't Ailand Lauwersoog Restaurant | Viswerkplaats | Wadvistochten

We were recommended this place after hiking over Engelmansplaat and 't Rif by our guide. Mostly because all that is served here is freshly caught in the Waddenzee and therefore local produce that supports the region. It was enough to sell us on. As we walked in, we all got the feeling of the snackbars you'd go to as a child while on vacation with your parents. The place they'd pick because there is the fresh fish they want, and the fries they know you'll eat. Meaning we all got a bit nostalgic for those days as we sat and ate, but the place of course didn't hold the ambiance and excitement that you think it has when you're a child. However, we ordered the local produce. Two of us the mussels/cockle/langoustine mixed pan, and the other the trio of fresh fish. We had a little bit of a language barrier as only one of us spoke Dutch and none of us knew the Spanish word for "cockle" but the waitress really went out of her way and flipped through an actual printed dictionary to get the Spanish word. And then convinced my friend that she had to try them. For a moment I wondered if that was appropriate to do, she really didn't want to sell the pan without the cockle's which I found a tad weird. However, my friend ended up liking them so it was all fine. In the same language barrier I ended up mixing up langoustines with the razor clams, mentioning that I really like how they taste. When the food arrived to our table, we immediately noticed that the cook threw in some razor clams in the mixed pan, which was something I truly enjoyed. I don't know if they always are in there, but if not, my compliments for listening so well. So as for this place, they lose a bit of points because of the ambiance but they earn more than enough points on the food and the idea that all of it is truly locally sourced and all very well made. Except for the salad, which had no taste. But we didn't come there for the greens, but for the yummy fish.

Very cute cozy place, with amazing always fresh sea food, everything is biological, I think they make even mayonnaise by them self :) And they have oysters...amazing HUGE tasty oysters! Love it! This restaurant places in the port, almost hidden :) so by accident you would not be able to find it, so if you want to see something different just go there! P.S. Prices are more then good! Was surprised!

Amazing location! But that's about as positive as it gets. The food is reasonably good. Simple, real, fresh fish. But the service was a disgrase. It took forever to serve us and when I asked if it would take much longer I got an 'there is nothing I can say about it'. What?! Eventually, we didn't get what we ordered and half of it was still raw. There is room for improvement, I would say!

Excellent fresh oysters and fishes. Home made mayo is suitable for chips. One hour from Groningen city center to the cozy restaurant, it was a good experience to spend half a day on the harbour.

Authentic atmosphere: check. Friendly staff: Very. Sustainable cooking: no equal. Great story of how they've gotten this far: make sure to ask. But the best of all: the food. My lord. Sweet baby jesus. The fish. The FISH. It is literally the best, freshest, loved-to-perfection dishes I've ever had. And don't get me started on the fries. Or the salads. If Groningen has a hidden pearl, it's this. Ab-so-lu-te-ly delicious. I want to be found dead here. Well worth the detour, and the absolute highlight of my holidays at the north sea. Yoho, a pirate's life for me! Yarr!