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10 restaurants and cafés with courtyard gardens

Fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city centre for a while? Hidden behind Groningen’s famous façades is more greenery than you might think. Tucked away amongst the busy shopping streets, you’ll find courtyard gardens where you can momentarily forget you’re right in the heart of the city. Ideal for settling down for a drink, lunch or dinner in the open air. We’ve listed 10 of them for you.

Barrel Wijnlokaal

Haddingestraat 27 – Red, white, rosé or sparkling: at Wijnlokaal Barrel, you can enjoy your favourite wine al fresco whilst the city passes you by. With over 1,200 wines on the list, there’s always something new to discover. Pair your glass with a good cheese platter or charcuterie, and you’re all set for a lovely evening.

El Maïda

Folkingestraat 19 – You could easily walk right past it, but behind the El Maïda building lies a hidden courtyard garden where you can sit and relax. Once you know about it, you’ve found a lovely spot for lunch. Here you can sample the flavours from the kitchen of Le Souk, the grocery shop just next door. From tagines and mezze to Algerian street food and Syrian sweets.

Pronk

Vismarkt 56 – Did you know that Pronk is housed in one of the oldest stone buildings in this part of Groningen? Part of the rear wall even dates back to the thirteenth or early fourteenth century. Behind the shop, you’ll find a lovely terrace where you can settle down for a tasty bite to eat. With a courtyard garden like that, they really do have something to show off.

Naud

Folkingestraat 42 – At Naud, they do things just that little bit differently. Here, there’s no distinction between starters and main courses; instead, all dishes come in the same portion size. This lets you mix and match to your heart’s content and discover a variety of flavours. Our tip: share the dishes and order several small plates to sample together. Want to be sure of a spot? Book a table in the garden.

The Dog's Bollocks

Oude Boteringestraat 17 – Behind The Dog’s Bollocks is a beer garden that many people haven’t heard of yet. You can walk straight in via the entrance on Rode Weeshuisstraat , where a converted VW bus serves as a bar. Here you can enjoy the same hearty burgers and cold beers as inside, but in the lovely open air.

Bistro Boys

Folkingestraat 46 – In the patio at Bistro Boys , you can join in for a shared dining experience with a unique twist. Share surprising dishes that are just that little bit different. From mussels with sea lavender and flank steak to miso aubergine: add a bottle of wine and you’re all set.

Grand Café Schimmelpenninck

Oosterstraat 53 – You don’t need to go to Curaçao for colourful little houses and tropical vibes. Right in the heart of the city centre, you’ll find the courtyard garden of Grand Café Schimmelpenninck, where you can leave the hustle and bustle behind for a while. Find a sunny spot or settle into the shade and pull up a chair for a tasty treat.

Osteria Da Vinci

Turfsingel 33-1 – Hidden behind the façade of Osteria Da Vinci lies a romantic spot. In the atmospheric garden, you can dine beneath fairy lights and an old vine, whilst feeling as though you’ve been transported to Italy for a moment. The service and kitchen are largely Italian, with Sardinian cuisine taking centre stage.

Brasserie Prinsenhof

Martinikerkhof 23 – stap through a historic gateway into the courtyard of Brasserie Prinsenhof . Here, you can enjoy a lunch fit for a king and relax in the heart of the city. Before or after your visit, take a stroll through the adjacent, fairytale-like Prinsentuin.

Boccaccio

Steenstilstraat 38 – In Via Vecchia, perhaps Groningen’s cosiest little alleyway of restaurants and bars, you’ll find Boccaccio. Stap inside or take a seat in the hidden outdoor area, where Groningen suddenly feels surprisingly Italian. Here, it’s all about classic Tuscan dishes: from antipasti to superb meat and fish dishes.