Top 5 Coffee Shops in Groningen (2026)
Groningen is a young, buzzing student city in the north of the Netherlands. All those students need good coffee, so the city is packed with tiny roasters and cozy cafés. From a famous in-house roastery to a coffee bar inside a bike shop, the scene here is full of character.
TL;DR: The best coffee shops in Groningen for 2026 are Black & Bloom, Koffiestation, Revista, Spaak Koffie en Koers, and Pure. These local favorites roast or source top beans, serve real specialty coffee, and have a warm, welcoming vibe.
Note: In the Netherlands, a "coffeeshop" usually sells cannabis, while a "café" or "koffiebar" serves traditional coffee. This guide focuses strictly on specialty coffee cafés.
1. Black & Bloom
This is the one that started it all. You will find it at Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat 32. Black & Bloom opened in 2012 as the very first specialty coffee bar in town, and owner Gerben still roasts the beans himself.
The coffee is taken seriously, with hand-brews from Rwanda and bold espressos from Colombia and Ethiopia. A regular shared: "This is the best coffee I have had in a long while. The espresso has a deep flavor with a gentle acidity. The staff are real characters, funny and warm. Just leave your laptop at home, this is a place to sit and chat."
2. Koffiestation
Head to Turfsingel 4 for the Dudok aan het Diep spot, easily one of the prettiest cafés in the city. It sits inside a restored old petrol station with a wide terrace right by the water. Koffiestation started in 2012 and now roasts its own beans in a micro-roastery.
The in-house bakery is a big draw too. A happy visitor wrote: "On a sunny day there is no better place. We had coffee and warm cinnamon buns by the water and just watched the boats go by. The banana bread is amazing and the staff are so friendly."
3. Revista
Tucked on a corner at Carolieweg 11, just behind the Grote Markt, Revista mixes great coffee with a handpicked stack of art and design magazines. It is calm, minimalist, and a lovely place to slow down with a good read.
Everything here is 100% plant-based, with beans from top Dutch roasters like Friedhats. One customer noted: "The oat milk cappuccino was rich and perfectly balanced. I love that it is fully vegan. I grabbed a magazine, sank into a corner, and lost an hour. The staff are so kind and relaxed."
4. Spaak Koffie en Koers
At Oude Boteringestraat 66 you will find something special: a coffee bar, bike shop, and repair workshop all in one. Open since 2016, Spaak is a haven for cycling fans, who pour single-origin beans from Koffiestation.
It is warm and lively, and they show all the big races on screen. A guest said: "Such a friendly welcome. The coffee has real character and the homemade cake was a treat. We watched a race while my bike got fixed in the back. A fun, cozy spot you do not find anywhere else."
5. Pure
For a sweet tooth, go to Pure at Vismarkt 10, right in the heart of town. The first thing you see is a glass case packed with homemade pastries, from donuts and croissants to a famous red velvet cake.
They bake everything themselves with real care. A customer shared: "The coffee was lovely and the homemade donut was the best I have had. The red velvet cake is a must. The interior is gorgeous and the service was so kind. The perfect break from shopping."
Groningen is a true coffee city, powered by curious students and passionate roasters. Skip the big chains and support these independent spots instead. From a serious espresso at Black & Bloom to a waterside cinnamon bun at Koffiestation, each place has its own story. You will taste the difference in every cup. Tip: most of these sit within a short walk of the Grote Markt, so you can try a few in one day.
