Indonesian food just like at our home, right in the heart of Haarlem
Welcome to Oost, Haarlem’s Indonesian family restaurant. We are Nijne and Levy, and we cook just as Oma Fanny and Oma Norma taught us, which mostly means: cooking with love. You can dine in with us, take it home, or if you’re hosting a party, we can cater the rijsttafel for your entire event.
Eating out tonight?
Zijlweg 82, 2013DL Haarlem.
Reservations aren't required, but we do fill up on Fridays and Saturdays, so it's a good idea. If you just walk in, we'll see if we have space. Usually we do, though you might have to wait a moment.
Dining alone? Take a seat at our large communal table; you'll find company here in no time.
Map: Zijlweg 82, 2013DL Haarlem
Our story
OOST was born out of our shared love for good food, hospitality, and the joy of bringing people together.
We are Levy and Nijne, and at OOST, we both have our own place.
You’ll mostly find Levy in the kitchen. That’s where he handles everything related to the food: from preparing the dishes and maintaining the flavors to upholding and ensuring food safety standards. With a great love for Indonesian cuisine, he brings the flavors of Indonesia to OOST in his own unique way.
Nijne is the face of the restaurant. She ensures that everyone feels welcome the moment they walk through the door. From the service and the atmosphere in the restaurant to all the little details that make you want to come back again.
We each have our own role, but we build OOST together.
Levy takes care of what’s on the table, Nijne takes care of everything else.
With OOST, our main goal is to create a place where good food doesn't have to be complicated. A place where you can pull up a chair for a fun evening, pick up something delicious, or enjoy our dishes at home.
Indonesian flavors, our hospitality, and above all, a lot of love for what we do. That is OOST.
Levy and Nijne together at the communal table
What guests say
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[Three Google reviews, copied verbatim, first name + "via Google". Replace one every quarter.]
[Three Google reviews, copied verbatim, first name + "via Google". Replace one every quarter.]
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to make a reservation?
No. It is a good idea on Fridays and Saturdays, though, as we tend to be full. During the week and on Sundays, you can usually just walk in, or wait a short while if we're busy.
What exactly is a rijsttafel?
Lots of small bowls, one big pot of rice, and everyone takes a little bit of everything. It’s not an Indonesian dish; it’s a Dutch-Indonesian tradition that almost no one in Indonesia actually knows. We serve it for two or more people. We choose the dishes, you choose the spice level.
Is the food very spicy?
Only if you want it to be. Each dish is marked with its spice level, and the sambal is served on the side so you can decide for yourself how far you want to go.
Can I eat vegetarian?
Yes. Half of our menu is vegetarian: gado-gado, tempeh, sayur lodeh, terong balado, and tofu taotjo. The rijsttafel can be made entirely vegetarian, and it’s just as substantial as the regular one.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. We serve a variety of dishes, and there’s bound to be something the kids will enjoy. A skewer of satay, a spring roll, or just joining in with the rijsttafel.
Are you open on Sundays?
Yes, from [17:00 to 21:00]. We are closed on Tuesdays.
Where is Oost located and can I park?
Zijlweg 82, 2013DL in Haarlem, a 10-minute walk from the station. You can park in the surrounding streets, though it is paid parking. You can leave your bike right in front of the door. The bus stops almost right outside at the Hoofmanstraat stop.
Can I come with a group?
Yes, absolutely. Just give us a call beforehand to make sure we have space. Prefer to host at home or the office? We can cook and serve it as catering.
What about allergies?
We know exactly what goes into our dishes. Just let us know when you order, and we’ll tell you exactly what’s possible.