emphasis on weight or what I look like because that will send me down a path I’m not keen on revisiting. I also don’t need to train to pull an 18-wheeler lol.

I would prefer a smaller gym but open to anything. Central areas are preferable.

Dank je wel!

Haarlem and the surrounding area have plenty of markets, each with its own atmosphere. Some are great for fresh produce, others for flowers, antiques, vintage finds, clothing, or simply wandering around with a coffee.

Which market do you find yourself returning to, and what makes it stand out? Is there a particular stall or something you always make sure to buy when you're there?

Er hangt al de hele dag een gigantische schijtlucht in Haarlem noord. Iemand enig idee waar dit vandaan komt? Riool, mest uitrijden, werkzaamheden? Ik ben oprecht benieuwd.

Hi i am interested what are your best restaurants/fast food objects with myb traditional dutch food or maybe some food that could be only tried in Netherlands ( surinamese, indonesian with its variations …)
Bonus is if the food is not to pricey

Thank you all.

Is there a school where you can learn the basics about how to operate a boat?

A few times I rented a small electric boat here in Haarlem and I’d like to learn a little bit more about the rules and laws and how is it to own a small vessel here in Haarlem?

Thank you!

Hi, i will be staying near Haarlem for couple weeks i am interested can i function with cash or do i need card. I know that for public transport it is best to use card. But i am interested in coffeeshops, supermarkets and common restaurants are they all only card or can you use cash?
Can you give me some recommendations for fasfoods and coffeshops(weed) that operate with cash
Thank you

I’ve recently moved here from Scotland and would like to play some classic 8 ball pool. I know there is the purple pool cafe but I was hoping there might be a nice brown cafe with a classic 8 ball table… the ones I’ve visited are always French billiards.

Thanks!

Ik zoek een goeie klusjesman. Vorig jaar verhuisd, veel zelf geklust en nu een baby. Heb net even minder tijd voor die laatste paar klusjes zoals een gordijnrail ophangen 😄 .

Kennen jullie iemand die voor een vriendelijke prijs dergelijke klusjes wilt doen?

Some places disappear, but people still talk about them years later.

Whether it was a café, restaurant, pub, music venue, shop, or something else, which place do you wish was still around?

What made it so special, and do you think anything has managed to replace it?

Long story short my wife and I have always enjoyed The Netherlands and finally had a chance to visit Haarlem specifically and, we love everything about it? We're urban dwellers at heart but in our home country (US) there is effectively zero family-friendly urban spaces to live in. Our "best" urban environments are harsh, loud, and fast (think NYC, Chicago). We enjoyed that when we were younger but now with kids we've been relegated to the American suburbs and the car-centric lifestyle that comes with it and we don't love it.

Is Haarlem what it appears to be? A calm, safe, family-friendly urban living environment? What's the biggest downsides to be aware of?

Hi everyone,
I live in Haarlem Noord, and whenever I go for a walk I notice so many beautiful herbs growing in front gardens such we rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, and many more.
It made me think: wouldn’t it be wonderful if we created a small community where people who have more herbs than they need could share them with their neighbours?
Imagine seeing a little sign in someone’s garden saying:
“Feel free to take a few sprigs”
People could simply bring a pair of scissors, take only what they need, and always treat the plants and gardens with respect. It would reduce food waste, help people cook with fresh herbs, and maybe even bring neighbours together.
Does something like this already exist in Haarlem? If not, would anyone be interested in starting something like this?
I think it could be a simple but lovely way to make our neighbourhood a little greener and more connected.