On Visit(e) at Dinee Cafe De Kempen
The Kempenbode
Are you out and about? Whether cycling or taking a stroll in the woods, a lunch or a cosy drink at Dinee Cafe De Kempen is highly recommended. A friendly café,
located in the centre of Knegsel.
As soon as you walk in, you’ll feel the Brabant hospitality.
You’ll always receive a warm welcome here from the friendly staff and owners. There’s actually a buzz of activity here all year round.
With plenty of cyclists, walkers and local guests, it’s always pleasantly busy inside, but the terrace is a lovely spot to relax too.
We went there today for lunch.
You can choose from the ‘Kempenbode’.
It’s their own magazine/newspaper where you’ll find the menu.
But there are also lots of interesting articles about the business itself.
Such as an interview with an employee and a really nice piece written about a local dairy farmer who supplies their cheese.
"A grab from the kitchen garden", how fun is that?
It also advertises their own liqueur "Nipperke". In case you have not yet tasted it, I can tell you that it is definitely highly recommended to have a sip. Nipperke is a soft and sweet liqueur. But we'll leave the drinks for now. Because I am curious about the dishes from the kitchen.
We are lucky today because the sun is shining. So we are going to enjoy it outside on the terrace.
It is nicely decorated with flower boxes and has natural borders with a beech hedge.
The Kempenbode has plenty to offer. You can also totally have your own salad put together.
"A grab from the kitchen garden", how nice is that?
The great thing about having lunch at De Kempen is that there is so much choice that you can always find something you haven’t tried before.
Today I was struggling to decide, but then I suddenly saw the solution. I ordered the ‘Middag Power’ – a sandwich with a fried egg and bacon,
a Burgundian croquette sandwich, and a tasty meatball from their own kitchen.
Highly recommended for those of us who sometimes struggle to make a choice.
It’s a bit like the traditional ‘12 o’clock snack’, but with a different twist. The meatball was deliciously juicy from the gravy. And an egg and bacon will make me happy at any time of day. Personally, I’m always delighted when attention has been paid to a ‘side garnish’.
That little salad garnish at the top of the plate with a lunch dish. At De Kempen, they certainly know how to do that.
It really is a tasty, well-filled salad and so a little extra treat to go with the dish.
"And the sundried tomatoes provided a nice colour twist on the sandwich."
My table companion ordered the 'Adam seeks Eve' on the recommendation of the friendly staff. A rustic brown sandwich well filled with herb cream cheese, fried scampi topped with pulled chicken, sautéed mushrooms and onion. For extra spice another cajun sauce. This also looked really tasty. Good burgundy-filled sandwich with flavours that went well together. And the sundried tomatoes provided a nice colour twist on the sandwich.
During our lunch in the sunshine outside on the terrace, we also enjoyed a delicious beer called H.E.N.K (Heerlijk Eigenwijs Natuurlijk Krachtig). A special blonde beer, organically brewed in honour of Henk Imming’s 65th birthday, who, together with his wife Lenie, has meant a great deal to the owners (including their two children, Gertie and Bart, along with business partner Robby) during the Dinee Cafe’s nearly 20years of the Dinee Cafe’s existence, have meant a great deal to the owners (including their two children, Gertie and Bart, together with business partner Robby). H.E.N.K. is a fresh, fruity beer with a dash of Nipperke in it. You can really taste it!
If you’re a beer lover, then Dinee Café De Kempen is the place for you. After all, they’ve been named ‘Hertog Jan Café of the Year’ several times. Second place in 2011 and first place in 2012 and 2014. The beer menu doesn’t disappoint either. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
I myself enjoyed a Gin-Tonic packed with red fruit. It not only looked very cosy and summery but also tasted great. A real treat so on a Monday afternoon. Hihi.
Furthermore, there are also nice menus to order in terms of dinner. Or if you have something to celebrate, there is an excellent High Tea. In short, at this lovely, convivial Dinee Cafe De Kempen, you are always welcome to come and taste the Brabant hospitality.