Stadstuin Zuilen is a city garden located in Utrecht, in the northwestern part of the city. It is a place focused on greenery, food, and community, featuring vegetable gardens, a growing food forest, and a flower picking garden. The garden is designed as a space where visitors can discover nature up close, with opportunities to explore the ecosystem of plants, herbs, and edible flowers.
Visitors can self-pick their own fresh vegetables from the self-harvest garden. This activity is available each Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The picking season runs from late April through the end of October. Produce is grown naturally without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilizers. A small fee of €0.50 applies for the harvest. There is also a flower picking garden on site.
The garden’s on-site café is open from May through October, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The café serves coffee, tea, cake, and lunch, and also sells produce harvested from the garden.
The garden itself is accessible to the public year-round. The regular garden opening hours (outside of the summer season) are on Fridays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM during the months of November through April. The garden is mostly accessible for wheelchairs, though some paths are uneven or narrow. Leashed dogs are allowed on the property.
What visitors say
This charming city garden is widely lauded as a beautiful, tranquil oasis, offering a perfect escape from urban bustle. Visitors consistently praise its serene, green environment, describing it as a hidden gem ideal for unwinding, enjoying a walk, or simply relaxing outdoors. The staff frequently receives commendations for their friendliness and helpfulness. Many appreciate the quality of the offerings, including delicious sandwiches, good cappuccino, and a selection of organic baked goods and drinks. The garden also provides fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, available for purchase, particularly on Fridays.
Despite these positive aspects, a notable concern among several reviewers is the pricing of beverages. There are repeated complaints about what are perceived as excessively high costs for items like beer and wine, with examples such as €5.50 for a can of beer or €15 for a beer and a pot of tea. Some customers feel these prices are disproportionate for a tea garden setting and represent a significant increase from previous years, potentially discouraging repeat visits. Additionally, limited opening hours for the garden cafe, attributed to a shortage of volunteers, have also been noted as an inconvenience.