Restaurant Carmel Market — Restaurant in Utrecht

The utter disappointment of sending plates back to the kitchen a total of three time this night, will change that feeling you had when you originally walked into this restaurant. Although it’s very beautiful decorated with a good warm style and very nice waiters the cooking just doesn’t live up to it.

The cocktail was a nice drink but I just can’t somehow feel a bit sad when the ice is larger then almost all the liquid in the glass 🤣 a quick reminder to not forget to ask to have it without ice 🧊

We started with the bruschetta which was two pieces of bread for €7,50 And although the topping was quite nice, the battle we had trying to actually bite the bread to pieces took away all our pleasures. It was cold so you couldn’t say that it was because the bread was toasted too hard… but more like we were eating yesterday’s leftovers.

Then the croquettes which in opposite of the bruschetta was really hot, I couldn’t tell you if they were hand made in the kitchen because that would explain the price of €7,- for just 3 pieces. We didn’t ask when ordering but, we can say that the mayonnaise was not homemade and chives were nowhere to be found in this sauce.

You know that nice little waiting time you have between ordering your food and having it brought over to your table, that time it actually takes the cook in the kitchen time to start making the food you have ordered ….. ? Yeah that didn’t exist here. One second after finishing the starters the waiter came over with almost all our plates.

And lady’s and gentlemen we present to you, for the price of €9,50 a cold risotto on a very hot plate.. with the speed of delivery and the state it was in, munched up risotto rice in a bowl of liquid with some mushrooms, we can almost guarantee you that this dish will be a pre-made bad heated up again delight for you. And if you thought about ordering the version with meat for the price of €13,50 be aware that it’s the same as the vegetarian one.. al they did was scoop some €4,- spoons of meat on top of the original one 🎊 Yes we did send this back to the kitchen, and it came back hot this time, we do suspect some help of the microwave but we can’t say for sure. 😉

On to the final of the night, and one I was really looking forward to. The cauliflower dish for €8,50 that was so salty it was impossible to eat. Sending it back to the kitchen two time didn’t help because it sadly came back the same. On a positive note we didn’t had to pay for it as the waitress took it off our bill.

Maybe it’s bad communication in the kitchen or bad chefs but for our experience we will not be...

Food is a hit or miss. Some dishes are very good and some very bland and basic. The description of some dishes on the menu don’t match what you actually get on the plate. But the food is not the main issue. It’s the service and the stressful atmosphere.

Since the time you enter, you will be WARNED multiple times that you need to eat in 2 hours and get out. First while waiting for your table, second in the middle of the meal, and third before ordering dessert. It feels nothing like a nice dining experience, there’s better treatment and service of people are soup kitchens.

The whole environment is overly stressful. Servers look stressed, they’ll take half your tables order than go away and half of the people on the table didn’t get a chance to order. There’s so many tables fitted in a small place, there’s barely any space to walk. On top of this servers walking around with big crates of glasses and plates of food. Add customers waiting in lines for a table. It’s worse than a fish market in Asia.

The owners priorities are quite clear, money money and money. Treat people eating here as number rather than provide a good dining experience. And the food is not even that good to go through this chaos of an experience. Given the little space and closeness of the tables crammed in little space it seems like they’re creating the Ryanair of restaurants.

Oh and let’s not forget the sneaky charge they will add to your bill for TAP WATER. Come on, at least be...

Marble Market in Utrecht is truly a gem. The interior design is stunning! A perfect balance of classic elegance with an artsy, atmospheric vibe. The setting feels both stylish and welcoming, making it a place where you immediately want to linger.

The staff were absolutely wonderful. Friendly, attentive, and professional. We were seated and served quickly, and our food arrived in no time. Despite the efficiency, nothing felt rushed, just smooth and seamless service.

The food itself was an experience. Every dish offered incredible flavors and textures, making it a real treat to try a bit of everything. Everything tasted freshly prepared and carefully crafted, turning the meal into something more than just dinner. It felt like a culinary journey.

One small note is that the background music didn’t always match the rest of the ambiance. The atmosphere was so refined and artistic that sometimes the playlist felt slightly out of place. That said, it wasn’t enough to take away from the overall experience.

The location couldn’t be better, right in the heart of Utrecht, surrounded by beautiful architecture and within easy walking distance from the station. While the prices are on the higher side, the quality of the food, the setting, and the overall experience make it absolutely worth it.

A must-visit in Utrecht if you’re looking for an elevated dining experience in a gorgeous,...