Where to find the best pizza in Groningen? Five essential addresses for pizza lovers
Pizza is available in many places, but good pizza — real, flavorful pizza with ingredients you can taste and a base that makes you long for Italy — that is something else. In Groningen, there are five pizzerias that know the difference. Each with its own character, its own approach, and its own loyal guests who swear by them.
This is not a ranking. This is not "number one versus number two". What you will find here are five equal addresses where pizza is taken seriously. Where owners know their craft. Where ingredients are selected for their quality and not for their price. Whether you are looking for traditional Neapolitan pizza, modern Italian creativity, a cozy atmosphere, or flavor explosions — they have it all here.
We take you along five pizzerias that together form the pizza landscape of Groningen. And who knows: your new favorite spot might be among them.
Pizza as culture — why Groningen is a pizza city
Groningen has always had a special relationship with food. With more than 200,000 students, the city is young, vibrant, and full of hungry mouths. But it goes beyond pure turnover: in Groningen you eat together, you share, you sit at the table for a long time. That makes the city an ideal place for restaurants — and especially for pizzerias — to flourish.
Pizza fits perfectly into that culture. It is food meant for sharing. A pizza is not eaten in silence by yourself; it is a reason to sit together, talk, glass in hand. And in a city like Groningen, where every weekend friends gather in restaurants throughout the city center and residential areas, that is a significant detail.
Add to that: pizza is democratic. You can do it cheaply or you can spend money on it, you can eat it casually or formally, fast or slow. That is exactly why pizzerias have so many different faces in a place like Groningen. One focuses on speed and accessibility, the other on traditions and ingredients, yet another on coziness and atmosphere. Together they form a complete ecosystem.
Il Lago — a family tradition full of passion since 1994
Il Lago is the only restaurant in this guide literally located by the water. Established at the Hoornsemeer since 1994, with roots in Rome, Il Lago offers views over the lake where you can enjoy freshly prepared dishes. This is a place where family tradition is felt in every detail.
What makes Il Lago special is the combination of Italian authenticity and a focus on quality. At Il Lago, they work exclusively with the finest products the Italian kitchen has to offer, and every day the team starts fresh with preparations in their modern kitchen. This ensures you always taste fresh ingredients.
Reviews speak of "delicious food, friendly staff" and "best pizzas in Groningen". The restaurant is popular for both pizza and pasta — many guests especially recommend the tiramisu. The only recurring note: it can be busy and involve a wait, so making a reservation is wise.
Il Lago
- Address S.O.J. Palmelaan 305
- Phone 050-526 8180
- Specialty Pizza, pasta, freshly prepared
- Ideal for Family, dining with a view
Il Lago is located in a quiet part of Groningen by the water. Perfect for an overnight stay in one of our hotels followed by an evening with a view and good pizza. The Hoornsemeer also offers a beautiful walking route for afterwards.
Osteria da Vinci — where Italy is tangible in the heart of Groningen
Osteria da Vinci is an authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of Groningen, where you can taste unique Sardinian specialties. This is not a casual pizzeria; this is a true ristorante with ambitions.
What distinguishes Osteria da Vinci? The restaurant offers a wide selection of traditional Italian dishes: from artisanal pizzas and delicious pasta to refined meat and fish dishes and tempting desserts with wines directly from Sardinia. Guests describe the food as "authentically Italian" with "very moderate prices for the high quality".
Reviews are consistent: visitors say that any attempt at another restaurant in Groningen disappoints because it cannot match the quality. The atmosphere is elegant but not pompous — ideal for special occasions or simply an evening where you want to feel special. There is also a beautiful, atmospheric courtyard garden available for dining.
Osteria da Vinci
- Address Turfsingel 33-1
- Phone 050-312 40 44
- Specialty Pizza, pasta, Sardinian dishes
- Ideal for Special evenings, refined dining
Osteria da Vinci is located in the historic center of Groningen. Combine your dinner with an overnight stay in the center and make it a romantic weekend. The location is perfect for an evening walk through the inner city afterwards.
Napoli — where quality and speed go hand in hand
Napoli on the Astraat is a busy, lively pizzeria where it is clear that this is a popular spot. Visitors mention that "it is always full and busy when we come, but the pizzas are ready quickly nonetheless". This is street-style pizza with serious ambitions.
The pizzas at Napoli consistently receive good remarks. Visitors say: "This is our favorite pizza restaurant in Groningen" and describe it as an "authentic Italian pizzeria". The concept is simple: the menu is broad, offering original flavors alongside classic options.
What you should know: Napoli attracts many students and young people, making the atmosphere very lively, but you have to enjoy a busy environment. It is not the place where you sit for hours with multiple courses — the concept is aimed at serving delicious food quickly.
Napoli
- Address Astraat 9
- Phone 050-314 49 91
- Specialty Pizza, pasta, affordable
- Ideal for Quick meals, groups
Napoli is centrally located in Groningen, close to many cool events. Perfect as a quick stop in between. Plan your visit in the evenings and come at quieter moments (mid-week) for a bit more space.
Buurman & Buurman — artisanal pizza from neighbors
Buurman & Buurman is run by Douwe and Anouk, proud owners who say: "For us, it's all about quality. That's why at Buurman and Buurman, you don't get a phone book with a hundred different pizzas. We simply have the tastiest ones."
This is a completely different concept than the larger pizzerias. Everything they make is fresh daily, homemade, and comes from a traditional wood-fired stone oven. The pizzerias describe their pizza as being "from the Neapolitan school" with a thin and crispy crust.
The atmosphere is informal and cozy. Visitors call it "a neighborhood treasure" with a "very cozy and friendly atmosphere". Buurman & Buurman has two locations in Groningen, with the one on Rodeweg offering more vegan options, and even two food shops in Amsterdam for those who can't do without.
Buurman & Buurman
- Addresses Friesenstraatweg 41 (Westend) + Rodeweg
- Website buurman-groningen.nl
- Specialty Curated pizza, fresh daily, wood-fired oven
- Ideal for Original flavors, neighborhood feel
Visiting Groningen with children? Buurman & Buurman is perfect for families with a neighborhood vibe. Check out our events and activities nearby and make it a complete weekend. Do book in advance as it fills up quickly, especially in nice weather.
Da Carlo — four decades of Italian tradition in the center
Da Carlo has a fascinating history. In 1974, the building first became Pizzeria Al Hamra, later Pizzeria Roma, and in 1981 Carlo Pizatti took over. That name has remained, even though it has since grown into a respected ristorante.
The identity of Da Carlo is Italian craftsmanship without fuss. The atmosphere is described by guests as "open, warm, and hospitable". Visitors praise the food as "amazingly tasty" with "a true Italian feel" and specifically mention the Pasta Carbonara and pizzas as "tons better than many other places".
Da Carlo is located right in the center of Groningen, near Martiniplein. The restaurant accepts reservations and offers take-out and delivery. This is a place where you feel it's about the food, not about trends.
Da Carlo
- Address Gedempte Zuiderdiep 36
- Phone 050-313 57 96
- Specialty Pizza, pasta, Italian dishes
- Ideal for Dinner, cozy terrace
Da Carlo is within walking distance of many hotels in the center. In the summer, you can sit on the terrace and taste the atmosphere of the city center. Perfect for an evening where you want to feel a bit more special than casual.
Practical tips for your pizzeria evening in Groningen
You know the five now — here are some practical recommendations:
Book in advance
Especially on Fridays and Saturdays, all pizzerias can be busy. A quick phone call saves stress. Buurman & Buurman and Da Carlo even explicitly recommend making a reservation.
Go at the right time
Want the full experience? Come between 18:30 and 20:30 for optimal atmosphere and quality. Outside these hours it can be quieter, which is nice if you want more space.
Pair with drinks
A good glass of wine or local beer completes the experience. Many pizzerias have fine selections.
Ask for the specialty
Menus are a baseline — ask what the chef recommends today. Those are often the best surprises.
Share your pizza
Pizza is food meant for sharing. Order several kinds and taste from each other. This is how pizza was intended.
Groningen has something for every pizza lover
From Il Lago by the water to Da Carlo in the center, from the lively chaos of Napoli to the carefully crafted pizzas of Buurman & Buurman, and the Sardinian refinement of Osteria da Vinci — they all have their place and their audience. They all have their truth.
Groningen is a city that takes pizza seriously. You notice this not only in the number of good pizzerias but especially in how guests speak about them: with pleasure, with preference, with loyalty. These are not just restaurants. These are places where people belong.
