Urban Kitchen - Heidelberg

Nice place but not prepared for tourists (no english menu). Fast food like food with ok service. indicated for local youth

I'll start this review by complimenting the building the restaurant is in. The altes Hallenbad is a beautiful structure with an old-timey feel that contrasts nicely with the newer architecture around it. It provides Urban Kitchen with large halls, a huge surface area and some...really pretty toilets. I was actually looking forward to going to Urban Kitchen since I discovered they had a burger specifically targeted for vegans. That's usually a good sign. Advertising something vegan usually means you're proud of what you've got. Unfortunately, I didn't Feel Good (TM) eating the Feel Good Burger. I just felt fine. It was nice enough. But nothing compared to closer meat-facsimiles like the wonder burger. And it had nothing on Mahlzeit down the road. It was average. But I could have felt just as Good (TM) eating a salad or the fries. Now the fries were good. They even offered them in thin or thick (Urban Fries: more similar to English-style chips). I'm not sure why they're more expensive or why they have illusive names on the menu that mean you need to ask what it means, but they tasted pretty good. Trying to the get a menu, however, was tricky. First we were directed to QR codes. Some of us don't have QR-code readers and those who do discover they have no data, cause we're in a bunker in the far end of the restaurant. Then we find the WiFi. And the QR code still doesn't work. So we ask for menus. Nope, we're not allowed. I had to argue with the waitress before she would bring us *one* menu, which we shared among ourselves. I understand not offering menus by default and providing QR-code facilities (if they work). But refusing to give me a menu? The real problems started when we ordered cocktails. I ordered a Touch Down. It came with a marshmallow and a haribo. For anyone reading this who doesn't know: neither are vegetarian. They're made with gelatin, i.e. skins, bones, connective tissues. So you're edgy, Urban Kitchen. You do non-standard Cocktail-Deko in your drinks. Great. But next time I'd be fine with a lemon slice and a little umbrella. Add a cabbage leaf for all I care, but please don't put animals in my drink when I don't order it. We order some fries for the table. The waitress helpfully listed all the dip options (because we still didn't have a menu at this point) and we ordered one vegan mayo and one normal mayo. Should have seen it coming, but before we could ask which was which, the waitress had disappeared again. Everyone tries to taste-test the difference and obviously everyone disagrees on which is which. Overall the experience was fine. It was pleasant enough and I'd probably have recommended it to non-vegetarian friends as a fine enough establishment. When we asked for the bill (which we were encouraged to pay for with cash because the waitress didn't know where the machine was.. she charged us the happy-price hour for the cocktails (which we got before it started). We tried confirming with her that they were all the same price and she said yes. Shrugging, we paid including tip for two of us and I declined the receipt (saved some paper thanks). Then my girlfriend pointed out that it was quite expensive, even with drinks at full price. We added up the prices using our one precious menu and came to about Even with full-price drinks it came to about less than the she'd charged. As I was going to go check it with her, she comes over to me and asks for extra money for the drink: Now there's no record of what we actually paid for, because I'd declined the receipt (I don't know why there's no digital copy). She thinks I've underpaid. I think we've overpaid. So I ask if we can list all the things we paid for and work it out. After an awkward couple of minutes explaining that she can't do that because I hadn't wanted a receipt, me trying to explain that we could do it with a pen and paper like in the good, old days and her demanding another she eventually gave up and said I'll just pay for it myself I've worked as a waiter. I know how much it sucks having to pay for things out of your own pocket. So I felt terrible. But I tried to work it out with her and she still ended up with a tip for questionable service. It was a shame that one person made such a difference as the rest of the staff were helpful and friendly. And if they were more vegetarian/vegan-friendly I would even consider going there again. But I don't want to run the risk of finding bacon in my coffee next time :

Stumbled across this place on our walk back from the Altstadt to the train station. We only stopped for drinks as we had eaten earlier but the tables were full of couples and families thoroughly enjoying the food on offer, Great service and friendly staff.Good...music was a bonus. Recommended

Magical atmosphere and fast, kind service, this restaurant has something to offer for any kind of craving. Thai dishes and truffle mayonnaise fries highly recommended!

Gathered here with colleagues after a business day. Was positively surprised by the size and the design of the place. Many spaces, either open or tiny for more intimacy, multiple bars, modern aspect with exposed bricks, concrete and wood. Besides of this nice decoration, food...was really good and service pleasant. Good music completed a great atmosphere.