Terms & Conditions
Last updated: 22 October 2026
1. Who we are
These terms apply to Restaurant D'Swarte Walvis, also known as The Black Whale, Kalverringdijk 13-15, 1509 BT Zaandam, the Netherlands, operated by Swarte Walvis, registered with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KvK) under number 17140976, VAT number NL810387980B01. D'Swarte Walvis is part of Lacandon Groep. Restaurant: info@dewalvis.nl, +31 75 616 56 29. Bookings, groups and questions about these terms: bookings@lacandon.nl.
2. Uniform Conditions for the Hospitality Industry (UVH)
The Uniforme Voorwaarden Horeca (UVH) of Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN), version from 2024, filed with the Chamber of Commerce in The Hague, apply to all our agreements. The terms on this page add to the UVH and explain the most important rules in plain language. If this page and the UVH differ, the UVH prevail, unless this page is more favourable for you. You can download the UVH (English) here or request a free copy at bookings@lacandon.nl.
3. Scope and definitions
These terms apply to all reservations, orders, group bookings, events, weddings and other agreements with D'Swarte Walvis, made online, by phone, by email or in person.
A business client books in the course of a profession or business. A private guest books as a consumer.
A group is 10 persons or more (UVH article 1.8).
Different terms of a guest or client only apply if we have agreed to them in writing.
4. Table reservations
You can book a table online via our online reservation system, by phone or by email. A reservation is final once you receive our confirmation.
Please arrive on time. If you have not arrived within 30 minutes of the reserved time, the reservation counts as cancelled and we may give the table to other guests (UVH article 7.3).
For some reservations we may ask for a credit card guarantee or a deposit (UVH article 7.2). This is not standard; if we do, the amount and the conditions are stated in your confirmation.
Please cancel or change your reservation as early as possible, via the link in your confirmation or by phone.
Private guests: for a late cancellation or a no show we may charge reasonable costs, including lost turnover (UVH article 14). If a guarantee was requested, the no show fee in your confirmation applies.
Business clients: cancellation costs follow UVH article 13.3:
menu agreed in advance: more than 14 days before free of charge; 14 to 7 days before 25%; 7 to 3 days before 50%; 3 days or less before 75% of the reservation value;
no menu agreed: more than 48 hours before free of charge; 48 hours or less before 50% of the expected spend.
We may refuse or end a stay in case of inappropriate behaviour, intoxication or nuisance to other guests.
5. Groups, events, weddings and private dining
For groups and for exclusive use of a room, we make a written proposal. The agreement is final once you have confirmed the proposal in writing or by email.
For some bookings we may ask for a deposit or advance payment. This is not standard; if it applies, it is stated in our proposal and deducted from the final invoice.
Please pass on the final number of guests no later than 14 days before the event. We invoice at least this number. A decrease within 14 days may be charged at the full value (UVH article 13.1.5). We will try to accommodate extra guests.
Cancellation by business clients (UVH article 13.4.2), as a percentage of the agreed amount:
more than 6 months before: free of charge;
6 to 3 months before: 10%;
3 to 2 months before: 15%;
2 to 1 month before: 35%;
1 month to 14 days before: 60%;
14 to 7 days before: 85%;
7 days or less before: 100%.
Cancellation by private clients (UVH article 14): you can cancel at any time. We then charge the reasonable costs already made and a reasonable compensation, which may include lost income. Our proposal states what this means for your event.
Bringing your own food or drinks is not allowed, unless we agreed to it in writing. In that case we may charge corkage (UVH article 9).
The Delft Blue Room (Weesmeesterkamer) and the Windmill Panorama Room (Commandeurskamer) are on the first floor and can only be reached by stairs; the building has no lift. Please let us know in advance if guests have limited mobility.
Decoration, music, entertainment and suppliers from outside need our prior approval. You are responsible for damage caused by your guests or suppliers.
6. Prices and payment
All prices on our website and menus are in euros and include VAT, unless stated otherwise. The price at the time of confirmation applies.
Payment in the restaurant is made at the end of your visit, by debit card, credit card or cash.
Invoices for events and groups must be paid within 14 days of the invoice date. Invoices include a 2% credit restriction surcharge, which you do not pay when you pay within 14 days (UVH article 11.8).
If payment is late, we may charge statutory interest and collection costs (UVH articles 11.9 and 11.10).
7. Allergies and dietary requirements
Please tell us about allergies or dietary requirements when booking and again to your server. We do our best to take them into account, but we cannot guarantee that dishes are completely free of allergens.
For group bookings and private events, please pass on your menu choices no later than 5 days before the date of the event. This also applies to allergies and dietary requirements, so our kitchen can prepare everything properly.
8. Alcohol
We do not serve alcohol to persons under 18. We may ask for identification.
9. Liability
Our liability is limited to direct damage and to the amount our insurance pays out in that case. If the insurance does not pay out, our liability is limited to the value of the reservation (UVH article 16). We are not liable for loss, theft or damage of personal belongings, including items in the cloakroom, unless caused by intent or gross negligence on our part.
10. Force majeure and cancellation by us
In case of force majeure, such as extreme weather, government measures, an epidemic, fire or power failure, we may change or cancel a reservation or event (UVH article 17). In exceptional cases we may also cancel under the conditions of UVH article 15. We will inform you as soon as possible and look for an alternative together.
11. Photos and filming
We sometimes take photos of our venue and events for our website and social media. If you would rather not appear in them, please let our staff know.
12. Complaints
Are you not satisfied? Please tell us during your visit, so we can solve it right away. Otherwise, send your complaint within 24 hours after you noticed the problem, and no later than 7 days after your visit or event, to bookings@lacandon.nl (UVH article 19).
13. Applicable law
Dutch law applies to all agreements. Disputes are submitted to the competent court of the place where we are established (UVH article 21).