Sometimes, when you are looking for a place to eat, you are looking for something that isn't too high class, where you don't have to dress up or spend too much and where kids are going to be welcome. Somewhere, where you can just eat some ordinary food, nothing fancy....

The Space

Carpe Diem is one of these "comfy" places... there is ample outdoor seating (which we didnt take advantage of, as it is winter!), and also a relatively large indoor space. The decor is mostly dark wood based, and I feel they they are going for the old style "smoking room" atmosphere! It's quite nice actually....

There is a piano in the centre of the space, which I'm not sure if it is used for live music... or if it is an ornamental piano for the atmosphere. If they chose, this would be a pretty nice music venue, as all the wood does give the place a decent enough acoustic.

There is also a well stocked cafe/bar area. This place really does seem to attract the local crowd seeing as it is really the only pub/bar in the local surrounds, and the central location in the main shopping area makes it an easy place to meet friends.

The Menu

The lunch menu is pretty un-assuming, pretty standard Dutch cafe fare. Sandwiches, Burgers, Toasties, Soups and Salads.... nothing fancy, just simple foods!

In a similar fashion, the dinner menu is also pretty stock standard Dutch fare. Chicken Sate skewers, Daily special dishes and Spare Ribs are the familiar favourites....

The Food

We were here for lunch as a break whilst we were in the area, and although the food was quite simple, they did take a bit of care with the presentation... okat, it's not a Michelin star or a gastro-pub, but there are other places that would just slop stuff on a plate and call it a day!

For me, I can't resist trying out a new burger... and this time was no different. However, I do get to an age where my stomach starts to disagree with my choices, but I'm still in a bit of denial about that... Anyhow, the burger (and chips) were quite good, but I'm not really sure about the wisdom of a soft-fried egg on a burger... it is tasty, but gets really messy!

Meanwhile, my wife is predictable in her own way... Tomato soup with bread. Actually, again it was surprisingly good! Bread was decent and the soup was good as well, normally these things can be way too salty or just tipped out from a can....

Meanwhile, the kids had a Ham and Cheese toastie, which is a pretty standard meal for Netherlands! You don't see it here, but they have it with Tomato Sauce (Ketchup for non-English speakers)... bleah... but they love it...

The Experience

... well, sometimes you are just looking to stop in for a quick and non-fancy feed. Somewhere with food that is decent, but not expensive and where you taste buds aren't too challenged by new ideas!

Carpe Diem fits the bill... it has decent food, without being over the top in any way, shape or form. I quite liked it, and would be curious to revisit if they had live music!

Would I return? Well, yes... if I was in the area. However, it isn't really a place that you make a special trip just to eat there... unless you had friends that you were meeting for a quick drink!

Opening Times

Monday 9am–7pm
Tuesday 9am–7pm
Wednesday 9am–7pm
Thursday 9am–10pm
Friday 9am–7pm
Saturday 9am–7pm
Sunday 9am–7pm

Contact Details

Address: Bogaardplein 7, 2284 DP Rijswijk, Netherlands
Phone: +31 70 396 6500
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.carpediem.nl/

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