What started in 2004 with the bistro De Biechtstoel has grown into a true tapas empire. With 8 branches of his Bodega and Tapas, founder and owner Matthijs Vinckemöller provides tapas throughout the Northern Netherlands.


Oil slick
In 2017, he opened the very first branch of the now indispensable concept on the Damsterdiep in Stad. He recently opened his latest branch in Winschoten. According to Vinckemöller, it seems as if there are no restaurants there at all, because the tapas are in great demand and the place is constantly full of reservations.


The success of tapas
What explains the success of his tapas restaurants? According to Vinckemöller, there are simply not many of these types of businesses in our city or in the province. 'In Groningen, there are hundreds of cafes and pizzerias, but hardly any tapas restaurants', he explains. 'The choice of tapas is not complicated', he says himself. 'You have a wide choice.' His restaurants have no fewer than 64 different types of tapas on the menu, which also change with the seasons. 'So there is something for everyone. If you are eating with the whole family, there is something to choose from for everyone.'

According to Vinckemöller, the recommendations on the menu are the tapas with glazed pork belly, the carpaccio, a wrap with jackfruit (can also be completely vegan), ham with melon and the egg ball. Perhaps a bit of an odd duck on a Spanish tapas menu, but according to the entrepreneur, the balls are in great demand. Spanish or not, they all want them. It is true that the egg balls have not really caught on in Leeuwarden yet, in Drenthe, on the other hand, this culinary snack from Groningen has already fully embraced it.

Long dining with cocktails
What is striking is that it is mainly women who visit his businesses. 'They come to have a drink, chat and order small snacks to share. Drink cocktails and eat unlimited tapas for 29,50 pp during the week and 34,50 in the weekend, only the food then. The combination of food and drink, sitting together for a long time and enjoying it, that is what people are looking for', Vinckemöller explains.

'And besides, we Dutch people also like to know in advance how much we will spend. For example, if you go out for dinner with a group, you just know that there will be no surprises at the end. Everyone just pays the same.' Unless you try the entire cocktail menu yourself, then of course it becomes a different story...
For more information, visit the Bodega y Tapas website: www.bodega-y-tapas.nl
