21 editor picks in Rotterdam.
21 restaurants in Rotterdam, editor-picked for restaurants open sunday. Where to eat a sit-down dinner on sunday. All restaurants in Rotterdam.
A Middle Eastern-style brunch cafe on Noordsingel serving shakshuka, mezze platters, and specialty coffee in a lively room. Located in Rotterdam Noord.
OrderMiddle Eastern breakfast spread with specialty coffee.
TipThe shakshuka with feta is served in a cast-iron skillet and is large enough to share between two.
Three floors of Moroccan, Persian and Levantine cooking in Hotel Bazar on Witte de With. The souk-panelled interior and long terrace make it one.
OrderMezze platter and the lamb tagine.
TipBook ahead for the terrace in summer; the interior is loud but lively on Friday evenings.
A long-running Indonesian rijsttafel address in Hillegersberg, open since 1995, with a garden terrace and a kitchen that balances classic Javanese stews.
OrderThe full Javanese rijsttafel with extra sate ajam.
TipBook a terrace table on a summer evening and pre-order the rijsttafel so the dishes land in the right order.
Rotterdam's most acclaimed craft burger bar on Witte de Withstraat, using dry-aged Dutch beef and house-baked buns. The best burger in the city by consistent.
OrderThe signature smash burger with Asian-inspired toppings.
TipThe shoestring fries with truffle mayo are shareable and worth ordering alongside the burger.
A waterfront Italian grand cafe in Nieuw-Kralingen by the Old Scuola team, with wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, pasta and natural wines for 180 indoor seats.
OrderWood-fired Neapolitan pizza and a glass from the natural-wine list.
TipBook a table on the waterside terrace for the golden hour: it is open until 23:00 on Fri-Sat.
Melbourne-style all-day brunch with a sourdough bakery programme near Laurenskerk. Order the eggs benedict and sourdough toast with avocado.
OrderEggs benedict and sourdough toast with avocado.
TipThe sourdough loaves sell from 08:00; locals buy them for the week. Arrive early for the fresh pull.
The Rotterdam outpost of Amsterdam's legendary steak house, serving straightforward dry-aged Dutch beef with no frills in a busy dining room next.
OrderHouse steak, cooked medium-rare at the table.
TipBook the terrace for lunch on a sunny day; the Markthal is visible from your seat.
A Melbourne-style brunch and coffee bar on Middellandplein specialising in eggs benedict, avocado dishes, and specialty filter coffee. Priced at €€.
OrderEggs Benedict and the specialty filter coffee.
TipThe Saturday queue starts around 10:00; arrive by 09:30 for a table without waiting.
A Vietnamese restaurant on Witte de Withstraat with pho, bun bo, and banh mi made from long-simmered house broths. Order the pho bo and the banh xeo pancake.
OrderPho bo and the banh xeo pancake.
TipThe lunch set before 15:00 is better value than dinner; the kitchen uses the same produce.
An Afghan restaurant near Rijnhaven serving ashak dumplings, lamb qorma, and bolani flatbread in a relaxed dining room. Located in Kop Van Zuid.
OrderAshaak dumplings and the lamb qorma.
TipCall ahead: the kitchen sometimes closes early when produce runs out, especially the ashak.
A long-running pasta specialist on Nieuwe Binnenweg with handmade fresh pasta from tagliatelle al ragu to cacio e pepe. Located in Rotterdam Noord.
OrderCacio e pepe and the daily pasta special.
TipThe pasta-lunch on Saturday is one of the better deals in Rotterdam Noord: three courses under 20 euros.
A vegan bakery and cafe near the Markthal specialising in babka, cinnamon rolls, and sourdough. Order the vegan babka and the oat-milk cortado.
OrderVegan babka and the oat-milk cortado.
TipThe pistachio babka sells out by noon on weekends; arrive early or call ahead to reserve a loaf.
A modern American diner on Nieuwe Binnenweg serving all-day breakfast, eggs any style, fluffy pancakes, chicken and waffles. Located in Rotterdam Noord.
OrderChicken and waffles and the breakfast burrito.
TipThe lunch combo with a coffee and a sandwich is one of the better-value deals on Nieuwe Binnenweg.
A small specialty coffee bar and light lunch spot near the Markthal with rotating single-origin beans and a short savoury menu. Located in Centrum.
OrderFilter coffee and the sourdough tartine.
TipThe pour-over takes five minutes to prepare; this is not an espresso-and-go bar, and that is the point.
An authentic Thai family restaurant on Nieuwe Binnenweg with laab, som tam, and massaman curry at prices below their quality level. Located in Centrum.
OrderGreen curry and the pad see ew.
TipOrder the green mango salad as a starter; it cuts through the richness of the curry.
A Mexican cantina near Mariniersweg serving handmade tortillas, proper mole, and agua fresca. Located in Centrum. Order the tacos and a mezcal-based cocktail.
OrderTacos and a mezcal-based cocktail.
TipThe happy-hour snack menu from 17:00-19:00 offers the best value in the room.
A British-style gastropub on Witte de Withstraat serving fish and chips, steak pies, and Sunday roasts. The most committed British pub kitchen in Rotterdam.
OrderFish and chips with mushy peas.
TipThe Sunday roast sells out quickly; reserve a table by Thursday if you want to guarantee a seat.
Dining at 96 metres in the Euromast tower with 360-degree views of the Rotterdam skyline and the Maas. The lunch set menu at €35 is the best-value panoramic.
OrderThe two-course lunch with city views.
TipThe brunch on Saturday morning starts at 09:30 and includes the view before the tourist crowds arrive.
A Neapolitan pizza and trattoria on the Meent using San Marzano tomatoes and 00 flour in a wood-fired oven. The city's most serious Neapolitan-style pizza.
OrderPizza Margherita and the spaghetti alle vongole.
TipThe tiramisu is homemade and better than it looks; order it early as it runs out.
The original Rotterdam ballentent cafe in Kralingen Park, known for terrace meals overlooking the lake. Priced at €. Open daily 11:00-22:00.
OrderThe uitsmijter (open egg-and-ham toast) on a sunny terrace day with a Dutch Pils.
TipThe outdoor terrace faces west; the evening light in summer makes this worth a detour for drinks alone.
An Indian and Pakistani buffet restaurant on Schiedamseweg in Delfshaven serving biryani, curries, and fresh naan. Located in Rotterdam West.
OrderThe all-you-can-eat buffet at 24.50 euros per person.
TipThe buffet is refilled fresh at 12:00 and 18:00; arrive at either time for the best selection.
