Eat

Buitenlust

This place lies outside of the village, on the edge of the forest and has a unique view over the countryside. A good place for a lunch break or for dinner.

outdoors

Address: Camerig 11
Price: Mains from €16
Website: buitenlust.nu (opens in a new tab)

Directions Suggest a nearby place

Listing from Wikivoyage: Vaals, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

Close by

Drink
Boscafé 't Hijgend Hert
This bar/restaurant and petting zoo promotes itself as the only mountain cabin in the Netherlands, but perhaps you need to be Dutch to find that comparison very valid. It is however a nice and popular establishment in the forest, and (inside) decorated as a mountain cabin bar. It serves a wide selection of beers, including their own brand (Hert). There's also a rather extensive menu, varying from just a piece of apple pie to sandwiches and mains. To get here from Vijlen, drive (or walk) all the way through the village and at the top, turn right towards the forest. Some 800 m into the forest the parking place is indicated on the left. This is also a good spot if you're out for a forest walk.
Open every day of the year, 11:00-21:00 in summer, winter time: Mon-Wed 11:00-19:00, Thu-Sun 11:00-21:00Beers from €2.80, mains from €10
Do
Vineyard St. Martinus
If you think of a country where wine is produced, the Netherlands is almost certainly not the first country you'll think of - but yes, there is a vineyard outside Vijlen. This family-run vineyard has been producing the village's own wine since the late 1980s. You can take a guided tour or taste the different kinds of wine they produce, but you'll have to book in advance.
Drink
Fiets & Wandelcafé A gen Kirk
This cosy little café opposite the church (hence the name "a gen kirk", "at the church") is decorated from floor to roof with Christian art, statues and bibles. The tourist information office uses the place as a leaflet post and there's a small outdoor terrace next to the main street. You can also eat here, as there is a simple but budget friendly menu for lunch and dinner (mains from €10). There are also 4 bed & breakfast rooms upstairs.
See
St. Martinus church
The neo-Gothic and Catholic church dedicated to St. Martinus is one of the highest situated churches in the country. Right in the heart of the village, along the main road, its clearly visible from miles away and can't be missed. At this spot, a small church was established as early as the 7th century by St. Clodulfus, and later, medieval church stood here until 1860. In the period directly after, construction of the current church began. It was designed by famous Dutch church architect Carl Weber and as mostly finished around 1862. Likely due to financial issues, it took another 18 years to get it completely finished. It is a so-called hall church and its mostly neo-Gothic interior includes a number of art works and a large pipe organ. There are services on Saturday at 18:00, Sunday at 10:00 (both with the church choir) and Thursday at 19:00).
The side entrance is usually open during day