The best restaurants in Utrecht? We know!
Utrecht with its beautiful canals, parks, cozy neighborhoods and many coffee shops. We know all about it. But what about those restaurants? Yep, we shouldn't skip that one either. Utrecht never disappoints in that area either. The cozy streets, such as the Twijnstraat and the Voorstraat, are bursting with nice eateries, but Utrecht also has plenty to offer outside (just) outside. There is plenty of choice to end your day in Utrecht somewhere, we have listed the best restaurants for you.
Would you rather have lunch? Then you have to be here. Finished Utrecht? Then check out our list restaurants in Amsterdam.
For fish lovers: Maresia at the Ganzenmarkt. Here, it's all about fresh fish, seafood, and a good glass of wine. Oysters, barbecued langoustines, but also surprisingly delicious vegan options like seaweed croquettes – anything to share, we love it. Come for drinks, lunch, or dinner; here you decide how you experience the sea. The theme extends nicely to the interior, and the terrace is perfect for people-watching.
So, Bar Barak. In the old Pieter Baan Center – once a women's prison, now a cozy restaurant with a courtyard full of greenery. "Where thick walls meet rich flavors," they say, and that's no lie. Shared dishes with surprising flavors arrive, the kind that immediately makes you think: another one, please. It all feels very casual, just a group of Utrecht entrepreneurs serving what they themselves love to eat. And that's precisely why it's so perfect.
It may be the middle of winter, but at the new Paloma in Utrecht, it feels like you're right under the Spanish sun. This tapas restaurant opened last week and is already a winner in our opinion. A ten-minute walk from Utrecht Central Station, plenty of space (so you probably don't need to worry about a "sorry, we're fully booked" message), live Spanish music, and of course, delicious tapas on the menu. Conclusion: don't walk but RUN To Paloma in Utrecht! On the menu? Spanish classics, pinsas, and the heavenly French toast for dessert. Live music every day? Yes, sir.
When was the last time you had a truly delicious French meal? At Leo Leo. A cozy bistro with a touch of boutique hotel, right at the beginning of Twijnstraat, that charming, somewhat quirky street where Utrecht reveals its heart. Here, it's all about good food without the fuss: Chef Thijs cooks French classics with his own twist, and everything is perfect. The food, the wine, the atmosphere.
In the old bakery vaults on the corner of Plompetorengracht and Wittevrouwenstraat, you feel like you're stepping into a piece of Utrecht history. During the day, Bakkerswinkel is open for breakfast, lunch, or their famous high tea, but when the season begins, one thing takes center stage: cheese fondue. The cheese fondue restaurant opens during the winter months. And we love Cheese. You can pick up the rest of the delicacies, from bread to scones, on the street side for those who want to let their fondue simmer at home.
The Vleutenseweg may not be the most beautiful street in Utrecht, but Pitot it has been brightened up considerably. In this cozy corner building they serve the most delicious Mediterranean snacks in an interior that makes you want to open your Pinterest board right away. Colorful, sunny and cozy - both the food and the atmosphere.
On the menu? Sourdough flatbreads that are not to be missed, a wide selection of hot and cold dishes and – for those who, like us, suffer from choice stress – the Balagan Menu: a mix of the chef's favorites for 26 euros per person (ordered for two). Open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch, dinner or just a good glass of wine with a snack.
If we don't go to Naples, Naples will simply come to us. At Pizza Beppe, you'll eat authentic Neapolitan pizzas: handmade dough, San Marzano tomatoes straight from the Vesuvius region, and Fior di Latte that's truly exceptional.
The atmosphere? 'Cool & fine dining'. Culture, music, lifestyle, and pizza from top-notch brick ovens. Add a generous dose of craftsmanship and passion, and you're good to go. It's no wonder they were the first in the Netherlands to officially receive the designation. Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) quality mark – no concessions, only authentic.
At Pizza Beppe, you eat pizza the way it's meant to be. With 25 locations across the country, there's always a place to sit down. In Utrecht, you'll find no fewer than five different locations. Our favorite? The one at Janskerkhof. Buon appetito!
Since 2014 gys already in the center of Utrecht, on the Voorstraat. Less than a year later she opened the second Gys: with a lovely green terrace garden, and just outside the center on the Amsterdamsestraatweg. A really nice, cozy restaurant where sustainable and organic products are central. No boring intention, but a menu full of spice with organic, plant-based and gluten-free dishes (unless otherwise stated). Comfort food á la today: focus on vegetables and plant-based ingredients without compromising on taste. Dishes such as shakshuka, kapsalon, BLT sandwich, Mexican tostadas; Gys is the place to be.
Every Tuesday you can order a hair salon day at the location on the Amsterdamsestraatweg for 17,50, including homemade lemonade or Budels lager (0,0 also possible). And Gys can be found at Actievandedag.nl, which means that you can reserve a three-course lunch or dinner with a very great discount! Three courses for 17,50, find that somewhere.
You will find it just outside the center of Utrecht Cafe Saar. A cozy restaurant where the love for cheese is unmissable and they have plenty of natural wines on the menu. Cheese and natural wine lovers are therefore in the right place here. In addition to cheese, they also have a seasonal menu. The products are as sustainable as possible and they also try to source as many ingredients as possible from small suppliers. The food is simple, but of high quality. Or well, 'simple', it is made with great care and they use ingredients that you occasionally have to google. On Thursday it is oyster Thursday and you can get a smoked wild mudflat oyster for €2,50, with a good glass of wine of course. Nice: they have a display case with all different cheeses, here you can choose which cheese you want and put together your own cheese board. Plenty of choice at Saar, we love it.
Welcome on board at Sumventure Flight Bar. When you enter, you will immediately receive your own passport and flavor radar. Let's go! A very cool cocktail bar that revolves entirely around the theme of flying. Everything in this theme, including the extensive menu. Divided into three different ones college; economy class, business class and first class. In each class you get three cocktails that match each other in terms of taste, origin or type of alcohol. All worth trying, so you have to come back for all the classes. Owner Sumeet knows everything about cocktails and wine (you can also do a cocktail workshop here), his mother makes the baras and Sumeet's father takes care of the tender chicken wings. So everything is just a little bit different at Sumventure.
The cocktail menu changes every three months, so it is nice and up to date in terms of flavors and seasons. And every day there is a happy hour, where you get a three euro discount on a cocktail between 20:00 PM and 21:00 PM. Closing for boarding….
Oh, and good to know: Sumventure Flightbar is a Local Deal at Actievandedag.nl: high discount on wine flights and cocktail workshops!
Brechje, the cook and owner, has a love for food Little World Kitchen in Utrecht, already introduced from an early age. Her grandmother passed on her love of food to her father, Dad passed it on to Brechje himself, and so it happened. In 2012, Brechje moved to India and opened a Little World Café there. She has been back on Dutch soil for a few years now and fortunately we now also have a Little World Kitchen here, in Utrecht on the Vondellaan. The dishes are completely vegan and vegetarian, and just as colorful as the interior. Now a visit to Little World Kitchen won't break the bank anyway, but if you... Actionoftheday.nl if you book a voucher, you already have a two-course lunch for 11,50 euros.
You will find a restaurant in an industrial building in the Rotsoord district of Utrecht LE:EN. The menu at LE:EN consists of: Asian fusion dishes that are great for sharing. Examples of these dishes are tandoori sushi with samphire, avocado cream, black lime and crispy nori or prawn curry with spinach, pak choi, nori, coconut milk and lemongrass. You read it: Asian with its own touch. Coriander lovers should also be here: many dishes contain coriander and they are not careful with it. And if you don't like it, you will learn to eat it here. Because, believe it or not, the I-think-it-tastes-like-soap guests also enjoy it (in our case). They do well. The drinks menu includes Asian beers, but also LE:EN's own beer. The interior also fully participates in the design fusion. Asian details can be found in the raw, industrial building, such as the large mural of a dragon inside. In the middle is a large open kitchen where the chefs prepare all the dishes for you. This creates an open and cozy atmosphere in the restaurant. Moreover, they have extra rooms for busy evenings or events, and they have a sun-drenched terrace that could well win the prize of best terrace in Utrecht.
The Klub is currently closed due to a location change, but is moving to Vredenburg 26 (opening date pending).
Every month a new menu is put together by the chefs with ingredients that are as seasonal as possible. And then the cuisine: it is based on classic European cuisine with Asian and Scandinavian influences. What makes De Klub so special is the so-called Klub feeling, which they describe very nicely: 'In De Klub you are home and away, home and away'.
Café-Restaurant Terroir can be found on Utrecht's Lange Nieuwstraat. And here too, cooking is seasonal and the menu changes weekly. Groups smaller than six can order à la carte and from six there is a fixed four-, five- or six-course menu. At Terroir they believe that pure food is important: no unnecessary fuss on your board. Vegetables, meat and fish are made by hand and are of good origin. And finally, the wine list. With more than 400 wines (!!), this should not be missed. Save the best for last, they say, right?
With fantastic cuisine, based on the Middle East Za'atar certainly one of Utrecht's favorites. The relaxed and open atmosphere makes you feel like you are eating in a living room. The menu consists of many different snacks. You can expect lots of dips, snacks, filled pitas, wraps and sweets at Za'atar. It's wonderful to sit down with your friends and all eat from the same plate. Cozy and accessible, which we love. And if you don't feel like sitting down (we can hardly imagine, but still), you can also take the dishes with you to your own living room.
Za'atar has now opened another location, on the Amsterdamsestraatweg, right next to the famous water tower. And yes, they have a sunny terrace there!
You will find it within walking distance of the Dom and on the Nieuwe Gracht in Utrecht Building 33. At Pand 33, a lot of attention is paid to vegetarian and vegan dishes, and you clearly notice that the chefs understand them. In addition to the vegetarian and vegan options, there are also fish and meat dishes on the menu. You can a la carte order or be surprised by a chef's menu of four, five or six courses. In addition to the menu, they have a matching wine and beer package. The monumental building in which the restaurant is located has a beautiful design with many plants and historical elements can be seen here and there. Building 33 is an unexpected gem just outside the hustle and bustle of the center.
The Lombok district in Utrecht is one that is slowly but surely becoming more prominent on the map. With the always busy and vibrant cultural Kanaalstraat, it is a popular neighborhood. And what's even more loved is Eetcafe Lombok. This cozy neighborhood café can be found on a corner on the Vleutenseweg. With an extensive beer list, this is the ideal place to catch up with friends or have that first date. There is a relaxed atmosphere and the staff is friendly and ensures that you have a pleasant evening. And of course you also want tasty ones with all those tasty beers bites, and they certainly have that. Turkish bread with different dips, nachos, Korean cauliflowerbites with spicy beer sauce (personal favorite) and of course that Dutch appetizer. There is plenty, something for everyone. Lombok is exactly what you are looking for if you just want to get away from it all chill want to have a drink.
Enjoy Italian food in Utrecht vegan. There are pastas, pizzas, antipasti and desserts very good. And you may have guessed it, everything is vegetarian. And Utrecht has two: the Pizza Bar on Nachtegaalstraat and the restaurant on Schoutenstraat. The restaurant is located at a pleasant point on the Neude. Inside it is cozy (and warm because of the pizza ovens) and you experience a chic Italian atmosphere. The ornaments on the walls, the light green tones, the gold-colored round tables and the red velvet sofas complete the picture. The Pizza Bar has a long bar where you can take a seat and enough tables and benches to enjoy your pizza or pasta. In summer you can sit outside on picnic benches at both restaurants. Enjoy Italian food in Utrecht here!
Soy, in other words Beach Eye In All, is the resort of choice. in the summer. You will find the beach bar in the Oog In Al district, a little outside of Utrecht. You can't really call it a 'beach bar' because there isn't much sand, but the atmosphere is fantastic! Soia has an extensive terrace. One at the front, which is ideal for sitting with your head in the sun and enjoying your cocktail, two at the side and back and a roof terrace. There is sand on the back terrace and a playground, so you can relax while the kids enjoy themselves. In the summer, the lawn around Soia is completely full and most people come for a beer after chilling and sunbathing. Oh yes, did we already mention that Soia is located on the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal? This provides a lovely breeze on hot summer days. Soia is also open in winter, when the cozy atmosphere is moved indoors and you can take a seat by the stove or on the couches. Soia understands what we need, on a summer day, but also in winter.
Restaurant koenraad can be found in one of the most popular streets in Utrecht: De Voorstraat. And also located in the oldest building on the street, a lot has been renovated recently, but classic elements can still be seen here and there. Koenraad has renovated itself into a modern bistro bar with a shared dining concept (or claim a plate for yourself: it's your party). They have an extensive wine list that the staff is happy to advise you on. Koenraad is cozy on a winter evening because of the cozy interior, the fireplace and the candles, but it is just as nice for a lunch between companies. In the summer you move to their sunny terrace where you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Voorstraat.
Diagonally opposite Koenraad you will find the Asian one Street food style restaurant AnAn. And we usually say that the food is not as good as in the country of origin, but AnAn really comes very close. The interior, which is colorful and decorated with Vietnamese street details, and the smells coming from the kitchen, remind you of the streetfood tents of the bustling streets of Vietnam. The menu consists of various small dishes from Vietnamese cuisine. Besides the fact that you want (and have to) taste everything on the menu, AnAn is also affordable. Ideal if you want something more casual want to eat out, or just want to spend a moment in vibrant Vietnam. At AnAn you have come to the right place.
Located in the Lucasbolwerk and overlooking the Singel Restobar Rosie to find. The stylish and timeless dining bar has an attractive interior and we haven't even mentioned the food yet. They have a modern and often changing menu and dishes with an exciting twist twist – which includes delicious wines. Think of Caesar salad with pickled sardines, caper leaves, smelt or endive the griddle with roasted garlic, pecan nuts and pecorino. Dishes that are slightly different and made with a lot of love by the chef. You can go to Rosie for lunch, dinner or a good drink. A lot of attention is paid to beautiful, sustainable and unique products, which can be seen and tasted. In any case, Restobar Rosie has already won our hearts.
The vegan eaters have to join in Broil being on the Oosterkade. Because really, the entire menu is 100% plant-based. You can go here for breakfast, lunch and in the evening for a three-, four- or five-course menu. Broei is open seven days a week, so you can also enjoy the delicious dishes they serve here on Mondays. What we mean by 'delicious' includes the Rettich with gochujang, cucumber, kimchi, red cabbage and cashew or the wig mushroom with Szechuan broth, bok choy, smoked tofu and red onion. Vegetables, lots of vegetables, but that's enough for them. Broei has a warm and green interior (it fits nicely, you understand). And has a view of the quay, where you can enjoy watching boats in the summer.
A real Spanish one pretty is Cerveceria Blvd. On the menu you will find typical Spanish dishes. such as bread with alioli, Jamón Iberico, Patatas Brava, Pimients de padron and we could go on and on. Enough choice to fill your entire table and try everything share with the company you keep. But you can also come here for Paella (only on Mondays and Tuesdays), everything Spanish our heart desires. The cozy atmosphere is perfect for long dining while enjoying a good glass of wine. Cerveceria Boulevard can be found on Burgermeester Reigerstraat and is and remains a great Spanish friend.
Restaurant De Watertoren in Utrecht, literally and figuratively, everything is taken to a higher level. The restaurant can be found on the top floor of an old water tower in the trendy Rotsoord district. You can choose to a la carte to order or a five-course menu that the chefs have put together for you. We cook with local products as much as possible, which means that the menu (and prices) can change daily. So one week is not at De Watertoren the next. This is the ideal place for a chic dinner. With a view over Utrecht and its lights.
Another Vietnamese gem in Utrecht. Kimmade has two locations, the Street Food Pickup on Mariastraat and the Food Village Restaurant on the Oudegracht. If you ask us, we'd rather crash somewhere, like a restaurant it is for us. Vietnamese cuisine is known for being one of the healthiest cuisines in the world (!!). That bodes well. Half of the menu is vegetarian/vegan, but there are also plenty of choices for fish and meat lovers. The drinks menu consists of: classic drinks such as Gin & Tonic or an Espresso Martini, but they also have typical Asian drinks that match (and actually belong) with the food. Kimmade got you covered.
If restaurants such as Restobar Rosie and Café Saar are up your alley, then you certainly don't want to miss Bar Bet during a visit to the city center of Utrecht. This business opened at the beginning of 2024 and you guessed it: a big hit among hip Utrecht residents. We understand it well, because 1) good food, 2) a decor that is just as tasteful as the menu, 3) a nice terrace and 4) something slightly different than your standard restaurant. By the way, Bar Bet is located in the building with the oldest catering license in the city, parties have been going on there since 1816 (!). Take a seat at the bar downstairs, upstairs with the chef or on the spacious terrace.
There is a restaurant in the middle of the famous Wittevrouwen district C'est Approx to find. You probably already filled it in yourself, but C'est Ca indeed has a French kitchen. If you want to check the menu in advance, that is difficult. There is no standard menu, but a new surprise menu is put together for you every week by the chefs. You gotta love that. Fortunately, the chefs know what they are doing, so you don't have to worry about that. Are you vegetarian, vegan or have a little one on the way? No problem, they take that into account. Maybe for the fussy eaters this is not the first restaurant they would go to, but for the adventurous this is a fun experience. Bon appétit!
It's almost impossible to get greener than green. Le Jardin in Utrecht works according to the so-called Vegetable Economy. Explanation on it's way: Vegetable economics is the art of tasty food and drinks with vegetables as a starting point. The French influences can also be found in the kitchen. Here and there you can find a piece of meat or fish, but these do not form the basis of the menu. Feels a bit like the world turned upside down, which is a good sign in this case. Le Jardin in Utrecht breathes green. Instead of eating out in a fancy way, you can now also pick up sandwiches at Le Jardin, or specifically: Pain du Jardin. On Tuesday to Saturday you can exchange your boring cheese sandwich for one of their (vegetable) sandwiches.
For the chusky lovers among us there is a special place in Utrecht. Because, believe it or not, at The Cheese Bar In Utrecht the cheeses literally pass you by on an assembly line. Sounds like music to your ears, right? At the Cheese Bar you can enjoy 24 different, unique Dutch cheeses that have been carefully selected. Of course, cheese comes with a good glass of wine, which is available. But you've also come to the right place for cocktails or a beer.
A culinary highlight in Utrecht is a restaurant Heron. The logo is a heron and for good reason. Because just like the heron, Héron gathers his food. And they do this gathering in and around Utrecht. They pick many of the ingredients themselves in the wild or in a food forest. Furthermore, Héron ensures that they are as close as possible to their suppliers and they preserve some of the ingredients. This sometimes means that dishes do not match the season. For example, you can eat kale in the summer and asparagus in the winter. This way of cooking has ensured that Héron has received a Bib Gourmand and a Green Michelin Star. You've come to the right place for a special and high-quality dining experience.
A piece of Amsterdam in Utrecht: restaurant The Bathhouse is built in an old bathhouse, okay perhaps needless to say. But what is nice to say is that it was built in the style of the Amsterdam School. And we like to hear that. The original building can still be seen in its current form: the former waiting rooms are now private spaces for small groups and the gold letters still hang on the facade. Anyway, of course we come for the food. On the menu you will find the almost indispensable oysters and you can choose from a three- or four-course menu. The menu includes fish of the day, steak tartare, ravioli and more. Off to the Bathhouse and don't forget your bathing suit!
You will find it in a beautiful monumental building on the Oudegracht restaurant 273. With a central location in the bustling center of Utrecht, this is an ideal place to sit down after a day in Utrecht. Inside you will find tables covered with linen and a Chef's Table made of white marble overlooking the open kitchen. There are plenty of options when it comes to food: you can choose a Chef's Table, which consists of eight courses, choose from a four- or six-course menu and you can a la carte order. You can order a matching wine arrangement with all options. And the icing on the cake is that Restaurant 273 has managed to obtain a Michelin star in 2022, because the cuisine fully matches the current spirit of the times. Do we need to say more?
If you like busy prints and lots of colors, you should go to Ruby Rose. This case certainly meets this requirement. There is a gigantic bar in the middle of the restaurant where the extensive wine selection is ready for you. The food is mainly focused on shared dining, which as far as we are concerned is always a good idea. The dishes are mainly Mediterranean and perfect to start the weekend with a bottle of wine. Jamon, Pimentos de Padrón, various cheeses, Calamari and more such snacks. Where the Friday afternoon drink starts with a few wines and maybe a snack here and there, at Ruby Rose it will turn into a real drink. We have already warned you. Oh yes, the building is a former flower shop and that is also reflected in the interior, a cheerful intention!
Nomono, highlight it in Google Maps or add it to your long 'to visit' list in notes because this is where you want to go. Nomono is located in an old warehouse and has transformed this large space into a cozy, cozy and trendy wine & listening bar where you can enjoy various dishes for lunch and dinner. From well-stocked wine cabinets to the vinyl records and enormous speakers behind the bar, everything is correct and says the same; this will be a pleasant visit. The menu features dishes that result from a combination of Surinamese cuisine and French techniques. Music and events are an important part of Nomono, so check their calendar and socials in advance or be surprised!
France in the city centre? Bien sûr. On the Utrechtse Voorstraat you will find not one, but two Le French Café. At the stylish Brasserie you can sit down all day for French classics, from café au lait to steak frites. A little further on you will find Le Comptoir: a funky restobar with French dishes in a modern guise. Think: oysters, pissaladières and lobster cocktails. Cheers!
