Utrecht surprised us with its friendly gluten-free dining scene. From cozy breakfast spots to canal-side pubs with snacks, here’s where we actually ate and the gluten-free food we loved in Utrecht, as well as some cool bars.
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Gluten-Free Breakfast and Brunch
Bagels & Beans– This is a chain in the Netherlands that we had already tried in Amsterdam. They have gluten-free bagels and great drinks. They also have other bagels that aren’t gluten-free. We went back since we knew it was safe for me to eat and there weren’t many more places with gf breakfast. It was a perfect spot to hit before we grabbed the train back to Amsterdam. This time I had a bagel with walnut honey cream cheese and a latte
Anna Pancakes- This was a great breakfast place with a large menu. In addition to both sweet and savory options for pancakes, they had egg options, salads, and sandwiches. Any of the pancakes can be made gluten free and they have other gf options on the menu as well. Expect to pay about €20 per person for food and a drink. The food was good but I was hoping they would have Dutch style pancakes rather than American style. The decor was really cute and very Instagramy.
Lunch and Dinner Spots
Beers and Barrels Utrecht– One of the cool things about Utrecht is how you can go down to canal level and there are restaurants and bars there with cool outside space on the water. It was too cold to be outside but luckily there was a great indoor space here. We had a small snack here; pulled pork nachos and sweet potato fries. We also had some drinks here. The inside of the restaurant has the vibe of a cellar. It was pretty quiet on a Monday afternoon but you can tell that it gets busy. The snacks were good and it was a great atmosphere. They had multiple gluten-free options available.
Karaf Food & Drinks– Dinner here was amazing. We started with delicious cocktails and Aubergine Carpaccio which had eggplant with truffled potatoes and a garlic mint yogurt sauce. For dinner, Karl and I shared a mixed meat board that had a tenderloin, entrecote, and a rack of lamb. Everything was cooked perfectly and it was absolutely delicious. Main dishes average about €25 a person.
Meat & More– We ate here for a late lunch/ early dinner before the concert. I had a delicious burger with bacon and cheese on gluten-free bread and an espresso martini. Karl had a different type of burger and we shared a really panna cotta for dessert. The food here was really good but the service was slightly slow even though it wasn’t busy. I’m glad we gave ourselves plenty of time before the concert though.
Drinks and Canal Vibes
Mr. Finch Restaurant and Cocktail Bar- We went here for drinks after the Yellowcard concert. There wasn’t much open at the time so this was one of very few choices, but it was great because this place was really, really cool! They had drinks based on personalities and they were really creative. They also had a ton of their own infused liquors. The bartender was really great and the vibe was very chill. It almost had the feeling of being in Austin. We hung out at the bar for a couple of hours until they closed. I was glad we came here. I never saw the food menu but based on the cocktail menu I’m sure it’s amazing. If we had more time there I would have gone back for a meal.
Winkel Van Sinkel– We popped in here for a drink before heading to dinner. We honestly liked the name and the building looked cool. Inside it was beautifully decorated for Christmas and had a nice, upscale yet cozy vibe to it.
Other GF Options in Utrecht
There were many options for gluten-free food and these are some places I wanted to check out but didnt have enough time.
• Gys – Plant-based spot that’s unusually gluten-free friendly with solid lunch and dinner vibes.
• The Food Club – Brunch and lunch with gluten-free options like shakshuka and pancakes.
• Mejuffrouw Janssen – Local restaurant with gluten-free friendly dishes and good reviews from celiacs.
• GF Pizza Spots – Check out places like O’Panuozzo or Santa Lucia for gluten-free pizza bases and classic toppings.
Tips for Eating Gluten Free in the Netherlands
• Ask for allergens and explain celiac requirements. Dutch restaurants are generally happy to help.
• Look for menus with the word “glutenvrij” or use an allergen card to communicate your needs.
• Even places without gluten-free labels may adapt dishes if you notify them in advance.
Also, be sure to check out grocery stores. I got some amazing gluten-free cookies and some other treats for late-night snacks.
Be sure to check out my Instagram for more pics and videos about the food, the rest of the trip to The Netherlands, and more about my daily life as an expat in Portugal. 💙
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