Where to eat in Utrecht: what to order and where
Utrecht eats from the canals. The wharf cafes on the Oudegracht are the best place for a long lunch, and the Springweg streets are the place for Indonesian food. Book dinner at weekends, and keep room for bitterballen with a local beer.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- The Oudegracht wharves for cafes, Springweg for dinner.
- Order this
- Bitterballen, an Indonesian rijsttafel and a broodje Mario.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 12:00. Dinner from 18:00.
- Book or walk in
- Book dinner at weekends. Cafes and markets take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Round up, or add 5 to 10 percent for good service.
What to eat in Utrecht
- BitterballenFried meat croquettes with mustard, served with beer in most cafes.
- RijsttafelThe Indonesian rice table: many small dishes shared with rice, a Dutch tradition.
- Broodje MarioA warm bun filled with salami, chorizo and vegetables, a local takeaway.
- KibbelingBattered fried white fish, sold at the market with a sauce.
- StroopwafelA caramel waffle, best warm from a market stall.
- HaringRaw herring with onion and pickle, at fish stalls in the market.
Where to eat in Utrecht, by neighborhood
Oudegracht and the wharf cafes
Cafes and restaurants line the lower wharves along the canal. It is the best place for coffee, a long lunch and an evening beer.
Springweg and the old streets south of the center
A narrow street of small restaurants, including some of the city's best Indonesian food. Book ahead in the evening.
Wittevrouwen and Lombok
Neighborhood cafes and restaurants away from the tourist center, with bakeries, brunch spots and food from many countries.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Restaurant Blauw
€€Indonesian restaurant · Springweg
OrderThe rijsttafel, with a vegan version available
A long-standing Indonesian restaurant in the Michelin Guide, known for balanced spice and its rice table.
- Book
- Reserve by phone or on its site
Confirmed open: guide.michelin.com
-
Héron
€€€Restaurant · Schalkwijkstraat
OrderA seasonal Dutch menu
A Bib Gourmand restaurant with a Michelin Green Star, using Dutch produce in season.
- Book
- Reserve by phone or on its site
- Closed
- Sunday and Monday
Confirmed open: guide.michelin.com
-
Winkel van Sinkel
€€Grand cafe · Oudegracht
OrderCoffee, then tapas in the cellar
A former department store on the canal, now a grand cafe, with a tapas basement below.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: discover-utrecht.com
-
Broodje Mario
€Takeaway · Oudegracht
OrderThe broodje Mario
A local takeaway window on the canal, known for its warm filled bun.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: inyourpocket.com
-
Kafé België
€€Beer cafe · Oudegracht
OrderA Belgian beer and bitterballen
A beer cafe on the canal since 1984, with a long list of Belgian bottles and a few on tap.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: duic.nl
Food markets in Utrecht
- Vredenburg marketFruit, bread, cheese, fish and snacks like kibbeling and stroopwafels. The Friday market is organic.Wednesday and Friday 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday 08:00 to 17:00Source: discover-utrecht.com
How Utrecht eats
- Meal timesLunch from 12:00 and dinner from 18:00. Kitchens close early.
- TippingRound up, or add 5 to 10 percent for good service.
- ReservationsBook dinner. Cafes and markets take walk-ins.
- CardsCards are widely accepted, but some small takeaways prefer cash, so carry a little.
Signs of a place to walk past
Restaurants with photo menus on the busiest stretches of the Oudegracht.
Menus in six languages.
Kebab and pizza chains near the station when you want a proper meal.
Eating in Utrecht: questions people ask
What food is Utrecht known for?
It has no single signature dish. People eat bitterballen with beer, Indonesian food and fresh market snacks like kibbeling.
Where is the best place to eat in Utrecht?
The Oudegracht wharves for cafes and Springweg for dinner.
Do you need to book restaurants in Utrecht?
For dinner at weekends, yes. Cafes and markets take walk-ins.
How much do you tip in Utrecht?
Round up, or add 5 to 10 percent for good service.
Is Utrecht cheaper than Amsterdam?
Slightly. The student crowd keeps lunch and coffee affordable.