Chef aan de Werf

The story

Chef aan de Werf, Hilversum: Bib Gourmand Dining in a Historic Factory

Chef aan de Werf, Hilversum

In the heart of Hilversum, an old municipal yard has been given new life. Housed in a former pharmaceutical factory built in 1916, Chef aan de Werf embraces its industrial heritage with a warm, intimate atmosphere.

The kitchen is led by chef-owner Charly de Wijs, who brings over two decades of experience working in Michelin-starred kitchens to his own restaurant. His cooking is built on a simple philosophy: fresh, local, seasonal, and sustainable produce, served as shared-style small plates. The regularly changing menu showcases this dedication, offering dishes like a crispy brique with feta cream and roasted pointed paprika, or a pearly barley risotto with green asparagus, peas, and Parmesan foam.

The quality and value of this approach have earned the restaurant a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a recognition for good quality, good value cooking. This award is a natural fit for a place that prides itself on making top-level cuisine accessible, featuring a well-priced menu of refined but unfussy plates. Diners can also indulge in a dedicated dessert selection or a cheese trolley from 'Echte Liefde'. In this historic yet relaxed space, Chef aan de Werf delivers a genuine taste of modern Dutch hospitality.