Bellami’s

Strolling through the Grote en Kleine Kromme Elleboog, two small alleys in the heart of Groningen, you’ll come across a number of dining establishments. One of these is Bellami’s, the cozy wine bar and bistro run by Maeyke and Sebastiaan Schokker. On the evening of our visit, the place is packed with guests enjoying a good glass of wine and French bistro classics – whether perched on the high bar stools or seated at the closely spaced small marble tables. Craving a good glass of champagne, we are pleased to find one quickly on the extensive wine list: a Sébastien Daviaux Extra Brut. The menu features delicacies and bistro-style dishes with a French-Belgian flair. Eager to try several dishes, we decide to share the starters. We begin with a freshly baked, still-warm cheese brioche served with olive and leek oil. Tuna cream with dill and toast points also arrives at the table. It’s good, though it could have been a bit more exciting. This is more than made up for with the Duck & Waldorf: phyllo pastry filled with marinated duck, walnuts, celeriac, and lettuce cups with apple. Simply delicious. Equally impressive is the beef fillet served with shredded beef, Yorkshire pudding, and Madeira jus. For an additional charge, you can have it shaved with fresh summer truffles. The Tempranillo Rioja Reserva pairs sublimely with it. My dining companion tries the sautéed octopus accompanied by a pollock quenelle, butter beans, lamb’s ear, samphire, and a saffron sauce. For dessert, the Fraises Romanoff has us already planning our next visit: strawberries marinated in Mandarine Napoléon liqueur, served with strawberry cream and vanilla ice cream. A classic pairing that never fails. Paired with a strong espresso and fresh mint tea, we simply can't resist ordering a plate of pastries and macarons. The service is attentive and welcoming. A bit more wine guidance and a brief chat from the servers would round out the experience perfectly. This excellent French cuisine leaves us thoroughly satisfied: quality food at a reasonable price. What a delight. Bellami’s has redeemed itself and is once again wholeheartedly welcomed into this guide.

Maeyke and Sebastiaan Schokker have struck the right chord with their wine bar and bistro in Groningen’s city center, as the small Pijpenla is packed night after night with predominantly young guests. The large bar is bustling, offering both drinks and dining. All the high tables with bar stools are taken, as are the small marble tables placed closely together. We feel transported to a French bistro, complete with fitting classic tracks playing softly in the background, barely audible over the lively, cozy ambiance. The extensive, meticulously curated wine list, featuring an impressive selection of wines by the glass, is the work of sommelier Roel Wijfjes. For our aperitif, we opt for a German Sauvignon Blanc from Markus Pfaffmann Winery in the Palatinate region. The wine displays a yellow to pale green hue, with aromatic notes of apple and gooseberry. The menu features bistro-style dishes with a French-Belgian flair, along with several off-menu items available under the heading “Du Moment.” To start, we have oysters served with a tangy, spicy dressing. Fortunately, fresh lemon wedges are provided on the side, which we carefully squeeze over them. Next come large, succulently cooked prawns, accompanied by a creamy pastis sauce, sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, and spring onions. In true Burgundian fashion, the sautéed scallops are served atop butter-soft, slow-cooked shredded beef, accompanied by pea purée, veal jus, and mint. The same goes for the pan-fried cod fillet coated in a herb crust, served with asparagus, a poached egg, and a generous helping of béarnaise sauce. Paired with this is a full-bodied organic rosé from Château Paquette in the Côtes de Provence, vintage 2022. Bring a healthy appetite, for the plates are served generously.

From the moment you walk in, you know it: you've come to the right place, both literally and figuratively. This wine bar and bistro run by Maeyke and Sebastiaan Schokker is located in the center of Groningen and is completely packed on the evening of our visit. There’s a cozy atmosphere, and mostly younger guests are chatting animatedly while enjoying French bistro classics. The wine list, organized by taste, is impressive. Paired with a lightly sparkling cava d’Arciac Selecció brut, we enjoy a half dozen Geay oysters. A lovely starter. Next come goat cheese croquettes, artisanal beef bitterballen, and oeufs mayonnaise. The Hachis Parmentier from the main course is a real crowd-pleaser. A delicious baked dish featuring classic shredded beef, silky mashed potatoes, and a small bowl of fresh rhubarb compote. The Simmentaler beef tournedos with Choron sauce is also perfectly cooked and generously portioned. One detail to note is that sides are charged separately. The cheese platter is impressive, featuring a selection of five domestic and international cheeses, including a delightful sheep’s milk cheese, Margalet Papillon. Served with crackers, nuts, raisins, and pear compote with walnuts. Bien! Big thumbs up to sommelier Roel Wijfjes, who offers relaxed yet expert wine recommendations.

Maeyke and Sebastiaan Schokker have established a thriving bistro in the center of Groningen. The atmosphere is informal, and all tables are occupied on the weekday evening of our visit. Yet there is not a hint of chaos at any point. The service team is led by host-sommelier Roel Wijfjes, who has everything firmly under control. Here you will find an extensive selection of wines by the glass, along with optional small bites that you can enjoy cheerfully at the bar. They also serve classic, familiar bistrot dishes prepared by the new chef, Henk Hamminga, with care and dedication. The French classic Niçoise salad has been given a modern makeover and features seared tuna. The presentation is elegant. The red mullet fillet comes alongside delightfully light pommes duchesse, and the entire dish is enveloped in a robust shellfish sauce. The haricots verts are just a touch overcooked. Fortunately, the 2018 Marsanne from Louis Chèze in Limony more than makes up for this minor flaw. On the sidewalk across the street (the weather is gorgeous), we enjoy the dessert—crema catalana and cheese plates—paired with a glass of Iberia cream sherry from Jerez. And all of this for a very reasonable bill. Merci!

This cozy and informal establishment run by Maeyke and Sebastiaan Schokker in the city center of Groningen is a wine bar where you can also enjoy excellent food. Bellami’s - Bar à Manger offers a wide selection of wines by the glass, alongside a wine list featuring diverse options plus small bites referred to as delicacies. Additionally, real bistro dishes are served, forming the foundation of the menu. The offerings change regularly with the seasons, and several dishes are labeled du moment, including always fresh fish. What comes out of the half-open kitchen is très bon. Host-sommelier Roel Wijfjes expertly recommends the finest wines to accompany them. Besides dining at a table, you can also take a seat at the bar and enjoy a good glass of wine with one or more matching bites. All of this takes place in a relaxed atmosphere within a cozy ambiance. Another plus: the bill is frankly modest. The pandemic presented a difficult and unique situation for owners Maeyke and Sebastiaan Schokker, but: You must not think in terms of limitations, but in terms of possibilities. That is why we also plan to implement our new insights in the future.

Bellami’s Bar à Manger by Sebastiaan Schokker, which made its debut in Lekker last year, continues to impress this year with its quality and hospitality. From the semi-open kitchen of head chef Theo Wildeboer come delightful aromas, sparking curiosity about what the menu will bring. You can enjoy various small bites at the bar or dine at a table. With a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice, there are no amuse-bouches, but rather fresh, crispy sourdough bread provided by the house. Both the menu and wine list offer ample choices. We delight in the salade gésiers du Périgord, featuring excellently prepared duck breast and gizzards, paired with Jean-Paul Brun’s Beaujolais Le Ronsay. It feels like we are on the French countryside. The smoked salmon tartare with crispy fried prawns, quail egg, and lime mayonnaise also wins high praise. Our friendly host-sommelier Roel Wijfjes enthusiastically highlights the main course of pike perch and shellfish sauce with a light touch of Pernod. And we enjoy a delicious, generous portion of perfectly cooked fish. The rosé-braised Simmentaler beef tenderloin with meaty chanterelles is excellent as well. The same goes for the accompanying wine—a rich and full El Perdiguero 2014, Cigales Reserva from Baron de Ley in Castile and León. We round off the meal with orange sorbet with red vermouth and an open apple tart with rum raisin ice cream. And the bill? It is surprisingly modest for such a feast. A welcome addition to the city!

The former location of Restaurant Muller is now home to the French bistro Bellami’s Bar à Manger, which calls itself a wine bar where you can also enjoy good food. The menu features small bites, delicacies, and authentic French bistro classics. There are no set menus, no amuse-bouches, and no house bread. The wine list offers around 25 wines by the glass and about 20 types of beer. Additionally, there is a separate ten-page wine list that gives strong representation to the Old World. Everything coming from the kitchen of chef Theo Wildeboer is highly flavorful and beautifully presented. We taste super-fresh salty oysters, creamy tuna spread with papadums, tender Iberico ribs braised in PX sherry, juicy scallops, and aromatic mushroom soup. The Pfaffmann Sauvignon Blanc from the Pfalz pairs excellently with the tuna cream and scallops. Meanwhile, the Cassa Douro Reserva, aged six months in wood, proves to be another great match for the creamy soup. Just be mindful of the papadum servings, though; by the third course, it becomes a bit too much of a good thing. For the main course comes a true bistro classic: hachis parmentier. This dish goes down a treat, including the add-on of pan-fried duck liver and cognac. The cheese board offers good variety but could be served in slightly larger portions. Finally, high praise goes to sommelier Roel Wijfjes, who champions hospitality alongside an outstanding knowledge of the wines he pours. Welcome to Lekker!