Updated October 2026
For a first date in Groningen, try Groninger Museum, Noorderplantsoen, or Prinsentuin. Weekday evenings are calmer; on Friday and Saturday, book ahead where you can.
A first date in Groningen is usually a drink or a coffee, and since the centre is so compact, a date easily moves from a café to a park to a bar on foot or by bike. Splitting the bill is normal, and nobody expects a big dinner the first time.
Here are ten real places for every budget, from a free walk in the Noorderplantsoen to dinner in a five-star boutique hotel, plus two unusual ideas at the end.
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MuseumMuseumeiland€€All ages
An art and design museum in a striking 1994 building by Alessandro Mendini, Philippe Starck and Coop Himmelb(l)au, on its own Museumeiland. Plenty to talk about, and the centre is a short walk away.
Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME Groningen · Takes bookings
ParkNoorderplantsoen€All ages
A 20-hectare park in English landscape style along the old city walls, with winding paths, lawns and a pond. Free and green, and Café De Bres is right next to it.
Noorderplantsoen, Groningen · Walk-in
GardenCentrum (Turfsingel)€All ages
A walled garden laid out in 1626, with a rose garden, a herb garden, shaded arbours and a sundial gate from 1731. A quiet, romantic spot right in the centre.
Prinsentuin, Turfsingel, Groningen · Walk-in
Botanical gardenHaren€€All ages
More than 14 hectares of gardens just south of the city, including a Chinese Ming garden that is unique in Europe, a Celtic garden and a herb garden. A long, relaxed walk with lots to look at.
Kerklaan 34, 9751 NN Haren · Walk-in
LakeHaren (south of the city)€€All ages
A 2.7-kilometre lake on the edge of the city where you can rent a small boat, a sloop or a SUP board, with a beach for swimming in summer. A sunny-day date by bike.
Meerweg 247, 9752 XD Haren · Takes bookings
Hotel restaurantCentrum (Martinikerkhof)€€€40+
A five-star boutique hotel in one of the city's oldest monumental buildings, in the shadow of the Martini tower and next to the Prinsentuin, with a brasserie, a fine-dining restaurant and afternoon tea. A special-occasion choice; book ahead.
Martinikerkhof 23, 9712 JH Groningen · Takes bookings
Historic churchCentrum (Akerkhof)€All ages
A church about 800 years old in the heart of the city, now used for exhibitions and concerts, with a famous Arp Schnitger organ. Check the agenda for a concert date.
Akerkhof 2, Groningen · Walk-in
Photography galleryCentrum (Akerkhof)€All ages
A platform for photography and lens-based media with an exhibition space in the centre, open Tuesday to Sunday. Small and thought-provoking, a good warm-up for a drink nearby.
Akerkhof 12, 9711 JB Groningen · Walk-in
Concert hall and theatreOosterpoort / Centrum€€All ages
The city's concert hall and theatre, with pop, jazz, classical, dance and comedy, plus The Mix restaurant in De Oosterpoort for dinner before the show.
De Oosterpoort, Trompsingel 27, Groningen · Takes bookings
CinemaCentrum (Gedempte Zuiderdiep)€€All ages
A nine-screen cinema in the centre with a film-and-dinner deal. An easy plan for a second date, with plenty of bars nearby for afterwards.
Gedempte Zuiderdiep 78, 9711 HL Groningen · Takes bookings
Unusual places worth a special trip when you want a date nobody forgets.
Restaurant, cocktail bar and rooftop wine barCentrum (Oude Boteringestraat)€€30s
A restaurant and bar concept since 2005, next to the university's main building, with robot arms pouring in the wine and cocktail bar, its own distillery and a rooftop wine bar. Quirky enough to break the ice on its own.
Oude Boteringestraat 26, 9712 GJ Groningen · Takes bookings
Ice rinkKardinge€All ages
A sports centre with recreational ice skating and swimming. Skating together, hand in hand or wobbling, is a playful date that needs no small talk; check the skating times online.
Kardingerplein 1, 9735 AA Groningen · Takes bookings
Popular places to meet people in Groningen include Café De Toeter (bilingual pub quiz), Huize Maas (city café and stage), and VERA (music venue). All of them are easy to visit alone or with friends.
Pick an indoor spot such as Groninger Museum or Hotel Prinsenhof. Both work well for a first date in any weather.
In the YesTonite City Index, Groningen is number 106 of 112 cities for dating, with a dating score of 2.8 out of 10.
Open YesTonite and see who in Groningen is going out tonight. Say hi, agree on a time and meet at one of the places on this page.
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so call or check the website before you go.
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