Why Utrecht Is the Netherlands’ Best-Kept Vegan Secret
Just 25 minutes from Amsterdam lies a Dutch city with peaceful canals you can walk right beside, a huge cathedral tower with 465 steps, and one of the most surprising vegan food scenes in Europe.
Most travelers head straight for Amsterdam, but Utrecht—one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands—is a calmer, friendlier place where you can explore real Dutch culture at your own pace.
Utrecht has just as many vegan restaurants per person as Amsterdam, even though hardly anyone outside the Netherlands knows this! Local owners, small creative cafés, and mission-driven chefs shape the food scene here, making it warm, welcoming, and very delicious.
It’s also the only city in the country with two vegan food tours—one on foot and one by bike—running every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
If you want a place that feels local, cozy, and full of stories, Utrecht might become your new favorite vegan travel destination.
Inside the Vegan Food Tour: A 7-Stop Culinary Adventure
Daisy Scholte, the founder of Vegan Food Tour Nederland, created these tours after a world trip that changed her life. She became vegan while traveling overland, and when she returned home, she wanted to help others experience plant-based food in a fun, gentle way.
The result?
A 3–4 hour immersive food tour that takes you to seven vegan restaurants, cafés, and bakeries across Utrecht. At every stop, you taste something new—from snacks and pastries to little meals—and hear the real stories behind the food.
You don’t just walk from one restaurant to another.
You learn how the city works, how the canals were built, and why local entrepreneurs are so passionate about vegan cooking.
Who Takes the Tour? (Hint: Mostly Non-Vegans!)
One of the most surprising things is that about two-thirds of guests aren’t vegan at all. Many are curious travelers, friends, or co-workers simply looking for something fun to do.
And this “come as you are” feeling is part of the magic. People try a vegan burger or a dairy-free pastry for the first time and say, “Wow… this is vegan?”
Some even have emotional moments—like one woman from the UK who cried at the end because the tour helped her commit to a fully plant-based lifestyle.
From Skeptic to Fan: The Power of a Great Vegan Burger
Daisy shared many sweet stories:
• A group from the US who didn’t know the tour was vegan until halfway through—and ended up loving every bite.
• A Singaporean woman who couldn’t cycle well but insisted on joining the bike tour anyway.
• Chefs from big hotel chains who arrived doubtful but left full of ideas.
The tour ends with something Daisy calls “soft activism.”
This is not heavy or preachy. It’s a gentle chat about how our food choices affect the world—people, animals, and the planet. The guides simply invite people to think, taste, and talk together.
The Utrecht Difference: Local Owners & a Cooperative Vegan Spirit
Utrecht’s vegan restaurants feel like one big family. Instead of competing, owners support each other, share resources, and cheer each other on. This kind of collaboration is rare—and you can taste it.
Here are just a few favorites featured on the tour:
Veg Nation
A South-Indian restaurant serving some of the most authentic dosas in Europe. The chef even veganised the whole menu, including her own vegan ghee made from nut oils.
Life’s a Peach
A cheerful Italian focacciaria proving that vegan food can be colorful, happy, and full of flavor.
Broei
A modern, fully vegan restaurant where you can enjoy multi-course dinners with wine pairings.
Vegan Pizza Bar
Born in Rotterdam, this fast-growing spot started because the founders didn’t like vegan cheese. They fixed it—and created a pizza that wins over even the biggest dairy fans.
There are many more surprises: craft beer cafés, rock-and-roll venues with 100% vegan kitchens, and hidden local gems that tourists would never find on their own.
Beyond the Tour: Exploring Utrecht’s Canals & Culture
Utrecht is packed with charm:
- The Dom Tower — the tallest church tower in the Netherlands
- The wharf canals — special two-level canals where you can walk right next to the water
- The Singel — a circular park perfect for a 5.5 km walk or bike ride
- Car-free areas — peaceful streets that feel like stepping back in time
- The world’s biggest bike parking garage and a whole city built around cycling
- The Miffy Museum — a playful attraction that delights kids (and many adults!)
It’s a place where history, creativity, and sustainability all meet.
The Future of Vegan Travel: Self-Guided Tours & Global Ambassadors
Daisy and her team are now developing a self-guided vegan tour app so travelers can explore smaller cities on their own. The dream is big: a network of vegan “city ambassadors” who help visitors discover plant-based food all across Europe and eventually the world.
This idea supports local restaurants, encourages mindful tourism, and helps travelers understand that vegan food isn’t about giving something up—it’s about discovering something new.
Closing Thought
Utrecht teaches us that vegan travel is not just about finding the right restaurant.
It’s about meeting people, tasting stories, and discovering how a city expresses itself through food.
And when you explore a place like this—with care, curiosity, and an open mind—you don’t just visit a destination.
You become part of its story.
Ready to taste Utrecht?
Book your tour directly at VeganFoodTour.nl to support local restaurants and independent guides.
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- Vegan Food Tour Nederland – Join a walking or biking tour in Utrecht, Amsterdam, or Rotterdam
- Veg Nation (Utrecht) – South-Indian vegan dishes with homemade vegan ghee.
- Life’s a Peach (Utrecht) – Colorful Italian focaccia and tasty vegan snacks.
- Broei (Utrecht) – A modern, fully vegan restaurant with multi-course dinners.
- Vegan Pizza Bar – Famous for their delicious plant-based pizzas and homemade vegan cheese.
- Dom Tower Utrecht – Climb 465 steps to the highest church tower in the Netherlands.
- Miffy Museum (Nijntje Museum) – A playful museum in the hometown of Miffy.
- Visit Utrecht – Learn more about the city, its canals, bike culture, and history.
- HappyCow – Utrecht Vegan Restaurants – See more vegan spots in Utrecht.
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Netherlands Vegan Luxury: Hotel Bent | Karin Bruers
- Unlocking Lisbon: A Vegan Traveler’s Guide to the City of Seven Hills | Tara Fisher Munoz | Ep 133
- Sri Lanka Unveiled: Vegan Travel, Yoga, and Transformation | Alexander Keil | Ep 131
