Review: Het Paradijs

Text: Lavinia Lanting

In a little corner of Enschede, hidden among houses and almost across from the Rijksmuseum Twente, sits a small and absolutely amazing vegan restaurant call 'Het Paradijs' (The Paradise). This is a restaurant that, aside from only serving vegan items on their menu, stands for stustainability: all ingredients are bought local and seasonally, the menu is small (2-3 appetizers, 2-3 main dishes and usually 2 desserts to choose from) and changes every three months in accordance with the season, the menu is written on blackboards with chalk so that it need not be printed again every time the menu changes and their bathrooms utilised rain water, which is stored in big reservoirs around the place. In addition, the place hosts a small second-hand clothing shop and is beautifully decorated inside with plants a pond and is made to truly resemble the Garden of Eden.

Guests are also welcome to walk around and explore while there , take a look at the immense collection of plants, the mosaics about the walls and floor and at the turtles present in the pond and may even walk on the wooden structure above the tables to see the entirety of the restaurant from above. They even have a round table with chairs, placed in a fireplace, where people may have drinks.

When dining there, one may choose between a 2 course or three course menu for a fixed prize. Currently the following items may be found on the menu:

Appetizers

• Roasted carrot soup with dukkah, served with soy yoghurt and garlic bread

• Vegan loempia filled with spicy sauerkraut and red cabbage, served with a spicy sauce

Main dishes

• Homemade vegan curry paste with ramen, lentils and rice noodles served with pappadum

• Kapsalon: homemade fries covered in mashroom shoarma served with a garlic dressing

• Pasta with tomato sauce, kale and homemade vegan mozzarella from the oven

Desserts

• Vegan cheesecake with a soft coffee taste, served with nuts and caramel

• Airy orange mousse with dark chocolate pieces they serve, especially after a seasonal change.

'Het Paradijs' also have a very extensive drinks menu, which includes different juices, alchoholic bevarages of biological origin (beer, wine and even cocktails) and a great choice in coffees types, which, if with milk, come with a choice between oats or soy milk.

I first discovered this lovely place during a surprise date in the spring of 2022 and have been finding it absolutely worth it to come back again from time to time to try out the different dishes

Everything is always incredibly tasty and I truly believe this place does a great job in showcasing just how delicious one may eat without ever touhing meat or dairy products.

So if you are looking for an atmospheric place with friendly staff and amazing food to bring family, friends or a special someone and you have never been here before, I really recommend you try out 'Het Paradijs' at least once!