Pampalini Lunchroom & Coffee - Utrecht 2014 — Restaurant in Utrecht

I have been visiting this gem on an off for a few years already, and shamefully this is my first review. Why do I love pampalini? Why do I continue coming back? 1- The owners are so kind. They try their best to treat you like a guest at their own house and not simply a customer. They will go that extra mile to make you feel at ease and relaxed. It is nice to go here because it is lovely to support such considerate and kind people. 2 - They have real specialities. I always get the Fesenjan stew because there is nothing quite like it. It is a vegan stew made of plums, and you really cannot feel the absence of meet. They cook it for several hours, and it just has the perfect consistency. 3 - They offer Vega & gluten free food. Wait what? I am coeliac (aka gluten free), I cannot eat lactose, and I prefer eating vegetarian. Food for me it’s a struggle, but here it is just simple. 4 - it has a super good location. No matter where you need to go in the centre of Utrecht, this place is probably 5 minutes away. 5 - Prices are student friendly. Yes students: it’s next to the library and it’s affordable. 6 - I love bringing my laptop and work here (as I am doing now by the way) or simply bring a book and read on one of their sofas.

Still indecisive? I cannot believe it. Go to pampalini, and enjoy the company, the atmosphere...

After the corona period, the choice of modern lunch shops/sandwich shops has increased with more choice of healthy types of fillings/toppings. I tried plenty of them in Amsterdam. But today, May 8, I experienced the absolute best of the best in terms of the above. Pampalini Lunchroom and Cafe. The reservation by email (also necessary) is answered quickly, friendly and clearly. The reception in the cozy and clean lunchroom is guest-oriented and hospitable without the feeling that this is a stage play. "old fashioned" hospitality. Fortunately, the menu is not too large, but it has everything that tickles the taste buds when you read it. This also applies to the drinks. And when you get your sandwiches you get a Mediterranean (I chose hummus avocado) perfect flavor combination in your mouth. My daughter opted for steak parmesan and the following also applies: "they nailed it!". We were happy with the opportunity to share a carrot cake for dessert. You often don't get this the way you want it. This was carrot cake where you immediately want to take a few pieces home and let everyone taste it. What an absolutely top experience this business is and no competitor in Utrecht will soon be able to match that. I'll be...

I was looking forward to trying out this cafe because of highly rated reviews. Very disappointed to receive frosty service as soon as we only ordered a drink and pastry for takeaway.

We were told to take a seat while they prepared this. The warm pastry did not come as “takeaway” (no paper bag, no box), and it was raining outside. We should’ve said something about that if we knew the treatment we were going to receive next. I thought we could spend 5 minutes to eat this pastry otherwise going outside would’ve drenched it.

Despite the cafe being mostly empty, we were explicitly asked to leave as soon as our order arrived because our order was “takeaway”. Extremely shocked at this type of hospitality towards a pregnant woman.

Exactly as I thought, we went outside holding the pastry while it was rained on, the whipped cream dissipated in the rain. I literally had to scoff it and asked my friends to help me eat it quickly because it was being rained on.

I figured that they probably treat their takeaway customers to a lower standard than to their sit down customers. Disappointing experience...