Festive dining at Michelin-starred restaurants

Candlelight, a table full of beautifully prepared dishes and the scent of seasonal products that immediately put you in a festive mood. The days are getting shorter and cosier. The evenings call for special moments. That is why we take you to a selection of Groningen's finest restaurants, from Michelin star to Bib Gourmand. Here you will find culinary pearls that are talked about with praise.

Noor

Zuiderweg 38, Groningen - Restaurant Noor in Hoogkerk is housed in a former church and is run by chef couple Jeroen and Marleen Brouwer. Their refined and creative cuisine, inspired by French and Japanese influences, soon earned the restaurant a Michelin star. The menu features elegant dishes using Dutch products, such as celeriac in salt crust with yoghurt cream and salted lemon or matured sea bass with verjus beurre blanc and codium oil. The serene atmosphere of the old chapel, together with the culinary finesse of the chefs, makes Noor a special place to celebrate something.

Under the Linden

B. van Barneveldweg 3, Aduard - The inn and restaurant are run by owner and chef Steven Nijenhuis. The restaurant is located in a national monument from 1735 and has had a Michelin star since 2013. The kitchen takes a very local and sustainable approach, excluding beef, pork and dairy. Vegetables, fish, game, seafood and shellfish from the region are given the starring role, often combined with Asian fermentation. Examples include a dish with pikeperch, razor clam and beetroot or a dessert with dark chocolate, Jerusalem artichoke and fig. Either way, this refined style makes the evening festive.

Niemeijer

Akerkstraat 20, Groningen - Janick and Leonie Niemeijer received a Bib Gourmand for excellent quality at a reasonable price. They cook seasonally with a nod to Groningen cuisine. They also use a lot of produce from their own vegetable garden and serve à-la-carte dishes such as a gourmet eierbal with vadouvan, eryngii and honey from their own honeycombs.

Vive la Vie

Oosterstraat 39, Groningen - Chef Jeroen Sportel is in charge of the kitchen at this restaurant. Here, you always get a surprise menu of 5 to 7 courses, made with daily fresh products and a mix of French and international flavours. The cosy premises and informal atmosphere make you feel like you are really watching in the kitchen. The restaurant scores high and is perfect for an evening of culinary surprises.

Blumé

Oude Boteringestraat 45, Groningen - This is the place where chef Henrice Dijks creatively goes wild with seasonal products. From Groningen beef with Wadden oyster to slow-cooked veal stock with pumpkin. Each dish is a completely new experience. A 3-, 5- or 7-course menu allows you to experiment. The cosy interior makes you feel right at home while enjoying the flavours.

Nassau

Martinikerkhof 23, Groningen - At Nassau, chef Christian de Vries guarantees refined dishes with local and sustainable ingredients. You can opt for à-la-carte or a 5- to 7-course experience full of seasonal flavours. The historic interior, views of the Prinsentuin and high ratings in Michelin and Gault&Millau make it a special place for a royal dinner.

De Molenaar

Uiterdijk 4, Onderdendam - You imagine yourself in the countryside for a moment when you head into the province to this former corn mill. Here, chef Martin Kooijker plays with local game and fresh seafood, using seasonal produce, regional ingredients and a team with an eye for detail to create an evening that is both relaxed and culinarily challenging. A feast under the sails.

Bisque

Verlengde Hereweg 46, Groningen - Be welcomed in a cosy setting by chef Niels Schievink and hostess Sabrina Mans. With them, modern French cuisine takes centre stage, with pure flavours and technical finesse. Think dishes like scallop with eel or slow-cooked sukade with parsnips, and the carefully curated wine list invites you to explore. This makes for a relaxed evening of stylish flavours.

Dokjard

Noorderhaven 63, Groningen - At Dokjard, chef Lollinga experiments with a vibrant mix of international flavours and surprising combinations with beer from de brouwerij. Dishes like steak tartare with an Asian twist or gently cooked pork cheeks with dukah and sesame come to life here. The in-house beer adds extra character. The informal and creative atmosphere makes the outing just that little bit different.

Bij Hammingh

Hunzeweg 32, Garnwerd - Bij Hammingh, they serve a loving interpretation of Dutch-French cuisine, which focuses on regional seasonal products. Think fresh fish from Lauwersoog or cheese from Winsum. One example is the fish soup brimming with locally caught fish and crunchy vegetables. The atmosphere is relaxed and the view of the water invites you to linger longer.

De Haan

Aweg 4, Groningen - At De Haan, chef Dennis de Haan cooks in an open kitchen, while you get your own bread, wine and water. So no classic service. Dishes like hamachi with yuzu or lamb neck with eel, Japanese aubergine and lovage show how creatively the team works. The five-course surprise menu offers tasty dishes in a relaxed environment. A fresh take on what enjoyment is all about.

Hanasato

Gedempte Zuiderdiep 55, Groningen - At Hanasato, you dive into true Japanese cuisine. Think wafer-thin Wagyu-ribeye that you briefly dip yourself in a rich shabu-shabu broth or ultra-fresh sashimi with wasabi and soy sauce to accompany every bite. The style is true to the classic washoku tradition. Pure, technical and surprising.

De Grote Frederik

Frederiksplein 7, Groningen - In this cosy bistro, you will be surprised with a small French menu full of creativity. Think pastrami of celeriac with smoked grape and dill oil or monkfish in beurre blanc with arancini and pineapple. The kitchen changes the menu every six to eight weeks so you have plenty of reason to come again soon. Wooden tables with vases full of flowers create a homely atmosphere.