Eating

In this section, we will list some places where you can go eating in Rotterdam.

I recently read in a local publication that there are over 1500 restaurants in the city of Rotterdam. As Rotterdam is a cosmopolitan city, it offers a wide range of restaurants to cater to all tastes and appetites. There is such a variety of dining options that you can try specialties from almost every cuisine in the world.

But first, let’s mention the local specialties you can enjoy in many bars, restaurants, and breweries throughout the city:

Uitsmijter – A breakfast dish with slices of bread, fried eggs, ham, cheese, or bacon on top.

Pannenkoeken – Pancakes or crepes with toppings like ham, cheese, mushrooms, bacon, ice cream, or sugar, among others.

Poffertjes – Miniature pancakes.

Oliebollen are fried balls of flour, eggs, yeast, milk, sugar and sultanas that are very popular at New Year.

Appeltaart is apple pie.

Frikandel – A variant of the hot dog made with minced meat.

Kroket and Bitterbal – Croquettes and meatballs coated in breadcrumbs.

Haring – Raw herring served with onions.

Kibbeling – Battered chunks of white fish fried and served with different sauces.

Paling – Smoked elver.

Hutspot. Stew with potatoes, carrots and onions accompanied by rookworst (sausage).

Stamppot – Mashed potatoes with raw endive and fried speck (a kind of bacon).

Ertwensoup or Snert – Mashed peas with rookworst (sausage) and bacon.

Mosselen (mussels) – Typically served with fried potatoes.

Friet or patat – fried potatoes with mayonnaise.

Kapsalon (literally Barbershop) – a mixture of shoarma or doner, with chips, salad, cheese and various sauces.

International Restaurants in Rotterdam

You’ll be surprised by the number of places where you can try international cuisines in Rotterdam.

Based on our conversations with people from different countries living in Rotterdam, here are the recommended international restaurants by their fellow citizens. Be adventurous and try something new.

Restaurants for lunch or dinner in Rotterdam, sorted by country:

Malay – Kampong Expres, Old Town.

Indonesian – Papaya.

Thai – De Kleine Ondeugd, Mie Ho Thai.

Vietnamese – Little V, Noo.Me.

Japanese – Temsai Ramen, Sapporo Ramen Kitchen, Takumi, Japanese Cuisine Yama, Kyatcha.

Afghan – Restaurant Kite, Afsana.

Korean – YuGuo, HOY Kitchen, Bap Boss.

Turkish – Beymem and Sultan, both in Zuidplein, as well as West Kervan.

Portuguese – Bon Gusto, De Kip Gallery.

Spanish – Lokanta proeflocaal, Destino, Pinchos, Fenix, La Cazuela.

Greek – Olympia.

Italian – Nerello, O’Pazzo, Osteria Vicini.

English – V11.

French – De Harmonie, Amarone.

Dutch – Parkheuvel, a two Michelin-starred restaurant, Loetje.

Caribbean – Supermercado, Caribbean Swing, Blue Caribbean.

Dominican – La Bandera.

Mexican – Sabor sabor, Salsa Mexicaans.

Argentinian – Gauchos.

Brazilian – Rodizio.

Moroccan – Ryad, Fes, Mosaic.

Ethiopian – Viva África.

African Cuisine – Mama Essy, De smaak van Africa, Bazar.

Vegetarian options – Gare du Nord, The Harvest, Klaar gemaakt, Spirit Rotterdam.

Fish and seafood – Langoest, Hotel New York, Wowcrab, Vis op de dijk.

Barbecue restaurant – Black Smoke.

Budget-friendly dining in Rotterdam – Happy Italy (Italian), Viapacio (Italian), Sranang Eethuis (Surinamese and Chinese cuisine; always busy), Hema (affordable cafeteria on the upper floor of this store), Tramhuis (affordable Turkish fast food. Open late at night).

Buffet restaurants – Pay a fixed price and enjoy unlimited food. La Cubanita (Spanish and Mexican), Zainab Roshni Mahal (Indian), Sumo (Japanese), De Chinese Boot (Chinese), Miso Sushi (Asian), Shabu Shabu (sushi).

Other options to go out in Rotterdam