From breakfast, lunch and fine dining restaurants in Utrecht, we've got you covered. Discover all the new, cool and trendy places in the Utrecht City Guide.
It's hard not to fall in love with Utrecht and the Dom Tower. Utrecht’s picturesque city center and traditional café culture is best explored by bike. Utrecht, the place were we lived for 6 years, the place where we fell in love and were we got married (in The Dom Tower). One of my favourite cities in the world.
A few of my favourite areas outside the city center.
Rotsoord - On the banks of the river Vaartsche Rijn, a five-minute walk from the well-known Ledig Erf square in the south of Utrecht, you’ll find Rotsoord, a former industrial estate which has been converted into a hotspot that is very popular with locals. Like restaurant Le:en, where you can have tapas-style Asian meals, while they also serve a wide variety of cocktails. Enjoy drinks and beers at Klein Berlijn, Taplokaal Gist or Camping Ganspoort both with a waterfront outdoor terrace. Fancy some dinner? Make sure to book in advance at restaurant WT Urban Café & Kitchen housed in a water tower where you can enjoy some spectacular views of Utrecht city or Restaurant Het Ketelhuis or Restaurant De Zagerij both located in the old Pastoe factory.
Lombok - One of Utrecht's most culturally diverse neighbourhoods, with the increasingly popular Kanaalstraat, lined with Turkish and Moroccan grocery stores, bakeries, cafes and kebab shops.
The best Restaurants of Utrecht
Restaurant Badhuis - A golden oldie from when we used to live in Utrecht. Refined fare served in a fashionable restaurant featuring a robust wine list & a seasonal patio. Housed in a former bath house, the history of the building is clearly reflected in the restaurant. The original gold letters are again on the facade. The former waiting rooms of the Badhuis are now private spaces for small groups. And for those who are interested in architecture. The interior of the entire restaurant is inspired by the Amsterdam School style. restaurantbadhuis.nl
Restaurant De Goedheyd - I have fond memories of this place. I celebrated my graduation and my pre wedding dinner at restaurant De Goedheyd. Charming little restaurant with a cosy atmosphere. A very fine four or five course surprise menu with a delicate taste and pairing wines. I don't have to convince you. You just must go! degoedheyd.nl
Restaurant Koenraad - Restaurant and Cocktailbar offering modern European fare, open-air dining. Sip away your wine or cocktail near the fireplace. koenraadutrecht.nl
Restaurant De Klub - De Klub is located in the Vecht Club buildings in Utrecht this restaurant is a little bit off the beaten track and a real gem. deklub.nl
Fico Restaurant - Fine dining at its best. Amazing flavors and contemporary combinations, with a classic twist. Sister restaurant of WT Urban Kitchen. Try both! ficoutrecht.nl
Grand Hotel Karel V - A luxury and iconic five star hotel in the city centre of Utrecht. Housed in a former Monastery & Military Hospital this is all monumental elegance, sparkling gastronomy with more than 650 years of history. I took my parents and hubby for dinner once. What a treat is was. karelv.nl/en
Heron Restaurant - A complete new experience of food and wine. High on the list.
Schalkwijkstraat 26-28, 3512 KS Utrecht - heronrestaurant.nl
Het Ketelhuis - Housed in the former Pastoe factory Restaurant Ketelhuis offers a 4,5,6 or 7 course surprise menu. The food was nice and the converted industrial building gives the atmosphere a cool vibe. Try restaurant De Zagerij next door too. hetketelhuisutrecht.nl
Restaurant De Pomp Utrecht - Housed in a former gas station, this place is a great for breakfast, drinks or shared dining. Always busy and conveniently located close to the station. I have been a few times and it never disappoints. depomputrecht.nl
Restaurant WT Urban Kitchen - Located in a former water tower with a striking view over the city of Utrecht. Industrial heritage meets sophisticated food menu with fantastic flavours. The staff and service is superb. You can enjoy a four, five or six course menu with pairing wines. It really is a one of a kind and unique dining location. Make sure to book for the 10th floor a few weeks in advance. This place is popular (and for a reason). I especially enjoyed the view of The Dom Tower, the place where I got married. Love it! wturbankitchen.nl/en
Restaurant De Zagerij - Next door to Restaurant Het Ketelhuis, you'll find Restaurant De Zagerij. A sublime restaurant.Try the 3 or 4 course tasting menu and make sure you'll book a table on the magnificent outdoor terrace on the waterfront in the former industrial area of Utrecht. dezagerijutrecht.nl
Zies - Small luxury boutique hotel with Wine Bar & Bistro. We had divine dinner with pairing wines. A lovely place on the Twijnstraat. Which is one of my favourite streets in Utrecht anyway. zies-utrecht.nl/en
Breakfast in Utrecht
The best and delicious, good breakfast in Utrecht (city center).
The Best Brunch and Lunch places in Utrecht
Broodje Bigoli - Sandwich and Deli Shop. Never change a winning team. Feels like little Italy. My lunch time routine when I was a student. Sandwich with Taleggio cheese. Always. The other good thing, go to Cafe De Zaak on the square where you can order coffee with your BYO lunch. You see the match? Win! bigoli.nl
Cafe Keet - Great for lunch and/or afterwork drinks (the reason I come here so often). the terrace outside is pretty nice. cafekeet.nl
Café De Zaak - A quirky so called 'bruin café' in the city centre of Utrecht. Always buzzing. This place never disappoints. For lunch (bring your own) or a drink. Conveniently located with a three minute walking distance from the Dom Tower. dezaak-utrecht.nl
KEEK - We love you KEEK. We really do. Perfect coffee, croissants and other pastries. This organic eatery and bakery will become your favourite morning spot. keekutrecht.nl
Landhuis in de Stad - Landhuis in de Stad is a place where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, breakfast, lunch, a newspaper or a board game all day long. Lovely situated in the park, this place is perfect for a lazy weekend. Great with kids too. landhuisindestad.nl
The Best Places for Coffee in Utrecht
30ml Coffee & Food - A great place for specialty coffee and all day brunch in the City Centre of Utrecht. With locations Vredenburg, Nachtengaalstraat and Leidsche Rijn you can't miss out. Also located in other cities - 30ml.nl
Black Bird Coffee & Vintage - Specialty coffee bar for coffee, pastel de natas and breakfast. Marvel at the vintage items, a lot of the bikes and furniture are for sale. blackbirdcoffee.nl
Black Brew - High quality coffee and music. Bring your own record vinyl to play or read a book. Cosy atmosphere in 'Wijk C'. blackxbrew.com
KEEK - We love you KEEK. We really do. Perfect coffee, croissants and other pastries. This organic eatery and bakery will become your favourite morning spot. keekutrecht.nl
Koffie Leute Brauhaus - the first filter coffee bar and record store in Utrecht. A great place to hang out as filter is my go to coffee for a long time. koffieleute.nl
Ohøj Coffee Roasting - Ohoj ohoj is a nice place to go for coffee. Outside the city centre but worth a visit if you are in the area. facebook.com/ohojcoffee
The Best Wine Bars in Utrecht
Rubens Proeflokaal - A great place for a date or catching up with a friend. Intimate and friendly atmosphere. rubensproeflokaal.nl
Ruby's Rose - For you to complete the list. Instagram madness but if that's your thing, this is a great wine bar. rubyrose-utrecht.nl
Donkere Gaard 9, 3511 KV Utrecht - talud9.nl
Neude 2, 3512 AD Utrecht - wijncafelefebvre.nl
Predikherenstraat 19, 3512 TL Utrecht - wijnbarvinvin.nl
Donkere Gaard 2, 3511 KW Utrecht - verdemarrone.nl
The Best Terraces in Utrecht
Bar & Bistro Op Zuid - Housed in the former wire & steel factory Neerlandia, this colorful New York style bar and bistro and chill hangout with a terrace & water views serving global bites, beer, wine & cocktails. opzuidutrecht.nl
Camping Ganspoort - Near Klein Berlijn and Tappunt Gist you'll find Camping Ganspoort, an airy, laid-back cafe with a brick patio & river views. Great for beers, cocktails and some bites. campingganspoort.nl
Fort aan de Klop - Oh I love Fort aan de Klop. A beautiful location on an island in the middle of nature. The fort is part of the New Dutch Waterline and can be found in the north of Utrecht. Such a great laid-back amotsphere for drinks with foodtrucks on the weekend. Great with kids too. fortaandeklop.com
Klein Berlijn - Imagine yourself in Berlin ;-) A great place for beers with a lovely waterside terrace. Food can be ordered from Tappunt Gist on the other side. Inside the bar can be a bit crowded. Hence I would go in the summer. kleinberlijn.de
Soia Beachclub Oog in Al - BBQ's, beers & cocktails is all you need at this city beach. Watch the canal traffic go by at this ultimate lounge spot. Eat, Drink, Chill on repeat all day. soia.nl
Taplokaal Gist - These guys know what they are doing with 30 special specialty beers on tap, and a lovely sunny terrace. taplokaalgist.nl
The Best Boutique Hotels in Utrecht
Read more about all the Boutique Hotels in Utrecht
Hotel Beijers - Hotel Beijers is a beautiful boutique antique hotel, in a 17th century city palace with a long and rich history conveniently located Achter Sint Pieter. hotelbeijers.com
Eye Hotel - Sister Hotel of Mother Goose and another superb boutique hotel in the heart of Utrecht City. eyehotel.nl
Grand Hotel Karel V - A luxury and iconic five star hotel in the city center of Utrecht. Housed in a former Monastery & Military Hospital this is all monumental elegance, sparkling gastronomy with more than 650 years of history. karelv.nl/en
Mother Goose Hotel - We stayed here for our wedding night. Cosy Boutique Hotel situated right in the heart of the historical city center. Sister Hotel of Eye Hotel. mothergoosehotel.com/en/
The Nox Hotel - The Nox Boutique Hotel is a stone throw away from the Dom Tower located in a beautiful 17th century building. thenoxhotel.com
Zies Hotel - Small luxury boutique hotel with Wine Bar & Bistro. A lovely place on the Twijnstraat. zies-utrecht.nl/en
The Best Things To Do in Utrecht
Agnietenstraat 1, 3512 XA Utrecht - centraalmuseum.nl
The DOM Tower + Pandtuin - The Dom Tower of Utrecht is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, at 112.5 metres in height. It is considered the symbol of Utrecht. With stunning views from the top. Did you know you can get married there ;) domtoren.nl/en
Miffy Museum (Nijntje Museum) - Picture book–inspired museum & indoor play area with themed rooms geared toward young children. Inspired by Miffy from Dick Bruna. nijntjemuseum.nl
The Best To Do in Utrecht Province
De Haar Castle - The largest castle in the Netherlands, Kasteel De Haar, once the private residence of the Van Zuylen family, whose descendants still stay here yearly. In the last century, the castle also frequently hosted members of the international jet set with lavish house parties hosted by the baron and baroness. Famous guests included Coco Chanel, Maria Callas, Gregory Peck, Roger Moore, Yves Saint Laurent, Joan Collins and Brigitte Bardot. The Castle is near Utrecht and worth a day trip. kasteeldehaar.nl
Eemplein 77, 3812 EA Amersfoort - kunsthalkade.nl/en
Teahouse (Theehuis) Rhijnauwen - A chilled and laid-back restaurant with a terrace located at a quiet forgotten branch of the Rhine River just east of Utrecht. Rhijnauwen is serving sweet & savory Dutch pancakes, sandwiches and coffee & cake. Great with kids. Also a beautiful area to cycle around the area. theehuisrhijnauwen.nl
Restaurant De Zusters - Buitenplaats Doornburgh in Maarssen aan de Vecht, the restaurant is housed in former monastery and only work with local ingredients and produce. We went for a Sunday lunch. Divine. I will definitely come back for dinner soon. dezusters.nl
Tournooiveld 1, 3611 AS Oud Zuilen - slotzuylen.nl/english
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