The 5 Best Vegan Restaurants in the Netherlands
Maybe you missed it, but this week is Meat and Dairy-Free Week. In other words: a vegan week. I’m not vegan myself, but I have been trying to pay a bit more attention to it for a while now. So I don’t always automatically go for the meat option when I eat out, and at home I’m also exploring vegetarian dishes more.
Vegan food is still a step too far for me, because I love cheese far too much. And I find it much more difficult to prepare something that is genuinely delicious myself. That’s why I definitely applaud vegan restaurants; they can do it much better. The restaurants below are my personal favorite spots in the Netherlands. And if you happen to have any tips: they are more than welcome.
Vegan hotspots in the Netherlands
1. Achterwerk, Groningen
Fine dining and vegan food: it’s a combination I was always skeptical about at first, but a restaurant like Achterwerk proves effortlessly that it can work incredibly well. I think even the biggest food lover will leave here very satisfied. So it’s definitely recommended for an indulgent evening out, and be sure to order one of the cocktails too; they’re so delicious.
2. Bar Kantoor, Amsterdam
I think this is a really lovely spot, partly because the menu doesn’t consist solely of vegan food. All the dishes are vegetarian, with plenty of vegan options. My personal favorites are also on the menu: a jackfruit rendang sandwich, a tom kha kai soup with tofu (although I don’t understand why the ‘kai’ is still in the name) and a kimchi grilled cheese sandwich. That rendang is also available as a main course, in case you’re there in the evening.
3. Konijnenvoer, Arnhem
I think this is an amazing restaurant if only because of its name. I love self-deprecating humor, especially when you can get away with it; here, you eat completely vegan food at a truly high level. Some friends of mine are from Arnhem, and when I asked them for tips there, they immediately mentioned this restaurant — even though they usually don’t eat vegan food either. And that doesn’t matter at all at this restaurant. I promise you: you won’t miss fish, meat or dairy for a single second here.
4. Kasvio, Leidsche Rijn
Chef Mari Pitkänen is at the helm here and works with various artists to create as unique a dining experience as possible. And they succeed quite well: the location alone is incredible, namely in the Metaal Kathedraal. They are open every Thursday through Sunday, but reservations are essential: it isn’t very large.
5. Café Restaurant Zèta, The Hague
At this all-day spot, you can go for breakfast, lunch and dinner — but I would especially recommend the latter. The menu is packed with dishes from my favorite cuisine: Asian. From poke bowls to pad thai, and on the snacks menu you’ll also find gyoza and chicken wings. And yes, both are 100 percent plant-based.
Read also:
- Vegan fake tuna, even cats fall for it (+ recipe)
- Multigrain or whole wheat?
- ONA is the first vegan restaurant in France with a Michelin star
Image: Bar Kantoor
