The story
Wijnhuis De Blauwe Camer occupies a converted farm building on the grounds of Sint Catharinadal, the oldest women’s monastery in the Netherlands. The restaurant sits among the monastery’s own vineyard, with the quiet convent estate as its backdrop. The atmosphere is stylishly rustic – a fitting setting for cooking that is both refined and grounded in the seasons.
The Norbertine sisters of Sint Catharinadal began a new chapter in 2014 when they decided to cultivate their land. They planted a vineyard, opened a monastery shop, and turned the old farm into a hospitality venue. Four years later, Tessa and Maikel – the owners – realised a long-held dream when they launched Wijnhuis De Blauwe Camer. “We are proud and endlessly grateful to the sisters,” they say, “that we may realise our dream on one of the most special and beautiful spots in the Netherlands.”
The heart of the kitchen is the vegetable and herb garden tended by the sisters. The team cooks exclusively on a menu basis, letting the garden dictate what appears on the plate. The Signature Menu, an “Ode to the Monastery Garden,” offers four to seven courses, while the two-course Joie de Vivre lunch menu provides a lighter seasonal option. Dishes change regularly to follow the rhythm of the seasons. Snacks such as the St. Catharinabol and oysters prepared in several ways hint at the kitchen’s precision and flair.
The restaurant’s name – Wijnhuis – signals the importance of wine here. The list is carefully chosen to complement the French-leaning, seasonal menu. This commitment to quality, along with the overall dining experience, earned Wijnhuis De Blauwe Camer a Michelin Recommended distinction for 2026.
The team states their values plainly: quality, passion, love, and tranquility. These qualities come through in the unhurried service and the calm, welcoming dining room. Guests often remark on the warmth of the owners and the sense of being cared for throughout the meal.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
Nestled among the vineyards at the Sint Catharinadal monastery in Oosterhout, you'll find Wijnhuis De Blauwe Camer. The renovated farmhouse exudes space and light, featuring wooden accents, stone flooring, and spacious monastery-style tables. From the terrace, you have a direct view overlooking the vineyards. Chef Maikel Beljaars prepares French cuisine here, with ingredients from the monastery garden taking center stage. There is no à la carte menu, only set menus ranging from four to seven courses. We opt for the wine pairing, which naturally includes wines from Sint Catharinadal. We start with a melon tartelette topped with foam made from Délice and Val apples, marigold, and shaved summer truffle. A delightful flavor explosion, perfectly complemented by our glass of Parés Baltà cava. Next comes swordfish sashimi served with a sea buckthorn berry glaze, corn cream, jalapeño, and a dressing of blood orange, rhubarb, and saffron. This dish is slightly unbalanced: the acidity and robustness overshadow the fish. This is followed by a carbonara pasta featuring spirali, pickled egg yolk, bacon lardons, and smoked tuna tartare. A delicious mid-course offering. The brisket is cooked to perfection and highly flavorful, served with breaded pickles, zucchini, verbena, cheddar cream, and a curry sauce. Once again, the flavors are intense, though more restraint would be appreciated here too. The dessert—a financier with almond and lemon, lavender ice cream, and a kriek beer and cherry sabayon—is absolutely delightful. We finish with fresh tea, accompanied by a large madeleine and an oat praline truffle. A chocolate featuring a QR code linking to the menu is also brought to the table. A nice touch. The service, led by Tessa Ritzen, is friendly and attentive. However, we do occasionally miss a bit more warmth and interaction. De Blauwe Camer delivers a culinary experience in a truly special setting. The kitchen could focus a bit more on balance and refinement, but we certainly see plenty of potential!
This charming restaurant in a fantastic location surrounded by vineyards, a vegetable and herb garden, offers honest and carefully prepared dishes with an emphasis on using as many local and homegrown products as possible. O...
Gevestigd binnen de kloostermuren van kloosterslot Sint Catharinadal, het domein van Nederlands oudste en nog bestaande zustergemeenschap. In de volledig verbouwde boerderij met mooie, oude houten balken en hoog plafond runnen chef Maikel Beljaars en maître-sommelier Tessa Ritzen dit restaurant. Er wordt veel met ingrediënten uit de tuinen van de zusters gewerkt. Al snel brengt de vrolijke zwarte brigade een klein mondvermaakje en wel een hoorntje gevuld met salade van courgette, paté van kip en geschaafde manchego, getopt met een venkelbloempje. Van de kaart met bites nemen we een brioche met biologische crème van ganzenlever en pistachenoten, versierd met verschillende bloemen uit eigen tuin en samen met de cuvee witte wijn van het klooster is dit een geweldige combinatie. Het voorgerecht wordt geserveerd in een kokosnoot: tonijntartaar gemarineerd op Koreaanse wijze met basilicumcrème en geroosterde macadamianoten, wederom opgemaakt met kleurrijke eetbare bloemen en omringd door een friszoete saus van kokos en citroengras. Bij het tussengerecht van gnudi van ricotta met gerookte boter en hazelnoot, krokante salie, verveine en zomertruffel wordt een wijn uit eigen huis geschonken. Een chardonnay Augustinus 2022, houtgelagerd in oud eiken van Sint Catharinadal. De vaten van deze wijn liggen aan de voorkant van het restaurant. Pièce is zachtgegaard en kort geroosterd buikspek van het Limburgs varken met gyoza gevuld met tofu en paksoi en als garnituur raapsteeltjes, oesterzwam en een saus van kimchi, beurre noisette en homemade honing. Vergeet de friandises niet: alleen al de madeleine is de zonde waard. En grappig, de chocolade-QR-code brengt je naar het menu van de avond. Als je wilt kun je ook nog bij de zusters slapen. Welkom in Lekker!
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