Lunch and drinks
During the day you can come for coffee with cake and a lunch, and later in the day for drinks with something to share. The menu changes regularly.
Restaurant De Grachthof
eating, boating and touring on the village canal
De Grachthof is a family restaurant with boat rental in the centre of Giethoorn, with a large south-facing terrace on the village canal. You come for lunch, drinks or dinner, and from the same quay you can rent a sloop (electric boat), whisper boat or canoe, take a boat tour or hop on an e-chopper.
A family business in an old farmhouse
Where cows used to stand, the family started with three apartments and a boat rental. Years later a lunchroom was added, and after a renovation in 2006 De Grachthof came into being. The family still runs the restaurant and the rental themselves. Because everything is in one place, you can start and end a day in Giethoorn here: first out on the water or into the polder, then a meal on the terrace by the canal.
- Lunch, drinks and dinner, with an international cuisine and a menu that changes regularly
- Large south-facing terrace on the village canal
- Rent sloops and whisper boats without a boating licence and without a deposit
- Kayaks and Canadian canoes
- Boat tour of about an hour with a skipper
- E-choppers for 3 hours or a whole day
- Packages for groups, weddings and events
At Restaurant De Grachthof you can have lunch, drinks and dinner, sit on a terrace by the water, rent sloops and whisper boats, go canoeing and kayaking, take a boat tour, rent an e-chopper, do a package with a group and get married by the canal.
Boats, e-choppers and packages are booked online on the De Grachthof booking page. A table, a canoe or the boat tour you book by phone.
The restaurant
The restaurant is in a former farmhouse. Wooden beams in the ceiling recall the past, while large windows and clean lines give the room a modern feel. The cuisine is international: classic flavours with a modern approach. The menu changes regularly and local products are used.
Dinner
In the evening you eat in the restaurant or on the terrace by the canal, with local products where possible.
Vegetarian and special requests
There are vegetarian options. If you have a dietary requirement, let them know in advance and the kitchen will work with you.
Terrace and drinks
On the terrace by the village canal
The terrace at De Grachthof faces south, right on the village canal. You look out over the water and the boats passing by. You are welcome all day, for a coffee after boating or drinks by the water.
- Lunch, drinks and dinner
- Vegetarian options
- Let them know about a dietary requirement in advance
- A menu that changes regularly
Rent a boat at De Grachthof
The boats are moored at the quay in front of the terrace, in the middle of the centre of Giethoorn. You do not need a boating licence, there is no minimum age and you pay no deposit. Before you set off you get an explanation of the controls and the rules on the water, and a route map. Dogs are welcome on board. You can book these four boats online:
Wiede Luxe sloop
The largest rental boat at De Grachthof: an electric sloop with a steering wheel and soft cushions, for a family or a group of friends.
Giethoorn Luxe sloop
A slightly smaller sloop, also with a steering wheel and cushions. You sit comfortably and glide quietly and electrically through the canals.
Giethoorn whisper boat
A quiet whisper boat with an electric motor, which you steer yourself. Suitable for families and small groups.
Kragge whisper boat
The smallest whisper boat, compact and manoeuvrable. Handy if you want to go out as a couple or with a small party.
Boating route
Boating through the village and Weerribben-Wieden
The De Grachthof route map shows several routes, each in its own colour, with an estimated sailing time from the restaurant for each route. The times assume gentle sailing through the village and a slightly brisker pace on the lakes. You set off in the centre and are soon in the nature of Weerribben-Wieden National Park.
On the water the same applies as on the road: traffic from the right has priority and the maximum speed is 6 kilometres per hour. Keep your distance from other boats and take care at bridges and narrow stretches.
- Explanation and route map before you set off
- Routes through the village, across the lakes and through the nature reserve
- With 10 people or more, De Grachthof gets several boats ready for you
Canoe and kayak
Paddling through the canals
Prefer to paddle yourself? With a canoe or kayak you reach narrow waterways where motorboats cannot go. You get a short explanation on getting in and paddling, the paddles are included and there is no deposit and no age limit. De Grachthof does ask you to treat the canoe and nature with care. You book a canoe by phone.
- Kayak for 1 or 2 people
- Canadian canoe for 2 people
- Paddles included
Boat tour
Boat tour with a skipper
If you would rather not steer yourself, hop on the tour boat. The trip takes about an hour and passes canals, small bridges and thatched farmhouses. On the way the skipper tells you about the village in Dutch, English and German. The boat has comfortable benches and you have a view all around. There are no stops along the way.
The boat tour departs from the restaurant. You can bring your own food and drink on board, or order something in the restaurant beforehand. You book by phone.
- Duration about an hour
- Commentary in Dutch, English and German
- Departs from the restaurant on Binnenpad
E-chopper
Exploring the area by e-chopper
As well as boats, De Grachthof rents electric choppers. With them you explore the area around Giethoorn on the road, with a digital route or a map. You rent an e-chopper for 3 hours or a whole day, from 1 person. You must be at least 16 years old and hold a moped, car or motorcycle licence.
- Rent for 3 hours or a whole day
- From 1 person
- Licence AM, B or A and at least 16 years old
- Can be combined with boating in a package
Groups, packages and weddings
For family days, company outings, weekends with friends and hen and stag parties, De Grachthof has packages that combine boating, e-choppers and food, for small parties as well as large groups with a buffet or barbecue. The content can vary. You can also ask for a programme made to measure; call for the options on 0521 36 12 70.
15 to 30 people
Lounge boat for groups
With a group you sail for 2 hours on the lounge boat, a tour boat with a lounge seating area and a fridge on board. A skipper takes you through Giethoorn and Weerribben-Wieden. After the trip you can eat in the restaurant.
- 2-hour trip on the lounge boat with a skipper
- Can be combined with a meal in the restaurant
Weddings
Getting married by the canal
At De Grachthof you can say “I do” at the edge of the canal. After the ceremony you eat with your guests in the restaurant, where the kitchen cooks with local ingredients. The party can then continue in one of the halls, with room for music and dancing. You can also take your guests out on the water for a boat trip through the village. The De Grachthof team helps you plan the day.
- Ceremony outdoors by the canal
- Dinner in the restaurant
- Party in one of the halls
- Boat trip with your guests
Practical information
- AddressBinnenpad 54, 8355 BT Giethoorn, in the centre on the village canal
- Parkingfree in De Grachthof’s own car park (Centrum P2), also for groups
- Bookingboats, e-choppers and packages online; a table, canoe or boat tour by phone on 0521 36 12 70
- Boatingno boating licence, no deposit and no minimum age; explanation and route map before you set off
- Dogswelcome on board the rental boats
- Foodvegetarian options; let them know about dietary requirements in advance
Frequently asked questions about Restaurant De Grachthof
Do you need a boating licence to rent a boat at De Grachthof?
No. You do not need a boating licence for the sloops, whisper boats and canoes at De Grachthof, and you do not pay a deposit. Before you set off you get an explanation of the boat and the rules on the water, and a route map.
Which boats can you book online?
On the De Grachthof booking page you can book the Wiede Luxe sloop (1 to 8 people), the Giethoorn Luxe sloop (1 to 6 people), the Giethoorn whisper boat (1 to 6 people) and the Kragge whisper boat (1 to 4 people). You also book the e-chopper and the packages there. For a canoe or the boat tour, call to reserve.
Can you take your dog on board?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on board the rental boats at De Grachthof.
How long does the boat tour at De Grachthof take?
The boat tour takes about an hour and departs from the restaurant. On the way the skipper tells you about the village in Dutch, English and German. There are no stops along the way. You can bring your own food and drink on board or order something in the restaurant beforehand.
What do you need to rent an e-chopper?
You must be at least 16 years old and hold a moped licence (AM), a car licence (B) or a motorcycle licence (A). You rent an e-chopper for 3 hours or a whole day, from 1 person.
Can you eat vegetarian at De Grachthof?
Yes, there are vegetarian options. The menu changes regularly. If you have a dietary requirement, let De Grachthof know in advance and they will look at the options with you.
Where do you park at De Grachthof?
De Grachthof has a large car park of its own at Binnenpad 54 (Centrum P2), where parking is free. From there it is less than a minute on foot to the restaurant and the boarding point for the boats.
How do you book a table?
You book a table by phone on 0521 36 12 70. When it is busy, it can take a while to get through. Boats, the e-chopper and packages are booked online on the De Grachthof booking page.