DiVino restaurant & wijnbar

In the heart of the beautiful Brabant village of Hapert, we find the restaurant and wine bar Divino run by Eric and Iris van Gerwen, housed in the former boys' school. The interior is modern with a warm atmosphere, a large bar, and an impressive wine library filled with Italian wines. On nice days, there is a sun-drenched terrace at the front. Chef Niels van der Heijden serves Italian cuisine, offering both à la carte choices and a surprise menu of four to six courses. Our attention is drawn to the extensive menu featuring plenty of bites and dishes to share. We start with carpaccio and garlic prawns alongside a bruschetta. Absolutely delicious. Paired with it is a Ribolla from Valpanera in Friuli, a perfect match for these dishes. Next comes gently cooked duck leg with a sweet potato cream and dukkah, accompanied by carrots. Served with a delicious red wine-based jus. Well-seasoned and cooked beautifully, though the dish lacks a touch of refinement. The complimentary Merlot from Dal Masa, Colli Berici, has been aged in wood for eighteen months. We taste notes of blackberry, cherry, and raspberry. A lovely pairing. The dessert is a true classic: a light and refreshing sgroppino, served in an elegant glass. A wonderfully refreshing finish. The service is highly skilled and cheerful, with a sharp eye for wine recommendations. DiVino successfully establishes a strong concept with its Italian cuisine and genuine hospitality. Solid food, beautiful wines, and a cozy atmosphere make it a place where you truly enjoy your visit. We'll be back!

Gevestigd in een voormalige jongensschool (die had je vroeger nog) in het centrum van Hapert. Het monumentale pand heeft een mooie grote hoge ruimte, waar oude details bewaard zijn gebleven. De ruime open keuken is centraal gelegen. De setting is aangenaam en de bediening onder leiding van gastheer- en gastvrouw Eric en Iris van Gerwen zorgen voor Brabantse gezelligheid waarbij de gast centraal staat. De keuken op Italiaanse leest geschoeid wordt gerund door chef Niels van de Heijden en zijn team. We ontvangen royaal gesneden stokbrood met aioli, kruidenboter en olijfolie, samen met kroepoek en doperwtencrème. Qua menusamenstelling kun je hier alle kanten uit. Er is keuze à la carte naast verschillende menu's waaronder een shared dining. Kreeftenbisque wordt aan tafel loeiheet uitgeschonken waardoor de rauwe gamba's perfect garen. We vervolgen met de pesce DiVino, een wisselend visgerecht van de chef. De smaak van de roodbaars met vadouvansaus, paddenstoelen, auberginecrème en wortel vliegt echter alle kanten op waardoor het gerecht, dat er overigens prachtig uitziet, niet echt een harmonieus geheel vormt. Dat is jammer want alles op het bord is verder prima gegaard en bereid. Het dessert van een tuile van pure chocolade met hazelnoottonen, framboos, frambozensorbet, frambozengel en karamelcrème is erg lekker en goed in balans en vormt een prima afsluiter. De robijnrode late harvest-dessertwijn van Kaid Tardiva van Alessandro di Camporeale uit Sicilië, Italië sluit naadloos aan. Een fijn adres, waar de kwaliteit van het gebodene hand in hand gaat met een oprecht leuke benadering waardoor je als gast het gevoel krijgt dat de avond om jou draait. En da's best lekker.

Italian flavors and Brabantine warmth prove to be a golden combination here. The large yet cozy establishment hosted by Iris and Eric van Gerwen is almost always packed. Everything exudes a relaxed atmosphere, from the warm welcome and smiling staff to the personal farewell. We choose the four-course menu from the extensive list, which brings us delicious and beautifully presented dishes. Take the tender pieces of smoked salmon with pea and radish accompaniments, where sun-dried tomato oil adds a lovely Mediterranean touch. We find the braised Ibérico rib fingers with a rich and robust rosemary sauce, accompanied by a glass of Valpolicella Ripasso from producer Ca' Botta, to be a standout. Pleasant notes of light red fruit make it an excellent companion. Not all dishes are strictly Italian, but the wine list certainly is. Alongside a wide selection of wines by the glass, there is a surprising 'wine library' from which guests can choose their own bottle. With the main course of delicious braised duck with sauerkraut and port jus, we enjoy the Negroamaro 'Teresa Manara' from producer Cantele in Puglia. A robust wine featuring cherries, plums, and vanilla. Once again, it pairs perfectly with this dish. The beautiful dessert of chocolate mousse with hazelnut, vanilla ice cream, and various crumbles, accompanied by a Recioto from producer Aldegheri, provides a fitting conclusion to a lovely evening. And the friendly prices are the proverbial cherry on top.

Brabant hospitality at its finest. Eric and Iris van Gerwen have nothing to complain about when it comes to footfall. It’s constantly packed here. The painted clock on the wall reads: ‘no wine before nine’. In a humorous touch, all twelve hour markers are set to 9. A wonderful wine library where almost every Italian wine is available by the glass. Fair pricing and bottles can be reordered later through their own webshop. Head chef Pepijn de Ruijter presents a traditional Italian menu structure in his ‘food sharing menu’. Antipasti arrive in six different meat and vegetarian variations. This is followed by pastrami, potato with pancetta, cod ceviche with citrus and pearl couscous with radish and dashi gel. A delicious pairing with the atypical Viognier from the Terenzi estate in the Maremma, South Tuscany. The bavette, served as the second course, is cooked to perfection and once again features a generous portion. A Piedmontese Nebbiolo from Cascina Galarin 2017 from Monferrato makes an excellent companion, even before 9 o’clock. A parade of desserts and cheeses brings our meal to a close. What a treat. Kudos to the impeccably coordinated service team and to the disciplined kitchen brigade working in the open kitchen. Cheers, until next time!

What a wonderful restaurant Iris and Eric van Gerwen have set up in the center of Hapert. Italian cuisine reigns supreme in this former boys' school, transformed into a casually chic establishment. High ceilings, excellent lighting, pleasant acoustics, a beautiful walk-in wine cellar, high stools for drinks, and an open kitchen. And out of it comes plenty of delicious food. Chef Pepijn de Wit has a firm grasp of Mediterranean dining culture. The menu offers ample choices for starters, mains, and desserts, each accompanied by a wine suggestion. No amuse-bouches are served with the aperitif, but rather tasty slices of bread with olive oil, cultured butter, and (truffle) mayonnaise. The first course is house-smoked salmon with basil, watermelon, avocado cream, and yuzu mayonnaise. A lovely, fresh start full of pure flavors. The Iberico ribfinger comes with rendered pork jowl, which makes the dish a bit greasy. Better executed is the crispy, pink-roasted duck breast from the main course. Served with beetroot, cream, a thin sweet potato cracker, peach gel, and white balsamic vinegar. In the glass, a 2014 Torcinato Valpolicella Superiore. Perfect pairing! Kudos to hostess-sommelier Imke van Limpt, who welcomes her guests with expertise, enthusiasm, and friendliness. We finish with a delightful scroppino and feel momentarily transported to the Italian countryside. Bellissimo!

Mangiare! At Divino, Italy takes center stage, both in its cuisine and its wines. Owners Eric and Iris van Gerwen run a modern restaurant—formerly the old boys' school in Hapert, featuring a high, dark ceiling, wooden tables, leather banquettes, tub chairs, parquet flooring, and massive murals—where they serve contemporary Italian cuisine. Chef Pepijn de Wit draws inspiration from Italy and its culinary classics, giving them a modern and creative twist. This results in flavorful and refined dishes crafted from daily fresh ingredients, all beautifully presented. The wines are imported directly from Italian vineyards, complemented by an extensive selection of wines by the glass. Good to know: Divino does not use a traditional paper wine list. Guests are free to choose their own bottle from the wine library, with the fully trained staff providing friendly, expert guidance. Eric and Iris operate a highly successful venue where warm Brabantine hospitality shines through and the price-to-quality ratio is exemplary.

Italy and Italian wine take center stage at this lively restaurant. It features a modern interior with classic touches: a high dark ceiling, wooden tables, leather benches, tub chairs, a herringbone parquet floor, and enormous murals. Also modern are the creative dishes from the open kitchen of chef Pepijn de Wit. Enthusiastic owners Eric and Iris van Gerwen oversee the professional service. From the extensive selection of wines available by the glass, we choose the Sei Uno Brut prosecco from producer Bellenda as an aperitif. Top-notch. Alongside it, we receive crisp brown bread, butter, truffle mayonnaise, and olive oil. The four-course tasting menu, paired with matching wines from producer Aldegheri, opens with a cod and crab rillette with apple, spring onion, and curry. An absolute hit, not least thanks to the glass of Custoza. For the flavorful intermezzo of gently cooked salmon, beetroot, and a razor clam salad with leek and sorrel, the Bardolino Chiaretto Villa Cariola adds the perfect finishing touch. Guests can also select their own bottle in the 'wine library', where they receive expert guidance. The main course of baked dorade fillets and scallops, paired with a glass of Lugana Cà Perlar, forms a true highlight. So does the dish ordered by my dining companion: bavette steak with Amarone sauce and delicious polenta. The tiramisu, presented as a pure chocolate-coated 'bûche', delivers a beautiful finale alongside a glass of Recioto. Molto bene!

An Italian-oriented establishment, but certainly not a run-of-the-mill Italian restaurant. Eric and Iris van Gerwen have cultivated a loyal following in the former boys' school of this Kempen village with outstanding cuisine, warm and professional service, and a spacious terrace. The interior strikes a balance between industrial and classic, showcasing beautiful graffiti art, curved leather benches, tables dressed with linen napkins, and a central open kitchen. Van Gerwen loves Italy, which is why head chef Pepijn de Wit (formerly sous chef at 't Nonnetje in Harderwijk) gives his dishes Italian accents. Every wine on the list is Italian, and guests can choose their own bottles from the well-stocked "wine library" tucked into a corner. Eric offers his self-imported collection at attractive prices. Accompanied by a fine glass of Sicilian catarratto, we sample hand-cut sea bass tartare with finely sliced sweet-and-sour peppers and cucumber, alongside lychee gel. It delivers a perfect sweet-and-sour contrast to the raw, salty fish. Next, the turbot is gently cooked in lemon oil and butter and served with potato mousseline, pan-seared scallops, artichoke, ravioli with scampi, lobster jus, and garlic butter sauce. In the glass: an oak-aged Chardonnay from Puglia. To finish, cheesecake on a biscotti crumb base with white chocolate cream, strawberry, and yogurt ice cream. An excellent establishment, welcome to Lekker!