8x hidden gems for a vegan lunch during World Vegan Day

Discover the world of "green-te-no-mie" at Le Jardin in Utrecht, in other words: enjoying delicious food and drinks with vegetables in the lead role. Local and seasonal produce is used as much as possible. Choose a lunch of two, three or four courses and taste the flavours of French cuisine. Each dish is a surprise and a true feast for the senses.

And then the interior! Green plants and cacti bring life to the restaurant. At the front it is cosy and intimate, at the back light and open, but everywhere is equally cosy.

Bluebirds in the Backyard is not only a gem of a shop, but also a great place to have lunch. In their cosy lunchroom on the Voorstraat in Dordrecht, you can enjoy a vegan and freshly prepared lunch. The friendly team, consisting of volunteers, students and people from the VG and GGZ, is happy to pamper you.

Had enough to eat? Then pop into the shop. Here you will find everything from stylish clothes and candles to books, gemstones and beautiful dried flowers. It's almost impossible to go home empty-handed!

In the heart of Delft, on one of the canals, lies HUmmUS. A hotspot among vegan eaters. Here you taste Middle Eastern dishes with a contemporary twist. The menu is kindly priced, pure and oh so delicious.

The four different types of hummus on the menu are served with freshly baked pita and a fresh salad. Be sure to try the Hummus Hachoua, with seven-spice vegetable mince. Also, don't forget to order the tasty specials and side dishes, such as the crispy sweet potato fries or the deep-fried cauliflower.

Bindicafe is a hidden gem on the edge of Amersfoort city centre. This cosy living room restaurant is the ideal place for a vegan lunch or to enjoy the whole afternoon on the terrace on a sunny day. With rattan chairs, green plants and atmospheric wicker pendant lights, it immediately feels like a place where you feel at home.

The menu is entirely plant-based and composed with love for organic, seasonal and honest ingredients. Naturally, as much as possible from local entrepreneurs. Will you go for the creamy Baba Ganoush or the crispy, homemade falafel?

If you are in Amsterdam, you really have to stop by Margo's. You'll find this pink bakery in both Oud-West and the Jordaan. Think crispy croissants, American cookies, freshly filled sandwiches and matcha lattes. Owner Margo gets up early every morning to make the most delicious treats. And all with organic and fair-trade ingredients.

Although there are no seats, get your favourite vegan lunch to go here. Perfect for a day wandering the city with a sandwich and a coffee in hand. Opting for coffee? Then the reusable HuskeeCup comes highly recommended. Made from coffee husk waste, this cup also helps keep the oceans clean. In fact, Margo donates the proceeds to The Ocean Cleanup.

In Groningen, be sure to visit Mahalo for a delicious vegan lunch. Here, everything is about your health and the environment. Every dish is homemade, organic and completely plant-based. And while you enjoy the food, you also have a beautiful view of the green Noorderplantsoen.

On the menu you will find slow juices packed with vegetables, fresh smoothies and tasty sandwiches. But perhaps the best part is that you can create your own picnic basket here. Choose from all the goodies on the menu or go for a ready-made basket. The basket comes with a blanket, so you can settle down right away in the park.

Nice detail: Mahalo means 'thank you' in Hawaiian - a fitting gesture for this place full of gratitude for nature!

Bhalu in Nijmegen is a place where living room and yoga school come together. This is all about living more consciously and making responsible choices. Not for someone else, but for yourself. The menu is full of delicious vegan lunch options. My tip is the sandwich with asparagus and scrambled tofu or the portobello burger.

Feeling fulfilled? Then relax with a good book or take a yoga class. They offer different styles here, such as chakra yoga and yin yang yoga.

A large tree trunk table, coloured chairs, a cosy inner garden and green plants everywhere. Coffee bar Sowieso in Breda is a fine place for a vegan lunch. The cosy atmosphere feels like coming home, exactly like you only experience in cosy living room cafés.

The menu is full of vegan options. Always delicious, healthy and made from natural, locally sourced ingredients. For coffee lovers, the specialty coffee from their own roastery is highly recommended. The house blend is freshly roasted weekly and can also be bought in sachets for home use.