Checking Out Cool Specialty Cafés in Utrecht

Greetings from Utrecht sign with skeleton.

Utrecht, one of the most vibrant cities in the Netherlands, is home to a lively specialty-coffee scene. Here is a short list of cafés to visit as you wander the city’s alleys.

BY TANYA NANETTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Photos by Tanya Nanetti

The Netherlands’ Utrecht is just a short train ride from Amsterdam and home to the largest university in the country. The city’s medieval center is a wonder to explore, thanks to its tree-lined canals, beautiful historic buildings, and the famous Domtoren, the 14th century bell tower that, for those brave enough to climb its 465 steps, offers a magnificent view of the entire city.

A street view near the Domtoren, a 14th century bell tower that offers spectacular views from its top.

In addition to the beautiful old town, downtown Utrecht offers a rich food and drink scene, with many different restaurants and cafés ready to cater to locals, students, and tourists alike.

Between craft breweries and natural wine bars, a wave of specialty cafés is ready to welcome all those interested in discovering great coffee.

The Village is one of Utrecht’s oldest specialty shops, a local treasure.

The Village Coffee & Music

One of the oldest specialty-coffee establishments in the city, right in the middle of downtown, the Village is one of the most special places around.

“Made with friendship, independent since 2011,” reads the café’s window. You’ll know it’s all true when you walk through the doors. Everyone here seems to know each other, the baristas are friendly, and the smell of house-roasted coffee and hot food is simply delicious.

The kitschy interior at the Village, complete with vinyl, adds to its welcoming feeling.

The space is cozy and welcoming, with dim lighting, lots of memorabilia and vinyl, tattoo designs on the wall, and a couch and armchairs that make it look like a specialty-coffee shop version of Central Perk, straight out of the sitcom “Friends.”

The Village is more than just a coffee shop. It’s where co-founders and longtime friends Angelo and Lennaert can share their love of coffee and hospitality, it’s a space for live music and art, and it’s the creative hub behind a ton of community events.

If you’re in the neighborhood, don’t miss it.

Between filter and espresso, Keen Coffee offers more than 15 varieties of beans.

Keen Coffee

A short walk from the Village and Domtoren is Keen Coffee, the newest addition to the local specialty-coffee scene.

Opened by renowned Dutch roaster Keen with the help of a successful crowdfunding, the café is a gorgeous space housed in one of the city‘s oldest buildings (built in 1584), which—if the weather cooperates—stays sunny all day.

Keen‘s exterior offers 16th century history, while its snazzy interior is all modern.

Inside, minimalist décor and a simple U-shaped counter let the customer‘s attention focus on what‘s really important at Keen: the coffee. Here, in fact, you can find more than 15 different kinds of beans on offer between filter and espresso, also served in several tastings perfect for one or two people.

Come here when your caffeine level is still low, then sit back and enjoy.

And as Keen‘s motto says, “Explore. Taste. Repeat.”

Cornelis‘ memorable green exterior.

Cornelis – coffee, food and a room

Slightly off the beaten path, not too central (so not usually unpleasantly crowded) but not too far away either (so easily reached by a short walk), Cornelis is certainly unique. In this exact location, more than 100 years ago, C. de Ven opened his store, creating an establishment that would continue to sell groceries, coffee, tea, and chocolate for many years.

Cornelis sells and serves beans from Bocca Coffee of Amsterdam. The one-room hotel out back is just a bonus.

After a few decades, Cornelis is back for good with a similar concept, but with a twist: behind the olive-green facade (the historic one) is now a store selling specialty coffees (beans roasted by Bocca Coffee of Amsterdam), homemade cakes, and tasty dishes. And if you are too tired to go home, or just want to try something unique, try the one-room hotel behind the shop: a special opportunity to sleep under the old beams of the former coach house.

Koffie Leute‘s vintage vibes may remind you of your cool grandma‘s house.

Koffie Leute Record Store

Another special store in the heart of Utrecht, Koffie Leute is both a café and record store, as the name suggests.

Tasty specialty coffees (sustainably home-roasted or sourced from the best roasters around) are sold here next to Lo-Fi cassettes; delicious fresh sandwiches next to vintage video games; and homemade pastries next to vintage vinyl.

Outside Koffie Leute.

Come here for a mouthwatering break. Stay longer to listen to your favorite vinyl and soak up the relaxing atmosphere, which, with its vintage décor, reminds you of afternoons spent in grandma‘s living room.

And if you like the atmosphere of Koffie Leute, have another coffee to go, put on your headphones, and listen to the store’s playlist: You won’t regret it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tanya Nanetti (she/her) is a specialty-coffee barista, a traveler, and a dreamer. When she’s not behind the coffee machine (or visiting some hidden corner of the world), she’s busy writing for Coffee Insurrection, a website about specialty coffee that she’s creating along with her boyfriend.

Subscribe and More!

Out now: It’s the October + November 2024 issue of Barista Magazine! Read it for free with our digital edition. And for more than three years’ worth of issues, visit our digital edition archives here.

You can order a hard copy of the magazine through our online store here, or start a subscription for one year or two.

About baristamagazine 2229 Articles
Barista Magazine is the leading trade magazine in the world for the professional coffee community.