Utrecht is a city full of canals and with plenty of terraces. And your visit to Utrecht is not complete without a drink on a terrace with canal views! In this blog I’ll share a number of beautiful waterside terraces, from a city beach to terraces in the green nature. Both on walking and biking distance from Utrecht central station.
1. Café Het Gegeven Paard (TivoliVredenburg)
Now that the Singel has been extended again and the water completely surrounds the city center of Utrecht, it is fun watching small boats pass by while enjoying your drink on the terrace of Café Het Gegeven Paard. You’ll find Het Gegeven Paard right next to shopping mall Hoog Catharijne, on the ground floor of music complex TivoliVredenburg. A perfect place to combine your lunch, cocktails or a bite to eat with a cool concert or fine party.
2. Het Muzieklokaal at Weerdsluis
The waterside terrace of Het Muzieklokaal offers a beautiful view on the canal and its locks (Weerdsluis). Enjoy a good coffee, eat a nice lunch or stop by for some drinks. And if there is no room left on the terrace, take your drink to go and sit on the sunny stairs and scaffolding by the water.
Fun fact: in springtime, you can help the fish that are looking for a place to spawn and reproduce. Check out the Fish Doorbell and let the lock operator know when fish are waiting at the lock doors, so he can open them up!
3. Rum Club and the wharf cellars
When you say Utrecht, you say wharf cellars. The many terraces, which are located right at Oudegracht (and in front of these unique wharf cellars), are the ultimate terraces at the canal! One of these places is the colourful terrace of the Rum Club. And not only the terrace, also the cocktails and the interior are tropical.
For more great Utrecht tips, check out my blog with 15 tips for your day in Utrecht and follow me on instagram!
4. Mill de Ster
Leave Utrecht Central Station on the Jaarbeurs side and walk to Mill de Ster in 10 minutes. This wood sawmill overlooks the water, sheep and goats. There is a mill café with a terrace at the water and on Saturdays guided tours are given. Check the website of Mill de Ster for the opening hours of the mill café.
5 Buurten in de Fabriek
On the edge of Park Oog in Al and the Merwedekanaal the 1908 Cereolfabriek, completely transformed in 2014, houses a theatre room, a primary school and a library. At the great terrace or inside at Buurten in de Fabriek you can enjoy food and drinks, almost any time of day. While viewing over the houseboats, the locks across the Merwedekanaal and the Lombok houses on the other side of the canal.
Mill de Ster and Buurten in de Fabriek are located in Utrecht West and are on the route of this Utrecht city walk that brings you through a beautiful and peaceful part of the city. The neighbourhoods Lombok and Oog in Al
6. Restaurant Op Zuid
Op Zuid, a New-York style bar & bistro, is situated in the former, monumental factory of Neerlandia at the far end of Hoograven. The big terrace is located directly at the water of Vaartsche Rijn. Come by bike, foot or boat for a burger or pizza. Or have some drinks from their extensive beer (of which 17 on tap) and wine menu.
7. City beach SOIA
In the far end of Oog in Al city-beach SOIA, surrounded by Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal, created a super-chill place in spring and summer. Enjoy the sun, sand and drinks on the popular terrace. Or take your picknick blanket to chill on the grass.
8. Terraces at Rotsoord
Next to train station Vaartsche Rijn, the old industry buildings of Rotsoord are transformed into a fancy area to have food and drinks. Including lots of nice spots on a waterside terrace. Neighbours Klein Berlijn and Taplokaal Gist offer many tasty beers, that you can enjoy on their terrace directly at Vaartsche Rijn. Also Camping Ganspoort en PasToe Foodbar offer canal-side views. LE:EN does have a terrace (and magnificent Asian food), though is not directly situated at the canal.
TIP: When walking from Rotsoord to city center (Ledig Erf) you pass by Ooster- and Westerkade. Also nice spots for a terrace with canal views.
9. Theehuis Rhijnauwen
Bike to the beautiful nature reserve Amelisweerd, where the green fields underneath the many trees invite you for a picknick. Fancy a pancake, lunch, piece of pie or just a drink? Visit Theehuis Rhijnauwen, with a beautifully situated terrace, on the grass in the woods, directly at river Krommerijn.
10. Restaurant Het Oude Tolhuys
On the way to Amelisweerd by bike you pass by Restaurant Het Oude Tolhuys. The picknick benches and tables spread across the grass invite you to take a pit stop with a drink. Also fun: rent a SUP board and explore the adjacent Krommerijn towards Amelisweerd or Utrecht city center.
11. Watching boats at Veilinghaven
More interested in harbour-views? Go to Veilinghaven, on close walking distance from Utrecht Central Station and Jaarbeurs. Here you can choose between several restaurants that have terraces facing the boats in the harbour. Situated in an architectonical building with large windows, Fico serves a fine dinner with pairing wines, while overlooking the iconic U-Trechters. Fancy a beer? Get yourself a chair at the terrace of Beers & Barrels.
Check out my other blogs for much more Utrecht tips, from walking routes to the best museums, or follow me on instagram!
*this blog contains affiliate links: I might receive a small commission while you will not pay anything extra.
