Travel & Hotspots

Kiki tips

The best spots in Utrecht

So I'm really in the minority on an editorial team with almost only Amsterdammers. Okay, and Haarlemmers (hi May), but what do you want, when you live in a super cute house right next to the Dom? You never want to leave, you get that. And a lot is happening in the Dom city lately. The whole station has been renovated, thank god that rundown Hoog Catharijne is finally being tackled and the trendy concept stores are popping up like mushrooms.

Now May (who also comes from Utrecht) just asked me if I could list some of my favorite spots. They are actually secretly hidden, but hey, I'm not the hardest to please. A day of shopping/strolling/snacking in Utrecht on the agenda? This is where you need to be:

Carla’s Conditorie

Now, I'm just going to say one thing about this place. If you want to taste the sickest carrot cake ever, you step inside here. Owner Carla Visch (founder of Broodnodig) serves the most delicious homemade cookies and cake. Seriously, stop it with me.

Address: Achter de Dom 6

PUHA

This store actually looks way too Scandinavian hip for Utrecht. You can find clothing, bags, and accessories for yourself, and also nice: if you have a sweetheart at home on the couch; there’s plenty for him to shop for too. All items are made by a group of young designers.

Address: Voorstraat 48

Meneer Smakers

Here they have made gourmet burgers from minced meat. Straight from the land, super juicy and there are plenty of veggie options for non-meat eaters too. My favorite burger? Tante Truus. With grilled bell pepper, zucchini, buffalo mozzarella, and green pesto. Ai ai ai….

Address: The choice is huge with three locations! Personally, I find the branch at Nobelstraat 143 the nicest, but you can also go to Twijnstraat 62 or Oudegracht 116.

 “A day of shopping/strolling/snacking in Utrecht on the agenda?”

Vollers 386

At concept store Vollers 386 (located in a cute little street with many nice coffee shops) you find just a slightly different vibe than in the center. The store is super small (and Instagram-worthy) and you might wonder what is actually not sold in the concept store. Clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, gifts, home decor: you name it.

Address: Oudegracht 386

Sea Salt Saloon

If this is your slogan: “Take life with a grain of salt,

big shrimp croquettes and Belgian white beer,” then you know you’re in the right place. And for the best langoustines in town, you have to be at this fish bistro, okay, let that be clear.

Address: Wed 3

Rhubarb

I’m keeping it nice and close to home, because this little place is a one-minute walk from my house and that’s super dangerous. You can actually have breakfast there all day long. ALL day, did you hear that? With healthy pancakes and a trillion other things that will short-circuit your brain.

Address: Zadelstraat 20

Bigoli

Imagine, you’ve been shopping and then you feel like having lunch. I get it. Near De Neude you’ll find Bigoli (I already wrote about it here), an Italian delicatessen shop that looks super cool and also sells incredibly delicious products. Besides sandwiches, you can also get a nice glass of wine or a good bottle of olive oil for home. If that doesn’t score you points, I don’t know what will.

Address: Schoutenstraat 12

Seven

And last but definitely not least: if you want to have a quick dinner before you hop back in the car or roll back onto the train, I suggest you have a little nightcap at Seven. Close to the station and great for small eaters, because with the SamSam menu you can share nicely. Top this.

Address: Mariaplaats 7

P.S.: oh and, don’t tell everyone, okay? Otherwise, I’ll be standing in line for my favorite sandwich for three quarters of an hour in the afternoon. Sssssst.