Groningen

't Feithhuis

Close to the Martini tower and Grote Markt, this cafe-restaurant is sited in a historic building, and serves excellent locally sourced food.

Open now · closes 10:30 pm

't Pannekoekschip

Unashamedly touristy, the Pannekoekschip ("pancake ship") is an old sailing ship that's been turned into a pancake restaurant, serving huge and delicious Dutch pancakes.

Daily 12:00-21:00·€12-25

Academiegebouw

University of Groningen

The Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, the University of Groningen, is the second-oldest university in the Netherlands and one of three State Universities of the Netherlands. It was established in 1614. While the university has its share of modern buildings in town and out, the Academiegebouw is an old and attractive building with a tower and worth strolling past. Although it is not intended, the building is accessible for the public. The interior of the building is magnificent, especially the stained glass, the entrance hall and the murals in the Aula and Senaatskamer (Senate room).

BOEL

Go for a game of pétanque (or "Jue de boeles" as the Dutch call it) together with a drink and a bite. Surprisingly fun to do.

€ 16 for 45 minutes of play

Boccaccio

Tuscan cuisine. Great food and atmosphere. Weekly specials offer an excellent and reasonably priced 3- or 4-course menu. Make a reservation if you plan to eat after 18:00 as it can get busy.

Open now · closes 10 pm

Bramble

A cocktail and wine bar run by a friendly family. Among the best drinks in the city. Their Purple Rain is the most photogenic cocktail in the Northern Netherlands and only costs €8.

Sun Mon 15:00-23:00, Wed-Sat 15:00-01:00, Tue closed

Brussels Lof

Great fish and vegetarian dishes. Famous for the cheese fondue.

Buurman & Buurman

This fairly new Italian place claims to bake the best pizzas in town, and many of their customers agree. The selection is small, but the ingredients are fresh and the Italian pizzas are baked in a traditional wood oven.

Wed-Sun 17:00-22:00·From €15 for a pizza

Cafe de Koffer

Another "speciaalbier" pub. Lots of bottled beers, and a few on tap. Most are Belgian or Dutch, but there are also a few American and British beers on the menu - a real rarity around here.

Daily 16:00-03:00

Café Dees

A cozy café with a nice selection of weed in a small alley right next to the bar street Peperstraat. Inside there's a pool table, computers for surfing and big TV screens. Upstairs there's a bar called de Zolder ("the Attic") where you can smoke. There are reggae concerts on Tuesday nights.

Canal cruise

Take a one-hour tour through the old channels of Groningen aboard the "Wonderlaand" or "Goldenraand". The boat will take you around the historical centre. 2-5 trips a day, depending on the season.

Adults €12.50, children 4-11 €7

Canoeing

beDRIJFNAT

From 1 April to 1 Oct you can hire a canoe and paddle around the centre. It's a round trip that gives you a totally different view of Groningen since you are lower than the streets and you can pass very close along the many house boats in the city. Some bridges have a secret 'roof' that can only be seen when you pass under the bridge. A tour around the centre takes about 1 – 2 hours, depending on how fit you are, how many stops you take for photo shootings, and water battles.

€10-20 for 2 hours

Chaplin's

One of the many bars at Gedempte Zuiderdiep. Quite popular bar, also with students.

De Drie Gezusters

Three Sisters

Possibly the largest bar in the Netherlands, as well as in Europe. Many bars connected in a mazelike fashion; has several façades on the Grote Markt that look like separate bars, but don't let that deceive you.

De Herbivoor

This place calls itself an "organic, vegan, salad bar". And while sustainability is clearly the focal point of this popular lunch place, you'll find more than just salads here. Think burgers, wraps, soups and sweet pastries - and a daily changing menu, based on seasonal produce. Dinner is only available on Thursdays.

Tue Wed Fri Sat 11:00-18:00, Thu 11:00-21:00, Sun 11:00-17:00·€15-30

De Kast

Premier gay bar and gay club Galaxy. Most LGBT+ people come to this place.

De Kleine Moghul

This tatty-looking small Indian restaurant has an all-Indian staff, but you can only pay with cash and there is no English menu. The food is stunningly good, well worth a visit.

€20-30

De Medley

A good pick up coffee shop. Can't smoke inside or stay there, but it's quite cheap. Joints for €3, also many kinds of hash (like Maroc and Afghan) for about €5-6 & weed/wiet: powerplant, sneeuwwitje (snow white), Afgaan (Afghan) €6, 10 or 20.

De Minnaar

Lovely neighborhood cafe and bar. Nice vibe and local feeling. Many locals come here for a drink.

De Pintelier

Traditional Belgian pub serving more than 80 kinds of beer and whiskey.

Open daily from 15:00, closing Sun-Thu at 02:00 and Fri and Sat at 03:00

De Uurwerker

Vibrant restaurant and bar, nice interior and tasteful pizzas. The square in front is shared with De Pintelier bar and crowded on warm nights.

€12-25

De Vliegende Hollander

Great stuff on Zuiderdiep, opposite the Pathé cinema. Inside there's a smoking room but no real hangout space.

De Zevende Hemel

Seventh Heaven

Excellent food and wine but quite pricey; a good place to treat yourself.

€100+

Der Aa-Kerk

This beautiful medieval church with its remarkable yellow-painted tower stands tall above the neighbouring Korenbeurs. Established between 1425 and 1492, the church's tower was repeatedly destroyed and replaced, with the current one originating in 1711. The building is no longer used for religious services but is open for visitors and regularly houses expositions.

Der Witz

A 'Brown Café' on the Grote Markt in a very small building. Serving many kinds of beer.

Dorothy's DragQueen Showbar

People come here to see Drag Shows, Drag events, Bingo, have a drink with friends, along other things like BDSM Meets, open stage and live music.

Dot

Originally known as Infoversum, this remarkable structure was built as the only full-dome 3D theatre in the Netherlands, before it was turned in a modern restaurant and cultural center. Located near the city beach. In winter, the building is decorated with thousands of lights, turning it into the largest Christmas decoration in the world.

Eetcafe Lambik

This small restaurant serves one meat or fish dish and one vegetarian dish and both dishes change every day. It is located next to the Noorderplantsoen, which makes it a good spot in the summer.

€12-25

Eetcafé 't Koetshuys

A nice little restaurant. Great food, for a nice price. The house specialty is Moroccan style marinated tenderloin. Main courses come with fries, a salad and depending on your dish, warm veggies.

Closed · opens 5 pm tomorrow

Eeterie De Globe

Three different main courses each day (one meat, one fish, one veg.). Many customers eat here several times per week.