Get A Taste Of Utrecht    At The Grocery Store Museum

The History of Dutch Food Shopping

This unusual little ‘Museum voor de Kruideniersbedrift‘ (literally: ‘The Museum of the Grocery Business’) was founded 50 years ago in 1974 and offers a casual stroll through the legacy of the Dutch food industry. Here you can trace the evolution of these retailers over the years and the role they play in daily life. The museum’s collection provides a vivid impression of a local grocery store from more than a century ago.

An Authentic Shop

As you step inside, you’ll find yourself in a fully furnished boutique, meticulously recreated to resemble a general store from the past. Old wooden shelves are stocked with nostalgic products, forgotten brands, and old-fashioned foodstuffs. Floors squeak underfoot and the air is sometimes filled with the aroma of freshly ground coffee. And just like in the olden days, you can still buy groceries and delicacies here.

Feed both brain and body by indulging in sweets and treats from the past! Downstairs, you’ll find displays where you can purchase peppermint, various types of licorice, Dutch candies, and other nostalgic goodies. From semolina and polka chunks to Ulevellen and church mints, everything is neatly weighed using old copper-calibrated weights. By treating yourself, you’re also supporting the museum, which relies on the sale of sweets and private donations to thrive as the attraction is free of charge.

Unique Exhibits & Happy Volunteers

Beyond the bodega, the museum boasts an interesting exhibition space. Explore showcases filled with antique grocery items, including post-war soaps, exquisite colorful tins, and long-lost products that customers once enjoyed in a bygone era.

The museum is run by enthusiastic volunteers who keep this small piece of urban history alive. Have a chat about your memories, ask questions, or just enjoy a fresh ground coffee with these charming curators – it’s gezellig!

Ticket Prices

• The museum is free for everyone
• Donations are accepted
• Museumkaart – not required

Open Tuesday thru Thursday 12:30 am to 4 pm Friday & Saturday 11:30 am to 5 pm

Getting There

Visiting the Museum

The Kruidenier’s Museum is a cute, 20-minute diversion if you are walking in downtown Utrecht, but it’s very specific to the Netherlands and may not hold the interest of non-Dutch speakers, hurried travelers, or restless teenagers.

A video of old grocery store curiosities set to big-band music