Celest, dinner at 190 meters high
A new restaurant and cocktail bar has opened in Rotterdam’s De Zalmhaven tower, close to the Erasmus Bridge. After several unsuccessful attempts to get inside (sometimes because it was closed, another time because I needed an access card to enter the building, and on a few occasions because the construction workers would not let me take photos), I finally managed to make it to the top.
Celest occupies the top floors of De Zalmhaven. The Skybar and rooftop lounge are located on the 57th floor, at around 185 metres, while the restaurant is on the 58th floor, at around 190 metres.
With its spectacular location high above the city, Celest offers unique panoramic views across Rotterdam. It sits at the top of the tallest residential tower in the Benelux and combines a skybar, cocktails, dining and one of the most impressive viewpoints in the city.
Hans Pfaall
Celest takes its unusual inspiration from an Edgar Allan Poe short story published in 1835, The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall. It is considered one of Poe’s early science-fiction stories. The plot follows Hans Pfaall, a man from Rotterdam who becomes involved in a surreal and fantastic adventure.
The story begins when Hans Pfaall, overwhelmed by debt and pursued by his creditors, decides to escape from Earth in an extremely unusual way: he builds an enormous balloon to travel to the Moon. The story of his journey eventually reaches Rotterdam through a mysterious messenger who delivers a manuscript in which Pfaall describes his adventure.
Pfaall’s journey is incredibly long: it takes him 19 days to reach the Moon. During the voyage, he describes the Earth from space and the different phenomena and landscapes he observes from his balloon. However, he does not reveal everything about what he discovers there.
After spending five years on the Moon, Pfaall wants to return to Rotterdam. In exchange for revealing more about his experiences, he asks to be pardoned for the deaths of his three creditors during his departure. The ending leaves the reader wondering whether the entire story is true or simply an elaborate hoax.
The restaurant
Magnicity, a company with extensive experience in this type of project, operates the 57th and 58th floors of the skyscraper. Magnicity also manages landmarks such as the Euromast in Rotterdam and international observation attractions including the Paris Montparnasse Observatory in Paris, the Berliner Fernsehturm in Berlin and the 360 Chicago Observation Deck in Chicago.
The interior of Celest is inspired by Poe’s fascinating story and was designed by Doepel Strijkers Architects. And I have to say that the place really is worth a visit. The views of Rotterdam in every direction are spectacular.
On the 57th floor there is a lounge area with a bar and DJ booth. One of its most striking features is an enormous moon suspended inside the building, part of the atmosphere inspired by Hans Pfaall’s journey.
The restaurant is located on the 58th floor and is very tastefully decorated. There are also private dining areas and, of course, this is where you will find the kitchen.
And I cannot forget the toilets… yes, the toilets! They are also worth a visit. I never imagined a bathroom could be so impressive!
After taking a look at the menu, I realised that this place is not exactly aimed at the working class, but even so, it is definitely worth visiting! Maybe I should suggest having our next company dinner there. Who knows!
You can check availability, opening hours and reservation options on the Celest website. So, if you fancy spectacular views, innovative cocktails and a different kind of experience in Rotterdam, this could be the place for you.
Thanks to its location, you can easily combine a visit to Celest with a walk across the Erasmus Bridge, a visit to Hotel New York and some of the other highlights featured in our guide to what to see in Rotterdam.