A tip from Rik: Radio Royaal

For his latest tip, Rik visits Strijp-S. This time for the restaurant called Radio Royaal. At first, you may not spot this place as quickly, but if you look up at this imposing building, its name is written in the sky with lightbulbs.

Philips Engine Room

Next to Ketelhuis, Klokgebouw, and Veem, the old Machinekamer (Engine Room) - or Radio Royaal - is an indelible piece of Eindhoven's past. This former engine room kept pretty much the entire site running. Years later, when the old Philips factories were given a new interpretation, the starting signal came from the same building. Radio Royaal took the lead as a pop-up restaurant during the Dutch Design Week in 2011. For ten days, this place was packed with visitors, the reason why Radio Royaal is still open to this day. 

Refined contrast

Not only is this place worth a visit for its rich history, the industrial interior includes racing bikes, boilers, and compressed air boilers. No, behind the meters high factory doors, you will find a restaurant, where Rik likes to return for both the classics and the changing dishes of the new chef. Contrasting with the roughness of the ambiance, you will taste quite a few refined dishes. One of the staples on the menu is the oysters. The flammkuchen and rotisserie chicken have been on the menu for years due to popular demand. Enjoy these dishes while surrounded by old installations, air hockey tables, and all kinds of design.

Tangible energy

The atmosphere, the dishes mentioned above, and the connection with the city's industrial past highlight this energy house. For example, to take a photo, like the Eindhoven soccer club, PSV did to release a shirt. Another recommendation is the culinary workshop given by the in-house cooking studio called de Kookfabriek. Or you can pay a casual visit as Queen Máxima and Rik did. Of course, reservations are also possible.