A list of new restaurants not to be missed in Utrecht
When we hear Utrecht, we quickly shout Uuuuuu! Utrecht is a favorite in the catering industry. And after a handy list of new restaurants in Amsterdam, Utrecht could not lag behind. Ok, they may not spring up as quickly as they do in Amsterdam, but it is a fact that there is plenty to do. Here is our ever-growing list of new restaurants opening from 2024; everything hot and happening you can find here.
Or would you rather have lunch? You are guaranteed to have a good time here have lunch in Utrecht.
New in Utrecht and just in time for summer: MORROW opened its doors on June 21 on Nachtegaalstraat. An all-day café where you pop in for a coffee, linger for lunch, and finish with a martini at the end of the day. The menu takes you on a culinary journey from the Mediterranean to Peru, with ceviche as a specialty and many dishes cooked over an open fire. The interior? Dark wood, leather, vintage vinyl, and exactly the kind of atmosphere that makes you effortlessly stay a few hours longer than planned. The kind of new spot Utrecht is already curious about.
That's where Bucca Steak Atelier came in, where, you guessed it, everything revolves around steak (and wine). They opened on the Lijnmarkt, right on the Oudegracht. Here you'll find good meat, fine wines, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Behind Bucca are Filiz and Fikret Geldi, whom you might already know from Restaurant Het Zuiden and Bistro Florent. With their newest venture, they are taking a different direction: a restaurant where the focus lies entirely on high-quality steaks, complemented by an extensive wine list and a substantial selection of whiskies. The menu also features fish dishes and luxury starters. The interior has warm tones, comfortable seating, and, importantly, a view of the Oudegracht.
As if a summer afternoon in Park Lepelenburg could get any better: this summer there is a cheerful ice cream cart where you can go for really good ice cream. Ice creams from Rijthoff is the new project of the Utrecht couple Nathalie Brakenhoff and Laurenz van Rijthoven, who, alongside their full-time jobs, are turning their love for Italian ice cream into a summery dream.
The idea originated during a holiday in Sardinia, where a local ice cream maker inspired them with her craft and incredibly delicious ice cream. Back in Utrecht, a business plan, a permit, and their own ice cream cart followed. They sell classics such as pistachio, stracciatella, mango, strawberry, lemon, and Greek yogurt, plus a rotating flavor. The ice cream is made with natural ingredients, such as organic lemons from Sicily and hazelnuts from Piedmont.
You can find the ice cream cart next to the playground in Park Lepelenburg through the end of September. Perfect for a refreshing stop during a picnic, walk, or sunny afternoon in the park. And the entrepreneurs are already secretly dreaming of their own ice cream parlor in Utrecht.
The Muntgebouw is arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in Utrecht, and finally, there is a good reason to step inside again. Gastrobar Florijn is giving the monumental building a new chapter, featuring a large waterside terrace and a kitchen where you can drop in just as easily for lunch as for an elaborate dinner. Chef Wouter van der Beek (known from Pand33) cooks refined cuisine, but without the fuss. You can enjoy this new hotspot starting in May 2026!
These days, you no longer have to leave Utrecht for good ramen. At Nami, the noodles are made fresh daily, and the broth is also given all the time it needs. The interior is calm, the bowls generously filled, and exactly what you want after a day of work or before heading towards TivoliVredenburg. A welcome addition to the city center, where more and more specialized spots are finding their place.
A touch of Portuguese sunshine in the heart of Utrecht. Bar Do Belo is one of those places where you walk in for a cocktail and end up hanging out all afternoon with a table full of small dishes and tasty drinks. The Mediterranean atmosphere, cocktails on tap, and relaxed setting make this a welcome addition to Utrecht's nightlife scene. Perfect for a Friday afternoon with a friend!
There are those restaurants where, after the first glass, you already know you probably won't catch the last train. Vondels Chefs Bar is one of them. You prefer sitting at the bar, with a view of the open kitchen. You watch the plates leave the kitchen one by one and let Chef Tom Appeldoorn pick out something you would never have thought of yourself. Chef Dijko Janssen cooks exciting, but never complicated. A place where you will certainly want to dine a second time.
From the very first step, Neighborhood Café Vonk feels as if it has been there for years, situated opposite the Griftpark. You can come here just as easily for a cup of coffee as for a community meal or a spontaneous glass of wine with friends. Meeting people is at least as central as the menu, and you notice that in everything. Activities are organized for the neighborhood, but even as an outsider, you feel immediately welcome.
As soon as Utrecht heads towards 25 degrees, we have only one thought: get out of the city. Not far, because after about twenty minutes of cycling, you park your bike at Strandpaviljoen Haarrijnse Plas, where you take a dip first and only then decide what you want to order. The pavilion was built with great regard for the surroundings: natural materials, a green roof, and plenty of greenery ensure that it almost blends into the landscape. From the rooftop terrace, you look out over the water as the afternoon seamlessly flows into the evening. Just opened, but already a hit!
Beach Pavilion Brisa Haarrijnse Plas
Hooray, Bar Rosie has a little sister!! PJAY is one of those places where you actually meet up before making a reservation somewhere else, because a glass of natural wine and something tasty to share are simply a good way to start the evening. Sticking around? That’s no punishment either. With homemade bread, charcuterie, fermentation, and a wine list from which you effortlessly order another glass, this is just as much a spot for a long Saturday afternoon. Small, artisanal, and exactly the kind of place that makes Utrecht even better.
The former Tivoli is arguably one of Utrecht's most famous buildings and, with Union House, has been given a second life the city has long awaited. Restaurant, wine bar, and culture come together under one roof here, ensuring there is something happening at any time of day. Come for a leisurely lunch, linger for a glass of wine, and perhaps even end up at a performance. A place that fits just as well for a day out in Utrecht as for a spontaneous Tuesday evening.
With 1818, Utrecht East has gained a new neighborhood restaurant where you are just as happy to dine with the children as with friends. In the former Spaghetteria building, the focus is now on local products, a relaxed atmosphere, and a menu that caters to the whole family. The name refers to the history of the neighborhood, while the restaurant actually demonstrates just how vibrant Utrecht East has become.
