Food&Drinks
Which places to eat and drink do our students recommend? View our collection of establishments.
Feestcafé De Vrienden
One of Utrecht's best-known student bars, right in the centre.- By Berne + 1
- Jamal: “Maybe this is strange coming from a Med student, but life is more than studying. Sometimes your prefrontal cortex also deserves a night off. De Vrienden is perfect for that!”
- Berne: “In "De Vrienden" it is always busy, if you really want to dance well then you should not be here. But it's a good place to meet new people!”
Bar Lebowski
Lebowski is one of the “must” places for students due to its funky atmosphere and its frequent events like pub-quiz nights.- By Manu + 2
- Berne: “I think that Lebowski is one of the “must” places for students since it has a great atmosphere and organizes many events, e.g pub-quiz.”
- Studentlife Team: “Its unique design, great music and lovely staff make it one of the coolest places in Utrecht. ”
- Manu : “Great ambience and great vibes. They also have really nice events every so often, so keep an eye out for that. ”
Pool cafe Hart van Utrecht
A cozy cafe where you can play pool with your friends, in the middle of the city centre.- By Studentlife Team + 1
- Berne: “If you want some good nachos and pitchers of beers to share with your friends over a game of pool, this is the place to go. Plus, it’s a great way to prove to your friends how good you are at pool, especially if they did not believe you at first”
- Studentlife Team: “Grab your friends and enjoy your evening playing pool!”
De Neude square
Perfect place to have a drink, paced with bars and restaurants- By Studentlife Team + 1
- Berne: “Square De Neude is a meeting place for me and my friends, as it is located in the city centre.”
- Studentlife Team: “Neude is the place that pops into your mind when someone asks to go for drinks. Among students, it has become a popular meeting point, while going out with friends.”
- Lunch
Which lunch places do our students recommend? An overview of places all over the city. VIEW ALL Teds Utrecht Oudegracht
Utrecht's ultimate brunch spot, where every day feels like a weekend getaway.- By Daphne + 2
- Hau : “A perfect spot along the canal to have brunch with your friends. They offer delicious hot and cold dishes. (The breakfast burrito comes highly recommended!)”
- Laura : “A delightful place for lunch or to enjoy a cozy high tea with friends. Make a reservation by the canal in advance!”
- Daphne : “Teds is a cozy restaurant where you can have breakfast, lunch, and enjoy a high tea. When the weather is nice, you can sit here by the Oudegracht.”
Foodtruck Broodje Ben
Broodje Ben is a household name among Utrecht students- By Derin + 2
- Studentlife Team: “No student can resist a sandwich from Broodje Ben. Due to their large selection and amazing quality, there are always long lines in front of their stand. But it’s worth the wait.”
- Stephan: “During my breaks I like to get a delicious lunch at Broodje Ben together with a few fellow students. These sandwiches are highly recommended! ”
- Derin: “Who doesn’t know Boodje Ben? Whether it be by the Science Park or at the Oudegracht, Boodje Ben offers unlimited choices of sandwiches so you’ll never be bored or run out of choice. 21 is my personal favourite, the pine nuts, mango and chicken just blend so well together.”
Shopping centre Hoog Catharijne
The one-stop shop for everything you need in life.- By Studentlife Team + 4
- Berne: “Shopping mall Hoog Catharije is a meeting place for me and my friends, as we have the chance to do some shopping and then enjoy a coffee.”
- Jamal: “Ever since I was young, every time I visit the city centre, I always make a tour through the mediamarkt. Window shopping, I can enjoy that.”
- Studentlife Team: “Apart from a myriad of stores, Hong Catharijne offers a lot of food options together with its convenient location just few minutes’ walk from Utrecht Centraal.”
Ping pong club
Are you the Ping Pong King?- By Milan + 1
- Lobke: “As far as I'm concerned, Ping Pong is also a sport. It can get quite competitive. The Ping Pong Club is super fun to go to with friends and have a great time hitting the ball with a paddle.”
- Milan: “To be honest, I've only been there once, just before all the catering industry closed again, but it was certainly worth repeating.”
Restaurant Vapiano
Not just a nice restaurant, but also a great place to study!- By Stephan + 1
- Studentlife Team: “Come and taste Vapiano’s Italian food! In spring you can also dine on their roof terrace”
- Stephan: “If you don't know where you will make a reservation to eat out, Vapiano Hoog Catharijne is always a good choice! They have friendly service and the food is always good.”
De Ontdekking
The Discovery you need to make!- By Panagiota + 1
- Milan: “When I moved to Utrecht a year and a half ago, I immediately started looking for nice coffee shops. Although places like Onz and Gys were well received, De Ontdekking takes the cake as far as I'm concerned”
- Panagiota: “A very cozy café right across the University Library in the city center. It offers a variety of beverages as well as sweet and savoury snacks to get reenergised.”
Tea room Rhijnauwen
Theehuis Rhijnauwen is a household name in Utrecht and undoubtedly the best place to eat pancakes.- By Stephan + 3
- Leon: “Don't forget to get your biological milk at one of the farms. Also, the pancakes here are amazing.”
- Studentlife Team: “Theehuis Rhijnauwen is a charming restaurant in Bunnik and ideal spot for a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Surrounded by nature, it stands out for its unique atmosphere.”
- Stephan: “You can eat delicious pancakes here! I especially like coming here in the summer, because Theehuis Rhijnauwen has a beautiful and large terrace.”
De Neude square
Perfect place to have a drink, paced with bars and restaurants- By Berne + 1
- Studentlife Team: “Neude is the place that pops into your mind when someone asks to go for drinks. Among students, it has become a popular meeting point, while going out with friends.”
- Berne: “Square De Neude is a meeting place for me and my friends, as it is located in the city centre.”
Coffeebar Anne & Max
In the summer, the courtyard garden is a great place to be.- By Jiani + 2
- Studentlife Team: “Anne&Max is one of the best breakfast places in Utrecht. They also offer delicious coffee which now you can enjoy in their beautiful outdoor patio!”
- Berne: “Also a good location if you are looking for a place to study!”
- Jiani : “Anne&Max is a popular café in the city center, serving a delicious brunch. You need to try their croissant with scrambled eggs and salmon. It’s amazing! ”
Sports centre Olympos
Whatever sport you do, you can do it at Olympos!- By Ingmar + 4
- Laura : “I don't personally engage in sports, but I do visit Olympos for the sports bar to enjoy affordable beer with friends.”
- Leon: “I play football and go to the gym here.The team welcomed me in the most desirable way and the gym is very well equipped”
- Ingmar: “I love Olympos because it’s not limited to just one type of sport, opening up a whole world of activities to all the university’s students. Ballroom dancing is one of my favorite activities that Olympos caters to.”
Tea room Rhijnauwen
Theehuis Rhijnauwen is a household name in Utrecht and undoubtedly the best place to eat pancakes.- By Ingmar + 3
- Leon: “Don't forget to get your biological milk at one of the farms. Also, the pancakes here are amazing.”
- Studentlife Team: “Theehuis Rhijnauwen is a charming restaurant in Bunnik and ideal spot for a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Surrounded by nature, it stands out for its unique atmosphere.”
- Ingmar: “A classic and quaint little place outside of the city centre, the Theehuis is an absolute must when coming to Utrecht. Their pancakes are to die-for and will only make you want to come back for more. TIP - My favorite is the Super Sem ;-)”
Restaurant Vapiano
Not just a nice restaurant, but also a great place to study!- By Studentlife Team + 1
- Stephan: “If you don't know where you will make a reservation to eat out, Vapiano Hoog Catharijne is always a good choice! They have friendly service and the food is always good.”
- Studentlife Team: “Come and taste Vapiano’s Italian food! In spring you can also dine on their roof terrace”
Louis Hartlooper Complex
Former police station, now one of the coolest movie theatres in the city!- By Derin + 2
- Valerie : “This cinema always gives me a warm feeling. It's so cozy! Grabbing a beer first and then watching a movie is fantastic here :)”
- Studentlife Team: “Louis Hartlooper is a must-see for art cinema lovers!”
- Derin: “As a cinephile, I could not ignore this location! You could watch different works from Hollywood auteurs (not Marvel and Spiderman) to European Art House films in this awesome place! ”
Shopping centre Hoog Catharijne
The one-stop shop for everything you need in life.- By Berne + 4
- Jamal: “Ever since I was young, every time I visit the city centre, I always make a tour through the mediamarkt. Window shopping, I can enjoy that.”
- Daphne : “ Whenever I need something, I visit Hoog Catharijne because with the wide selection of shops there, I always find what I'm looking for.”
- Berne: “Shopping mall Hoog Catharije is a meeting place for me and my friends, as we have the chance to do some shopping and then enjoy a coffee.”
Ping pong club
Are you the Ping Pong King?- By Lobke + 1
- Milan: “To be honest, I've only been there once, just before all the catering industry closed again, but it was certainly worth repeating.”
- Lobke: “As far as I'm concerned, Ping Pong is also a sport. It can get quite competitive. The Ping Pong Club is super fun to go to with friends and have a great time hitting the ball with a paddle.”
De Neude square
Perfect place to have a drink, paced with bars and restaurants- By Berne + 1
- Studentlife Team: “Neude is the place that pops into your mind when someone asks to go for drinks. Among students, it has become a popular meeting point, while going out with friends.”
- Berne: “Square De Neude is a meeting place for me and my friends, as it is located in the city centre.”
Coffeebar Anne & Max
In the summer, the courtyard garden is a great place to be.- By Studentlife Team + 2
- Jiani : “Anne&Max is a popular café in the city center, serving a delicious brunch. You need to try their croissant with scrambled eggs and salmon. It’s amazing! ”
- Berne: “Also a good location if you are looking for a place to study!”
- Studentlife Team: “Anne&Max is one of the best breakfast places in Utrecht. They also offer delicious coffee which now you can enjoy in their beautiful outdoor patio!”
Book shop Broese
One of the biggest bookstores in Utrecht- By Studentlife Team + 2
- Stephan: “The extensive collection of original books ensures that it is always hard not to come out with one or more!”
- Wiktoria: “I always spend hours in Broese, just walking and looking at books. As an international student, I appreciate the wide availability of English books. ”
- Studentlife Team: “International students love visiting Broese due to its large collection of English books. It’s the biggest bookstore in Utrecht which also contains a coffee shop where you can enjoy your reading with a cup of coffee. ”
De Neude square
Perfect place to have a drink, paced with bars and restaurants- By Studentlife Team + 1
- Berne: “Square De Neude is a meeting place for me and my friends, as it is located in the city centre.”
- Studentlife Team: “Neude is the place that pops into your mind when someone asks to go for drinks. Among students, it has become a popular meeting point, while going out with friends.”
De Ontdekking
The Discovery you need to make!- By Milan + 1
- Panagiota: “A very cozy café right across the University Library in the city center. It offers a variety of beverages as well as sweet and savoury snacks to get reenergised.”
- Milan: “When I moved to Utrecht a year and a half ago, I immediately started looking for nice coffee shops. Although places like Onz and Gys were well received, De Ontdekking takes the cake as far as I'm concerned”
Ping pong club
Are you the Ping Pong King?- By Lobke + 1
- Milan: “To be honest, I've only been there once, just before all the catering industry closed again, but it was certainly worth repeating.”
- Lobke: “As far as I'm concerned, Ping Pong is also a sport. It can get quite competitive. The Ping Pong Club is super fun to go to with friends and have a great time hitting the ball with a paddle.”
Shopping centre Hoog Catharijne
The one-stop shop for everything you need in life.- By Daphne + 4
- Jamal: “Ever since I was young, every time I visit the city centre, I always make a tour through the mediamarkt. Window shopping, I can enjoy that.”
- Fayruz : “This is easily my favorite place in Utrecht. I can get lost here for hours and always find something to do. I love that it has everything from Amazing Oriental, Bruna bookstore, and Action to clothing stores, Lush, and countless other shops, as well as great restaurants.”
- Daphne : “ Whenever I need something, I visit Hoog Catharijne because with the wide selection of shops there, I always find what I'm looking for.”
Louis Hartlooper Complex
Former police station, now one of the coolest movie theatres in the city!- By Valerie + 2
- Studentlife Team: “Louis Hartlooper is a must-see for art cinema lovers!”
- Derin: “As a cinephile, I could not ignore this location! You could watch different works from Hollywood auteurs (not Marvel and Spiderman) to European Art House films in this awesome place! ”
- Valerie : “This cinema always gives me a warm feeling. It's so cozy! Grabbing a beer first and then watching a movie is fantastic here :)”
Bar Lebowski
Lebowski is one of the “must” places for students due to its funky atmosphere and its frequent events like pub-quiz nights.- By Studentlife Team + 2
- Manu : “Great ambience and great vibes. They also have really nice events every so often, so keep an eye out for that. ”
- Berne: “I think that Lebowski is one of the “must” places for students since it has a great atmosphere and organizes many events, e.g pub-quiz.”
- Studentlife Team: “Its unique design, great music and lovely staff make it one of the coolest places in Utrecht. ”
Tea room Rhijnauwen
Theehuis Rhijnauwen is a household name in Utrecht and undoubtedly the best place to eat pancakes.- By Leon + 3
- Studentlife Team: “Theehuis Rhijnauwen is a charming restaurant in Bunnik and ideal spot for a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Surrounded by nature, it stands out for its unique atmosphere.”
- Stephan: “You can eat delicious pancakes here! I especially like coming here in the summer, because Theehuis Rhijnauwen has a beautiful and large terrace.”
- Leon: “Don't forget to get your biological milk at one of the farms. Also, the pancakes here are amazing.”
De Neude square
Perfect place to have a drink, paced with bars and restaurants- By Studentlife Team + 1
- Berne: “Square De Neude is a meeting place for me and my friends, as it is located in the city centre.”
- Studentlife Team: “Neude is the place that pops into your mind when someone asks to go for drinks. Among students, it has become a popular meeting point, while going out with friends.”