The Best Lunch Spots in Utrecht
Typically Utrecht is the Pizza Marjolein: a Turkish pizza with two croquettes. But for those who really want to go all out, Utrecht is bursting with lovely restaurants. Hence: the best tips for having a delicious—and slightly luxurious—lunch in Utrecht.
Whether you feel like grabbing a sandwich to go, are looking for a suitable place for a business meeting or want to catch up with friends somewhere: as far as we’re concerned, a good restaurant for lunch in Utrecht has to meet a number of basic requirements. The location should not be too far from the city centre, the menu should be accessible to a varied group and the setting should make it easy to continue with drinks afterwards. We’ve listed the best spots for you.
Broei
Broei is a lovely lunch spot in Utrecht, next to Vaartsche Rijn train station, where you’ll be served special vegetarian creations. The main theme is locally sourced vegetables. Lunch dishes include spicy curries, filling salads or delicious sourdough sandwiches, for example. In keeping with this green philosophy, the restaurant itself looks extremely green, with an interior full of plants and wood tones.
Broei, Oosterkade 24, Utrecht
De Watertoren
There aren’t many places where you get the chance to eat in a real water tower. You can at Heuveloord, at De Watertoren. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they open their doors at 12:00 for an extensive lunch prepared with as many local and organic products as possible. How about pork belly with pineapple, pimientos de padrón, ketjap and buttermilk, or leek Wellington with cabbage, fermented Brussels sprouts and beech mushrooms? Sounds good, right?
De Watertoren, Heuveloord 25A, Utrecht
LE:EN
Not far from Broei, you’ll find LE:EN, another ideal restaurant for lunch in Utrecht. This Asian hotspot has been located on Heuveloord since 2011, the part of town where the well-known Watertoren Heuveloord stands. It’s just outside the city, around a three-kilometre walk from the city centre. The walk to LE:EN is more than worth it, because besides its great location, the restaurant has a fantastic shared dining menu featuring all kinds of Asian-inspired dishes. If you enjoy lunch so much that you want to carry on with drinks, that’s no problem; LE:EN’s cocktail and beer selection is well worth trying.
LE:EN, Heuveloord 140, Utrecht
The Seafood Bar
In one of Utrecht’s most notorious locations, Stationsplein, you’ll find a true hidden (oyster) gem: The Seafood Bar. This restaurant is a paradise for lovers of shellfish and fresh fish. Well shielded from the bustle of commuters, you can slurp down half a dozen oysters, order the mixed grill or fish ’n chips and enjoy a generous lunch in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Seafood Bar, Stationsplein 22, Utrecht
Keet
Keet is an all-rounder on Kanaalweg. You can go there for coffee, breakfast and drinks, but it’s especially the right place when it comes to lunch in Utrecht. The restaurant is open on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00 and attracts a broad audience, from remote workers to students and families. The menu features daily changing sandwiches and a wide selection of croquettes.
Keet, Kanaalweg 30, Utrecht
Le Jardin
I ate here a few years ago and was immediately won over. Both the location (on Mariaplaats) and the ambience (you have lunch among plants and citrus trees here) make Le Jardin a real top spot. And the food is very good too. You can choose from a two- to six-course lunch featuring plenty of local vegetables and herbs. Still craving a piece of meat or fish? No problem—that can be ordered as a supplement. Finished? Take a stroll past the flower shop for a bunch of dried flowers, a new plant or a beautiful pot or vase.
Le Jardin, Mariaplaats 42, Utrecht
Daen’s
Daen’s is ideal for lunch in Utrecht. In summer, take a seat on the spacious terrace on Korte Minrebroederstraat; in winter, settle into the cosy café room. You can enjoy generously filled sandwiches, salads or other savoury and sweet treats. Finished eating? The clothing shop next to the café, also called Daen’s, is a great next stop for the rest of your day.
Daen’s, Korte Minrebroederstraat 13, Utrecht
Broodje Ben
Broodje Ben is the underdog on this Lunch-in-Utrecht list. Although the sandwich shop has no seating, many Utrecht locals know that this is where you can get the best-filled sandwiches in Utrecht. With locations spread throughout the city, from De Uithof to Oudegracht, Broodje Ben means you’re never more than fifteen minutes away from a filling lunch in Utrecht.
Broodje Ben, Oudegracht 131, Biltstraat 14, Steenovenweg and Heidelberglaan, Utrecht
KEEK
On Utrecht’s nicest street, Twijnstraat, you’ll find café KEEK. This (organic) lunchroom serves, among other things, excellent cheese scones, which you can enjoy while sipping homemade iced tea. No room on the terrace, or would you rather take something to go? You can now also visit the open bakery on Springweg for all the delicious treats from KEEK bakery.
KEEK, Twijnstraat 23, Oudegracht 362 and Springweg 16, Utrecht
Hemel & Aarde
For a star-worthy lunch in Utrecht, head to Hemel & Aarde. Anyone entering the restaurant on Keistraat is immediately dazzled by the large windows, the ten-metre-high painted ceiling, the vaulted arches and the many mirrors. But the kitchen is at least as impressive. Exceptionally creative cooking takes place here, from nose to tail and leaf to root. The love of wine has been apparent in every glass here for years, and last May a wine bar opened in the extra space next to the restaurant. Wijnbar Hemel & Aarde follows the same philosophy as the restaurant: a surprising menu full of seasonal produce, served with plenty of personal service.
Hemel & Aarde, Keistraat 8, Utrecht
Kushiin
Lunch and drinks spot Kushiin has a beautiful view of the extension of Voorstraat. The large windows make it extra easy to enjoy the cheerful hustle and bustle of Utrecht. You can order breakfast and/or lunch dishes with good coffee, but you can also stop by for a small drink.
Kushiin, Ridderschapstraat 1, Utrecht
Rabarber
Rabarber is a petit café on the busy Zadelstraat, with a delicious menu available all day. You’ll always find something special on the menu. A few years ago, the two women behind the concept put their journalism studies on hold to make their dream come true: starting an eccentric café without any rules. Anything goes here—breakfast for lunch, lunch for breakfast—as long as you enjoy yourself.
Rabarber, Zadelstraat 20, Utrecht
Stadsjochies
Right on the edge of eastern Utrecht, you’ll find Stadsjochies, a lush restaurant housed in and around a large greenhouse. The menu features dishes made with produce grown in the city garden and greenhouse, where their own seasonal vegetables and herbs grow. Fun fact: while eating here in the greenhouse, you can watch the vegetables grow—just like at the acclaimed restaurant De Kas in Amsterdam.
Stadsjochies, Rijndijk 12, Utrecht
Restaurant Wilhelminapark
In the middle of popular Wilhelminapark , you’ll find a delightful restaurant where you can have lunch overlooking the ponds. Restaurant Wilhelminapark is open all day for both a light lunch and heartier appetites, and has been doing so since 1926. A true classic, then. Choose from several courses or eat à la carte. There’s something for everyone, from vegetarian options to meat, fish or pasta. For example, sea bass tartare with anchovy mayonnaise, yoghurt and dill meringue, kohlrabi and cucumber, or fried gnocchi with Parmesan.
Restaurant Wilhelminapark, Wilhelminapark 65, Utrecht
Fico
Fico is located in an architecturally striking building on Veilinghaven, the former harbour of Utrecht’s vegetable auction on the Merwedekanaal. This energetic and surprising restaurant serves dishes that are a little different from the norm, because they aren’t afraid to experiment with contemporary and global flavours. Gastronomic dishes without stiff etiquette—that’s what we like. Both the dishes and the atmosphere and interior make Fico a true lunch hotspot on Saturdays, so head to Veilinghaven!
Fico, Veilinghavenkade 14, Utrecht
Dodici
For Italian delicacies, Dodici is the place to be. Every day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., this lovely spot serves deliciously crisp focaccias, for example with mortadella, stracciatella and pistachio. During the week, you’re surrounded by students from the University Library; at weekends, it’s a convivial mix of Utrecht locals, day-trippers and tourists.
Dodici, Wittevrouwenstraat 12, Utrecht
The Green House
Restaurant The Green House is located in the heart of Utrecht. The restaurant was built to be fully circular and sustainable. From furniture to rainwater, as much material as possible is reused. In addition to being sustainably built, the kitchen uses only fair and local products. Everything that comes out of the kitchen has travelled less than 50 kilometres. We had a delicious ceviche with honey- and soy-glazed kingfish and sweet-and-sour vegetables here.
The Green House, Croeselaan 16, Utrecht
Ruby Rose
And of course, Ruby Rose, opposite Utrecht’s Janskerkhof, should not be missing from this list either. The restaurant and wine bar is owned by the same people as The Streetfood Club and The Rum Club in Utrecht. More than a hundred years ago, the building that houses Ruby Rose was a flower shop, and that is clearly reflected in the interior: almost everything features cheerful floral prints. From the ceiling murals to the upholstery, menus and tableware. Whether you’re in the mood for haut friture, something sweet or delicacies, you’ll be in the right place here!
Ruby Rose, Korte Jansstraat 23, Utrecht
Read also:
- The 5 best lunch spots in Maastricht
- Buiten in de Kuil in Lage Vuursche: delicious and fun lunch in the woods
- 5 of our favourite restaurants in Utrecht
Hero image: Ruby Rose, courtesy of ModMod
