May 1, 2023 · Culinary Journalist
It is a little hidden away in Groningen's nicest shopping street, but once found, it will certainly surprise you: Restaurant Naud, formerly Restaurant Midi. The two young owners, Tess Haarsma and Kasper Lich, decided to chart a new, independent course starting in January 2023. And so, Restaurant Naud was born. A contemporary establishment with a hip yet warm interior. Featuring many dark and natural colors, round benches against the wall, and cozy lighting.
Behind the modest entrance on Folkingestraat lies a long, narrow establishment. It features a ‘private dining’ section at the front, where the acoustics are so well managed that all sound is instantly muffled. ‘Ideal, therefore, for people who are a bit more sensitive to loud noise or for small groups where guests still want to be able to understand each other,’ explains Tess. Incidentally, this is well taken care of throughout the entire establishment, as acoustic panels hang from the ceiling everywhere.
Naud operates on a 3+1 concept: three small dishes of your choice, plus a dessert. For 39 euros. The menu is very extensive and consists of hot and cold dishes from which you can compose your own menu, ranging from 12 to 15 euros, with a small surcharge applied to some dishes. The intention of this concept is not necessarily to share, but of course, that is possible. There are also a number of tasty side dishes on the menu that you can order separately, such as oysters and fries. Naud with avocado aioli and mojo sauce or delicious pitas with tzatziki and olive tapenade.
The cuisine is fusion. "That means we source things from all over the world," says Tess. "The menu features Asian dishes, but also a lot of European—a bit of everything, really. Inspired by what we like ourselves."
With all those different flavors, it might be difficult to choose which wine to pair with your meal. But Naud takes this into account. There are ten different types of wine available by the glass: four white, four red, and two dessert wines. Additionally, there is a fine selection of port. For the beer lover, the menu features beers such as Oedipus, Straffe Hendrik, and IJwit, complemented by a small selection from local brewer Bax. And for the non-drinker, Naud has three delicious mocktails to choose from.
According to Tess, what makes Naud special is undoubtedly the team. ‘We have a young team that is very enthusiastic and driven, and we are very proud of that. That is absolutely our strength.’ In addition, they believe it is important that you can eat well and receive good service for a good price. Everything is homemade, and they only work with fresh ingredients.
You will find the restaurant Naud at Folkingestraat 42 in Groningen. Naud is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5:00 PM and Friday & Saturday from 3:00 PM. Reservations are recommended.
