Where can you go if you want to make a really early start? Five breakfast places in town, where they serve breakfast by (or even before) 8 o’clock. Nostro Bar Take your breakfast like a true Italian at Nostro Bar: strong espresso and a dolce, a freshly baked pastry perfect for dunking if you so wish. You don’t have to stand up like real Italians do in the mornings, but we’re sure you could if you want to. The bar asked the coffee bean roaster to make a special Nostro-blend using Fairtrade beans with a Mediterranean character. If you’d rather eat a roll, the panini are filled with traditional Italian products, such as buffalo mozzarella, provolone, Parma ham, pesto and pomodori. > Vondellaan 15A nostrobar.nl Koffie & Ik This has been the ultimate breakfast place for ten years now. Sit outside in the winter sun, or go inside to enjoy your croissant, cinnamon bun or yoghurt with granola and fresh fruit. If you’re feeling daring, try their vegan pink cake! If you need to get straight to work, you can, but they charge a small fee for using a laptop. This place is also a mini-concept store: they offer a selection of fresh, self-roasted coffee beans and delicious delicatessen items. An alternating group of artists (mainly local) use the walls to exhibit their work. > Vleutenseweg 169 koffieenik.nl Bakkerij Neplenbroek Their parents started out as bakers in the Nieuw-Engeland neighbourhood, and now their sons Marchel and Ron Neplenbroek run branches throughout Utrecht and as far away as Amersfoort. The branch in Terwijde is a bakery, shop and breakfast bar, all rolled into one: you can watch the produce coming out of the stone oven while chomping on your own roll. > Ella Fitzgeraldplein 14 neplenbroek.nl/terwijde Café Elize The sisters Anne and Michelle are up at the crack of dawn to welcome you with open arms. Café Elize – named after their mother Elizabeth – serves all-day breakfasts with a boiled egg, toasted banana loaf and all sorts of other morning fare. Or treat yourself to Elize’s full breakfast with rustic bread, croissant, truffle cheese, scrambled egg, smoked salmon, home-made jam and coffee or tea. A refreshing mimosa (orange juice with sparkling wine) tops it off nicely. > Mariaplaats 44 elize.cafe Cornelis A hundred years ago, you could buy groceries, coffee, tea and chocolate in this corner shop. But times change, and nowadays, Cornelis resides behind the green façade – a coffee bar, delicatessen and one-room hotel. Early risers can come here for a breakfast of Greek yoghurt with gluten-free granola and fruit, rolls and home-made cake. The shop also stocks a range of chocolate, postcards, vases, scented candles and small gifts. > Maliestraat 16 cornelis-utrecht.nl