Huize Kwast

Huize Kwast is located at Nieuwestad 75 in the city center of Leeuwarden. Public information primarily describes the establishment as a café-restaurant. The offering includes lunch, dinner, drinks, and coffee. This distinguishes its profile from a coffee bar that focuses exclusively on specialty coffee.

The business has used the name Huize Kwast since 2016. An exact opening date has not been disclosed. Available records also do not identify the original founder or founders. Erwin van der Meulen was named as the owner upon the reopening in 2023. His professional profile does not confirm that he founded Huize Kwast.

The name refers to Henriëtte Kwast, who lived in the building in the nineteenth century. She was a childhood friend of Margaretha Zelle, the artist from Leeuwarden who became famous as Mata Hari. This connection also formed the basis for the interior concept after the renovation.

In 2023, Huize Kwast reopened after a three-month renovation. The design placed greater emphasis on drinks, hospitality, and social interaction. The renovation introduced a new bar and a cocktail station. Design studio OAK described it as an all-day concept, ranging from coffee in the morning to cocktails in the evening.

Coverage of the reopening focused primarily on the interior, the cocktail offerings, and the updated menu. Alongside owner Erwin van der Meulen, manager Wilson Hon and kitchen manager Coen van Haaster were also mentioned.

Coffee is part of the broader offering, but public information provides few technical details. Espresso and cappuccino appear in posts from Huize Kwast. Additionally, the cocktail menu from May 2026 lists an Espresso Martini made with vodka, Tia Maria, and espresso.

On March 16, 2026, staff attended a coffee course at Koffiebranderij Mocca d’Or. This established a training relationship with this roaster. However, the available text does not mention a specific blend. It is also not confirmed that Mocca d’Or is the sole supplier.

No public data was found regarding the origin, producers, or processing of the coffee. Names of farms or cooperatives are absent, as are certifications and information on traceability. A fixed coffee procurement policy is also not described.

Manual brewing methods such as V60, Chemex, AeroPress, and French press are not mentioned on the examined website and menus. Batch filter is also not cited. The available information thus primarily confirms espresso-based drinks. The lunch menu also lists a high tea with unlimited tea. Social media has also referenced coffee and cappuccino in this context.

Huize Kwast participates in general hospitality events. An example is Food La Route, a dinner route featuring Huize Kwast, Post-Plaza, Proefverlof, and De Hofdame. The 2026 agenda also listed a shared lunch for Mother’s Day and an event celebrating the tenth anniversary.

The anniversary mention contains a date discrepancy. The headline cites June 22, while the description refers to Monday, June 2. The correct date cannot therefore be definitively determined.

The establishment is registered as an approved training company. Stagemarkt lists six categories for internships in hospitality and the kitchen. For one qualification, July 5, 2022, is listed as the first recognition date. Huize Kwast is also named as a partner of the training network GastvrijFryslân. No public coffee tastings, workshops, or exhibitions were found. The course at Mocca d’Or was intended for staff.

Huize Kwast has reported working with new suppliers from the region, without naming them. The menus are updated several times a year to suit the season. There are vegetarian and vegan options, plus dishes that can be adapted for these preferences. This describes the offering but does not constitute a measurable sustainability policy.

Specific information on food waste, energy consumption, packaging, emissions, or environmental certification is lacking. As a result, no broader conclusions can be drawn about the business’s environmental performance.

Huize Kwast made it to the SVH Top 10 for Best Training Establishment in the Hospitality Industry for 2025/2026, out of 52 nominated establishments. The venue did not make the final Top 3, which was announced later. In October 2024, chef Davy Zijlstra won the Klaar Af Kook competition at Horeca Xperience in Groningen. This victory came with the title Best Chef of Northern Netherlands 2024.

Within the coffee sector, Huize Kwast remains primarily a café-restaurant where coffee is just one part of the offering. The available data highlights staff training and espresso-based drinks but offers little insight into the beans, their origin, brewing methods, or purchasing criteria.