Mark’s Personal Tips For Rotterdam

Getting around in the city is easy with an extensive system of trams, buses and trains. Visit the English-language webpage of OV9292 to plan your route.

Rotterdam Harbor Food: Order a meatball at the Ballentent, affordable, always busy and set at a great location.

Try Before You Die: Buy drop (Dutch licorice) from any supermarket. I like salty salmiak drop, like: Zakkenrollers, Heksehyl Salmiakdrop and Venco Dropmix.

Shawarma: My favorite shawarma place in Rotterdam is Pistache Halab. It’s Syrian, fatty, salty, lovely, busy and affordable. You can have a small (or big) lunch here, or enjoy a culinary dinner.

Shawarma: Alternative, you can go to Shoarma De Sjeik (open late at night) for the famous Rotterdam kebab invention ‘Kapsalon’. I like my caloric bomb with lamb meat, but the chicken one is more popular.

Dutch Food: A very cozy and typically Dutch restaurant is Het Eethuisje van Delfshaven with traditional Dutch dishes on the limited daily menu. You will feel as if you are eating at your Dutch grandma’s. Only open on weekdays.

Westindian/Asian: The most popular food in Rotterdam is from the fusion kitchen Surinamese/ Chinese/ Indonesian. My favorite is King Foeng, located on the Nieuwe Binnenweg. Sranang Chinees Surinaams Eethuis is also very good, located in the same street. A must try is Nasi Moksi Meti; different types of pork and chicken with brown rice or a sandwich (dutch: broodje) like Dynamite (pork and chicken).

Westindian/Asian: Tucked into the lively churn of Witte de Withstraat, Warung Mini delivers punchy Surinamese comfort food—ideal for fortifying yourself before a night out, refuelling mid-crawl, or soaking up the aftermath.

Japanese Ramen: The best Ramen place around Rotterdam (and of the Netherlands) is in Schiedam. Yokohama Ramen Saito is worth the travel (it’s not that far) and the wait (there’s usually a line, but also a Polish supermarket across the street with cold drinks;) ). The staff is friendly. The pork broth is otherworldly; the flower for the ramen comes from the windmill close to it, there’s free cold and hot tea. It’s a perfect place with perfect comfort food. You can walk around in the cute old Schiedam content afterwards and take the metro/ train/ bicycle back to Rotterdam.

Fish Market: A bit rough around the edges, but very typical for Rotterdam: Have a bit at Moroccan fishmonger Goldfish. It’s perfect if you crave a seafood lunch or early dinner, they are open until 8pm. The basic interior is forgivable because of their fantastic menu choices, or you can take it to go. You can order a fish platter and for very fair prices they grill or fry the fish how you want them (give clear instructions if you have specific requirements). You can add salads, fries, soup, bread, olives and lemons. You can also try the typical and fingerlickingly tasty Dutch Haring or a ‘Lekkerbek’ here, or go for their tasty fish soup. My go-to fishmonger!

Beer Tasting: In the centre of Rotterdam there is a great small and cosy cafe Proeflokaal De Riddert good vibes with a vast selection of beers. On Thursdays, they often have live performance and each Sunday an open mic is held.

Live Jazz: The best jazzbar in Rotterdam is Jazzcafé Dizzy. Check out their website to see what’s playing. Rght next door is the lovely and cozy bar/ ‘bruine kroeg’ Hensepeter C.V.

Pub/Cafe: Step into Bierlokaal Locus Publicus, a classic bruine kroeg (brown pub) known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and an impressive selection of Belgian beers. On chilly days, the crackling fireplace makes it the perfect spot to settle in with a drink and unwind.

Pub/Cafe: The real Rotterdam cool dudes (I think so at least, I’m getting old) is moving to the west, with Café Steijn and Café Bakeliet located conveniently opposite from each other.

Nightlife: The barstreet Witte de With is usually very lively with lots of things to do. Café LaBru has amazing cocktails and free jazz concerts on Wednesday. WORM is an alternative bar and music venue where you can be entertained. After the outside terraces close, Scapegoat & Black Sheep becomes a great place for a dance.

Gay Rotterdam: The openminded bars of Rotterdam like Café KeerWeer and Café Strano have always been open to all kinds of people and are lively especially after most of the other nightlife in Rotterdam closes. Ferry is a relatively new gay club with great vibes and entertainment.

Second Hand Clothing: Cheap Fashion is a great second hand clothes store.

Market: If you want to get a real feel of Rotterdam, visit the Rotterdam Market. It takes place every Tuesday and Saturday, right next to the Markthal where the tour starts.

Top Choice: The newest museum of Rotterdam opened in May 2025, and is an art museum about Migration. It is located in the Fenix Hall, from which a lot of Europeans migrated towards the ‘New World’. Its scope is not limited to this story, but tells the story of migration as a whole. Its art and photo exhibition are curated very nicely, and the building is renovated beautifully -offering a wonderful panorama of the city.

Modern Art: The Kunsthal is a modern art exhibition museum designed by one of Rotterdam most famous architects: Rem Koolhaas. The exhibitions are big in scope and usually fun and interesting.

Park: When the weather is good (or not) I like to walk, run, swim and chill at The Kralingse Plas.

Cycling Route: If you want to do it like the Dutch, rent a bike and take a (long!) cycling tour through the scenic Midden-Delfland.

Beach: Take the metro to the Hook of Holland, chill out by the dunes and watch the big ships come and go.

Travel across water: Being a harbor city, getting around often involves crossing rivers and ponds. Use the Watertaxi for short distances across the Meuse river, or take the Waterbus to see the windmills at Kinderdijk.

On top of the city: For the city’s best panoramic views, head up the Euromast tower and take in the skyline from its restaurant. Thrill-seekers can even abseil back down, while those who prefer a gentler option can simply ride the elevator.