Utrecht, with its canal-lined streets and lively energy, is not just a feast for the eyes but also great for those looking for vegetarian and vegan delights. In the past years many plant-based restaurants have popped up in this vibing student city. So let me tell you about some of the best veggie-friendly spots I’ve found in this 2024 guide to the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Utrecht.

Life’s a Peach: Italian Vibes in the Heart of Utrecht

• Location: Nobelstraat 18A, Utrecht
• Link: https://www.lifesapeach.nl/
• Open: Tue-Sun
• Life’s a Peach is where Italian-style vegan dreams come true! Tucked in the heart of Utrecht, this cozy, small eatery serves amazing vegan (cheesy) focaccia and scrumptious desserts. Life’s a Peach is a must-visit for anyone who loves a good focaccia (and doughnut, try the doughnut!) and who wants to support a great local initiative in Utrecht.

Gys Utrecht: Culinary dishes from all over the world

• Location: Voorstraat 77, Utrecht
• Link: https://gysutrecht.nl/
• Open: Every day
• Gys Utrecht is the go-to spot for high quality plant-based foods in all styles. With a big menu, both for adults and kids, and original in flavour and combinations. The menu contains dishes from all over the world (including traditional Dutch pancakes), all organic and even gluten-free for those who need it!

Copper Branch: Power Up with Plant-Based burgers and bowls

• Location: Steenweg 37, Utrecht
• Link: https://www.eatcopperbranch.com/restaurants/utrecht/
• Open: Every day
• Copper Branch is your go-to place for power-packed, plant-based burgers and bowls. With a menu that celebrates plant power, you can enjoy hearty bowls, wicked wraps, and guilt-free burgers (even with vegan blue cheese, it’s yummmm). It’s a haven for vegans and anyone looking to fuel up with some affordable vegan fastfood.

Kluts: Simple and Delicious Vegan Eats

• Location: Achter de Dom 6, Utrecht
• Link: https://www.klutsutrecht.nl/en/
• Open: Every day
• The place I miss most now that I’m travelling: Kluts keeps it simple yet scrumptious with its vegan cakes, pies and cookies. Kluts has a nice living-room atmosphere where you can relax on the couch with an incredible Dutch (apple) pie, a kickin’ coffee and a good book. I’d definitely recommend this place on any rainy afternoon, or if you’re looking for the best baked-goods in town :).

Vegitalian: Vegan and veggie cheesie goodness

• Location: Nachtegaalstraat 29B & Schoutenstraat 17, Utrecht
• Link: https://vegitalian.com
• Open: Every day
• For those craving a taste of Italy without the meat and fish but with the cheese, Vegitalian is the place to be. The restaurant caters to vegetarians and vegans and I can tell you, the vegan cheese is just as good as the non-vegan. Pasta, pizza, sandwiches accompanied by delicious cocktails await you at this veggie-friendly little Italy. Oh, and don’t forget to try their delicious dessert as well!

Roots Rock Kitchen: Rocking Vegan Vibes

• Location: CAB rondom 100, Utrecht
• Link: https://www.instagram.com/rootsrockkitchen?igsh=YXNnNWt3ejh4b25n
• Open: Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
• Roots Rock Kitchen is where vegan vibes meet rock ‘n’ roll flair. A bit out of the city centre, the restaurant is located in a musical hub, with practice rooms, a small concert hall and a cafe with many, many delicious beers. The kitchen is open every Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun and you can expect amazing 100% plant-based and affordable dishes from all corners of the world.

Last Vegas: A Plant-Based Adventure

• Location: Korte Janstraat 3, Utrecht
• Link: https://lastvegas.nl/
• Open: Every day
• If you want to try proper Dutch fastfood from a Dutch “snackbar”, Last Vegas is the place to go. Most families have a Friday or Sunday-night snack night, where they get takeaway fries and snacks from a snackbar, but snackbars are also the favorite place to go after a night of heavy partying. Wind down and have some fatty snacks to deal with that hangover. Last Vegas has all the best fries and snacks variations the Netherlands has to offer, but made totally vegan! Try the Dutch Frikandel, Chili Cheese Fries or the Turkish pizza and get to know Dutch culture a little better 😁

Veg Nation: Get a taste of South India

• Location: Sint Jacobsstraat 323, Utrecht
• Link: https://vegnation.nl/
• Open: Wed-Sun
• The newest place in town is Veg Nation. The totally vegetarian and partially vegan restaurant in Utrecht has some of the best Dosa’s I’ve ever had outside of India! The setting is nice, the food absolutely delicious and the staff is kind. Definitely try their Dosa and for a side dish consider some Gobi Manchurian, Idli or Byriani!

Krishna Villa’s: Flavorful Veggie India

• Location: Kaatstraat 1, Utrecht
• Link: https://krishnavilas.com/
• Open: Wed-Mon
• Krishna Villa’s, though not fully vegan, spices up your day with flavorful, affordable, vegetarian and vegan options. The chain restaurant definitely has the best South Indian food, with traditional South Indian flavours. And this fact is supported by the many Indian families I always see in the restaurant. While maybe not the most cosy restaurant, the food totally makes up for it. Everything I’ve had from the menu tasted delicious, and if you find it hard to choose, then take one of their signature dishes such as the Tiffin Combo!

So, Utrecht, with its charming streets and diverse culture, is a haven for those seeking vegan-friendly treats. Whether you’re munching on vegan focaccia at Life’s a Peach, savoring organic delights at Gys Utrecht, powering up at Copper Branch, enjoying pastries at Kluts, going for Italian flair at Vegitalian, rocking vegan vibes at Roots Rock Kitchen, exploring Dutch Snackbar culture at Last Vegas, indulging in Veg Nation’s dosas, or spicing it up at Krishna Villa’s, Utrecht’s vegan scene is sure to leave your taste buds dancing with joy. Hopefully this 2024 guide to Utrecht’s best vegan and vegetarian restaurants helps you to explore the delicious menus, and makes your visit to Utrecht a plant-powered adventure! And let me know in the comments if you’ve found any other hidden gems!