Winkel van Sinkel
Winkel van Sinkel

What used to be a big department store, now serves as a restaurant alongside one of Utrecht's beautiful canals.

Winkel van Sinkel (Dutch for Store of Sinkel), has been a part of the main canal of the city of Utrecht since 1839. It started as a department store, which was known for having all the products you could think of. In fact, the older Dutch generation will remember the famous advertising rhyme (translated):

In the Store of Sinkel, everything is for sale

There one can get: baskets of figs

Boxes of pomade

Bottles of orgeade

Hats and caps

And women’s corsets

Licoroice to snack

And pills to poop

Apart from Utrecht, the store also had branches in Amsterdam (this one now holds a Hema, a Dutch chain of variety stores), Leiden, Leeuwarden and Rotterdam.

Nowadays, the Winkel van Sinkel serves as a restaurant-grand café. This place is definitely worth a visit, because not only do they serve good food in their restaurant, it also has a wine bar and a pub inside, and even a dance floor for on the weekends.

Sit inside to enjoy your coffee or a meal, and admire the beautiful interior. Or sit outside on the terrace, with a view on the Oude Gracht (the Old Canal) and order a beer and bitterballen, a Dutch snack you have to try once you’re here!