CITYGUIDE: UTRECHT
While visiting The Netherlands, Utrecht is definitely an ‘underground’ city to visit. It is home to Soenda festival, Nijntje, the art academy and many canal houses. It has plenty to offer for a city-wanderer.
As being the hub of the dutch trains, Utrecht is known for it’s stop overs. But there is more than just the train station to find here! Ofcourse we visited Utrecht quite a few times during our lives (being dutchies) but for a strange reason we never made cityguide. But what’s a better time to launch a cityguide with the festival season coming up? For Soenda festival (held on saturday 21st of may in Utrecht) we hit the streets to cover some gems in this city. From interesting creative meeting points to breakfast with a scone… and as the cherry on a pie we also get to give away 2×2 tickets to Soenda festival!
1. Daen’s
A well curated shop for fashion & lifestyle supplies with an eatery right next door!
Dean’s is for cute jewelry (like Anna&Nina), quality sneakers and bags (personal fav. Royal Republique) and an assortiment of perfectly relaxing body care products (the entire body line of Marie Stella Maris is there…. yeay!) to be fully enjoyed after dancing a night (or day) away. In case you are planning to meet the (wo)man you want to grow old with, they also supply you with a range of scents that will tickle your senses.
The eatery is also accessible through the shop and they serve delighted scones, chai latte’s, egg breakfast… and so much more! From what I could tell… there are also homemade cakes available!
Korte minrebroederstraat 13-17 , Utrecht www.daens.nl
Entrance at Daens, Utrecht
Daen’s eatery. Yummy chai latte and scone!
2. Stan & co.
All day restaurant for big lunch or dinner. It’s big but the menu is perfect to have dinner with a bunch of friends and enjoy a nice evening talking and eating, drinking…
Ganzenmarkt 16A, Utrecht www.utrecht.stan-co.nl
Stan& co
3. Klijs & Boon.
Designer shop with very cool sunglasses, on point outfits and a swing. If you like skandinavian fashion, this is the place to be. For rainy days you will find raincoats by Stutterheim, for sunshine there are sunglasses of Han Kjobenhavn (soooo awesome!!), for any other fashion related issues Klijs & Boon will most likely have a suitable solution for you… If not, just take a seat at the swing. You will be happy in a matter of seconds.
Voorstraat 44, Utrecht www.klijsenboon.nl
Klijs en Boon interior
Oh yeah… the marble swing!
4. Kapitaal.
A space for creative young ones to create, exhibit and sell their work. At heart this is a place to create. To learn how to use presses, to have a flexible desk and to meet fellow creatives. But where better to showcase the work made at that very spot? Visit to see artwork, meet people and maybe join an event or workshop when you are in town. Kapitaal is also starting an exciting new project soon! Stay tuned.
Plompetorengracht 4, Utrecht www.kapitaalutrecht.nl
Kapitaal – a workspace for young creatives to make and sell their work.
5. Barbershop Monsieur Moustache.
Uniquely located along one of Utrecht’s canals in a bridge cottage named ‘cuts & caffeine’, this barber will get you at your best before you know it. Pascal Bannink is opening his own masterpiece at the borders of the known city center, in an up and coming neighborhood. Being quite a personality himself, the shop reflects who he is. Authentic. Collecting every piece in the shop himself and finding vintage treasures while he was ‘building’ the shop, this is a piece of paradise to get your hair done and get a proper shave [headshave, classic shave and fix ur beard to be precise].
Officially open from on monday 9th may. Want a cut? Book in advance!
Oosterkade 1, Utrecht Facebook only
Barbershop Monsieur Moustache of Pascal Bannink
6. BROEI.
This is where you should go for a patch up after a wondrous night at a festival. Good coffee, healthy drinks and healthy foods. After a ginger/ mint tea and the surprising yummy combination sandwich of camembert/cauliflower/ jam I was stuffed! All ingredients are fresh and the dishes are all homemade. But there’s more! Local artists exhibit all around the walls and it’s for sale. Broei is ‘growing up’ too… soon they will have twice the space they have now! When so, you are also very welcome to enjoy music, more art and more fooooood!
Oosterkade 24, Utrecht www.broei-utrecht.com
The place to be for a healthy refill after a festival hangover.
CURIOUS? WIN 2 TICKETS TO SOENDA FESTIVAL IN UTRECHT!
Do you like festivals and citytrips? Win tickets to Soenda festival in Utrecht and explore this city after enjoying a crazy lineup!
Tag a friend that you would like to take to Soenda in the Facebook commentbox below and maybe soon you will be the owner of 2 tickets to Soenda!
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SOENDA FESTIVAL INFO
When: Saturday 21st of may
Time: 12.00u – 23.00u
Where: Utrecht
Line up [our favs]: Chris Liebing, Satori (known from chaochella), Kölsch, Max Cooper, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Len Faki, Ben Sims & James Ruskin.