The nicest, newest and unmissable addresses in Groningen city (in 2021)
Certainly, we have written about this regularly in our well-known prom book Groningen, the ever-bustling city in the far north of our country. But... Now that it was/is such a crazy year, is it still buzzing? hell yeah. You can visit Groningen, even (especially) now.
We went (and conquered) and found out what the best part of it was Groningen is a city in 2021. Including (semi) lockdown entertainment. Don't mention it.
- Not yet open, but almost almost: Merckt. Good name, good plan: the gigantic building on the market will be transformed into a food hall with various kitchens, a beer brewery, coffee roaster and a distillery. You can go there from early in the morning until late in the evening and the site is suitable for, well, just for everyone actually. The food hall has three floors and everything within the walls of the building is dedicated to food (and everything related to it). The icing on the cake: a rooftop bar with a beautiful view of Groningen.
- And while you're out walking: don't miss the Suikerunie grounds. And especially not Stadslab. It is a funky destination with a large terrace and, if possible, many events. Oh, and Paradigm for that unbeatable festival/Ibiza/hippie vibe. You know him. Read more.
- The Smooth Brothers (Zwanestraat 31) – This is a favorite, whether you like it or not smoothies, juices and ginger shots or not. Because if not, then still go for the other tasty things they have and for the top service: if you come there often enough (it doesn't even have to be that often), they will even remember your name and greet you on the street . Look, those are our friends in Groningen and we like to walk around the block for them (on our new Nelsons ;-))
- Booze & Beans (Broerstraat 3) – You can come back again for the first part of this title, but part 2, the beans, is highly recommended: perhaps the best coffee in Groningen, now very much to go.
- At Coffee Break (Gedempte Zuiderdiep 22) you don't ask for oat milk in your coffee, you get it, as a kind of harbinger. The relaxed atmosphere, lots of light, bamboo and neutral tones are somewhat reminiscent of Amsterdam's Coffee and Coconuts. Including the multiple floors. In addition, they are at this spot that hard flexi-tariers.
Hot off the press because yes, that continues, also in Groningen: it Blue Bananas Pancake Café (Nieuwe Markt 9) that opened at the end of January 2021. Finally a place for those thick 'fluffy' pancakes (okay, pancakes as it should be said succinctly) which have been a big hit in the Randstad for some time now. And then that done well. Huge stacks are served there, also to order. Although we enjoy visiting the Blue Bananas Pancake Café the most: the place is full of colour, just the way we like it!
(images via Blue Bananas Pancake Café instagram)
- We think it is one of the finest cocktail bars in the country Mr Smith in Maastricht. And in the other extreme of the country, out of the shadow of Mr. Smith The Stockroom Groningen (Oosterstraat 24-1). That name refers to the earlier one function of the building: for years it was an almost unused storage space for the restaurant next door. Four friends decided to rename the space into a cocktail bar where, like in the past, you first have to work your way through the racks before you end up in the speakeasy bar. Then New York style ceilings, green tiles, comfortable bar chairs and high-quality cocktails with names like Tropic like its hot and the Stockroom Summer Cup.
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Up next is mr. mofongo (Oude Boteringestraat 26). And that's one to write down. What a special place you MUST go to when you are in Groningen (and they are open). The cocktails in particular are special, but actually everything is fun. And further? Also lots of LED lighting, pink and yellow tones and trendy types. And a creative edge: something with robots, our own distillery, homemade liqueurs and gins.
Back to that Suikeunie site. The nicest hostel in the city opened there: Rebel rebel (Suikerlaan 21). The best part? Yep, and we do for different reasons. 1) A hostel, so cozy and affordable. 2) That location! Just outside the city center and the hottest place in town. 3) The hotel has its own city beach. CITY BEACH. That is, so to speak, terrace plus all year long, even if you don't sleep there. 4) Rebel Rebel is a container hostel, constructed from separate parts, upcycled and sustainable. 5) It is the place where the cool crowd hangs, you understand.
(images via Visit Groningen, top photo credits Sjoerd Knol)
- Fresh and fruity and that 'good vibes only material' Mahalo (Verlengde Grachtstraat 1). Everything at this lovely corner building is vegan and they have a lovely terrace next to the park – 10 points. Vegan? Corner building? Next to the park? Groningen? that sounds like Anat? Beats. And that is Mahalo nowadays. Dissolved.
- More vegan? Lust is also a great option (Oude Kijk in Het Jatstraat 58).
- Always good Osteria da Vinci (Turfsingel 33-1). Your tastiest Italian cuisine, without too many frills, but always tasty.
- Loves Food has a delicious menu for cooking at home. Although it is also nice on the spot.
- FLO. for your Tel Aviv kick (and anyone who has kept up with our articles about that city knows that we Tel Aviv one of the foodies find ideal locations, just saying) (Langestraat 66).
- The Suitcase (Nieuwe Blekerstraat 1) is a small but very nice specialty beer café with super nice staff! A nice old-school must, even if you don't necessarily like beer (because then they will make sure you love it. After all: there is a beer for everyone).
- Fill your table with good bites and special beer The Concert House (Poelestraat 30). They are temporarily closed due to Covid, but hey, that's temporary.
- Also closed for a while, but soon it won't be anymore pintelier (Kleine Kromme Elleboog 9), a Belgian beer café.
(More beer? Here!)
