Eating

Where to eat in Rotterdam: restaurants, traditional food and cheap eats

Rotterdam is a particularly interesting city for food. Its multicultural character is reflected in a huge variety of restaurants, from Dutch cuisine and the famous kapsalon to Asian, African, Mediterranean and Latin American food.

In this guide you will find what to eat in Rotterdam, some of the cuisines and restaurants you can discover in the city, vegetarian and vegan options, places for fish or meat, and ideas for eating cheaply in Rotterdam.

🍽️ Where to eat in Rotterdam
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR	WHAT YOU’LL FIND
🇳🇱 Dutch food	Haring, kibbeling, bitterballen, stamppot, snert and other Dutch classics.
🥙 Typical Rotterdam food	Kapsalon, the street-food dish created in Rotterdam.
🌍 International cuisine	Asian, European, African, Middle Eastern and Latin American restaurants.
🌱 Vegetarian and vegan	Vegetarian restaurants, seasonal cooking and plant-based options.
🐟 Fish and seafood	Seafood restaurants, fish shops and waterfront classics.
🔥 Meat and barbecue	Grills, smoked meats and specialist barbecue restaurants.
💶 Cheap eats	Snack bars, markets, budget chains and informal international food.
⭐ Fine dining	Gastronomic restaurants and special-occasion dining.

Traditional food from Rotterdam and the Netherlands

Before exploring Rotterdam’s international food scene, it is worth trying a few Dutch classics. Many of them can be found at markets, cafés, snack bars and traditional restaurants.

🇳🇱 Traditional foods to try
DISH	WHAT IT IS
Haring	Dutch herring, often served with onions and sometimes pickles.
Kibbeling	Pieces of battered and fried white fish, commonly found at markets and fish stalls.
Bitterballen and kroket	Deep-fried snacks with a creamy meat filling; a classic in Dutch bars and cafés.
Stamppot	Mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables, often served with rookworst.
Snert / erwtensoep	A thick pea soup that is especially popular in winter.
Pannenkoeken and poffertjes	Two well-known Dutch pancake-style classics, served sweet or savoury.
Appeltaart	Dutch-style apple pie.
Oliebollen	Sweet dough balls especially popular around New Year.
Friet / patat	Thick-cut fries served with a variety of sauces.

Kapsalon: the dish created in Rotterdam

Kapsalon is probably Rotterdam’s best-known contribution to Dutch street food. This filling dish combines fries, döner or shawarma meat, melted cheese, salad and different sauces. It was created in Rotterdam and can now be found throughout the Netherlands.

Its name literally means “hair salon”: the dish was named after the regular order of a Rotterdam hairdresser. If you want to try something genuinely connected to the city, kapsalon is one of the most characteristic choices.

International restaurants in Rotterdam

One of the biggest advantages of eating in Rotterdam is its diversity. Communities from many different countries have shaped the city’s food scene, so it is worth exploring beyond the most touristy areas to discover restaurants from all over the world.

🌍 International cuisine in Rotterdam
TYPE OF CUISINE	SOME OPTIONS
🍜 Vietnamese and Japanese	Little V, Takumi and other ramen, sushi and Asian restaurants in and around the city centre.
🥙 Middle Eastern and African	Bazar and many Turkish, Moroccan, African and Middle Eastern restaurants.
🥐 European	Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek and Dutch restaurants.
🌮 America and the Caribbean	Mexican, Caribbean, Surinamese, Argentine and Brazilian cuisine.
⭐ Fine dining	Parkheuvel and other gastronomic restaurants in Rotterdam.

Rotterdam’s restaurant scene changes frequently: new places open, while others change concept or location. This selection is therefore intended as a useful starting point rather than a complete directory.

Vegetarian and vegan options in Rotterdam

Rotterdam has an increasingly broad selection for vegetarian and vegan diners. In addition to specialist restaurants, many restaurants across the city now include plant-based options on their menus.

🌱 Vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Rotterdam
RESTAURANT	WHAT YOU’LL FIND
Spirit Rotterdam	Vegetarian buffet with a wide selection of dishes and many vegan options.
The Harvest	Seasonal cooking with a strong focus on vegetables and vegetarian or vegan options.
Klaar Gemaakt	Modern cuisine with vegetarian alternatives and a contemporary approach.

Fish and seafood in Rotterdam

Rotterdam’s relationship with the water is also reflected in its food. Alongside haring and kibbeling from markets and fish stalls, the city has restaurants specialising in fish and seafood.

Hotel New York is a classic choice if you want to combine food with a historic waterfront location. Elsewhere in Rotterdam you will also find fish shops with dining areas and specialist seafood restaurants.

Meat and barbecue in Rotterdam

If you prefer grilled meat and smoky flavours, Rotterdam also has specialist restaurants. Black Smoke Rotterdam, located in the Van Nelle Factory complex, focuses on barbecue, grilling and smoked meats.

Where to eat cheap in Rotterdam

You do not need to visit a formal restaurant to eat well in Rotterdam. Markets, snack bars, bakeries, lunchrooms and many international food outlets offer more affordable choices.

💶 Ideas for eating cheaply in Rotterdam
TYPE	OPTIONS
🍟 Dutch snacks	Friet, kroket, frikandel and other snacks from cafés and snack bars.
🥙 Kapsalon and döner	One of the most typical choices for a filling and informal meal.
🐟 Fish	Kibbeling and other fried fish from markets and fish shops.
🌍 International food	West-Kruiskade and other multicultural areas offer many informal options.
🥪 Something quick	Bakeries, lunchrooms, HEMA and takeaway outlets.

Where to eat by area in Rotterdam

Choosing where to eat also depends on which part of Rotterdam you are visiting. These are some of the most useful areas for combining sightseeing and food.

📍 Where to eat by area
AREA	WHAT YOU’LL FIND
City centre / Coolsingel	A wide variety of restaurants, cafés, chains and quick options.
Blaak and Markthal	Food stalls, restaurants and international options around Markthal and Oude Haven.
Witte de Withstraat	One of the liveliest streets for combining restaurants, bars and nightlife.
Katendrecht	Restaurants and food concepts in one of Rotterdam’s most transformed neighbourhoods.
Kop van Zuid	Riverside restaurants and dining around Wilhelminapier and Hotel New York.
West-Kruiskade	One of the best areas for experiencing Rotterdam’s culinary diversity.

If you are visiting Blaak, you can combine your meal with the Markthal and the Oude Haven area. Witte de Withstraat is especially convenient if you want to continue with bars and nightlife afterwards, while Katendrecht and Kop van Zuid are ideal for combining restaurants with a walk along the south bank of the river.

Tips for eating in Rotterdam

Book when necessary: popular restaurants can fill up, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and during major events.
Look beyond the city centre: areas such as West-Kruiskade, Katendrecht and Rotterdam-Zuid greatly expand the range of international food available.
Try the markets: if you want a quick meal or local products, Rotterdam’s markets can be a useful alternative to traditional restaurants.
Always check current information: opening hours, menus and restaurant concepts can change, especially at smaller venues.

Other options to go out in Rotterdam