Guidebook for Groningen
Food Scene
Favolosa
7 HerestraatSome of the best coffee in the city center.
A good, basic Italian with a Sicilian/Sardinian influence, better than average for the city center, be aware that the kitchen can close as early as 21:30. Not in the same league as Gustatio or Da Vinci, but worth settling for if those two are fully booked.
Locanda Mediterranea
Gedempte ZuiderdiepA good, basic Italian with a Sicilian/Sardinian influence, better than average for the city center, be aware that the kitchen can close as early as 21:30. Not in the same league as Gustatio or Da Vinci, but worth settling for if those two are fully booked.
Totally doable Spanish food at double Spanish prices. Everything is bit like a Disney version of Spanish food but the quality is pretty reliably good and the setting can be semi-romantic. If Moro is full, they have two other restaurants in the same neighborhood, Hemingway’s and Cervantes, that we haven’t eaten at but we hear are about the same.
Moro
21 Gedempte KattendiepTotally doable Spanish food at double Spanish prices. Everything is bit like a Disney version of Spanish food but the quality is pretty reliably good and the setting can be semi-romantic. If Moro is full, they have two other restaurants in the same neighborhood, Hemingway’s and Cervantes, that we haven’t eaten at but we hear are about the same.
If you’re not Dutch and you want to try Indonesian food (and you should definitely want to do this), maybe this is a good start. It's close to the house, a cheap Indonesian, no fanciness. It’s not “wonderful, amazing, wow”: TripAdvisor says it's the 237th best restaurant in town (out of 300), but we think that’s way off base. Anyway, this is our Indonesian take-out/delivery of choice. Good atmosphere if you like the idea of a dimly lit tiki hut.
Satehuis
111 HerestraatIf you’re not Dutch and you want to try Indonesian food (and you should definitely want to do this), maybe this is a good start. It's close to the house, a cheap Indonesian, no fanciness. It’s not “wonderful, amazing, wow”: TripAdvisor says it's the 237th best restaurant in town (out of 300), but we think that’s way off base. Anyway, this is our Indonesian take-out/delivery of choice. Good atmosphere if you like the idea of a dimly lit tiki hut.
What to say about this. People often ask us “What’s the closest restaurant,” and this is the answer to that question. It’s not really like anything you’ve ever seen before in terms of decor, it’s like a cross between an airport business-class lounge and an expensive hair salon. The food? “They try.” For vegetarians they don't try nearly hard enough, our last meal there was abysmal, really bad. But the meat and fish and fries are OK. They do have a nice terrace in the back if the weather’s nice. Anyway, if you’re starving? This is the closest restaurant.
Eetcafe de Stadstuin
42 HerewegWhat to say about this. People often ask us “What’s the closest restaurant,” and this is the answer to that question. It’s not really like anything you’ve ever seen before in terms of decor, it’s like a cross between an airport business-class lounge and an expensive hair salon. The food? “They try.” For vegetarians they don't try nearly hard enough, our last meal there was abysmal, really bad. But the meat and fish and fries are OK. They do have a nice terrace in the back if the weather’s nice. Anyway, if you’re starving? This is the closest restaurant.
Informal, a bit loud, but the vibe is fun and the cooking was very well-executed when we were there. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the biggest influence is New Hip American, “small bites”, waffles, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, fondue, none of which sounds exciting but they do try to put a fresh spin on things. Definitely make a reservation.
25 recommandé par les habitants
Wadapartja
39-41 Gedempte Zuiderdiep Informal, a bit loud, but the vibe is fun and the cooking was very well-executed when we were there. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the biggest influence is New Hip American, “small bites”, waffles, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, fondue, none of which sounds exciting but they do try to put a fresh spin on things. Definitely make a reservation.
An above-average Spanish tapas place that is making this list because they have a ton of seating, which means you can almost always get a table here. I like this place more than Nelske does, she thinks it's a bit artificial, but then she's lived in Spain and is a tapas snob. But: you can almost always walk in here and get a seat on a weekend night.
El Txoko
53 Oude Kijk in 't JatstraatAn above-average Spanish tapas place that is making this list because they have a ton of seating, which means you can almost always get a table here. I like this place more than Nelske does, she thinks it's a bit artificial, but then she's lived in Spain and is a tapas snob. But: you can almost always walk in here and get a seat on a weekend night.
Another grown-up restaurant, this one with better decor and a bit over-ambitious fancy, professional chef food with eager and charmingly inept collegiate service. Expensive but not Michelin-level.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Houdt van Eten
96 HerestraatAnother grown-up restaurant, this one with better decor and a bit over-ambitious fancy, professional chef food with eager and charmingly inept collegiate service. Expensive but not Michelin-level.
Our first visit was one of the nicer meals we've had in town, there's not really a menu, just a couple of choices per course. Relaxed vibe, friendly service, and pretty perfectly prepared fish dishes. Last time we were there the food was a bit less special. but we'd give it another chance.
Uit de Buurt
30 Verlengde HerewegOur first visit was one of the nicer meals we've had in town, there's not really a menu, just a couple of choices per course. Relaxed vibe, friendly service, and pretty perfectly prepared fish dishes. Last time we were there the food was a bit less special. but we'd give it another chance.
Real Italian cooked by real Italians. Menu is mostly pasta, both fresh and dried, with a couple of risottos, no secondi (meat and fish dishes). Totally great. if not the most romantic setting. You need to reserve.
18 recommandé par les habitants
Gustatio Groningen
3 OosterstraatReal Italian cooked by real Italians. Menu is mostly pasta, both fresh and dried, with a couple of risottos, no secondi (meat and fish dishes). Totally great. if not the most romantic setting. You need to reserve.
A great, grown-up restaurant kitchen with adventurous, educated Michelin-ish cooking in a large, modern yet weirdly informal space attached to a fitness center. It can’t quite figure out what kind of restaurant it wants to be but the kitchen shows a great attention to detail. We've never had a bad meal here. Vegetarian options are a little less satisfying but equally delicious if you don’t mind a little foam. “Moderate” prices but portions are small. They have a terrace which should be nice if it ever gets warm enough.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Paviljoen Sterrebos
3b HelperzoomA great, grown-up restaurant kitchen with adventurous, educated Michelin-ish cooking in a large, modern yet weirdly informal space attached to a fitness center. It can’t quite figure out what kind of restaurant it wants to be but the kitchen shows a great attention to detail. We've never had a bad meal here. Vegetarian options are a little less satisfying but equally delicious if you don’t mind a little foam. “Moderate” prices but portions are small. They have a terrace which should be nice if it ever gets warm enough.
One of Groningen's kind of legendary Italian places, we had avoided it until recently for some reason. Well that was stupid, it's great. A bigger menu than Gustatio, the only comparable Italian in town. You need to reserve.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Da Vinci
33-1 TurfsingelOne of Groningen's kind of legendary Italian places, we had avoided it until recently for some reason. Well that was stupid, it's great. A bigger menu than Gustatio, the only comparable Italian in town. You need to reserve.
If you’re Dutch and you want a non-standard Indonesian toko/takeout experience (in other words, not the same old six things on the menu), you may want to try this. Super-friendly, zero atmosphere but no fluorescent lights either (I don't think). Check the opening days/times before you go.
Rima Tofu
35 OosterwegIf you’re Dutch and you want a non-standard Indonesian toko/takeout experience (in other words, not the same old six things on the menu), you may want to try this. Super-friendly, zero atmosphere but no fluorescent lights either (I don't think). Check the opening days/times before you go.
We mostly eat vegetarian and vegan, and this can be a tough city for that, especially vegan food. And we haven't been to Anat yet, but it is just about the best-reviewed vegan restaurant in town. Be aware that it's breakfast and lunch only. If you go, please tell us how it was!
20 recommandé par les habitants
ANAT
1 Verlengde GrachtstraatWe mostly eat vegetarian and vegan, and this can be a tough city for that, especially vegan food. And we haven't been to Anat yet, but it is just about the best-reviewed vegan restaurant in town. Be aware that it's breakfast and lunch only. If you go, please tell us how it was!
One of the only Surinamese restaurants in town, and although they don't have broodjes, their roti is not bad at all. But, be warned: your food will take forever to arrive. If you're getting take-out, call an hour before you think you might be hungry.
Warung Jawa
110-112 Gedempte ZuiderdiepOne of the only Surinamese restaurants in town, and although they don't have broodjes, their roti is not bad at all. But, be warned: your food will take forever to arrive. If you're getting take-out, call an hour before you think you might be hungry.
A subterranean wine bar with great atmosphere, good and slightly cheesy 70s soft rock on the radio, a real fireplace, and smartly-chosen wines by the glass. Right now there’s also an Italian guy running the kitchen who makes 6 or 7 different tapas-sized plates every day, it’s all been very good, very Italian.
Keldercafé Merlot
53 OosterstraatA subterranean wine bar with great atmosphere, good and slightly cheesy 70s soft rock on the radio, a real fireplace, and smartly-chosen wines by the glass. Right now there’s also an Italian guy running the kitchen who makes 6 or 7 different tapas-sized plates every day, it’s all been very good, very Italian.
Drinks & Nightlife
Mark: I've only been here five or six times, but Nelske used to hang out here all the time. It's good and dark and the music isn't bad at all, it feels like a good big-city bar.
Café The Three Owls
47 Oude EbbingestraatMark: I've only been here five or six times, but Nelske used to hang out here all the time. It's good and dark and the music isn't bad at all, it feels like a good big-city bar.
Long-standing eclectic venue serving mostly indie-rock/art/punk crowds but dabbles a bit in everything. Way bigger than it looks from the outside.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Vera
44 OosterstraatLong-standing eclectic venue serving mostly indie-rock/art/punk crowds but dabbles a bit in everything. Way bigger than it looks from the outside.
Just a cool old bar with the normal Belgian beer selection, a kind of small pool table and a music selection that ranges from really great to really terrible. CASH ONLY.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Merleyn
121 MeeuwerderwegJust a cool old bar with the normal Belgian beer selection, a kind of small pool table and a music selection that ranges from really great to really terrible. CASH ONLY.
More on the cheesy and sleazy side, or maybe just always playing crap music and always full of students and almost always featuring at least one really drunk person, for some unknown reason this happens to be our default setting for “getting a beer.” If you want to eat here you can (we think) still order a pizza from the place next door via the bartender and they’ll deliver it here.
Café De Klikspaan
78 RabenhauptstraatMore on the cheesy and sleazy side, or maybe just always playing crap music and always full of students and almost always featuring at least one really drunk person, for some unknown reason this happens to be our default setting for “getting a beer.” If you want to eat here you can (we think) still order a pizza from the place next door via the bartender and they’ll deliver it here.
A long, skinny, friendly pub on the Grote Markt with a good beer selection and good lighting...nothing bad to say about it, one of our favorite bars in town.
Café Der Witz
47 Grote MarktA long, skinny, friendly pub on the Grote Markt with a good beer selection and good lighting...nothing bad to say about it, one of our favorite bars in town.
We seem to end up drinking here more than I would expect, it must be out of convenience or something, the service inside can be crappy and their food has been truly dismal. Yes, so: no idea why we go here but we do.
Café Old Guard
Gedempte ZuiderdiepWe seem to end up drinking here more than I would expect, it must be out of convenience or something, the service inside can be crappy and their food has been truly dismal. Yes, so: no idea why we go here but we do.
This is more of a summertime hangout for us because they have a nice big terrace on a canal, but one day a serious rainstorm appeared out of nowhere and we had to hang out inside for a couple of hours and it was also nice. Above-average food.
26 recommandé par les habitants
Café De Sigaar
2 Hoge der AThis is more of a summertime hangout for us because they have a nice big terrace on a canal, but one day a serious rainstorm appeared out of nowhere and we had to hang out inside for a couple of hours and it was also nice. Above-average food.
A quiet, cozy Dutch brown cafe. Adult and sophisticated compared to most of the things on this list.
Café Mulder
22 Grote Kromme ElleboogA quiet, cozy Dutch brown cafe. Adult and sophisticated compared to most of the things on this list.
If people ask us, “where’s the nearest bar,” this is the answer. It always seems slightly “off”, you feel somehow like the people there are making bad decisions they would not normally make, or maybe it’s just habitual bad-decision-makers sucking innocent victims into their web of intrigue and regret. Anyway, juuust something not right. But if that’s your thing, this is the place. FYI: we have not worked up the nerve to eat here, please let us know if you do.
Waterloo Bar
51 Verlengde OosterwegIf people ask us, “where’s the nearest bar,” this is the answer. It always seems slightly “off”, you feel somehow like the people there are making bad decisions they would not normally make, or maybe it’s just habitual bad-decision-makers sucking innocent victims into their web of intrigue and regret. Anyway, juuust something not right. But if that’s your thing, this is the place. FYI: we have not worked up the nerve to eat here, please let us know if you do.
This is the Benzinebar, it seems like it's almost never open, but when it is, it's fun. It opens late, stays open late, and just feels like a semi-punkrock party. Check the Benzinebar FB page to see if they're going to be open.
gasoline Bar
44 HoekstraatThis is the Benzinebar, it seems like it's almost never open, but when it is, it's fun. It opens late, stays open late, and just feels like a semi-punkrock party. Check the Benzinebar FB page to see if they're going to be open.
OK this is only worth mentioning because not every Dutch city has a heavy metal bar. If you know who Manowar and Helloween are, then you owe it to yourself to have a beer at the Witte Wolf. Not open every day so check their website for opening times.
Metalcafé de Witte Wolf
140 Gedempte ZuiderdiepOK this is only worth mentioning because not every Dutch city has a heavy metal bar. If you know who Manowar and Helloween are, then you owe it to yourself to have a beer at the Witte Wolf. Not open every day so check their website for opening times.
Poolcafé Streetlife
16 PeperstraatA real pool hall with real, normal-size pool tables, a rarity in Holland.
This is a terribly geeky chess cafe, everyone there will be playing cards, chess, or a board game of some sort. We developed an attachment to it because their terrace is great for people-watching and they used to have a wonderful toasted cheese sandwich. They changed owners and got rid of the sandwiches, but we still go sit on their terrace in nice weather.
Café Atlantis
61 Gedempte ZuiderdiepThis is a terribly geeky chess cafe, everyone there will be playing cards, chess, or a board game of some sort. We developed an attachment to it because their terrace is great for people-watching and they used to have a wonderful toasted cheese sandwich. They changed owners and got rid of the sandwiches, but we still go sit on their terrace in nice weather.
Live jazz every Tuesday night, the best regular session in town, though that doesn't always mean it's good. It's a cozyish place. Get there before 22:00 if you want to be able to see more than one musician from your seat, the seating is a bit haphazard. And, not that you would ever do this, but don't have an audible conversation during the music or the owner will be unhappy with you.
10 recommandé par les habitants
De Smederij
2 TuinstraatLive jazz every Tuesday night, the best regular session in town, though that doesn't always mean it's good. It's a cozyish place. Get there before 22:00 if you want to be able to see more than one musician from your seat, the seating is a bit haphazard. And, not that you would ever do this, but don't have an audible conversation during the music or the owner will be unhappy with you.
Semi-posh/industrial/informal hangout known more for their high-quality live jazz than for their beer, worth checking to see if there's something on their schedule.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Brouwerij Martinus
32-34 KostersgangSemi-posh/industrial/informal hangout known more for their high-quality live jazz than for their beer, worth checking to see if there's something on their schedule.
Fun bar that is the place our young stoner musician friends hang out. But it's welcoming to all, it's a pretty mixed crowd (but on the younger side). The food is not exactly bad but also not exactly professional. It's like, well, if your young stoner musician friend cooked for you. Anyway, it can be fun on the right night.
Kult
36-1 SteentilstraatFun bar that is the place our young stoner musician friends hang out. But it's welcoming to all, it's a pretty mixed crowd (but on the younger side). The food is not exactly bad but also not exactly professional. It's like, well, if your young stoner musician friend cooked for you. Anyway, it can be fun on the right night.
A cool but very little little bar with friendly owners and a very irregular live music policy. Everyone seems to know everyone there, so it's a little better when the weather is warm so you can sit outside and not have to socialize with strangers if you don't want to.
Literary Café De Graanrepubliek
11 Gedempte KattendiepA cool but very little little bar with friendly owners and a very irregular live music policy. Everyone seems to know everyone there, so it's a little better when the weather is warm so you can sit outside and not have to socialize with strangers if you don't want to.
If the words "Irish Pub" generally make you feel a little sick, this may be the one to turn that around. There's nothing fancy or romantic about it: it's a real Irish pub (note the change in capitalization), with typically honest, solid music many nights. Everyone's always been exceedingly friendly there.
6 recommandé par les habitants
O'ceallaigh Traditional Music Bar
13 Gedempte KattendiepIf the words "Irish Pub" generally make you feel a little sick, this may be the one to turn that around. There's nothing fancy or romantic about it: it's a real Irish pub (note the change in capitalization), with typically honest, solid music many nights. Everyone's always been exceedingly friendly there.
Essentials
This is the closest grocery store, not the cheapest in town but they have almost everything you might need. Opening hours:
M: 8:00 - 22:00
T: 8:00 - 22:00
W: 8:00 - 22:00
Th: 8:00 - 22:00
F: 8:00 - 22:00
Sa: 8:00 - 20:00
Su: 12:00 - 20:00
15 recommandé par les habitants
PLUS Vechtstraat
131 VechtstraatThis is the closest grocery store, not the cheapest in town but they have almost everything you might need. Opening hours:
M: 8:00 - 22:00
T: 8:00 - 22:00
W: 8:00 - 22:00
Th: 8:00 - 22:00
F: 8:00 - 22:00
Sa: 8:00 - 20:00
Su: 12:00 - 20:00
A much better beer selection than the PLUS, cheaper vegetables, well actually cheaper in general. Their bread, however, is not worth buying.
24 recommandé par les habitants
Jumbo
525 BoumaboulevardA much better beer selection than the PLUS, cheaper vegetables, well actually cheaper in general. Their bread, however, is not worth buying.
This is the big grocery store we go to when we need something specific because they'll probably have it, unlike the PLUS. It's cheaper as well for the most part, it's just farther away. This is where we buy our bread when we can.
7 recommandé par les habitants
AH Helperplein
4 HelperpleinThis is the big grocery store we go to when we need something specific because they'll probably have it, unlike the PLUS. It's cheaper as well for the most part, it's just farther away. This is where we buy our bread when we can.
If you have a car, this is the biggest, most well-stocked grocery store in town, and is open on days when a lot of other things aren't. Be aware that you have to park in a paid parking garage, etc.
24 recommandé par les habitants
Jumbo
525 BoumaboulevardIf you have a car, this is the biggest, most well-stocked grocery store in town, and is open on days when a lot of other things aren't. Be aware that you have to park in a paid parking garage, etc.
A sizable Asian grocery store, if you're here for a while and are an adventurous cook. Or if you need a wok, or fermented tofu, or kimchee, or mochi, or frozen chicken feet, etc etc etc. They also have American candy bars, Poptarts, BBQ sauce.....you get the idea.
Amazing Oriental Groningen
51 KorrewegA sizable Asian grocery store, if you're here for a while and are an adventurous cook. Or if you need a wok, or fermented tofu, or kimchee, or mochi, or frozen chicken feet, etc etc etc. They also have American candy bars, Poptarts, BBQ sauce.....you get the idea.
A toko is an Indonesian grocery store, and this one kind of has everything you'd want in that department, as well as Chinese, Thai and Japanese things. A little expensive but clean and well-organized.
Toko Melati
Gedempte ZuiderdiepA toko is an Indonesian grocery store, and this one kind of has everything you'd want in that department, as well as Chinese, Thai and Japanese things. A little expensive but clean and well-organized.