The epitome of reinvention – Rotterdam has a superb restaurant scene and is fast garnering a reputation for its bold and intriguing foodie offering. New restaurants and concepts are popping up all over the city alongside some evergreen favourites that are much-loved by the locals.
From rooftop romantic restaurants and concept brekkie joints to plant-based cuisine and experimental Michelin-starred cooking, let us clue you in on the best restaurants in Rotterdam.
Breakfast
The foodie scene in the beautiful city of Rotterdam has been exploding in recent years and their breakfast and brunch offering is a prime example of that. From niche concept eateries to American-style comfort food, make sure you start the day right with a hearty breakfast in Rotterdam.
Yoghurt Barn
Must.Love.Yoghurt! As a prime example of what it does on the tin, it may not come as a surprise as to what Yoghurt Barn provides. Naturally, they do offer other options like overnight oats, banana bread and Avo barn toast- but when in Rotterdam as they say.
Luckily, there’s oodles of choice when it comes to the type of yoghurts on offer. There’s eight different kinds including frozen, skinny, soy, coconut, goat and so on. If you want to indulge your sweet tooth then check out their frozen milkshake in flavours like strawberry and salted caramel.
Altijd In De Buurt
Altijd In De Buurt which is located next to Rotterdam Central Station is one of the best restaurants for breakfast in Rotterdam. Locals gravitate towards this eatery for a wider range of dishes including its signature dish; Chicken and Waffles which is just the ticket after a hard day’s night. We won’t ‘waffle’ on about how good this place is, but will let the loaded fries, fried chicken and the sweet potato fries with sweet potato fries with their homemade honey mayo speak for itself.
Whether you are simply craving some comfort food, curing a hangover or want to indulge in some great food in one of the best restaurants in Rotterdam, then Altijd In De Buurt won’t disappoint.
If morning takes you through to afternoon, then why not try one of their delicious cocktails to start your afternoon with a bit of a kick. To be fair, the strawberry mojito is practically one of your 5 a day, so it might be a smidge rude not to give it a whirl?!
Lunch
Make sure you take some time out to enjoy an amazing lunch whilst sightseeing in Rotterdam. With so many things to do in Rotterdam, you might be reluctant to spare some time to have lunch. But, when there are so many fantastic restaurants in Rotterdam for lunch and beyond, you simply must spare the time. However, sometimes you just need a little extra help to pick out the right spot. Let the Orbzii team help out as we share our favourite lunch spots in Rotterdam. There’s something for everybody!
Guliano
At Guliano’s in Rotterdam you can get a little taste of New York City in the uber-cool district of Meent (one of the best places to check out in Rotterdam). From the tastiest Italian New York style sandwiches which includes the Nero Malto with buffalo mozzarella, parmesan cheese, arugula, sun-dried tomato and pesto to the Guliano’s Truffle Burger which is absolutely immense. Effortlessly fusing the the flavors of rural Italy and culinary Brooklyn, Guliano’s has the stamp of approval from the locals and whilst you have to queue for a table, it’s 100% worth it.
By Ami - Urban Bistro
Situated in the heart of the Kop van Zuid district is By Ami – Urban Bistro, a colourful spot that is open for lunch and dinner. This part of town was already a bit of a hotspot for foodies, but By Ami has taken it to the next level. The decor is achingly cool with colour popping modern decor and wall art, but the efforts aren’t there. The food is also not just completely delicious anut is also sustainable which is reflected throughout their offering. From the fairtrade coffee to the organic wines, when you eat at By Ami – you are making a conscious choice for the environment. Standout dishes include the pumpkin lentil soup and the vegan chocolate date pie. Absolutely delicious!
Dinner
So you have had a busy day of checking out all that Rotterdam has to offer. It’s time for dinner? But where do you go? A bijou brasserie, a trendy hipster place, a gourmet fine dining experience or something entirely different? Whatever is your preference, come and join us as we explore the best restaurants in Rotterdam to go out for dinner.
FG Food Labs
For experimental Michelin-starred dining, head over to the innovative FG Food Labs the brainchild of François Geurds. Set in an impressive railway tunnel under the Rotterdam Hofbogen, diners can enjoy a gastronomic journey that they’ll always remember. Yes, he does have his own flavour laboratory and has created an immense restaurant experience where diners can try dishes that surprise and delight. Have you ever tried a desert with chicken skin in it? You will be at FG Food Labs. The menu changes on a regular basis and for dinner you can opt from either a six or eight course menu paired with wine.
Aloha
If you love a bit of quirk and open air dining when it comes to ticking off certain criteria of finding the best restaurants in Rotterdam, then Aloha might just be the one for you. It has fantastic green credentials with its low waste ethos, and is a huge advocate of reusing products such as leftover coffee grounds to grow oyster mushrooms, which are then turned into Bitterballen (balls of crispy deep-fried beef – one of the restaurants standout dishes)
Set in the great location of a former swimming pool complex, once you have finished your meal, you can enjoy a drink or two and the rather entertaining ‘Silent Disco’ – where you and your travel companions can dance the night away together (even if you are listening to something entirely different) get ready to dance your clogs off!
Feeling ravenous for Rotterdam? We thought you might be and hopefully this guide to the best restaurants in Rotterdam has given you an appetite for the Netherlands second city. If you haven’t already, start your journey to the Netherlands by downloading the Orbzii app to start your trip to Rotterdam today.
