The best outdoor cafés
Kielzog Grand Café | Always sunny
Hoogezand - ‘When the sun is out, our outdoor café is sunny all day long’. Jeroen van der Meijs has been running Kielzog Grand Café in Hoogezand since 2021 with great enthusiasm. He thinks of his café as a living room that’s open to everyone. Located centrally in the town, it’s in easy reach after an afternoon of shopping or a visit to the library. Enjoy lunch or a drink and rest your legs. The fountain is a magnet for the younger guests.
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Beachclub Vifero | Delicious cocktails
Kropswolde - Lounge the hours away or enjoy a delicious meal at the Beachclub Vifero outdoor café on the Meerwijck beach near the Lauwersmeer lake. ‘Simply get yourself a cocktail and bury your toes in the sand’, says manager Rachelle Veeger. ‘Our menu includes all the classic cocktails. Alternatively, choose a personal creation by one of our staff members.’ The beach here will immediately get you in that holiday mood. ‘When the weather is nice, we hold open-air pub quizzes, which everyone loves.’
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Pavilion De Leine | Stunning views
Kropswolde – De Leine pavilion at the Zuidlaardermeer lake is another venue with a terrific view over the water. ‘It’s a perfect starting point for a lovely bicycle ride, or some sailing’, according to Carin Jorritsma and Luit Wieringa, who manage the extensive establishment. They serve lunch and dinner, as well as drinks. Don’t let the rain stop you from coming: part of the outdoor café is covered, which makes it a great venue when it rains. ‘Nature lovers love to come here to catch a glimpse of one of the beavers in their lodge right opposite our pavilion!’
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Op weg naar Kaap Steendam| Tasty
Steendam - If you are on the other side of Midden-Groningen, be sure to stop at the Kaap Steendam outdoor café. Hostess Janet van Ommen: ‘We opened our doors when Covid-19 was rampant, so the only thing we could do was focus on takeaway and delivery services. We are just so happy to finally serve our dishes at the outdoor café.’ Their varied menu includes classics, such as satay and hamburgers, as well as guinea fowl and asparagus dishes. Their regional delicacies include cakes by Zoet en Hartig from Siddeburen and strawberries and asparagus from Meinardi. ‘Reactions are mainly positive and guests compliment us with how our dishes are presented. Everything tastes good, simple things also. Guests regularly tell me that we serve the best fries ever.’
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Rustpunten | Perfect stop-over
Various locations – If you are out hiking or cycling in Midden-Groningen, be sure to pause at a Rustpunt (rest point). You’ll find eight of them scattered across the region. Each location is even more beautiful and lush than the next: choose from the Kinderboerderij NME petting zoo in Hoogezand, the Wildemansheerd campsite in Schildwolde, or the beautiful bamboo garden at ‘Romala’s home’ in Kiel-Windeweer.
