Food, Restaurants and Nightlife in Assen During the MotoGP Dutch TT

Lively pub atmosphere with a good beer and cocktail selection. Pub food done well. Attracts motorsport fans during race week — one of the go-to spots in town for a casual evening out.

Casual Dutch eatery with affordable prices and a cosy atmosphere. Hearty portions and friendly service. The kind of place locals eat at — good for a quick dinner before heading to the TT Festival.

Spanish-style sharing plates with good vegetarian options. A change of pace from Dutch pub food. Small plates make it easy to try multiple dishes without over-committing.

Bitterballen

Deep-fried meat ragout balls served with mustard. The quintessential Dutch bar snack. Available everywhere — bars, cafés, food stalls at the circuit. Order a portion with your first beer.

Kapsalon

A late-night classic: chips topped with döner meat, melted cheese, lettuce, and garlic sauce. Not fine dining, but the perfect post-campsite-party fuel.

Stroopwafels

Caramel-filled waffle cookies. Available everywhere in the Netherlands. Best bought fresh from a market stall — the warmth and the caramel make a difference.

Dutch beer

Heineken and Amstel are the obvious choices, but the Netherlands has an excellent craft beer scene. Look for local Drenthe breweries at the TT Festival or Groningen bars.

TT Festival — 9 days, 250,000 visitors

The TT Festival runs for 9 days leading up to race day, transforming Assen city centre with 8 music stages, motorcycle stunt shows, the TT NightRide, a TT Fair, and food stalls across the main streets. Around 250,000 people visit during the festival. Free entry. The nightlife centres on Poelestraat and Peperstraat — bars stay open late with bands and DJs across multiple stages.

Mandeveen campsite parties

Mandeveen is the legendary party campsite. Bands play, barbecues run, and the atmosphere goes late every night. If you are not staying at Mandeveen, it is still worth visiting for an evening. The Dutch TT camping scene is a festival in its own right.

Camping de Haar social scene

The main camping area next to the circuit. Slightly more relaxed than Mandeveen but still lively. Communal barbecues, group gatherings, and a friendly international crowd. A good balance of party and sleep.

Motorcycle culture everywhere

During TT week, thousands of motorcycles descend on Assen. The town fills with riders from across Europe. Bike displays, impromptu group rides, and the sound of engines becomes the background noise of the town. Even if you arrived by train, you will leave wanting a motorcycle.

A proper city with a beautiful historic centre, excellent restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. The Grote Markt area is packed with cafés and bars. The Proeflokaal (tasting room) bar culture is worth experiencing. A good option when Assen restaurants are fully booked.

Smaller city with Wildlands Adventure Zoo and local restaurants. Less busy than Assen during race week. A good family-friendly option for a non-race day.