28 upscale places in Rotterdam, editor-picked. occasion restaurants in Rotterdam: destination kitchens for celebrations and visits. All Rotterdam food.
Het Eigendom ★ 4.6
Witte de Withstraat · Witte de Withstraat 45b, 3012 BN Rotterdam
Rotterdam's finest natural wine bar on Witte de Withstraat with 135 wines, heavy on French, German, and Dutch producers. Open wed-sun from 17:00.
Cafe Kiem ★ 4.6
Rotterdam Noord · Nieuwe Binnenweg 57, 3014 GE Rotterdam
A French-focused natural wine bar on Nieuwe Binnenweg with a terrace that draws the neighbourhood's creative crowd. Located in Rotterdam Noord.
Proeflokaal Reijngoud ★ 4.5
Centrum · Schiedamse Vest 148, 3011 BP Rotterdam
Rotterdam's finest genever proeflokaal (tasting room), stocking over 100 Dutch and Belgian genevers in a tiled interior that has survived since the late 19th.
Bar Cult ★ 4.5
Delfshaven · Oostkousdijk 29, 3024 CL Rotterdam
A natural wine bar on the Oostkousdijk in Rotterdam West specialising in Dutch orange wines and Belgian biodynamic producers. Located in Delfshaven.
De Witte Aap ★ 4.4
Witte de Withstraat · Witte de Withstraat 78, 3012 BS Rotterdam
The anchor of Rotterdam's most famous bar street since 1973, well-regarded for craft Dutch beers, late-night energy, and free live music every weekend.
Tales and Spirits Rotterdam ★ 4.4
Centrum · Meent 41, 3011 JD Rotterdam
Rotterdam's most theatrical cocktail bar: a speakeasy entered through a hidden bookcase door, with tableside preparation and rare spirits. Located in Centrum.
Spikizi Bar ★ 4.3
Katendrecht · Zwarte Paardenstraat 91a, 3081 TA Rotterdam
Hidden in Katendrecht's former sailors' quarter, Spikizi blends West African flavour profiles into its cocktail programme, pairing dark rum and mezcal.
Kaapse Maria ★ 4.3
Katendrecht · Veerlaan 19b, 3072 AN Rotterdam
The Kaapse Brouwers taproom inside the Fenix Food Factory serves the full Kaapse range fresh from the tanks with Maas harbour views and a food-factory.
Rotown ★ 4.3
Witte de Withstraat · Nieuwe Binnenweg 19, 3001 Rotterdam
Rotterdam's most beloved music bar and indie venue, Rotown has launched local bands and hosted cult acts since 1993, with a bar open until 4 AM on weekend.
Wijnbar L'ouest ★ 4.3
Centrum · Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 139, 3012 GX Rotterdam
A Caucasus-influenced wine bar on Van Oldenbarneveltstraat with Armenian, Georgian, and Azerbaijani producers. Open tue-sun from 17:00; closed mon.
De Kunstfabriek Unit 699 ★ 4.3
Centrum · Weena 699, 3013 AM Rotterdam
A combined natural wine bar and modern art gallery on Weena, where every visit pairs an exhibition with low-intervention wines. Located in Centrum.
Blije Wijnen ★ 4.3
Katendrecht · Nico Koomanskade 25, 3072 LB Rotterdam
A small wine bar and merchant on Nico Koomanskade specialising in natural and low-intervention wines. Open wed-fri 14:00-20:00; sat 12:00-20:00.
Mavis ★ 4.2
Centrum · Westzeedijk 68a, 3016 AH Rotterdam
Perched above the Maas on the Westzeedijk, Mavis pairs creative seasonal cocktails with one of the best sunset-over-the-river terraces in the city.
La Soiree ★ 4.2
Centrum · Veerhaven 12, 3016 CH Rotterdam
A bistro-style bar on the Veerhaven sailing harbour, La Soiree pairs oysters and charcuterie with natural wines and classic cocktails on one.
Bokaal Rotterdam ★ 4.2
Centrum · Kruiskade 22, 3012 EH Rotterdam
A minimalist tap-and-wine bar on Kruiskade with 25 craft lines and a selected short wine list. Craft beer and wine bar. Reservations advised.
Wijnbar Walsjérot ★ 4.2
Centrum · Bentinckplein 5, 3027 BN Rotterdam
A self-pour wine bar in Centrum where guests pour their own glasses from a wall of wine-preservation systems. Open tue-sun 16:00-23:00; closed mon.
Proef bij Platenburg ★ 4.2
Centrum · Goudsesingel 334a, 3032 BL Rotterdam
A wine bar by the 130-year-old Wijnkoperij Platenburg merchant, with over 50 wines by the glass and a chef's menu of paired dishes in a cosy urban setting.
Loetje Rotterdam ★ 4.1
Centrum · Binnenrotte 192, 3011 HP Rotterdam
The Rotterdam outpost of Amsterdam's legendary steak house, serving straightforward dry-aged Dutch beef with no frills in a busy dining room next.
Tip: Book the terrace for lunch on a sunny day; the Markthal is visible from your seat.
NY Basement ★ 4.1
Kop van Zuid · Koninginnehoofd 1, 3072 AD Rotterdam
In the basement of the New York Hotel on Kop van Zuid, NY Basement channels Manhattan energy with DJ sets, cocktails, and intimate jazz evenings until 4am.
Louie Louie ★ 4.1
Centrum · Botersloot 44, 3011 HH Rotterdam
A moody, candlelit cocktail lounge on Botersloot with signature drinks built around Dutch botanicals and a kitchen churning out cured meats and cheese plates.
Charlie's Wijnbar ★ 4.1
Centrum · Westplein 107, 3016 BM Rotterdam
A neighbourhood wine bar near the Westplein with a chosen short list focused on French and Italian wines. Open wed-sun 16:00-23:00; closed mon-tue.
Ballroom Rotterdam ★ 4.0
Witte de Withstraat · Witte de Withstraat 88b, 3012 BS Rotterdam
A long-running restaurant and gin tonic bar on Witte de Withstraat pouring more than 160 gins from across the globe, with a back garden terrace and resident.
Cafe Cuba ★ 4.0
Witte de Withstraat · Witte de Withstraat 49, 3012 BM Rotterdam
The closest thing to a Havana paladare on Witte de Withstraat, Cafe Cuba pours honest mojitos and rum cocktails to a salsa soundtrack most nights of the week.
Loos ★ 4.0
Scheepvaartkwartier · Westplein 51, 3016 BM Rotterdam
A sprawling waterfront grand cafe on the Wilhelminapier with one of the best harbour terraces in the city, drawing after-work drinkers and weekend brunch.
De Tuin van de Vier Windstreken ★ 4.0
Kralingen · Plaszoom 354, 3062 CL Rotterdam
A grand cafe and brasserie housed in an 1867 mansion between the De Lelie and De Ster windmills at the Kralingse Plas. Located in Kralingen.
Wijnbar de Avonden ★ 4.0
Kralingen · Kleiweg 48b, 3051 EB Rotterdam
A Kralingen wine bar with 60 bottles by the glass and a seasonal small-plates menu. Open tue-sun 16:00-23:00; closed mon. Booking recommended.
Wijnbar Janssen en Van Dijk ★ 4.0
Centrum · Westewagenstraat 58, 3016 AK Rotterdam
A classic Rotterdam wine bar on Westewagenstraat with a traditional European cellar: Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Rioja. Open wed-sun 16:00-23:00; closed mon-tue.
Euromast Restaurant ★ 3.8
Centrum · Parkhaven 20, 3016 GM Rotterdam
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.
Tip: The brunch on Saturday morning starts at 09:30 and includes the view before the tourist crowds arrive.