Simon Lévelt Café Groningen is described within the context of its coffee and tea formula, with attention to its history, range, knowledge sharing, accessibility, and sustainability claims.
About Simon Lévelt Café Groningen
History and Concept
Simon Lévelt Café Groningen is located at Oude Kijk in Het Jatstraat 2 in the center of Groningen. The establishment is publicly listed as “Groningen Cafe” within the Simon Lévelt formula. Accessibility platforms also list the same address. No public documentation is available regarding the specific founder or franchise holder of the Groningen location.
The background of the formula lies with Simon Lévelt, a family business with roots in Amsterdam. According to the company history, Simon Levelt opened a grocery store in the old harbor area of the city in 1826. The business subsequently developed into a company focused on coffee and tea. According to available information, the business was run through six generations.
Under the leadership of Mikkel Levelt, the sixth generation within the family business, three cafés were opened. These consisted of two cafés in Utrecht and one in Groningen. The exact opening date of the Groningen location is not publicly recorded. However, the café was already known as an existing location before April 2012, as another opening at that time was designated as the third café location after Utrecht and Groningen.
The concept of the café aligns with the broader Simon Lévelt formula. The Groningen location is described as a café in the center, offering Italian coffee variants and tea in an informal setting. In this way, the location combines hospitality with the knowledge and products of a coffee and tea company.
Coffee, tea, and brewing
The café sources its coffee and tea from Simon Lévelt. The company states that it selects the coffee and tea itself. Roasting and flavor development for coffee take place in Haarlem. Tea packaging is also part of their operations there. This means the product base does not rely on a separate, café-specific supplier.
According to available information, the Groningen branch offers a rotating selection. Coffee is freshly ground and prepared to taste. Tea is offered from various origins. Specific details about fixed brewing methods, such as filter coffee, pour-over, AeroPress, or batch brew, are not publicly documented on the café’s page.
There are, however, indications of a focus on espresso and milk preparation. Public posts mention a monthly barista workshop centered on espresso and cappuccino. A local mention also highlights cappuccino and hot chocolate with whipped cream. This information provides a limited view of the offerings but does not describe a full menu.
Knowledge transfer and the public
A recurring element in the public information is knowledge transfer. The monthly barista workshop is mentioned for those who want to learn how to prepare espresso and cappuccino. The workshop reportedly takes place on the second Tuesday of every month. Further details regarding content, duration, or participation requirements are not included in the available data.
The broader retail and brand formula also emphasizes explanation. According to Simon Lévelt, specialists in the stores provide information on origin, brewing methods, roast profiles, and blends. For coffee enthusiasts, this makes it clear that the formula is not just about consumption, but also about product knowledge. It is not documented which topics are covered at what times for the Groningen branch.
No public documentation was found within the available materials regarding cultural programming, exhibitions, or other public gatherings at the café. As a result, known activities remain primarily limited to coffee- and tea-related explanations and the mentioned barista workshop.
Accessibility
The accessibility of the café is described separately in a review following a visit in January 2025. That review documents wheelchair-related access points and notes that assistance dogs are welcome. Such information is relevant for visitors who want to know in advance how a hospitality venue is practically accessible.
The available data does not provide a complete technical overview of all facilities. It does, however, show that accessibility around the Groningen location has been publicly described. This makes it a recognizable theme in the public information about the café.
Sustainability and origin
Simon Lévelt highlights care for people and the environment as a key focus in its products. The company states that its coffee and tea assortment is fully organic certified and produced according to organic farming standards. These claims apply to Simon Lévelt’s assortment and are not described as separate agreements specific only to the Groningen branch.
Additionally, the company describes its own selection, flavor development, and processing in Haarlem. For loose coffee and tea, Simon Lévelt encourages package-free shopping. Customers can, according to available information, bring their own packaging. The company also participates in a national initiative for the recycling of coffee capsules.
In 2022, it was reported that Simon Lévelt coffee had achieved climate-neutral certification from January of that year. This included CO2 measurement, reduction measures, compensation, an energy-efficient roaster, mono-material packaging, and unpackaged options. Café-specific collaborations with suppliers are not publicly documented.
Position within the Coffee Sector
Simon Lévelt Café Groningen is listed in various public directories as a coffee shop in Groningen. The location also appears in publications about the Simon Lévelt café concept. Groningen is mentioned alongside Utrecht as part of the development of cafés within the family business.
Furthermore, the establishment is listed in accessibility-focused directories and local lists of coffee spots. The location was also mentioned in hospitality nominations, although no results were found in the consulted materials. The picture that emerges from the available information is that of a Groningen café branch within an older Dutch coffee and tea formula, with an emphasis on product knowledge, an organic range, and a central location.
