Groningen is an amazing, lively city and relocating here has been a dream come true. One of the first places that we explored when we landed in the city was the Vismarkt Groningen. If you haven’t been to it, you are truly missing out because no matter what the weather, this is one place where you will find the residents flocking to.
Vismarkt actually was a fish market in the days gone by. Vis in Dutch means fish. So you can see how it got its name.
While the market still sells fish, you can find local produce, cheese, meats and other assortments of delicacies to treat yourself to too. It is also our go to place for shopping for a variety of reasons. Ones which I will enumerate shortly.
Note: Vismarkt Groningen is an active market that is held only on certain days of the week.
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Location Of Vismarkt Groningen
Address: Akerkhof 10, 9711 JB Groningen
Getting to the Vismarkt in Groningen is very easy. We did not have mobile data so we just downloaded the map and walked there. It is located in a huge square and as you head closer to it, you will see the hustle and bustle of people getting their groceries done.
If you still need help navigating here, you can ask any random person. Yes! It is that iconic. Another interesting landmark is the Akerhof Albert Heinz that is located here. I think this is one of the largest Albert Heinz shops in the city. It certainly is popular.
Which Days Is Vismarkt Groningen Open?
As I mentioned before, Vismarkt is not open on all days of the week. It is open frequently enough to get your groceries done though.
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
The markets are pretty much the same on all days. Saturdays however are extremely busy. It is one of the most happening spots in the city.
Best Time To Visit Vismarkt Groningen
I guess most people visit the Vismarkt based on their convenience. The best time to visit the market however depends on what you are looking for.
If you want the freshest fruit and vegetables, the best cuts of meat, etc. then make sure to visit the market at the start of the day.
I love to plan my visit around or close to lunch because it is nice to catch a quick meal on the way. This is on days when it is sunny. If its pouring then I have fresh supplies for a homecooked meal.
Regular deals include 1 euro bags of amazing bread at Bakker Mark and discounted fruit at Dick’s Vegetable stall. The best time to visit the bread stalls is in the morning or afternoon. By 4 o’clock most of the best things are sold out!
If you walk towards Dick’s vegetable stall, you will realize that there are two sections. The Eurohawk is where you can buy bundles of vegetables and fruits for a euro a bag.
Things To Buy In The Vismarkt Groningen
Like I mentioned before, there are some really good things to be had in the market. Here are a couple of things we always head back with.
Fruits
There are loads of stalls that sell fruit. These are both seasonal and non seasonal versions.
The seasonal versions are usually cheaper and so much tastier so try and catch those.
Not sure which fruits are in season? Ask Google!
We’ve tried strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, oranges and bananas. Everything has been delicious!
There are loads of stalls that sell fruit. These are both seasonal and non seasonal versions. The seasonal versions are usually cheaper and so much tastier so try and catch those. Not sure which fruits are in season? Ask Google!
Vegetables
Vegetables in the Vismarkt Groningen are definitely amazing.
If you are staying in the area and want to cook then the Vismarkt Groningen is the best place to get good vegetables at a better price than the local super stores. Yes! That includes Albert Heinz.
Pro Tip: Dick’s Vegetable stall is located right at the start of the market close to the Albert Heinz. This stall has vegetables for a euro a bag. They may not be the most aesthetic vegetables but trust me, choose your bag well and you’ll get only veggies with blemishes.
He even has fruit for sale. The selection changes from day to day so you always have a choice of different things to eat.
Bread And Other Baked Delicacies
If you are looking for baked goods, I highly recommend Bakker Mark. Sure there are a lot of great artisan bakers in and around the neighborhood but Bakker Mark has great bread for a very good price.
This is especially true if you are on a budget and want decent bread.
All the bread that isn’t sold gets put together in a pile around 4:45 pm and is sold for a discounted rate.
We’ve even got some amazing cakes at this time of the day.
If you don’t head there late in the evening don’t worry. This is still your go to stall because nothing in the stall will break the bank and it is delicious!
Fish
If you visit Vismarkt Groningen, you definitely have to check out the fish.
Before you do a double take, the Dutch love their fish so it should not come as a surprise that there are a number of different snacks that you can catch that are made using fish.
Herring for example is one of the local delicacies. If you are feeling brave ask for herring by the tail and eat it the iconic dutch way! If not, they’ll quarter it and give it to you in tiny pieces. The herring is usually served with chopped onions which really compliments the flavor.
Another thing to try is kibbling. These are basically deep fried fish nuggets that are usually served with a side of mayonnaise. It is really popular and you will find people walking around eating these hot nuggets on a cold winter’s day.
Note: On the first Sunday of every month, there is a fish market that is held in the Vismarkt square
Stroopwafel
If you are in the Vismarkt Groningen, make sure to catch some stroopwafel.
These little cookies (for lack of a better way to describe them) are caramelized pieces of heaven. Usually you would get a prepackaged set in a supermarket.
In Vismarkt Groningen, there is a stall that makes them fresh. It is a whole new level of deliciousness.
Try these with a side of coffee. Trust me. It is love at first bite!
Olives
I know this isn’t a very Dutch thing or so I assume BUT there are these amazing stores that sell different varieties of olives. We’ve been in love with them ever since we gave it a try. By the crowds that line up here, I assume that we aren’t the only people.
Sausages And Cold Cuts
This is a whole big list and honestly, I doubt that I will ever be able to go through it no matter how long I live here. There are loads of different types of sausages and cold cuts available. Standing in front of the stall itself is overwhelming.
One of the best sausages to try in the Netherlands is the rookworst. This is a traditional Dutch smoked sausage that is made with ground meat and spices. It was one of the best things that we bought from the stalls.
Just ask the person at the counter for their recommendations. Trust me. This is the best way to try something new.
Grilled Chicken
Many of the stalls have some great pieces of grilled chicken. I haven’t tried it yet but they always look yummy and there are crowds for it so it sells off fast. Not only is it great for a snack but it also works well if you want to bring it home for a meal.
Meat
So many different types of meat cuts available in Vismarkt Groningen.
The Vismarkt Groningen is the best place to buy any of the meats that you could want. They have stalls dedicated to beef, pork, chicken and fish. The best part about buying meat here is not only is it fresh, it is also much cheaper than the supermarkets.
You can get all kinds of different cuts. Plus there are always bargains to be found at the stalls.
Cheese Aka Kas
Kas is the Dutch word for cheese. While the word is small, the selection of Dutch cheese is enormous. We love any smoked cheese. Ould Kas or old cheese tends to be more packed with flavor. This is another one that we like.
If you are looking for the more tourist friendly version then go with the Old Amsterdam. But honestly try some others too. The cheese here is just too good to ignore.
Smoked cheese, cumin cheese, blue cheese, feta… The list is endless. I know that I am going to be tasting the good Dutch cheese for weeks now!
Spices
The Vismarkt Groningen is a great place to get spices. You can get whole spices, ground spices and even herbs. For me, this was one of the most important spots in the market largely because we use a lot of spices in our Indian food. Without them I was literally homesick!
As you can see, the Vismarkt Groningen is an amazing place to head to if you want fresh produce and want it at a budget price. Trust me! This is so much better than heading to your neighboring Albert Heijn!
Additional Resources You Will Love
- Amsterdam To Groningen By Train, Bus & Cab
- Amazing Dutch souvenirs from Amsterdam
- Amsterdam captions for Instagram
- Popular restaurants in Groningen to catch a meal
