Groningen
Groningen: Gastric Delights
AriolaAriola is the only authentic Italian delicatessen in Groningen. Its bread rolls are filled with the freshest of ingredients and they are all made to order so you can get your own unique bread roll for your tastes. While of course not typical Dutch cuisine, it is a great place to drop by for lunch – both the food and the ambiance is wonderful.
This restaurant specializes in seafood and vegetarian dishes and they are by far the best you’ll get in all of Groningen. Of course, such high quality food and service comes at a premium, so this establishment is not for everyone, though if it is within your budget the food is worth the money. The restaurant is not open for lunches and is closed on Sunday and Monday.
De Sevende Hemel, or the Seventh Heaven, is a cosy and romantic restaurant. The intimate atmosphere is great, as is the ability to escape to a table in a darkened corner. The live piano music from Thursday through Saturday tops it off. The menu could be described as Italian – French inspired and follows a monthly rotation, so each month there is something new on offer. There are however always organic, vegetarian, vegan and fish courses on offer. Those that are not pressed for time should go for the Zevende Hemelmenu, seven courses of smaller portions that are worth the time for the indulgence.
De Pintelier is a warm and cosy bar set in a 1920’s and 1930’s style. They have an amazing 23 beers on tap and at least 90 more bottled on offer. Beyond that, they have an almost overwhelming selection of malt whisky and jenevers (a liquer). It is the perfect place for the end of a romantic date, melting away in to the shadows of this beautiful bar with your favorite drink in hand.
The Four Roses restaurant is a great unexpected find in Groningen, serving up authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant’s atmosphere is best suited to families looking for a place to dine out and the menu is expansive enough to offer everyone something appealing, there are also enough fish and vegetarian courses on offer to keep everyone happy.
The Goudkantoor, or the Gold Office, occupies a building dating from 1635. The name dates from 1814 when a gold and silver guarantor agency occupied the building. The style of architecture is Dutch Renaissance and it was built by the council as a testament to Groningen superiority over other towns in the region. The outside is matched by the beauty of the inside. A visit to the Goudkantoor is as much a trip to a restaurant as it is a cultural and historical experience.
Granny’s focuses on authentic cakes and pies and the range on offer is just as great as the taste. The signature pie to taste is their apple pie. They go through an amazing 25 tons of apples annually! It is a great place to drop by for a snack and a cup of coffee.
Puur!, or Pure!, is the place to be for those that are organically aware of what they eat. The menu has a lot on offer, all of it made from organic produce. It is set up as a lunch time restaurant and you can get your food to go. One problem you may encounter is the popularity of the food – expect to encounter the lunch time crush if you turn up at lunch time when the myriad workers descend for lunch.
If you are after a quick bite, this is the place to go. During the day it is a very pleasant place to be and is also an option for hanging out late in to the night, though for night time cafes there are better places to be. Probably the most attractive quality is the free wi-fi internet that is on offer – those travelers with a laptop that need to get online should head here for a drink and a free hook up to the net.
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