Kaap Hoorn — Restaurant in Groningen

Location is unmatchable, lots of space. Our primary server was a friendly and professional lady, who I have nothing but praise for. She's the reason for these 2 stars. After a long time waiting for my food, I had the audacity to politely ask the guy who got us our cocktails, if he could also check up on our burgers. Apparently this was enough for him to rudely reference where I'm from, and lecture how starters are followed by main course in Netherlands. For clarity, I didn't order starters, my girlfriend did, and even she was done 30 mins back. We weren't asked if we want everything as it gets ready, which I understand is not for granted. But most importantly, IT WAS a very polite " Can you please also check on our burgers ?" Rather than a tantrum or even a complaint And since WE HAD moved indoor as it started raining, and everything else was super quickly on our tables EXCEPT the burgers, I thought maybe worth checking with the staff when they bought our cocktails.

But apparently, as per this lone server, a polite request about my food warrants reminding me that I am not from here, don't belong here and how things work in the Netherlands. "Where one is from" which I'm sure is an issue because I look and talk different? Nevermind I've lived here for half a decade now, and as if no one from the Netherlands ever asked a server to check the status of their order, politely? But being argument averse usually in places like to avoid ruining the day for many people, including ourselves, I let it be.

Moving on from the server, Food was decent, beef burger was good, geitenkaas burger not so much, while mango tartar was underwhelming. Cocktails - Pina colada was okay, so was Moscow mule. And gin and tonic was huge! Good value for money...

The service is terrible! The place was not super busy and it took the employees 10 minutes before coming to see us and take our order. My friend went to fill the bowl for her dog, an employee saw her and didn't even offer her to do it for her (the bowl was from Kaap Hoorn). After 1:30 we had to stop one of them to order more drinks as they wouldn't check on us, and when they brought the new drinks, one was served with the employee putting her finger in the glass to hold it (😨) and they didn't even take the used glasses/ cups/ bottles.

At 16:30, we were told the table was booked for 18:00 but not asked if we wanted more drinks (on a 29°C day, who doesn't need to drink?), we stopped another employee to order nachos and when I dared asking about them after 15-20 minutes, I got a killer look from the waiter saying they would arrive. They finally arrived 30 minutes after we ordered them, just before we left (5 more minutes and we would have just left).

Some training and an "iron fist in a velvet glove" could do the trick and improve...

Food was good but staff was all but eager to serve you. This restaurant would be able to do much better if their staff would pay more attention to the customers. Once you've placed you your order you are forgotten. Orders were not given through to the kitchen and were not complete so we had to wait a long time for our desert. Our kids received a coloring page but without pencils...had to ask twice before we received it. Even trying to pay I had to wait as two waiters were just looking at me (one of which gave me the bill). I've been here a few times but will defnitely not recommend this to enyone and I'm not sure whether I will go there again. Lovely location, good food, but...