The story
Restaurant San Siro puts a disciplined modern Italian approach to work in the heart of Utrecht. Chef Tako Peters leads a tight brigade that treats ingredient quality as the starting point for every plate. This steady focus landed the kitchen on the Accademia Italiana Della Cucina registry and secured a Lekker500 Top 500 ranking. Patrons experience the result through structured tasting menus or carefully assembled à la carte selections.
The Italian kitchen balances familiar shapes with precise execution, like lightly acidulated sea bream resting beside sweet and savory accents. A terrine of braised veal brisket and bresaola arrives with a saffron reduction that ties the layers together. Heavier plates lean into texture, featuring glazed cod paired with caramelized cabbage and a touch of smoked eel. Desserts follow the same restraint, offering fig and date cake alongside house churned ricotta ice cream.
The dining space sits behind an original nineteenth century timber facade that once sheltered patisserie Noteboom. The interior preserves the building’s historic character while leaving ample space for unhurried meals. Staff guide tables through traditional service standards, adjusting arrangements for allergies or birthday celebrations without making a fuss. A compact terrace extends the welcome when the weather turns mild.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
Slightly tucked away in the heart of Utrecht's bustling center, on Oudkerkhof, lies the casual Italian restaurant San Siro, helmed by chef Tako Peters. Not Italian himself, yet he knows everything about excellent Italian cooking, served with a modern twist. This is immediately evident from the two starters: sous-vide dorade and a terrine of veal brisket and bresaola. Both dishes look stunning on the plate and taste superb. The dorade is not a ceviche, but rather a lightly acidulated fish. The other components provide a lovely sweet and savory counterbalance. The terrine is rich and creamy, pairing perfectly with the saffron sauce. The generous portion of cod (merluzzo) in the main course is also cooked to perfection and incredibly fresh; the accompanying glazed sauerkraut is delightful, the added eel lends a beautiful smoky note, and the cavolo nero cream is irresistibly delicious. What a well-crafted plate of food! Naturally, these dishes are accompanied exclusively by Italian wines, served by particularly friendly, young, and well-informed staff. The Gavi di Gavi from Piedmont is an excellent companion for the dorade, just as the Verdicchio from the Marche region, which has been aged for six months in wood, pairs beautifully with the cod. We round off the meal with an original and flavorful dessert: a fig and date cake, fig ricotta ice cream, almond panna cotta, and a fresh fig salad. If the bill is also quite reasonable, then there is only one conclusion: Welcome to Lekker!
For 18 years, Italian restaurant San Siro has been a household name in the heart of Utrecht. The restaurant exudes a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The dishes are classic with a modern twist. Burrata with roasted beetroot, pickled parsnip,...
