It’s time for a list with new hotspots in Rotterdam! Of course you would like to stay informed of the most beautiful spots to visit in Rotterdam. Well, a lot of gems have been opened their doors… The historic Zalmhuis had a complete metamorphosis, a number of beautiful cocktail bars opened and there are two established restaurants in our city that will open a second location this year. You can read it all in this first new in town of 2020!
1. Zalmhuis
Just outside the city center, along the Maas, lies the iconic and historic Zalmhuis. Technically speaking, the Zalmhuis is not a new hotspot and has been a household name in Rotterdam for years, but to put this beautiful spot in Rotterdam back on the map, a complete renovation took place in 2020. With a new owner, new menu and new interior, the Zalmhuis feels like a completely new place to explore.
The impressive entrance and the beautiful interior of the restaurant are worth a visit alone. Under the guidance of chef Lars Litz, they serve the most exclusive salmon in the world: the Keta salmon from Alaska. On the menu you will also find home-smoked Scottish organic salmon, dry aged meat, vegan dishes, oysters and much more.
Address
Schaardijk 396, 2909 LA Rotterdam
2. Williams Canteen
At the new hotspot Williams Canteen they work according to an all-day concept. That means that you can sit down for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even a delicious cocktail!
Everything here has been thought through: the interior – which gives a nod to the 1930s, the tasteful coffee, the unique dishes and of course the cocktails. The cocktails have carefully been created and are in some cases even served in a can; a unique twist that they have mastered at Williams Canteen.
With their location around the corner from Witte de Withstraat, it is a great place to start, spend or end your day.
Address
William Boothlaan 5A, 3012 VG Rotterdam
3. Cowabunga!
Cowabunga! is a tropical new hotspot on the Witte the Withstraat. It’s the perfect place for (Asian) food and drinks. Expect delicious Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian dishes, a tropical interior and cocktails with names such as ‘Ticket to Bali’ and ‘Paris van Java’. It’s as if you’re in Asia for a moment thanks to the pandan liqueur and finishing touches with for example ‘spekkoek’ and lychees.
Order tropical cocktails along with some finger food, such as the Summer Rolls and Pandan Tempura (recommended!) and you will forget that you are in Rotterdam.
Address
Witte de Withstraat 51A, 3012 BM Rotterdam
4. Shanghai Papa
The new Shanghai Papa restaurant stems from a love for Chinese culture and will enrich you with Chinese cuisine, culture and tradition. Shanghai is seen as the rebel of China. Here people dare to be different, to accept new cultures and to preserve old traditions. Shanghai Papa shows the best of both worlds, namely Chinese traditions and contemporary Western influences.
At Shanghai Papa you can taste surprising Chinese dishes with new flavors and ingredients. The dishes come from different regions of China and Hong Kong. But they also serve dishes that are typically made at home by Chinese parents in the Netherlands. Enjoy traditional Chinese dishes and discover new dishes such as the salted egg with tofu, crispy lotus root chips and goji berries and mint beans.
Address
Botersloot 26A, 3011 HG Rotterdam
5. Restaurant JAQ
Last December restaurant JAQ opened its doors in the theater district of Rotterdam. It’s a great restaurant that you can visit anytime of the day. Whether you’re looking for a tasty lunch or dinner, the accessible menu is the same all day long. It’s designed in such a way that the table is filled with delicious dishes, either to share or to enjoy yourself.
The dishes are made with pure, honest ingredients and there are plenty of options on the menu for vegans and vegetarians. For example, go for the avocado or halloumi sandwich, JAQ’s artichoke and parsley root or the Buddha Bowl with soup or salad.
Are you only coming in for a tasty drink? In the bar you can enjoy classic cocktails, local beers and bar bites.
The beautiful interior is already a reason for a visit. Their industrial concrete floor is playfully combined with comfortable velvet chairs. In addition, the restaurant has colorful wall paintings, many beautiful golden details and a large mirror wall.
Address
Kruiskade 9, 3012 EE Rotterdam
6. MAVIS
At MAVIS, the little sister of BIRD, it’s all about music, culinary bites and tasty cocktails. on the ground floor you share tasty snacks according to the shared-dining principle, while one floor down there is a DJ booth and fun parties regularly take place. And when the sun shows, the windows will open up and you can take a seat on the large terrace!
A great addition to the Rotterdam cocktail bars. Read this article for more great places to drink a cocktail in Rotterdam!
Address
Westzeedijk 68a, 3016 AG Rotterdam
7. Botanero
Botanero is an awesome new bar where you can spend the entire evening, whilst enjoying delicious cocktails and snacks. Following a Latin American example, every cocktail comes with a bite, the so-called botana. The idea behind it is simple. If you just keep on eating, the hangover will not be that bad the next day!
Classic cocktails, such as the Frozen Margarita, Dark & Stormy and the Pornstar Martini, are served with a surprising twist. Most ingredients, such as rhubarb sorbet and even the vodka and ginger beer, are made in the bar.
So with every cocktail you get a delicious botana. In total, Botanero serves four different bites in one evening, such as beetroot with avocado cream and habanero or an avocado soup with kaffir oil. They regularly change the bites, so you keep on getting surprised!
Address
Mariniersweg 55, 3011 NE Rotterdam
8. Tres Rotterdam
Photos by Sophia van den Hoek of Unfolded.
At the new restaurant Tres you can taste modern Dutch cuisine in an intimate setting and enjoy a playful 18-course menu. The restaurant cooperates with local small-scale farmers, fishermen and artisans, so the menu only offers dishes from the Netherlands. You can combine the dishes with an alcoholic or non-alcoholic arrangement.
A dinner at Tres is more an experience than a casual dinner and can take up to four hours. You do not spend hours in the same spot during a visit at Tres, but you are first welcomed as a guest in the luxurious lounge with small appetizers and an aperitif. After this you can take a seat at the bar in the basement, where you can already see the chefs cooking. The evening will be closed in a second lounge where you can enjoy their special coffee or tea with mignardises.
Address
Vijf Werelddelen 75, 3071 PS Rotterdam
9. The Rumah
A cocktail bar with a special name: it means ‘house’ in Indonesian and the word rum is in it; something that owner and Best Bartender Award winner Daryl likes to work with. On the Oude Binnenweg, in a beautiful building, he opened a bar with fellow bartender Edward that resembles a combination of an old-fashioned pub and cocktail bar: a cocktail pub. But there’s more than rum in their drinks of course, other spirits are also used for a nice selection of cocktails.
Address
Oude Binnenweg 110C, 3012 JG Rotterdam
10. Ohana
After their location in The Hague, Ohana Poké has now also opened a location in Rotterdam. Yes! At Ohana Poké you can enjoy freshly made poké bowls. Choose from the signature bowls, such as the Hula Sunrise with tuna or the Sweet Green with crispy tofu. It’s also possible to create your own bowl or sushirrito.
But Ohana Poké offers more than just the famous poké bowls, because on their menu you will also find sushi, sandwiches, steamed buns, smoothie bowls and all kinds of side dishes. Think of dishes such as sweet potato fries and spring rolls. So good!
Of course you can have the delicious poké bowls from Ohana delivered to your home, but their restaurant on the Hoogstraat is certainly worth a visit. The cheerful pink interior is full of colorful furniture and cute details. We love it!
Address
Hoogstraat 34A, 3011 PR Rotterdam
11. Il Capo
Il Capo recently opened on the Lusthofstraat in Kralingen. Do you fancy a delicious Italian sandwich? Then this is an excellent place. The specialty of this Italian trattoria is the Italian ciabatta. Every day the owners bake the breads themselves and top them with fresh Italian ingredients. In addition, the menu also offers pizzas and salads.
You can also go to Il Capo for drinks and bites. For example, order a sharing plate with different cheeses and meats and combine it with a delicious wine or a bottle of prosecco.
Address
Lusthofstraat 45, 3061 WK Rotterdam
12. Jack Bean
Good news for the students in Rotterdam! Jack Bean will soon open up a second location in Rotterdam at the Food Plaza of Erasmus University.
Jack Bean’s first location on the Weena has been providing us with their 100% vegetable dishes for one and a half years now. Jack Bean introduced fast cuisine in Rotterdam: fast, cheap, healthy and plant-based food. This way Jack Bean inspires its guests to eat more plants, because according to Jack Bean, vegan food can be tasty, easy and affordable and at the same time good for you and the planet.
Address
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, Rotterdam
13. 21 Pinchos
21 Pinchos is also opening up its second location in Rotterdam, in the Fenix Loods I on the Rijnhaven on the Kop van Zuid. Awesome!
The second location in the Fenix Loods will be “the big brother” of their location in the Markthal. The restaurant will be opened for more hours and in the summer you can relax on their terrace with a view of the Rotterdam skyline.
Be sure to also read our article for more tapas restaurants in Rotterdam.
Address
Nico Koomanskade 1024, 3072 LM Rotterdam
14. Bar Benthuis
You can find the new Bar Benthuis where the colorful Rose Rouge once was located. Visit Bar Benthuis for a glass of (special) beer and wine, delicious in combination with their bar snacks. You can also go to Bar Benthuis for coffee and tea during the day. A fun new café in the Ouden Noorden!
Address
Benthuizerstraat 35b, 3036 CB Rotterdam
Those were the latest additions of hotspots in Rotterdam. Let us know if we missed an awesome new hotspot. Also, please contact us via info @ weekendsinrotterdam.com if you’re opening up a new hotspot in Rotterdam, as we would love to take a look for the next edition of New in Town. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to get inspiration for your visit in Rotterdam with the coolest hotspots, events and more!
