Lom­bok

Utrecht’s Lombok district is located within walking distance of the newly-refurbished Central Station and is the city’s multicultural heart. Kanaalstraat and the side streets that branch off it are crammed with shops full of exotic specialities, knickknacks and delicacies, and have been beloved by the local population for many years.

Exotic groceries
Colourful Kanaalstraat is the central shopping street, full of exotic supermarkets, greengrocers, butchers and bakeries. You can do your regular shopping here any day in the week, but it is also the place to go if you are looking for special ingredients from all corners of the world – from cheeses, breads and vegetables to tropical fruits, Arabic food products and hand-painted earthenware from North Africa. Whatever ingredients you might need, you are sure to find them in Lombok.

From coffee bars to living-room cafes
Every day, citizens from all over the city come to this bustling part of Utrecht for its cheap shops and specialist stores, but Lombok is also home to a growing number of trendy coffee stalls, restaurants and living-room cafes.

Live like the locals and take a break from your shopping trip to chill out in the comfy chairs and have some cake at a coffee stall like Zwart Goud or Koffie en ik. Book a table at the trendy Asian restaurant Jasmijn en ik to enjoy an array of small, special dishes. Or have the daily special at Café Lombok, where the menu is inspired by the neighbourhood and its residents. You can stay in and cook your own meal as well, of course – you will be able to find all the ingredients for a special supper on Kanaalstraat.

Places of special interest
Lombok was originally a multicultural working-class neighbourhood with early 20th-century buildings. The neighbourhood is characterised by its narrow streets and the small but iconic workers’ houses. The places of special interest in the area include the new mosque at the start of Kanaalstraat, the De Ster (the star) sawmill, the renovated Cereol factory and the Merwede Canal. This canal was dug by hand, and attests to Utrecht’s industrial past.

How to get there
Lombok is within walking distance of Utrecht Central Station. To get there, take the Beatrix Theatre exit and walk left towards the mosque. Cross the street and you will have arrived at your destination!