We are a social enterprise and biological farm located on the eastern side of Utrecht, set on a 2.5‑hectare site that once belonged to a monastery and later became a city nursery. Today, the garden serves as a working farm, lunch café, farm shop, event venue, and recreational space. All cultivation is organic, and the farm provides work and training opportunities for people who have difficulty finding employment on the regular labour market. The site includes a large terrace, a children’s playground, an animal meadow, beehives, a herb garden, and a greenhouse called De Oranjerie that can be rented for parties, weddings, and business meetings.
Visitors can take part in self‑picking of vegetables and fruit. The picking season runs from the second or third weekend of April until December, depending on the weather. Each week, pickers can harvest four to five different types of vegetables and fruit. The garden grows more than fifty varieties of vegetables – such as tomatoes, squash, beans, kale, and potatoes – as well as fruit including strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, apples, pears, and figs. A separate flower‑picking field is available from summer into autumn, where guests can pick blooms like dahlias, sunflowers, and cornflowers. Self‑picking hours for vegetables and fruit are Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:30 (with a gardener present) and Saturday from 10:00 to 16:30 (gardener present until 14:00). The farm shop, lunch café, and the rest of the garden are open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Note that the farm is closed on Koningsdag (26 April) and between Christmas and New Year.
On‑site you can also buy fresh produce, homemade bread, jams, and pastries in the farm shop, or enjoy a seasonal lunch, homemade cake, or a vegetarian borrel in the lunch café. The large terrace overlooks the play area, and there is a heated glasshouse for events. Parking is free, and the location is accessible by tram from Utrecht Central Station. The farm is family‑friendly, wheelchair‑accessible, and dogs are welcome on a lead.
What visitors say
Nestled as a verdant oasis within the city of Utrecht, this self-picking farm and garden is widely celebrated for its unique concept and welcoming ambiance. It stands out as a highly child-friendly destination, offering extensive play areas with various ride-on toys, playgrounds, and even a water pump for muddy fun, allowing parents to relax while children are entertained. The presence of farm animals further enhances the family appeal.
A key highlight is the culinary experience, which features a completely vegetarian menu with abundant organic and vegan options, often utilizing fresh produce directly from the on-site garden and greenhouses. Diners consistently praise the delicious and healthy food, noting highlights like flavorful soups, excellent plant-based cakes, and popular kimchi toasties. Many appreciate the pure, lovingly prepared dishes, with some even stating that it’s enjoyable for meat-eaters too. The friendly, attentive staff, often part of a social enterprise, contribute significantly to the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
Beyond dining, visitors enjoy strolling through the beautiful gardens, exploring the greenhouses, and utilizing the on-site organic shop, which offers fresh produce, dairy, and other biological products. The location is also recognized as a versatile venue suitable for various gatherings, from casual lunches to business meetings and even weddings, with ample (mostly free) parking available.
However, a few areas for improvement have been noted. The QR code ordering and self-pickup system, while convenient for some, is criticized by others for detracting from the charm and being less user-friendly, especially given the perceived higher prices for certain items like toasties or small pastries. Service can occasionally be slow or inconsistent, particularly during busy periods, leading to long waits for food. Furthermore, some of the children’s play equipment is reported to be in disrepair, and the general cleanliness of high chairs was mentioned. While the atmosphere is generally peaceful, it can become quite noisy when large groups of families are present, and the acoustics in the greenhouse are not always ideal for meetings. One reviewer also expressed disappointment over the recent introduction of livestock, feeling it contradicted the farm’s green image.