Tilburg surprises. With its cosy streets, creative Spoorzone and relaxed atmosphere, it is already a fun city for a day out. And the good news: even if you want to eat consciously, this is the place to be. From vegan comfort food to organic fine dining, among all those cosy eateries there are also quite a few more sustainable ones. Tilburg has surprisingly many delicious and responsible choices on its menu. Together with local Nicole, we went out and collected the best sustainable restaurants in Tilburg.
Eating out in Tilburg: the sustainable hotspots
Tilburg has flourished in recent years. The city exudes creativity and conviviality, which is reflected in the ever-increasing range of sustainable eating places. Whether you settle down for brunch in the Dwaalgebied, grab a drink in the Spoorzone or look out over the water at Piushaven, fine addresses pop up everywhere where you can eat well and with a good feeling. So go out and discover Tilburg (A list of great second-hand shopping addresses can be found here) and be surprised by all the goodies Tilburg has to offer.
Fine dining in an old railway workshop from 1867 is what you do at De Houtloods.
Sustainable restaurants in Tilburg: your little green book
- Focus Foodbar: 100% plant-based restaurant in the middle of the Wandering Area (Heuvelstraat 22). The menu features international dishes with a twist such as celeriac carpaccio and sticky tofu, all homemade.
- The Woodshed: fine dining at a high level in an old 1867 NS workshop in the Spoorzone. Trivia: this is where the wood for the trains was stored and dried. Now it is a restaurant where they cook with the seasons and use as much local produce as possible. Vegetables in the lead? Well and truly! And you can see that live in the open kitchen, as they like to give guests a peek inside the pans. Address: Burgemeester Brokxlaan 1041, Tilburg.
- Insane: a restaurant with a mission. At this warm eatery in Willem II street (number 52A), everyone is allowed to participate. The enthusiastic team consists of people distanced from the labour market who are guided by coaches. On the menu? Lots of vega and vegan and colourful, healthy dishes that will make you happy. Even the traditional sausage roll can be ordered vegan here!
- Ristobar29 (at Cinecitta): at this atmospheric restaurant, located in the iconic Cinecitta movie house (since 1916), you'll enjoy seasonal dishes using local produce from the short chain. They bake their own sourdough bread and patisserie, and the menu offers a nice mix of classics, vegetarian and vegan options. An ideal place for lunch, dinner or drinks, with or without a movie. Address: Willem II street 29, Tilburg.
- Buutvrij: creative coffee café and a favourite spot in Tilburg for breakfast, lunch and good coffee for years. You eat homemade sweet and savoury treats here, with lots of veg and vegan options and of course the Brabant sausage roll. Inside, it feels like a second living room, and in the back you can rent a bright greenhouse or workspace for your meeting or party. Address: Stationsstraat 49, Tilburg.
Act like a local and have lunch at Buutvrij in Tilburg. Here you will find many vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu.
- June: organic, local and seasonal: at June, the whole picture is right. At this cosy coffee café in the Dwaal area, you brunch with attention - from vegan cheesecake to homemade rendang bun and avocado toast. Everything is made with love for people and the planet, in a cosy setting where you immediately feel at home. Address: Nieuwlandstraat 16, Tilburg.
- Nomadas: here you take a culinary journey through Mediterranean Nikkei cuisine: a tasty mix of Peruvian, Japanese and Latin American influences. Choose a 4- or 6-course surprise menu (wonderful fine dining, but not entirely vegetarian or vegan), or settle down for brunch or drinks (cocktails!). Those menus actually have lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Address: Academielaan 73, Tilburg.
- The Grain Trade: cosy coffee, lunch, drinks and dinner spot on Piushaven. The menu is mostly veg and vegan with original dishes like jackfruit masala, fried artichoke and cauliflower with hollandaise sauce, but the classics are not missing either. Nice touch: much is homemade like the bread and jam. This is one of those places where everyone feels at home, no matter what time you walk in. Reservations can be made, but you can also just pop in spontaneously. Address: Piushaven 1, Tilburg.
- Yeast: at bistro-restaurant Gist, it's all about simply good food and drink. And the whole of the Netherlands should know, as they received rave reviews from Volkskrant and NRC. The dishes are seasonal, locally sourced and often plant-based. No set courses, just choose what you fancy. The atmosphere is casual, the food creative and the wine list completes it all. Simplicity has rarely been so special. Reserve in time, as this restaurant is very popular. Address: Langestraat 65, Tilburg.
Oy, bistro-restaurant Gist has received such great reviews that getting a table can be tricky. So book in time to experience this enduring culinary feast too.
- Steck013: a cosy eatery with a beer garden located in the centre of Tilburg. Walk in and enjoy the best beers, fine dishes and a great games cabinet. Steck's menu has something for everyone, and plenty of choice for vegetarian and vegan diners! For example, try the legendary vegan hair salon.
- RAW: here they don't necessarily have dedicated sustainable cuisine, but it's such a nice place that it just belongs in this list. RAW is located in an old railway workshop in the Spoorzone and has a terrace that has been transformed into a mini city beach, complete with sand and relaxed beach vibes. Weather permitting, you can sit outside, but it's also atmospheric inside with that industrial look. The lunch menu has veggie options and at drinks you can indulge in veggie snacks, the bucket of cauliflower bites is delicious. Keep their Instagram keep an eye out for live music and events.
Where do you eat out sustainably in Tilburg?
Conclusion: Tilburg is bursting with fun and surprisingly conscious food addresses. From creative vegan brunch to culinary fine dining: This list gives you a taste of how delicious sustainable food can be. Do you have another favourite sustainable restaurant in Tilburg that really belongs in this list? Let us know about it! And be sure to share your favourite dishes or restaurant tips on Instagram and tag us via @thegreenlist.nl. Like it!
More getaway tips
- Also useful: an article with all the nice neighbourhoods in Tilburg. That way you know exactly where to go!
- If you are in Tilburg, you are also near the Efteling! Learn all about the enduring fairy tale.
- Put them in your beach bag: the cutest sustainable beach bars of Bloemendaal by the sea and Zandvoort by the sea.
Photo credits: main image Visit Brabant (RAW). Other: De Houtloods, Visit Brabant (terrace De Houtloods), Buutvrij, thegreenlist.nl (terrace Buutvrij), Gist.
