March 12, 2024 · Culinary Journalist
Living and dining house for all. That is where WEEVA stands for. On the Gedempte Zuiderdiep in the city of Groningen. The place where waiters still hold the door open for you, wear smart waistcoats, and serve genuine classic dishes. You really take a step back in time there. At least, that’s how it feels. The establishment exudes hospitality. Nothing is too much trouble for them, and everything is done with great care and passion for the profession. Interestingly, they are all slightly older waiters. According to owner Fred Dalebout, that is because they often know exactly how things should be done. "The younger generation can then learn from that," he explains.
The history of WEEVA begins in 1871. At that time, it was the Groningen soup kitchen. People who were less well-off could get a meal at WEEVA for a small fee and, moreover, sleep cheaply as well. Around 1929, the building, including the soup kitchen and boarding house, was renamed the Woon- en Eethuis Voor Allen (Living and Eating House for All). Hence, it is popularly known as WEEVA.
In the meantime, the company was called something else for a while. Martini HotelThat hotel, which sits above the restaurant, has 117 rooms. In 2011, the name was changed back to WEEVA. The old, familiar name returned to the facade.
A rich history that has become an integral part of Groningen. According to Dalebout, the WEEVA was always for everyone, and remains so today.
‘We aren’t here for a specific target group,’ he explains. ‘We really get all kinds of people here. Students, elderly people who used to come here now with their children, couples, and also people who just come to eat every day. There are quite a lot of them.’
The menu features classics such as fried calf's liver with bacon, black pudding with apple, sole, stamppots, and poffert with vanilla ice cream. ‘Everything is made fresh,’ says Dalebout. ‘And it has to be. Besides the fact that this is naturally our own standard, we also want to serve the guests who come here to eat every day a decent and healthy meal.’
In addition to the à la carte menu, there is also a daily changing special. Varying from mashed potato dishes and German steak (apparently very popular) to just a good schnitzel. And the side dishes are served in nice, old-fashioned bowls. ‘You won’t leave here hungry,’ says Dalebout. ‘That’s not the intention. So if you want an extra bowl of potatoes or vegetables, we’ll just serve it. Without having to go to the cashier first.’ WEEVA is open seven days a week from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. For more information, visit www.weeva.nl
