Vegan
International
Organic
Fusion
Dutch
Plant-based restaurant est. Jul 2019. Offers a monthly menu and daily creations of international dishes. Serves organic wine, local beers, organic coffee, tea, and juices. Reservations recommended. Sources from small farms and focuses on sustainability. Open Wed-Sun 17:00-22:00.
94 Reviews
First Review by whepper
iokan
Points +1792
Worth the wait - Edit
“Van Planten” (“made of plants”) is a difficult place to get in! For weeks we’ve tried to make reservations, but every weekend it’s booked solid. But this weekend we were in luck: they had a spot left for lunch. Let’s go to Utrecht!
Read moreVan Planten is located in a residential area, about a 30 minute walk from the city centre. It’s easy to find and looks like a real idealists place. This is the kind of vegan restaurant where people try to save the world every way they can. That means recycled furniture and simple decoration. If you’re in luck, you’ll be greeted by the only meat eater in the place: a red cat that lives in the restaurant and is being taken care of by the staff. This is exemplary for the owner, who runs a small animal shelter (mostly horses) from the proceeds of the restaurants.
The lunch menu is very limited: it has only 4 options. 1 of them requires a minimum of 2 people. We opted for the “kimchi rice bowl” and “open scrambled egg sandwich”. Both of them were served picture perfect and within reasonable time.
The rice bowl consists of fried rice, vegetables (including pumpkin!) and “omlet strips”. To our surprise, the was no kimchi to be found on the plate! It turns out the kimchi is only used as a flavor while stir frying, so there’s no actual kimchi on the plate. All flavors are mild and subtle, so if in doubt, this is a simple menu option that everyone will like.
The scrambled egg sandwich consists of a bun with so much vegan egg and vegetables, that it would never fit. Therefor the bun is open and it’s up to the customer to put spoons full of egg and vegetable on the bun and eat it. Prepare for a messy yet tasty experience!
So… was it worth the wait and numerous tries to make a reservation at Van Planten? Yes, but don’t get your hopes up too high. The reservation problem is mainly due to corona restrictions and less because of the popularity. That said, the food is very good and far outclasses the many vegan fast food places that Utrecht has. Van Planten is not an exquisite or exceptional place, but it does offer good food at a good price that’s worth the wait.
Guest
SaskiaKamperman
Points +15
Lekker en gezellig! - Edit
Leuk personeel, gezellige sfeer en heerlijk vegan eten!! Ook voor een goede prijs.
Read moreGuest
Systonai
Points +249
Like coming home after a long trip - Edit
We went to van planten often when we lived close by but now that we moved it is difficult. Nevertheless when we went for dinner last night it was like coming home after a long trip. Just like before we were welcomed with open arms by the friendly staff and ate the most beautiful creations.
Read moreYou can sit outside but we choose to sit indoors. The housecat was quite the attraction and got a lot of attention.
Usually my fiance and I share the dishes to taste as much as possible so that is what we did this time.
I specifically like the mixed grill, it was delicious! A bit to spicy for some of my party but I think that it differs per person.
Usually we play a game of chess but we'll leave that for next time because I'm sure we'll come home again soon hopefully when their amazing milkshakes are back 🤯
Pros: Total Vegan! Love the Cakes 🎂 , Friendly, family like staff ❤, Cozy living room ambiance
Cons: Two shift reservations
Guest
JelaVis
Points +22
Erg lekker en leuk maar niet helemaal punctueel op allergie - Edit
Het is super gezellig bij van planten, en de mensen zijn ook echt toppers.
Read moreHet zit in een leuke wijk, en er loop een lieve rode kater rond.
Ook de kaart is overzichtelijk en heeft lekkere dingen.
Jammer genoeg ging het voor mij niet goed in het restaurant ivm mijn noten allergie.
Ik had gerechten uitgekozen met noten vrij dik gedrukt er onder. Maar toch zaten er noten en pinda saus op.
Ik werd hier goed ziek van.
Gelukkig kon ik het eten mee naar huis nemen zodat het niet verspeelt of weggooit hoefde te worden.
Maar ik had toch wel minstens een excuus verwacht, maar dat bleef uit.
Dessel niettemin super lekker eten!
Updated from previous review on 2022-02-22
Pros: Alles vegan, Gezellig bedining, Leuke plek en leuk aangekleed
Cons: Geen goede allergie informatie
Guest
anpet
Points +30
Heerlijk eten, leuke bediening - Edit
Een knus restaurantje. Veel lekkere opties. Zorg dat je ruimte houdt voor de toetjes 😀
Read moreDe bediening is aardig en attent. Echt een aanrader.
Guest
Sam_Jones
Points +1163
Great food & atmosphere - Edit
This place has a great atmosphere and one of the main reasons are the staff.
Read moreThey are not only very service minded but also very friendly and they have great sense of humor.
We enjoyed a 3-course meal with tofu and desert and it tasted amazing.
Pros: Great food, Great staff
Guest
sophiathart
Points +74
cozy place and nice food - Edit
went here for the 3-course meal with my mom for my birthday, it was amazing.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-10-27
Guest
ErwinKiki
Points +1386
Nice platter as lunch🥰🤘🏻🖖🏻 - Edit
Realy tastefull platter, the lunch was awesome
Read morePros: Nice people , Good food, Good music
Cons: None
Guest
WillemijnPostel
Points +34
Super nice food with really cosy atmosphere! - Edit
Absolutely loved eating here. Friendly staff, cosy atmosphere, good music. Had the crispy tofu and chocolate pie, friend had the carrot pie (even though desserts change daily). Found it a very well balanced meal, would suggest at least taking a starter or dessert with it, only the main is a bit on the small side. Kombucha was not my thing, a bit too sour. Otherwise... Freaking amazing haha
Read moreGuest
JurgenR
Points +87
Nice place with great food - Edit
I ate here with my sister. We both had the bieten kroketten and flamkuchen wich were great. I had the grilled aubergine with a caramel sauce, very tasty and original! The cake was also delicious.
Read morePros: Everything is vegan, Friendly staff, Tasty and original food
Guest
tessjosie
Points +90
Beste plekje - Edit
Cosy place, cute outside terrace, super kind people working there, and AMAZING food everytime! Their menu changes every month, and I’ve eaten here a few times the past years, and it is always perfect. Also they have delicious natural wines and scrumptious vegan cakes. Go go go!!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-09-25
Guest
LaraLocktree
Points +146
Perfect place - Edit
Very good food!!! Great staff
Read moreGuest
deveganfijnproever
Points +272
Must go! - Edit
Fresh and good food. Everything on the plate makes sense. You can eat 3 courses for around €27,-. After that you are really full! The staff is always nice. Their menu changes monthly.
Read moreGuest
MerleVrooijink
Points +27
Fantastisch! - Edit
Heerlijk klein restaurantje, leuke sfeer, aardig personeel, en het eten 'mammamia'
Read morePros: PB
Guest
da6t33x
Points +245
GE WEL DIG !!! - Edit
Aanrader, geweldig eten en goede bediening op een leuke locatier.
Read morePros: menu , staff
Cons: no deliveries
Guest
schoppenaas
Points +41
Our absolute favorite - Edit
Our favorite vegan restaurant in Utrecht and beyond. Super delicious food, currently via take away (due to Covid), hopefully the restaurant can reopen soon!
Read morePros: Fabulous cooking, Everything vegan and homemade , Friendly staff
Guest
Rosa&Pleun
Points +261
Prima lunch - Edit
Lekker gegeten met de lunch. Klein menu, voor diner wat groter.
Read moreGuest
AdrianaMatsufuji
Points +220
One of my favorite places in Utrecht - Edit
I go here very often and I love everything!
Read moreThe menu changes monthly, the dishes are always creative and delicious. Staff is suuuper nice. Amazing pies/cakes. And they have the cutest cat hanging around ❤️
Pros: Everything!
Guest
iLotje87
Points +469
Delicious! - Edit
Had diner here with my family, my brother isn’t vegan but he really liked the food. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The little kitty who walked and lays around made the evening complete❤️
Read morePros: Fresh food. , Great portion size.
Cons: Small menu.
Guest
OtVegan
Points +74
Awesome vegan🌱🌱🌱 - Edit
Awesome food, nice people! Fantastic! Love the housecat!🌱 Everybody come here!!
Read moreGuest
Elaine.vh
Points +96
Cozy restaurant, high quality food - Edit
Van Planten serves seasonal food, that's why they always have a different menu. It's not a big menu but it's still really hard to choose because everything is so good and flavorful. The home made cakes are pretty awesome as well. The staff is super friendly and down to earth. It's not cheap, but really worth your money. Would definitely recommend!
Read morePros: Seasonal menu, Delicious
Cons: Little expensive
Guest
fatbasstard
Points +479
Great lunch! - Edit
Went for a lunch this time (been there before) and although there were no specific lunch option on the menu they offered 2 bread options. Went for a bread with croquettes and a bread with scrambled "egg". They also had a nice children menu option consisting of fries with fruit/vegetables.... Great place, friendly staff and superb food
Read morePros: Cosy, Friendly staff, Great lunch (although not on the menu!)
Guest
Kirsten308
Points +534
Heerlijk vegan eten! - Edit
Fijn menu, met mooie en niet alledaagse gerechten.
Read morePros: Originele gerechten , Vriendelijke bediening
Guest
minkimonki
Points +185
Great food and good atmosphere - Edit
I really loved this place. Though the menu has a limited set of options, each dish is very flavourful and original in combining different (seasonal) ingredients. The vegan cakes that are offered as dessert were also amazing!
Read moreThe atmosphere is cozy and laid-back, and the staff matches that in their attitude: very nice, friendly and laid-back. The prices are super reasonable too.
Supposedly the menu changes quite often, so I will definitely be back soon to try more!
Pros: Good flavour combinations, Friendly staff, Amazing cakes
Guest
IsabeauJensen
Points +450
Lovely atmosphere, exciting “borrelplank” - Edit
The borrelplank is amazing, with croquettes and multiple dips. Just lovely! Great place for a long leisurely diner.
Read morePros: Great date night place, Not too expensive
Guest
EstherK
Points +222
Lovely food & cakes - Edit
Hightly recommended! Great food and cakes. And the profit goes to charities concerning animals, nature and the environment. I’m soon coming back!
Read moreI went back in January 2020, there’s a new cook, and the food still is fantastic! Went with 3 non-vegan friends and everybody was enthusiastic!
Pros: Everything vegan, great food.
margheritarossi
Thanks, we are happy to host you again!
Read moreGuest
iosmn
Points +136
Nice relaxed restaurant. - Edit
Very chilled out place. Lovely food although not much choice. Assume they rotate the dishes monthly as it was a January menu. No English menu but Easily translated by the friendly staff. Great soup!
Read moreGuest
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