8 favorite spots in Utrecht
The lovely The White Ox restaurant in Utrecht stormed into the new Gault&Millau guide this year. We asked Frans van Hall of The White Ox where he himself likes to eat and drink in 030.
But first, according to Gault&Millau, here’s why you should go to The White Ox in Utrecht: “It looks just like an old colonial hotel lobby in Java, but it is actually the beautiful interior of the former headquarters of Douwe Egberts. The dishes are also inspired by the Asian cuisine of the VOC era, and are excellent in flavor too. We most enjoyed a beautiful, perfectly skin-fried mackerel with miso mayonnaise and deliciously tangy capers. The ravioli—perfectly al dente—with mushrooms in vitello brodo and artichoke is also extremely flavorful. If you settle down on the lovely terrace here in summer, don’t forget to enjoy the barges gliding along the canal past your table.”
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Delicious fish
“Seasalt Saloon is a small, laid-back place, or ‘fish bistro’ as they call it themselves, with beautiful fish products and lovely wines.”
A really lovely Italian
“From the outside, Piatto looks like a standard Italian restaurant among a bunch of cheap-looking eateries. Yet it’s a really lovely Italian with a beautiful open kitchen, where you can sit next to one another at low and high tables. An extra plus: the matching wine recommendations.”
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Specialty beer
“For the tastiest specialty beers, head to Olivier. It’s a Belgian specialty beer café in an old church. They have an extensive menu with fantastic beers. It’s also a great place for drinks and dinner. How about Ostend-style waterzooi or my favorite: veal stew with fries? Naturally accompanied by a lovely glass of beer!”
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Breakfast
“I do that at Anne en Max. I always order the breakfast board with fresh fair-trade, organic products. Super nice!”
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On Friday morning
“Another real recommendation: the organic farmers’ market on Vredenburg on Friday morning. You sometimes find unexpectedly surprising products here, such as a beautiful purple UBE potato or delicious tea herbs to flavor your homemade ice cream.”
Vietnamese
“At Kimmade at Mariaplaats 2, you can enjoy the ultimate Vietnamese street food outdoors. Also good to know for when the weather gets warmer: it’s the place to go for bubble tea!”
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Whisky heaven
“Okay, you do have to be a whisky lover, but if you want to learn more about this divine drink, you should go to The Malt Vault. There are more than 300 bottles of whisky on the menu here. In the cellar on Oudegracht, you can also do a tasting to sample different whiskies side by side and experience how different they can be. The menu of small bites, crafted gins and cocktails completes your evening.”
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