These are the best Groningen restaurants according to Gault&Millau

Where in Groningen is the best place to eat? Discover the best dining options in Groningen according to the jury of the Gault&Millau restaurant guide. This guide lists twelve restaurants in the city that scored highly by the professional jury. So you’ve come to the right place at these restaurants!

The Gault&Millau restaurant guide can be compared to the Michelin guide. At Gault&Millau, the restaurants are symbolically awarded with chef’s hats instead of stars. The rating is compiled based on various factors. The taste of the dishes is of course important, but also the service, wine advice, atmosphere and much more.

Norwegian

Restaurant Noor is a hidden gem in Hoogkerk, on the west side of Groningen. This restaurant offers a unique culinary experience with fresh, local ingredients and refined flavors.

At Noor you are welcomed in a warm ambiance with a contemporary interior. Soft lighting creates an intimate atmosphere, perfect for a romantic dinner or a cozy get-together.

Enjoy seasonal dishes such as smoked salmon with dill cream or lamb with roasted vegetables. The drinks menu offers good wine-food combinations and craft beers from the region.

The friendly staff is ready to ensure you have a pleasant evening, whether you come for an intimate dinner or a special occasion with friends.

Curious about restaurant Noor? Make a reservation today and be pampered by the delicious dishes and hospitable atmosphere of this unique restaurant in Hoogkerk.

Rooster

Be surprised by restaurant De Haan, a special eatery in the heart of Groningen where dining gets a unique twist. At De Haan they use a surprising concept: guests are welcomed within a specific entry time, creating a cozy and relaxed atmosphere.

What makes De Haan really special is the surprise menu that changes daily and the self-service for drinks. Instead of table service, guests can walk to the bar to get their own drinks or bread. This contributes to an informal and interactive experience. “It remains a bit of a unique place because there is no service, so you are free to get your own bread and such. The whole thing remains a real success formula,” according to Gault & Millau.

The culinary highlight of the evening is the 5-course menu, with surprising appetizers that tantalize your taste buds. Each dish is carefully prepared with fresh ingredients and served with a matching wine, so that each course offers a unique taste experience. For cheese lovers, there is the option to expand the dinner with a cheese plate.

Vive la Vie

Experience France in Groningen at Vive la Vie, a place in the heart of Groningen where the atmosphere is French charm and hospitality. This restaurant offers an experience that takes you on a culinary journey to the flavors of France.

Vive la Vie welcomes guests with a warm atmosphere and their French decor. The cozy seating areas, colorful flowers and charming details create an atmosphere of romance and coziness, perfect for an intimate dinner for two or a nice get-together with friends.

Vive la Vie’s menu focuses on French cuisine, with classic dishes prepared and presented with love. Taste the refined flavors of varying dishes. Each dish can be served with matching French wines, which have been carefully selected to bring out the flavors of the food.

Rooftop Merckt

Rooftop Merckt is located on the 6th floor of Merckt, an iconic building in the center of Groningen. A breathtaking roof terrace in the middle of the city, with a panoramic view that will amaze you.

What makes Rooftop Merckt truly unique is the open glass roof that allows you to view the city of Groningen in a completely new way. While you enjoy food and drinks, you can admire the architectural splendor of Groningen. The building itself has the same arches as the Martini Tower and the Town Hall, which are only 200 meters away.

“A high-level experience with beautiful views and culinary surprises; Rooftop Merckt is a winner in Groningen,” according to Gault&Millau. Rooftop Merckt’s menu consists of local flavors and international influences, composed with passion and craftsmanship by talented chefs. Each dish is a work of art in itself, prepared with fresh ingredients of the highest quality.

Bisque

Step inside Bisque and be enchanted by a culinary experience that is anything but ordinary. Located just outside the city of Groningen, in Helpman, Bisque distinguishes itself through a combination of creativity, quality and hospitality.

What makes Bisque so special? It starts with the dishes. Here, traditional flavors are presented in an innovative and daring way. The menu is a combination of creativity, with surprising flavors and beautiful presentations.

At Bisque, quality comes first. The chefs like to work with fresh, seasonal ingredients from local suppliers. Each dish is prepared with passion and served with an eye for detail, so that the flavors really come through on your plate.

But Bisque’s real differentiator? The innovation. every time you come back there is something new on the menu. the chefs continue to experiment and surprise, making every visit unique.

The Grote Frederik Bistro

Bistro de Grote Frederik is a charming restaurant in the heart of Groningen, where culinary passion and creativity come together. What makes this bistro unique is their commitment to innovation and embracing German wines.

Every 8 weeks De Grote Frederik offers a new menu, full of seasonal dishes and fresh ingredients from local suppliers. This regular change ensures that guests can experience new flavors again and again.

Another highlight is their love for German wines. The wine range has been carefully selected and offers a range of German wines that pair well with the chef’s culinary creations.

The Better Times

Experience an unforgettable evening at De Betere Tijden, an intimate living room restaurant located in Groningen, which was taken over in 2017 by two brothers with a shared passion for good food and drinks.

What makes this restaurant so special is the unique atmosphere in which the kitchen and service flow seamlessly together, allowing guests to take a look at the open kitchen and experience the process in the kitchen up close.

The brothers strive to offer their guests an unforgettable culinary experience, where hospitality and service are central.

Voila

Spoil your taste buds at Restaurant Voilà, a culinary destination in Groningen, where honest ingredients and sustainability go hand in hand. This restaurant is committed to using honest products.

In addition to the delicious dishes, you can enjoy a selection of juices, beers, wines and cocktails that have been carefully chosen to perfectly match the dishes. The drinks are selected with the same attention to quality and sustainability as the dishes themselves.

In addition, restaurant Voilà strives to contribute to a more beautiful world in a small but significant way. This can be seen in their choice of sustainable ingredients, minimization of food waste and conscious efforts to reduce their ecological footprint.

Nassau

Discover Fine Dining Restaurant Nassau, located in the historic sleeping quarters of the Prince of Nassau, with a beautiful view over the monumental Prinsentuin. Here you can enjoy a luxurious dining experience in an enchanting setting.

At Nassau they are proud of the origins and the land on which they stand. The North of the Netherlands offers a wealth of high-quality ingredients, and Chef Christian de Vries, Souschef Dion te Velde and the team are passionate about working with local products.

They are inspired by the story of the farmer, the fisherman, the hunter and the breeder. This translates into sustainable choices when selecting ingredients for the dishes, which are prepared with great care.

Niemeijer

At Restaurant Niemeijer the love for fresh products and local ingredients comes to life. In this restaurant, which is run by a passionate team, vegetables, herbs and flowers are picked straight from their own garden.

At Niemeijer, the emphasis is on home-grown ingredients. The menu is inspired by seasonal products that are grown with care and attention. Guests can enjoy dishes that sparkle with freshness.

“Niemeijer is an asset to the city and province of Groningen,” says Gault & Millau. The restaurant exudes charm and the candid cuisine reflects the transparency and passion of the team. You can even catch a glimpse of the chef while you dine.

Blume

Blume is all about more than just food, it’s a total experience. The menus are composed with an eye for detail and balance, making each course a new discovery of surprising combinations and refined flavors.

Chef Henrice Dijks creates a unique experience for both young and old with seasonal influences and honest products from his own garden. Nature is a source of inspiration here.

“Our kitchen is characterized by recognizability and quality. We like to supplement the most beautiful ingredients with herbs and spices from all over the world,” says the Blume team. The chef finds the coherence of ingredients and different structure of the dishes very important.

CICCI’S

Experience an unforgettable evening at CICCI’s trattoria, a tribute to modern Italian cuisine with a touch of Venetian flair. Traditional recipes are made here, with Mediterranean influences through the use of spices and herbs.

In addition to an extensive à la carte menu, CICCI’s offers a unique specialization in Ciccetti, small snacks and dishes to share. You have a table full of delicious bites, perfect to combine with a glass of wine or a refreshing Venetian spritz.

Wine lovers are spoiled for choice with an extensive selection of wines by the glass and a beautiful wine list representing every region of Italy. Discover beautiful Barolos, refined Amarones and enjoy a wide collection of Timorasso from Walter Massa

So you’re always in the right place at these twelve Groningen restaurants. Groningen has a nice selection of Gault & Millau restaurants within its borders. Thanks to the changing menus tailored to the seasons, you get to taste different dishes every time. I hope this blog has inspired you to try one of these restaurants yourself and experience the different flavor combinations. Have fun eating!