It seems like a long time ago that we were stuck with the COVID-19 restrictions, but you still might like to keep your distance. Here are five places where you have enough space for a relaxed date or gathering with friends. Venster A restaurant, community canteen, local café or something in between: there always a good vibe at Venster on Berlijnplein. This spot is part of RAUM urban lab, so you can even decide to visit an outdoor exhibition or event before settling down here. They’re into good food and drink at Venster. Don’t expect anything fancy, just good honest food made from locally sourced ingredients. > Berlijnplein 520 vensterutrecht.nl Karibu Everything at Karibu is 100% homemade. These days, the breakfast and lunch café, which started life in the LOU Oudenoord creative hotspot, is on the ground floor of the Hooghiemstra collective business hub, close to Griftpark. The interior is now even brighter and more inviting than ever, and the menu includes world dishes varying from Mexican burritos and Moroccan couscous, to Asian dumplings and Italian pasta. Vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free – nothing is too much trouble here. > Hooghiemstraplein 55 karibueat.nl De Kwekerij In the last place you’d expect it, you’ll find De Kwekerij: a flourishing green terrain amidst a concrete jungle. There’s plenty of room here, both inside and out, so sit back and relax on a lounge sofa or deckchair and toast life with a nice glass wine or a cocktail and a delicious sandwich or funky bar food. Oh, how we’ve missed this…. > Burgemeester Fockema Andreaelaan 13 dekwekerijutrecht.nl Fort de Batterijen Spread out your picnic blanket somewhere in the two acres of nature, with the calming sound of trees rustling and brooks bubbling in the background. It sounds like paradise, and it is. Fort de Batterijen, a monumental fort that is part of the former New Dutch Water Line, opens its very special outdoor terrace every Sunday. You can buy drinks at the bar, but you have to take your own bites. > Overeindseweg 25, Nieuwegein fortdebatterijen.nl Café Keet The Merwede canal was built in the late 19th century by so-called ‘polder boys’. They lived together in temporary houses, also known as keten (sheds). A keet matron lived in the keet too; she cooked for the boys and did the housework. Evenings were apparently great fun. Café Keet is the name of the café/restaurant in the creative hotspot Kanaal30, located on the Merwede canal to the south-west of the city. You can go for coffee, lunch or a drink. If it’s too cold or wet to sit on the spacious terrace, you can easily find a spot inside because the interior has been corona-proofed: the seats are arranged and ‘piled up’ so that there’s always enough distance between you and other people. Very handy! > Kanaalweg 30 cafekeet.nl