Friday 4 October 2024 • 4 minutes reading time
Groningen is home to countless restaurants where you can enjoy appetizing dishes. But now there is extra reason to celebrate, because the two exceptional restaurants Niemeijer and Dokjard recently received a Bib Gourmand recognition! This prestigious award not only makes them a must-visit, but also underlines their unique culinary qualities. The Bib Gourmand is a special award different from the famous Michelin Stars. Whereas Michelin stars usually focus on high-end restaurants, the Bib Gourmand focuses on restaurants that offer great value for their money. The concept revolves around serving a flavorful three-course meal at a reasonable price. Ideal for food lovers, who like to dine exceptionally but do not want to pay the top price to do so. Niemeijer and Dokjard may now join Groningen’s already recognized and previously only Bib Gourmand restaurant: Bistro De Grote Frederik. Below you can read why you should not miss these restaurants according to Michelin.
It is no surprise that Niemeijer has received a Bib Gourmand recognition: the restaurant is all about the passion for fresh produce and local ingredients. They prefer to source ingredients from their own gardens whenever possible to make their dishes as fresh and local as possible. The restaurant offers an extensive a la carte menu. This includes dishes that showcase the creativity of the team, serving, for example, dishes that give a subtle nod to Dutch cuisine. Besides the fresh and local dishes, at Niemeijer you can choose between a seat at the table, or you pick a chair at the bar with a view of the central open kitchen where you can even wave to the chef. With the Bib Gourmand award in its pocket, Niemeijer will show you, but most of all let you taste why they deserve a place on the Bib Gourmand list.
There are plenty of reasons to visit Dokjard: they have a beautiful location at the Noorderhaven, an extensive dinner menu and many different home-brewed beers. With the Bib Gourmand award under its belt, there’s another reason why Dokjard certainly can not to be missed. In this atmospheric old warehouse, with a rich (culinary) history, various creative dishes are served. From classic dishes found in popular cookbooks, to unique recipes for which the team has drawn inspiration from their cultural experiences and backgrounds. As a brew-bistro, Dokjard naturally likes to let their passion for beer brewing be reflected in their dishes; the team is always looking for the best beer-food combination for their guests. In addition, Dokjard strives for sustainability and is therefore very conscious while choosing their suppliers. Whenever possible, they choose fresh and local produce. The variety on the menu is not to be missed and has something for everyone, and if you really can’t choose there is always an option for the “I can’t/won’t choose” surprise menu. With the balance of flavorful unique dishes and accessible prices, Dokjard definitely belongs among the other Bib Gourmand restaurants.
Bistro De Grote Frederik could already enjoy their Bib Gourmand recognition since spring 2022, and are still happily and successfully serving flavorful yet affordable dishes in their cozy neighborhood bistro. Hostess Marjon and chef Arnejan merge both their culinary, creative and hospitable qualities into a cozy bistro with good value for money, not to mention a great love of German wines. At Bistro de Grote Frederik they love innovation, every eight weeks the neighborhood bistro presents a new menu, filled with seasonal dishes and fresh produce. This regular renewal provides plenty of variety, allowing guests to enjoy a unique and new taste sensation time after time. The surprising flavors and creative dishes that the bistro serves every Thursday through Saturday, and the careful selection of matching German wines make Bistro De Grote Frederik really worth a visit.
With the addition of Niemeijer and Dokjard to the Bib Gourmand selection, Groningen gains, next to Bistro De Grote Frederik, two culinary hotspots that you can definitely visit soon if you’re in the mood for a delicious dinner at an accessible price. Come taste soon and be surprised by the delicious flavors these restaurants have to offer! Looking for more culinary delights in Groningen? Then check out the restaurants with GaultMillau recognition.