Ubica Utrecht

Ubica at Ganzenmarkt 24 is located in the Stadhuiskwartier of Utrecht. The establishment presents itself as a grand café and café-restaurant, rather than a specialized coffee bar. The Mother Goose Hotel is also located in the same building complex. The hospitality business has been in operation since 2014 and focuses on lunch, dinner, drinks, and gatherings.

The history of the building plays a significant role in the current concept. The complex formerly housed the Ubica mattress trade and was subsequently occupied for 21 years. A renovation began in 2013, during which the complex was given new functions as a hotel, restaurant, and grand café.

Willem Klaassen and Dick Hoek are named as the owners and entrepreneurs behind the redevelopment. They worked with three private investors and various financiers. Available information does not mention any separate founders of the current hospitality business.

There are minor discrepancies in the public documentation regarding the exact opening date. One source cites June 2014, while another mentions August 2014. Official communications only state that the business has been active since 2014. Initially, the café was named Hoppe. Following a dispute with Café Hoppe in Amsterdam, the name was changed to Ubica in December 2014.

The interior design reflects the mixed hospitality function. A café area is located at the front, while the restaurant is situated at the back, with a terrace outside. This layout suits a business that serves multiple times of the day and provides space for groups.

According to its own public statements, Ubica works with roaster Cook & Boon for its coffee. Documented drinks include espresso, cappuccino, and latte macchiato. Iced coffee has also appeared in social media posts.

The published menu does not include a separate coffee section. As a result, it remains unclear which beans, blends, or origins are used at any given time. Brewing methods such as pour-over, batch brew, AeroPress, and French press are also not publicly documented. Based on the available data, Ubica therefore cannot be straightforwardly classified as a specialty coffee bar.

Coffee is part of the offering, but it sits within a broader hospitality concept. The venue also serves food, beer, wine, and other beverages. Information about coffee tastings, workshops, or educational activities is not publicly documented.

Ubica rents and uses its spaces for corporate and private gatherings. Examples include dinners with colleagues, promotional events, weddings, and birthdays. Additionally, the venue organized or communicated about events around New Year’s Eve and King’s Day.

For King’s Day 2026, Ubica collaborated with Café de Zaak and Bouba Dioup. Recurring dining and drinking moments also appeared under the name Oester Zondag. These activities align with Ubica’s function as a location for hospitality and gatherings. No specific coffee-related events have been recorded.

The redevelopment of the building complex included various measures for energy and insulation. Mentioned are solar collectors, solar panels, air-source heat pumps, ventilation with heat recovery, glass wool insulation, and secondary glazing. The entire complex received an energy label A and a Green Key certificate.

These recognitions pertain to the hotel, restaurant, and grand café as a whole. They do not individually speak to the origin or production of the coffee. Ubica names Cook & Boon as a supplier, but publishes no data on coffee countries, plantations, direct trade, or coffee-specific certifications.

For other products, a supplier is sometimes named. For instance, the cheese for the cheese board comes from the Utrecht-based cheese shop Kreugel, according to the current menu. Further procurement rules for food and drink are not publicly described.

Ubica received attention primarily for the history and repurposing of the building. In 2014, NOS reported on the name change and its connection to the former mattress shop. Later, profiles emerged about the renovation and the combination of hotel and hospitality services.

In 2019, Ubica was included in a list of coffee and lunch addresses in Utrecht. That same year, a Ubica Weizen IPA participated in a house beer competition. A winning result is not documented. No specific awards or distinctions for the coffee service have been publicly recorded.

For coffee enthusiasts, Ubica primarily offers a standard coffee selection within a café-restaurant setting. Available information points to espresso-based drinks and a fixed roaster, but provides little detail on beans and brewing methods. The venue’s profile is defined mainly by its historical location, broad hospitality formula, and function as a place for gatherings.