Looking for the perfect gift for a Rotterdam local, or to bring home from your trip to the city? Rotterdam is filled with independent shops, concept stores and cute boutiques where you’ll find plenty of unique and surprising gift ideas.
In this article, I share my go-to places for buying gifts in Rotterdam, including gift shops brimming with locally-made souvenirs, edible treats and trendy pieces.
Best unique gift shops in Rotterdam
KEET
KEET is a light and airy concept store located in one of the Meent’s side streets. This inspirational shop is my first port-of-call in Rotterdam when looking for unique, but quality gifts.
The shop stocks products from small entrepreneurs and local brands that cater to children and adults, male and female alike. So far, I’ve picked up a bottled-up plant, a handful of cute cards, natural baby chew toys, infuse-your-own-gin kit and a glass beaker (long story…).
Address
Oppert 2A, 3011 HV Rotterdam
Swan.
Swan. is another great concept store where you can scavenge for gifts in Rotterdam. The shop sells unique items from small makers and designers who even staff the store themselves.
Here you’ll find another wide variety of items, from one-off jewellery and locally-made children’s clothing, to quirky household items and eco-friendly gifts.
Address
Oude Binnenweg 137, 3012 JD Rotterdam
KKEC
Located in the Koopgoot, KKEC is in part a more stereotypical gift shop. You’ll find items such as fun gadgets, jokey mugs, colourful socks, silly trinkets and trending gifts, in addition to some Rotterdam-specific souvenirs.
But what sets KKEC apart is their prints, art and framing offering. You can choose from a large selection of original photos and art reproductions, laser-cut wooden wall decorations, prints, canvases and posters. For something more personal, there is also the option to print your own photos on paper, canvas, aluminum or plexiglas, and to custom-frame your art or photography pieces.
Address
Beurstraverse 186, 3012 AT Rotterdam
Waar
Waar is a small gift shop that focuses on sustainable and ecological products. Here you can browse through fair-trade gifts, ecological plants, reusable sandwich bags, vegan cookbooks, natural cleaning and self-care products, and lots of other nice-smelling and handmade items.
I love a practical gift, and Waar certainly delivers on that. They’ll also wrap up your sustainable present with cute finishing touches.
Waar has several gift stores across the Netherlands, and this particular branch is located in the centre of Rotterdam.
Address
Oude Binnenweg 116, 3012 JG Rotterdam
It’s a Present
Photo by Tomas Mutsaers.
This colourful gift shop is located on the Witte de Withstraat. In this store you can find an original gift for anyone.
Brothers Richard and Marcel, the owners of this business, only add items to the assortment that they personally love. This makes the range super diverse, with items coming from all over the world. Everything sold here has a clear functionality, such as a mug, cushion or vase.
Address
Witte de Withstraat 5, 3012 BK Rotterdam
In ‘t Wild
In the MaHokwartier you will find concept store In ‘t Wild. Their range is colourful, often sustainable and from small brands. In addition, they rent out spots to entrepreneurs, so that they can offer their products for sale in the store. Thay way, In ‘t Wild is a link between designer and customer.
The range consists of jewellery, crockery, stationery, toys, vintage and home accessories. All ideal products to give as a gift!
Address
Herenplaats 33, 3011 LP Rotterdam
Pleur
One more concept store worth a visit is Pleur in Rotterdam, where you can also enjoy a lovely lunch and a cup of coffee. It’s a great store to find unique gifts, such as beautiful jewelry, children’s clothing, artworks and products with typical Rotterdam texts.
Pleur also offers vintage items and amazing retro finds, including lamps, vases, tables and much more.
Address
Bergselaan 291A, 3038 CG Rotterdam
Best places to buy food and drink gifts in Rotterdam
Markthal
The iconic Markthal is an obvious place to start if you’re looking to buy edible gifts in Rotterdam. Beneath the colourful ceiling of the arched hall lies dozens of fixed market stalls selling classic Dutch delights such as cheeses and stroopwafels, as well as indulgent hot chocolate spoons, specialist teas, fresh patisseries and confectionary.
And be sure to indulge yourself while you shop: the stalls also sell plenty of freshly-made traditional Dutch snacks and dishes from further afield for you to enjoy.
Address
Ds. Jan Scharpstraat 298, 3011 GZ Rotterdam
Library of Spirits
Library of Spirits is Rotterdam’s largest wine and liquor store. Buried among its thousands of bottles of rum, gin, agave, vodka and more is a perfect gift for a dinner host or liquor connoisseur.
The knowledgeable staff can guide you through the variety of tastes and trends displayed on the shop’s bookshelves.
And, once you’ve spotted what you were after, they’ll gladly slide one of the metal ladders right over and climb to the very top in order to fetch the beverage that best meets your (or your receiver’s) tastes.
Address
Oude Binnenweg 111B, 3012 JB Rotterdam
Best gift shops for household goods in Rotterdam
Hay
Hay is a Danish designer and maker of furniture, household goods and everyday-life products with a modern and fashion-forward style. I personally picked up quite a few useful, yet stylish items from their Rotterdam shop when furnishing my new flat. You can choose from sleek glass straws and cool coffee pots, to quirky lamps, cute storage boxes and colourful tea towels that all make attractive gifts.
HAY’s products are stocked in a number of different Rotterdam stores, including De Bijenkorf. But it also has its own dedicated shop with a much larger range of products just off the Meent.
Be sure to also check out these interior shops in Rotterdam!
Address
Haagseveer 99, 3011 AH Rotterdam
Dille & Kamille
Looking for gifts made out of natural materials? Then head over to Dille & Kamille. Located in the centre of Rotterdam, this store sells a huge range of kitchen and dining ware, as well as food items, from breakfast bowls and baking trays, to sugar and tea blends.
You’ll also stumble on pots and plants, dried flowers, wicker baskets and cute cards.
Address
Korte Hoogstraat 22-24, 3011 GL Rotterdam
Studio Soleil
Studio Soleil is a new shop on the Zwaanhals in Rotterdam North. Here you can buy products that help create a holiday vibe in your home.
Many items from the range are perfect to give as gifts, such as beautiful pots, vases and travel books. In addition, there are also larger products for sale, such as a sofa, dining table, but also tiles and wallpaper.
The source of inspiration for the store are vacation homes, boutique hotels and nice markets from all over the world.
Address
Zwaanhals 283A, 3035 KH Rotterdam
De Bijenkorf
De Bijenkorf is an imposing department store situated in the centre of Rotterdam’s shopping district. The store has four floors dedicated to a wide range of high-end fashion items and beauty products. But when you climb to the very top, you’ll also find a floor filled with gift ideas from top brands.
There’s a whole section dedicated to kitchen, dining and household items, including decorative accessories, cooking books and gadgets, dining sets, luxury candles and home fragrances. Venture a little further and you can also shop for greeting cards and stationary, games for the whole family, children’s toys flanked by giant Lego sculptures and fluffy animal toys, and plenty more gift inspiration.
Address
Coolsingel 105, 3012 AG Rotterdam
Best fashion gift shops in Rotterdam
Unconventional Wardrobe (Unc.)
Unconventional Wardrobe, also written as Unc., is a women’s clothing shop with its very own style. The pink-and-gold interior of the Instagrammable boutique is filled with beautiful and unique fashion items sourced from around the world. One of the pride and joy of the store is its collection of dainty jewellery, which makes for great gifts.
There’s also fashionable handbags and cute housewares, or – if you’re brave enough to buy someone clothing as a gift – beautiful dresses as well as other items of clothing. If needed, the in-store team are quick to help you with styling tips and outfit advice, whether you’re still looking for that perfect gift or have started browsing for yourself!
Address
Oude Binnenweg 42, 3012 JE Rotterdam
Denise Roobol
I have to admit that this one is a bit of a cheat. You’ll only find most of Denise Roobol’s collection online, with currently just one physical reseller in Rotterdam (on the Meent). But seeing as it’s a Rotterdam brand that produces some stunning gift-worthy pieces, I just couldn’t not mention it.
Denise Roobol makes vegan bags and wallets, as well as other accessories, using a high-quality and sustainable alternative to leather. Personally, I love her velvet range of small handbags and wallets.
Address
MYSC, Meent 28-30, 3011 JK Rotterdam
If you’re looking for even more places to buy gifts in Rotterdam, try one of these surprising vintage stores, bustling Rotterdam markets and fun thrift shops.
Do you have a favourite gift shop in Rotterdam? Let me know in the comments below as I’d love to check it out!
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