If you’re visiting Groningen and you’re looking for great local places to get specialty coffee, this list is for you.

The northern Dutch city of Groningen is famed for its vibrant student population that truly shapes all aspects of life. The university is located in the center of town and everywhere you look, you see students sipping past on bikes, poring over books in cafés or hanging out on the town’s squares.

It had been a long time since my last visit and I was curious to find out how the local specialty coffee scene was doing. I discovered that the pace of change is a bit slower in Groningen and the number of places that serve excellent specialty coffee was still small. But hey. The people are in this space are doing a great job and after I posted my video to Instagram, a few more shops were mentioned in the comments that I didn’t know about or that had opened after I visited.

So, let’s give Groningen its moment in the spotlight.

After reading this guide you will:

✅ Know where some of the best specialty coffee is served in Groningen

✅ Learn what makes each recommended place unique

✅ Have discovered what makes the scene in Groningen tick

GRONINGEN SPECIALTY COFFEE GUIDE

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Coffeevine (@thecoffeevine)

REVISTA – New vegan coffee and magazine shop on the block

Carolieweg 11, 9711 NG Groningen, The Netherlands

☕️ Only place in town serving Friedhats and Uncommon. All milk-based coffees are made with ROA oat drink.

🛋️ Nice location south of the center. Big windows and great people watching but the space feels a bit cold.

💬 The Coffeevine says: Born out of a successful coffee truck, this place is a great new win for Groningen!

KOFFIESTATION – A long-running local favourite that shares its space with a bookshop

Oude Kijk in Het Jatstraat 21, 9712 EA Groningen, The Netherlands

☕️ They serve a variety of in-house roasted coffees though I think the branding is a bit old-fashioned

🛋️ There’s plenty of seating in the café and the bookstore but some people have said that they don’t like the combination

💬 The Coffeevine says: Close to the university and somewhat of a local institution but the coffee was not very exciting.

BLACK & BLOOM – Longest running specialty coffee shop with charismatic owner

Oude Kijk in Het Jatstraat 32, 9712 EK Groningen, The Netherlands

☕️ A great place to enjoy a coffee flight prepared with the greatest care

🛋️ Feels like a living room and is super centrally located.

💬 The Coffeevine says: Owner Gerben Engelkes is like the local godfather of specialty coffee. He can be moody but his heart is made of gold.

“In Groningen the pace is a bit slower but things are starting to happen.”

SPAAK KOFFIE EN KOERS – Bikes meet coffee at this friendly spot

Oude Boteringestraat 66, 9712 EN Groningen, The Netherlands

☕️ Serve White Label Coffee from Amsterdam and could take things up a notch

🛋️ There’s plenty of seating but it’s kinda weird that the bike / repair shop is up a flight of steps

💬 The Coffeevine says: Nice place to hang out, do some work and have a simple lunch

ROOM – Luxurious ice cream meets matcha and specialty coffee with mixed results

Rodeweg 1, 9715 AW Groningen, The Netherlands

☕️ Room serves high quality specialty coffee from local roastery Kolibri but on the day of our visit, staff was unable to prepare what we asked for

🛋️ The interior is bright and minimalistic. There’s also a big terrace for warmer days

💬 The Coffeevine says: The ice cream was delicious, the service confuddled. Missed opportunity to make a mark.

Groningen Tips You’ll Find Useful

🚲 Easy to get around on foot or by bike

🖤 Big student population gives the city a vibrant leftist vibe

☔️ Not known for its great weather but when the sun shines, it’s wonderful

🤟🏻 English is widely spoken so you don’t need to worry about communication but knowing a few Dutch words like: “Ja, schat” = Yes, darling.

Final thoughts

Groningen is a small town but it has a nice vibe and enough to offer to keep you busy for a weekend. Its museums are underrated and it has a lot of great vintage stores if you’re into shopping.

It would be great if local roaster Kolibri opened a showroom there. That would realy lift things up a bit more.