With a population of more than 338,000, Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands and is located in the very heart of the country. The city has one of the highest bicycle densities in the Netherlands partially due to its reputable university which attracts many students – watch yourself as bicycles are literally always everywhere and do have priority. It has a mediaeval town centre which is ideal to explore on foot, and some call it Europe’s most beautiful canal city. The Dutch style buildings, trendy cafes, cellars and terraces along the canals, museum and galleries, old churches and the Dom Tower (tallest bell tower in the Netherlands), as well as the youthful population and creative vibe, set the mood for the city. At the foot of the Dom Tower, there is a Tourist Information Centre if you want to know more about the city.

​

We have compiled a list of our favorite places to eat and to visit in Utrecht historical centre. Take a look and we hope you will enjoy Utrecht as much as we do!

​

 

RESTAURANTS

​

• Drieharingstraat : cozy and lively street with many nice restaurants and (heated) terraces! 

• Poke Perfect : delicious and healthy sushi in a bowl kind of food. Can’t go wrong with the witzel

• Gys : vegan and vegetarian restaurant with terrace serving organic dished made of local products

• Restaurant Het Zuiden : great meat

• Cafe‘t College : small laid back, old school and cozy place with jazz, blues, a terrace, food, drinks and good atmosphere

• Le Jardin : very nice place, inside and outside, with great food based on vegetable and herbs

• LUC : good placel for breakfast and dinner

• American Broadway Steakhouse: by the canal and cozy cellar style interior and good meat

 

 

BARS & CAFES

​

• Behind Bars : one of the best five bars in the Netherlands, great cocktail place

• Ubica: covered terrace, great for a quick glass of rosé, coffee or the typical Dutch croquette - located at the foot of the Mother Goose Hotel

• Cafe Flater : tiny and typical terrace in the sun along the canal, usually quite packed

• Heen & Weer : lively terrace at the foot of the Dom, in the old city centre

• De Ontdekking: very Dutch cafe, nice for a coffee, breakfast and lunch

• Bar Cava : wine bar very close to the Mother Goose Hotel

• Café Olivier: for beer fans, in an old secret church. Extensive Belgium beer menu

• Teds : all day brunch

• Jozef : another trendy and lively place for drinks, but also breakfast, lunch or dinner and live music on some days

• De Broodjeswinkel : delicious and characteristic sandwich shop for a fresh bite

​

​

SPECIALITY SHOPS 

​

• Cookie Factory "de Koekiefabriek" : bakery/coffee bar with handmade cookies all over. The butter cookies are amazing, you can taste everything

• Cheese & More Gouda shop : for some Dutch cheese produced by a family owned dairy farm. Learn about the fabrication process while you taste all the varieties the shop has to offer

• Croquetten boutique : try a typical Dutch speciality, but these ones are revisited in an original way

• Frietwinkel : biological fries, great kinky Dutch snack. Another nice one is called Frites Atelier Amsterdam, just a few streets further

• Republic Dutch : great store for bespoke bicycles, design your own Dutch bicycle (worldwide delivery!)

• Boons Markt : for some groceries next to the Mother Goose Hotel

​

 

HAIRDRESSER

​

For the ones who would like to make an appointment at the hairdresser, we can recommend these two hair salons who are located in walking distance from the hotels.

​

• Salon B : we've reserved a few slots from 9 am until 11.30 am (Minrebroederstraat 13). If you would like to book, please send an email to fguanter@bluewin.ch with the subject “Hairdresser”. It is on a first come first serve basis, so if it is full you can try to contact the other place below directly.

• Rob Peetom is another option in walking distance from the hotel : Nobelstraat 18 / +31 30 236 9770  

​

​

​

​​