Holidays in Holland
Eating in Utrecht
by Mrs. Easy Hiker
One of the best things of any walking trip is the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the local cuisine – not least because that is something you can enjoy even if the weather refuses to cooperate with your plans.
A good meal is a good meal, after all, come rain or shine – and that’s something to be grateful for in this coldest and wettest of all European springs on record.
On our recent visit to the Netherlands, we spent a couple of days in Utrecht on the invitation of the local tourism board where we had the opportunity of sampling some of that fine city’s best and most historic restaurants. So if you ever get to visit central Holland’s best kept secret, these are the eating places you should not miss.
There’s Winkel van Sinkel, one of the oldest institutions in Utrecht. Originally a department store, the first and biggest of the town, it has been imaginatively transformed into a café, bar and restaurant.
For the most delicious pancakes when eating in Utrecht, sweet or savoury, go to the Pannenkoekenrestaurant ‘De Oude Muntkelder’. Not only are the pancakes fantastically satisfying, the views from the restaurant are as great as only Utrecht could offer.
The restaurant occupies one of the most historic cellars in Utrecht, where Dutch coins were once minted. If it had not been raining the day we visited, we would have sat on their terrace tables along the canal.
While showing us the town’s historic architecture, our very knowledgeable and efficient guide around Utrecht, Edwin van den Berg, insisted we take our afternoon coffee in Stadskasteel (City Castle) Oudaen, a café and restaurant housed in one of the city’s oldest buildings: built in 1280 and first used as a castle, then around 1758, as a home for the poor and the elderly of Utrecht.
During our stay in Utrecht, the city’s first SPRING Arts Festival was in full swing, where we were invited to participate in a workshop to learn to prepare our own dinner, Kung Pao Chicken, carefully following the instructions of two Chinese artists who happened to love cooking. The resulting “work of art” we created, we can assure you, was good enough to eat. Which we duly proceeded to do.
The SPRING Arts Festival will be repeated next year and you could have the chance to try your hands in this workshop. No previous cooking experience required.
The French brasserie Bresson has quite a good offering of French haute cuisine, both for lunch and for dinner, that you should also try, perfect for a romantic meal in Holland’s prettiest city.
All these cafes and restaurants (and many bars) can be found in Oudegracht in Utrecht and all offer free WiFi:
Winkel van Sinkel, Oudegracht 158
Pannenkoekenrestaurant ‘De Oude Muntkelder’, Oudegracht 112 a/d Werf
Stadskasteel (City Castle) Oudaen, Oudegracht 99
Bresson Brasserie, Oudegracht 214
When eating in Utrecht, there are so many inviting cafes, bars and restaurants in Utrecht by the canal. Two days to try them all is not nearly enough.
Not sure about cooking talent, Cathy. But certainly have talent in appreciating tasty food.
I’ll have the Kung Pao Chicken, of course! You obviously have cooking talent. Such a fun experience, too. I’m also a big fan of pancakes — and the choices at Pannenkoekenrestaurant look amazing — never had pancakes like that.
Hahaha, thanks Marcia. We did enjoy the cooking class, especially when we ate our work of art.
My, you look so cute in your aprons! Seeing all this mouthwatering food made me realize I needed a little more than fruit for breakfast. I love kung pao chicken, look forward to reading about your cooking class.
This sounds like a wonderful tour especially with all the food sampling. My stomach is grumbling looking at this early in the morning. I can sit by that canal all day and who wouldn’t want to eat in a castle. Great picture of you two enjoying your meal.
@Michael, yes I was in Utrecht last year. Loved it!
Thanks, Andrea! Have you been to Utrecht? A very pretty Dutch city.
It certainly is, Tatiana. It’s really a very charming city that offers so much. Thanks for dropping by.
Oh my God I shouldn’t have viewed your post before my lunchtime, I just got so hungry now… btw Utrecht seems to be a place worth for a visit!
Love that photo of you Marlys!
Thanks for your pic, too Lucie. Came in very handy for this post. Yes, we’d love to go back just for the eats, too.
Nice pix guys! Makes me want to go there and eat this nice food all over again!
Yes, we did Julika. Thanks for dropping by!
Great post! We really dined very well in Utrecht! :)
I would like to cook the mousse of asparagus. Maybe I will find a recipe on the internet.
Such history in all of there places!! I would love to sample them all especially the castle and the restaurant by the canal! Positively enchanting!! Gorgeous photos my friends!
Bon appetit, Ariel!
Made me hungry! lol! Thanks for the tips Michael and Lek! I’ll refer to this blog when I have a chance to go back to Europe!
And they are, Jackie. Worth a visit, each of these establishments.
Working hard at it, Jing. ;-)
You have such an amazing work, Lek. Very happy for you.
My mouth is watering and it is 6 a.m. in Seattle! Great shots and info. I’ll be keeping this one for future reference.