🇳🇱 Revista – Specialty Coffee and Print Culture in Groningen

Groningen, the biggest city in the north of the Netherlands, has a pulsating heart—and its blood is made of students. Every time I visit, I’m struck by the city’s youthful, dynamic energy. It’s also home to some underrated cultural events, like Eurosonic, the music festival where many up-and-coming artists get their first major exposure.

☕ Groningen’s Coffee Scene Is Catching Up

When it comes to specialty coffee, Groningen has been a bit of a late bloomer, even compared to other student cities like Utrecht. The number of really good coffee places that have opened in the last decade? You can probably count them on one hand.

So naturally, there was a bit of a buzz when Revista opened—a minimalist corner café that pairs specialty coffee with a curated selection of print magazines.

🌫 Shelter from the Grey

When I visited with my best friend Maxine, the weather was a bit grey and dreary. Thankfully, Revista offered a warm and stylish refuge. The interior is pared back with high ceilings, a communal table, and a compact coffee bar at the rear. You could call it minimalistic, though not in a cold way.

Coffee beans are sourced from top Dutch roasters like Friedhats and Uncommon, and there’s a small retail shelf—currently the only place in Groningen to stock retail bags from these brands.

📚 Coffee and Print Culture

True to its name, Revista includes a handpicked selection of travel, coffee, fashion, and lifestyle magazines, including Solo, Apartamento, and The Light Observer. The selection isn’t massive, but it’s thoughtful and refreshing in a world of screen fatigue.

🥛 Oat-Only Milk, Roa-Style

We ordered a flat white and a dirty chai—both of which were excellent. One thing to note: Revista exclusively uses oat milk from Roa, an Amsterdam-based brand. This wasn’t mentioned upfront, so it might be worth a gentle heads-up to avoid surprises.

🚐 From Coffee Truck to Corner Café

Revista originally started life as a blue coffee truck, offering specialty brews and magazines on the go. Eventually, the business was taken over by Emma Spannenberg and Wouter Kroes, who were ready to create something more permanent. The bus, charming as it was, couldn’t keep up with their ambitions.

And so came the new location on Carolieweg.

🪑 What’s Next?

We were told that the interior is still a work in progress—more comfortable furniture is on the way. I’m looking forward to seeing how the space evolves. It’s already a great addition to Groningen’s emerging coffee culture, and I wish Emma and Wouter all the success they deserve.