November 27, 2023 · Culinary Journalist
Delightfully large Chesterfield sofas in a setting that, according to owner Koen Hoiting, is cluttered but organized. He calls it the living room of Groningen himself. It is a bit hidden away on Uurwerkersplein in the city.
A household name for ten years. Primarily due to the delicious pizzas the place is known for. Students in the city, in particular, know their way to the spot. This is largely due to the location, situated between the various university campuses. But also because of the cozy, unpretentious setting and the affordable dishes. For example, there are a few good burgers on the menu, but also a 300-gram piece of ribeye. Basically, something for everyone.
The nice thing about De Uurwerker is that you can basically stay all day. You come in for lunch, then have drinks, and finish off with dinner. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, there is also always a DJ, so you can even have a little dance before cycling home.
For the past year, De Uurwerker has had a little sister: Bistro Tijdsbestek. Located across from the ‘big’ Uurwerker. Accessible from the inside, however. ‘The menu starts there where it ends at De Uurwerker,’ says manager Franke Jongboom. ‘It is more refined, and the focus there is much more on the food. For instance, we have dishes with scallops, steak tartare, and good wines. The kitchen and the bar are situated in the center. It is also much quieter there, while still overlooking the hustle and bustle of the Watchmaker.’
While the bistro focuses more on shared dining in smaller groups, groups are more frequently found at De Uurwerker. ‘Students or groups of friends who meet up here to enjoy a drink together—it’s a real melting pot,’ says Hoiting. He continues: ‘During the week, it is mainly students who come here. Sometimes they bring their parents along too and have something to eat here.’
‘From Friday afternoon onwards, you see a lot of young professionals,’ adds Jongboom. ‘In their early 30s or forties. They come either with work or with friends. On weekends, tourists and people from outside the city also know how to find us. On Sundays, you often see families with young children. Often the people who came here years ago for food and drinks, before they had children. It is really nice to see that group returning.’
Diagonally opposite the Uurwerker sits the Little clockmakerA stunningly beautiful room with a TV screen and bar, suitable for groups of up to 60/70 people. Handy for a graduation party…
De Uurwerker is open daily from 12:00 and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00. Bistro Timeframe is open Thursday through Saturday from 5:00 PM. For more information, see Uurwerker.nl
