Former squat turned into an alternative/leftist bar, cafe and music venue. Fully volunteer operated and hosts concerts, DJ nights, an open stage, dance nights and more. On the weekends there are guest groups serving vegan food made mostly from skipped produce which is free but donations are accepted. The groups are “Taste Before you Waste” on Saturdays and “the Barricade” on Sundays. Can also bring food on weekdays (only vegetarian and vegan allowed) and can request a plate and cutlery. Check the schedule on website for up to date info. Reopened September 2021. Open Tue 20:00-00:00, Wed 19:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 20:00-03:00, Sat-Sun 18:00-00:00, Sun 18:00-23:00.
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Voorstraat 71, Utrecht, Netherlands
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 11 Aug 2024 by alexandraemjly
Update business info -
Added by kris on 01 Aug 2007
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34 Reviews
First Review by yvo
WT161
Points +106
best place in utrecht - Edit
if you're a lefty and vegan you should go here! lovely staff, all volunteers. have a great library full with leftist books. VoKu's in the weekend are great as well.
Read moreGuest
alexandraemjly
Points +553
amazing donation based food, wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable staff - Edit
has a buffet of vegan food made with rescued waste that is free but donations are welcome, and once you taste the food you will definitely want to donate. the staff (who are all volunteers) are also super welcoming and helpful in recommending drinks. they also have a library of books to loan on topics like veganism.
Read morePros: Friendly staff, Amazing atmosphere
Guest
VegUn
Points +237
Laudable social movement - Edit
These people put in so much effort to salvage food, and it can be seen how much the vegan community can be passionate as well as compassionate.
Read moreP.s. Don't forget to bring your coins and notes, and be watchful of the line-up for food!
Pros: 1. A safe space for everyone , 2. The book shelf amd reading corner *_*, 3. Nice groovy background music
Guest
crystsal
Points +113
Anarchist delight - Edit
We got served rice with a red sauce, some watermelon and some banana pudding. Everything was delicious and vegan. It's all donation based, so you can pay as much as you think it's worth, for me, it was a lot. The atmosphere was also fantastic. Will be coming back for sure!
Read morePros: Food, Athmosphere, The people
Guest
kj33
Points +130
Amazing people - Edit
Amazing people and food
Read moreGuest
RugbyNerd
Points +1389
Anarchist SoKü - Edit
Schon bessere SoKüs/VoKüs erlebt, aber trotzdem fünf Sterne fürs A 😁
Read moreGuest
Nasrha
Points +26
It’s ALL LOVE and VEGAN - Edit
Nice Vibe, Lowest Price Ever
Read moreGuest
Elz
Points +197
(Almost) free vegan food - Edit
Visiting ACU is a must when in Utrecht - for the politically engaged folks. The restaurant is currently open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday the menu is around €5 and the other two days it’s donation based and you can also pay nothing. The food on Friday and Saturday comes from dumpster diving, and donations are used to support other progressive initiatives. On Sunday The Barricade cooks and manages an anarchist library with often events.
Read moreGuest
Albertusbcn
Points +120
Vegan food Vegan philosophy - Edit
Good food for a good price. All vegan in a political respectful atmosphere. ACU is much more than a restaurant. It is the Mecca of the vegan and the libertarian philosophies in Utrecht. Don't miss it if you are around. You will meet lovely people and enjoy interesting conversations. Long life to ACU!!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2015-08-23
Pros: Nice food, lovely atmosphere
Guest
EmmyVD
Points +4925
Great food for great price - Edit
ACU has quite a funky feel but if you are ,illing to embrace the cool house rules and the somewhat loud music you can enjoy some great meals here.
Read moreThey have a dailuly changing menu. I tried a spanakopita and the main menu of the day (pasta pesto with lentil quiche, eggplant and a salad). Both were very filling. The quality is amazing, and I can't imagine the whole organisation is run by volunteers! Great job guys!!
Pros: Delicious food for a low price, Chaning menu
Cons: Quite loud music
Guest
AdrianaMatsufuji
Points +220
Always great food for little money - Edit
I really love ACU - the food, the concept of it and the fact that is very cheap. I have been there several times and the food is always delicious. The menu changes often and dishes are quite creative.
Read moreThe place is a bit too noisy and it's always crowded - unless you arrive very early, but it will probably get crowded soon anyway - which may be a bit uncomfortable since the tables are very close to one another. As other people pointed out, it's good to make a reservation.
Pros: creative and tasty food, cheap, concept
Cons: a bit too noisy when crowded
Guest
Betty123
Points +23
great food, great place - Edit
We went there with, vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters and there was something for everyone, all the food was really delicious and the place itself was lovely to, they had anti-racism posters everywhere and though it was small it was cosy and all the staff were nice, we made a reservation which was a good idea because it got pretty busy, only problems where that a lot of food was sold out and it did take a while, but apart from that a great place and would definitely go again.
Read moreGuest
RomaDhanani
Points +409
cool place - Edit
Completely volunteer based restaurant! Cheap and TASTY food. Tiny but cozy place, they always have events going on and are usually quite interesting! Love this place 😍
Read moreGuest
Eefje
Points +204
Overrated - Edit
I had high expectations considering the reviews I read, but was sadly disappointed. First of all, I wasn't able to make a reservation, since nobody pickd up the phone all evening or replied to my e-mail. We decided to just show up at 6pm and hope for the best, and luckily the place was practically empty. The menu sounded really good but the actual dishes tasted kind of off. We didn't like the tofu starter at all, but the main course and oven dish were okay. The service was also very slow (45 mins per course) and the waitress looked kind of confused and apalled that we didn't completely finish our food. Would not recommend, go to Gys down the street instead.
Read morePros: Cheap, Interesting atmosphere
Cons: Food not tasty, Slow service
Guest
RickK
Points +36
great food! - Edit
Great dishes. We had to get used to the setting (a little punky) but the food was great and the staff very kind.
Read moreGuest
Barney Big Ears
Points +395
Reserve table or show up when it open - Edit
Great place. English menus and English speaking staff. Mostly old-school vegan menu items but prepared with lots of flavor.
Read morePros: All vegan, Laid back atmosphere
Guest
LvB
Points +30
Lovely dessert - Edit
Ate a lovely pannacotta dessert at ACU yesterday! I love ACU, due to it's rich history but you it's not a place I would recommend to anyone who's not into anarchism, punk and a liberal worldview.
Read morePros: Vegan, Relaxed atmosphere, Nice staff
Guest
Tiest
Points +314
Great food, great atmosphere - Edit
Went here to have diner before a concert in Tivoli (which is practicaly around the corner). We made a reservation at 6 (when they open). I think this was a smart move, because the place filled up quite quick.
Read moreI had a starter (a 'cheese'croquet), main (ricenoodlesoup with grilled veggies and tofu wrapped in nori on the side) and a dessert (the first vegan creme brulee). My girlfriend had a main dish that consisted of three starters and a desert.
Everything was super tasty, and you get served really nice and big portions! You can also choose a range of beers (we took regular tap-beers, but you can also choose local beers, like 'Black Flag' from Oproer brewery).
For all our food, and 2 beers each, we payed a mere 38 euro's, which is really really cheap.
I can reccomend everyone to go here. They also organise concerts, bookclubs and political discussions
Pros: Great atmosphere, friendly staff, Great food, Amazing price
Cons: Maybe a bit on the smaal side, gets crowded easily
Guest
Sternanis
Points +626
ALWAYS tasty! - Edit
We've been here several times (almost every time I visit Utrecht) and was never disappointed! You can get creative and delicious food for not-so-expensive price (8-10 euros)
Read moreThe menu changes monthly (1 main, 1 oven dish, 1 dish of the day, 4 starters, desserts). Everything is always tasty (except for the oven dish sometimes.. a bit bland or heavy for me; but other people liked them) and the menu changes often so totally worth visiting every time. The menu of the day is slightly cheaper (8 euros) and could be a bit less unique than other super creative menu but still tasty. But most of all the starters were always really creative and tasty! And the desserts are good as well and the tiramisu we had last time was super delicious. I would always go for 3 starters a a main dish (really the best of the best!) or the main dish (not the oven not the dish of the day). If they have vegan mozzarella on the menu, go for it!
Staffs are friendly and the place is charming; nice place to meet up with friends/families or celebrate birthdays. The place is a bit small so better make a reservation! ACU also holds many events (also foodsharing events!) and is a bar/club in the evenings.
Updated from previous review on 2016-04-20
Pros: super tasty & creative, very reasonable price, charming, friendly, in the city center
Cons: a bit small. make a reservation!, only cash!!!!!!
Guest
zoilala
Points +105
You should go here! - Edit
The food and the atmosphere are very good! You should make a reservation in advance or if you're alone you can sit at the bar. They work with volunteers only and they are always very nice. If you have eaten here you can also stay, because they also have music and a lot of other stuff to do! The food is always very good, but if you are late they might run out of a certain dish.
Read morePros: Good food, Nice atmosphere and staff
Guest
LinaVlek
Points +66
My absolute favourite - Edit
Best vegan spot in Utrecht. Old squat with still that no-nonsense mentality. Food is good and the chefs still surprise me with new inventive menus. Besides that the prices are really good: starter is 4,- and main dish 8-9,50.
Read moreIn the summer they have a really nicr garden where you can sit.
I do advice to make a reservation though, it can be quite busy. Also they cook everything fresh, but the down side to that is that sometimes they run out of certain dishes. So getting there early can also be a good idea!
Pros: All the food is vegan, good and diverse, Good prices, Placed in ACU, a bar and venue which also has band
Cons: Can be very busy
Guest
Serge'tHoen
Points +101
Great Food! - Edit
I had dinner and enjoyed the fabulous kitchen! Especially the coconut rice is great and also the burrito and fried dumplings.
Read morePros: Great Food!, Cheap drinks.
Cons: Not so fancy. , Not too big.
Guest
K Lala
Points +132
Never fails - Edit
Food is always great, surprising and affordable. Best vegan food in Utrecht.
Read moreGuest
StephenEamonn
Points +616
Friendly and Delicious - Edit
This cool bar that serves vegan food is the first veggie place you should check out in Utrecht! Prices are very reasonable and the staff are very genuine and friendly. I had a meal which was simple but felt home cooked in the best of ways.
Read morePros: Delicious , Friendly
Guest
kitterific
Points +13
Delicious! - Edit
Delicious food, great prices and super friendly staff! Remember cash, they don't take credit cards.
Read moreGuest
Rezaline
Points +77
Vegan heaven - Edit
All-vegan places are pretty rare in the Netherlands, especially when you're outside of Amsterdam or The Hague. This place in Utrecht is EVERYTHING you've ever wanted. It's the cheapest vegan food I've found anywhere around here so far. The setting of the venue is great, too. Anti-racist stuff on the walls, consent posters everywhere. As a feminist, I totally love all of that stuff.
Read moreThey have a weekly changing menu with three main courses, three starters and a dessert. They have an option that you can pick the three starters as a main. I really recommend this cause it gives you the oppertunity to try different kinds of dishes, and it's the same price (E9,50). They also have a daily menu, which is pretty cheap. I've been there three times now and so far only had delicious food. GO EAT HERE.
Pros: Cheap food, Delicious, creative dishes. , Friendly, feminist environment and staff
Cons: Closed in August
Guest
nnemanuela
Points +71
Do not miss it!!! - Edit
ACU is simply the Mecca of the vegan and alternative crowd in Utrecht. Do not miss it! Check their website and previous reviews for more info..
Read morePros: friendly all-volunteer staff, excellent vegan food, excellent program besides food
Guest
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