CURRENT POPULATION: 185,000
% POP GROWTH: 1 %
CITY AREA: 83.69 KM2

CITY DENSITY: 2,284 INH/KM2
GDP PER CAPITA: €24,654
DIALLING CODE: +31

WITH FRIENDS
OSTERIA DA VINCI
TURFSINGEL 33-1
TEL. 050 312 4044
This cosy Italian restaurant is frequented by Dutch and Italians alike because of the excellent quality of the food. In summer you can sit outside on the patio, but be sure to make a reservation, since it is fully booked every night.

ENTERTAINING A CLIENT
HET GOUDKANTOOR
WAAGSTRAAT 1
TEL. 050 589 1888
The Goudkantoor serves lovely dinners and has an interesting history. Built in 1635, it was called the collection house as local taxes came here. From 1814 to 1887 it was used to keep gold and silver safe by inspecting and marking the coins and was called the Gold Office. The building has had many different functions since, but it’s still referred to as the Goudkantoor (Gold Office).

CLOSING THE DEAL
FUJI-TEI
POELESTRAAT 39-41
TEL. 050 318 9696
This delightful new restaurant combines an interesting mix of Japanese and Korean food. Tempura, sushi, fish and meat dishes are all on the menu, so most tastes are catered for.

STYLE
CAFÉ DE SLEUTEL
NOORDERHAVEN 72
TEL. 050 318 1454
Café De Sleutel is located at the Noorderhaven, one of Groningen’s former harbours. Boats are still moored in the harbour and the renovated old buildings are now apartments and offices. Many breweries were located in the harbour area, and Café De Sleutel is based in a renovated brewery building, now packed with brewery paraphernalia.

RELAX
HUIS DE BEURS
AKERKHOF 4
TEL. 050 312 0333
Huis De Beurs is the Groningen version of a European coffee house and comedy café. Located on one of the corners of the Groningen market, it’s an ideal meeting point for different cultures, shoppers and workers.

MUSIC
CAFÉ KOSTER
HOOGSTRAATJE 7/9
TEL. 050 314 5217
Café Koster is a typical Dutch café, ideal for a drink after work or later on in the evening. The café is famous for its live music nights, which vary widely from jazz and blues to rock, folk or Latin American music. It all adds up to an ever-changing audio agenda, and an eclectic (if sometimes slightly confusing) mix.

VALUE
HAMPSHIRE HOTEL GRONINGEN
RADESINGEL 50
TEL. 050 316 2900
Located in the centre of the city near the shops, this little hotel has 21 rooms and 12 meeting rooms for up to 150 people. You can start your day with a varied and international breakfast buffet in the Grand Café which has a library – and there is private parking beneath the hotel.

BUSINESS
ASGARD HOTEL
GANZEVOORTSINGEL 2
TEL . 050 313 8387
Situated in the heart of Groningen, in a quiet street, this boutique hotel guarantees a luxurious stay in a building full of character. The hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the central station and other major attractions, such as de Vismarkt, de Grote Markt and the Groninger Museum. The rooms have been decorated with contemporary art from local artists.

BESPOKE
GRAND HOTEL DE KROMME RAAKE
MOLENSTRAAT 5, EENRUM
TEL. 0595 491 600
Claimed by the owners to be ‘the smallest hotel in the world’, the Grand Hotel de Kromme Raake has put the little town Eenrum on the map. This former grocery shop was converted into a one-room hotel and was decorated in the Art Deco style by its founder and two artists.

The month of May has been declared bicycle month in the Netherlands. This may seem slightly strange since the Dutch cycle all the year round, but May is unusual because it’s the only month when certain routes are open, so you’ll have the chance to see places that are normally hidden away. Rent a bike and head out on one of the special routes, which you can find at the tourist office on the Grote Markt.

Only 10km from Groningen is Nienoord in Leek. On 3 May you can see all kinds of model steam locomotives and trains built by people from all over Europe. Some are so big that you can even go for a ride in them.

Vlaggetjesdag (Flag Day) is a typical Dutch celebration. Most of the fishing harbours take part to celebrate the arrival of a fisher queen by boat. In the tiny village of Zoutkamp the Queen of Shrimps is welcomed on 12 May.

Once a year the Folkdance Festival of Warffum (www.oproakeldais.nl) takes place in a small corner of the Netherlands, 5km from the Waddenzee. This year from 25-29 June, folk dancing groups from every corner of the world will take part, from delicate colourful Chinese choreography to the black pounding boots of macho Georgian men and from swinging, whirling skirts to a striking Balkan bridal dance. There are also markets and a classic car rally.

WORDS BY HANNEKE HULS