Christmas dinner in Gouda: with family, friends or colleagues on the Markt

In December the Markt in Gouda is at its most beautiful: candlelight in the windows of the town hall, a Christmas tree in front of the Waag (weigh house) and full terraces under the heaters. It is also the month when everyone wants to eat out at the same time. This is how to arrange a Christmas dinner in Gouda, for the family, with friends or with the whole company, and why you want to be early.

Why you need to be early in December

The rush begins with Gouda by Candlelight (Gouda bij Kaarslicht) on Friday 11 December 2026 and lasts until New Year's Eve. Friday and Saturday evenings are full weeks in advance, and companies often fix their Christmas dinner as early as October. So book as soon as you know your date and party.

Christmas dinner with family or friends

For a table of up to around eight people you book online or by phone. You eat from the winter menu: dishes from the Mibrasa charcoal oven, a multi-course menu if you like, and a wine suggestion with every dish. You sit in the dining room beneath the stained-glass windows and the blossom tree, with candles on the table. Children eat from the children's menu, with a children's ice cream and a surprise at dinner.

Corporate Christmas dinner or Christmas drinks

From 10 people we arrange a group dinner from 30 euros per person, as a set menu or shared dining, with a drinks arrangement of your choice. Christmas drinks for the whole company become a corporate party with food and drink stations from 15 euros per person, for 10 to 200 guests. The wine bar serves as a private dining room, and for up to 200 guests you hire the whole building exclusively. One email to [email protected] with the date, numbers and budget, and you receive a proposal.

Opening hours over the holidays

Normally we are open Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Around the holidays the hours may differ. You can see current availability in the booking system; you can also call 0182 717 708.

Ordering a Christmas dinner?

We get asked often, so to be clear: we do not deliver Christmas dinners. At Gouds Glas you come to the table, on the Markt, with the kitchen at full strength. That is exactly why it works.

Make a day of it

Combine your Christmas dinner with an afternoon in the city centre: St John's Church (Sint-Janskerk) with the Gouda Windows (Goudse Glazen), the shops in the Lange Groenendaal and Achter de Kerk, and coffee with Gouda pastries at ours from 10:00. Come by train and you are on the Markt in five minutes; if you come by car, read the parking guide first.