Ultimate Guide for Grocery Shopping on a Budget in Groningen
Just arrived in Groningen? Here’s how to shop smart: which stores to use, when to hit the markets, how to squeeze more value from loyalty apps.
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Supermarkets You’ll Actually Use
Albert Heijn (AH): Widest range, strong weekly Bonus promotions. Get/activate a Bonuskaart (physical or in the AH app) for discounts, digital stamps, and “Mijn Bonus Box” personalised offers.
Jumbo: Competitive on staples, good bakery deals and a loyalty programme (Jumbo Extra’s) that lets you save points for free groceries and personalised offers.
Lidl & Aldi (discounters): House-brand heavy and usually the cheapest for budget baskets. Lidl’s Lidl Plus app adds weekly digital coupons. National price checks in 2025 again put Aldi/Dirk at the low end for budget groceries.
PLUS / SPAR: Handy neighbourhood stores; PLUS carries strong house brands and local lines, SPAR is convenient near campuses/transport but pricier per item.
Markets: When and Why to Go
Groningen’s central markets are a goldmine for fresh produce, cheese, bread and fish, which are often cheaper late in the day or when buying “mix” boxes.
Main city markets: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, 09:00–17:00, at Vismarkt, A-Kerkhof and Grote Markt. Check the municipality schedule for additional days and “shopping Sundays.”
Ommelander (regional) market: 2nd & 4th Saturdays, daytime, at De Beren/Korreweg area: small producers, seasonal specials.
Tip: markets are ideal for seasonal fruit/veg, bread, eggs, and cheese ends. Combine with discounted staples for the lowest bill.
International & Speciality Shops
Amazing Oriental (Korreweg 51): Large Asian supermarket for rice varieties, noodles, sauces, frozen dumplings and spices. They offer good value on bulk rice and pantry staples.
Polski Smak (Nieuwe Ebbingestraat 84): Polish bakery & grocery with weekly imports (bread, deli meats, pierogi, sweets, dairy). Also known for house-made pastries. Check their site/Facebook for hours.
Vjatka – Russian/Eastern European (Nieuweweg 19): Russian/Balkan pantry items, sweets, beverages and gifts; a long-running Eastern European speciality shop in the city centre.
Le Souk (Folkingestraat 21): North-African & Mediterranean grocer (olives, dates, spices, prepared salads). Tip: on Mondays, their fruit/veg are half-price.
Nazar Market & Halal Butcher (Boterdiep 49): Large Turkish/Middle-Eastern supermarket with in-house halal slagerij. Good for fresh produce, breads, meat and pantry staples.
Toko Melati (Gedempte Zuiderdiep 126–128): Indonesian/Pan-Asian toko with a wide selection of Indonesian spices, sambals, noodles and frozen items.
Toko Hendrik (Korreweg): Latin American & Surinamese products (Mexican/Caribbean/US items) plus fresh Surinamese sandwiches & roti to take away.
Delivery-only/extra options:
Matha Stores (Indian, delivery in Groningen): Free local delivery on €20+; good for dals, flours, spices, snacks.
Mama Africa Shop (African, online): African groceries and beauty items delivered in Groningen.
Budget Strategies That Work in Groningen
Mix discounter + market. Do shelf-stable items at Lidl/Aldi; buy produce and bread at the market near closing for markdowns. Municipality-listed market days make planning easy.
Use the apps:
AH Bonuskaart for weekly “Bonus” and personalised offers.
Jumbo Extra’s for points → free items and “Aanbiedingen voor jou.”
Lidl Plus for digital coupons (activate before checkout).
Try Too Good To Go App. Surprise Bags from bakeries, supermarkets and restaurants cut costs and food waste; availability varies by day/time.
House brands over name brands. Using house brands or supermarket-name brands will significantly reduce your bill for the same quality of items and produce.
Return deposit packaging (statiegeld). Return your empty bottles to supermarkets to get a part of your money back.
Quick checklist
Add Vismarkt Tue/Fri/Sat to your calendar; try Ommelander Market (2nd/4th Sat) for regional produce.
Install AH, Jumbo Extra’s, and Lidl Plus apps; grab/activate a Bonuskaart.
Set a weekly budget number and plan around store flyers/app offers.
Blend discounter staples with market produce, lean on loyalty apps, and meal-prep simple bases. You’ll keep your spending near €25–€30 a week while eating varied, fresh food in Groningen.