Café Hollander has been designated the Best Bar for 2007 in, no, not the Netherlands, but Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The fact that readers of onmilwaukee.com voted this establishment to the top of the list is a testament to how popular it has become in the area.

As its name suggests, though, Dutch and Belgian influences run pretty much through the bar’s operations, especially in the type of food it offers. I’m not sure whether these influences extend to the bar’s furniture and furnishings. It’s been described as part Dutch coffee bar and part Belgian restaurant, the site on which Café Hollander stands used to be the location of Gil’s Café, a popular local hangout. Fortunately for Diablos Rojos, Café Hollander’s owners, this bar seems to be going over well with the locals, becoming a popular dining venue for both city residents and visitors.

The downstairs dining section is split into a smoking and non-smoking section, with the large curved bar taking center stage. It has become a popular destination not only because of the food and drink it serves, but also because of the cozy atmosphere it provides despite having a spacious layout. Perhaps the use and configuration of contract bar furniture and other pieces of furniture in the bar and restaurant play a big role in its popularity too.

Readers and reviewers give high praise not only to Café Hollander’s food and extensive selection of Belgian beers, but also to its cheery and fun atmosphere. Clear lighting, comfortable-looking chairs, and nicely-sized tables are part and parcel of this restaurant’s identity. Patrons also enjoy taking their meals or their drinks outdoors if the weather permits, since this bar/café has a patio that features umbrella-covered tables. Plans are in place for the construction and implementation of a large mechanical umbrella to cover the whole outdoor area by early next year. Proost! as the Dutch would say.