Best Cafes in Rotterdam
During my time in Rotterdam, I had the pleasure of meeting Jorn, the CEO of Spotted by Locals, where I’m a spotter for Istanbul, as well as Floortje, one of the Rotterdam spotters. With their insightful suggestions, I discovered some amazing spots and got a deeper understanding of the city as a whole. I also explored the city with a friend from university who now lives nearby, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Additionally, the discount cards provided by my hotel, James Hotel, were quite useful. They offered deals at some great local places, allowing me to make the most of my visit. In the end, I was able to find many recommendations that I’m really happy with, making my Rotterdam trip a memorable one.
Parqiet
Arqiet quickly became my favorite cafe in Rotterdam. Located in a white mansion surrounded by greenery within Het Park, it has a charming and elegant atmosphere with tables and lounge chairs out front. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and sophistication.
During my visit, I tried Bitterballen, a popular Dutch snack consisting of a croquette with a savory meat filling, and it was absolutely delicious. The cafe also serves great drinks and coffee, making it a lovely place to relax. I felt lucky to have found a spot, as the place was quite popular.
Dudok
Dudok is a well-known local chain in Rotterdam, with several branches across the city. I was specifically recommended to try their famous apple pie, and although I’m not usually a big fan of apple pie, I have to admit, this one was definitely among the best I’ve had. I visited their branch on Meent 88, but they also have a larger, more pleasant location in Het Park, where you can enjoy not only their delicious pies but also a variety of food and drink options in a relaxing atmosphere. My hotel, James Rotterdam, gave me a 10% discount voucher, which I was happy to use at Dudok as well. It made the experience even better, especially since the food and atmosphere were so enjoyable!
Altstadt Rotterdam
Altstadt, located in Delfshaven, is not only a charming theater but also has a delightful cafe at the front. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee or drink while taking in the view of the historic canal. I stopped by here to take shelter from an unexpected rain shower, and it turned out to be a great little hideaway with a cozy ambiance.
The coffee at Altstadt is from Man Met Bril Koffie, a local favorite known for its quality brews and found in many cafes around Rotterdam. Man Met Bril Koffie also has its own branch near the central station. If you’re heading to Delfshaven, I highly recommend stopping by Altstadt for a coffee, though there are plenty of other options along the canal, many of which focus more on food than drinks.
Biergarten
The alumni reunion at Biergarten was a great opportunity to reconnect with university friends and see how everyone is settling in Rotterdam. Biergarten, located in a central area close to my hotel, was the perfect spot for this gathering. Upon arriving and checking into my hotel, I headed straight there. The atmosphere was lively, with both seating and standing areas, and the place was packed since it was a Friday evening. A DJ performance added to the vibe. While I only had a beer, there were plenty of snacks on offer that looked tempting. The combination of great drinks, food, and music made for a fun evening!
Cafe LaBru
After the alumni event, we headed to Café LaBru with my close friend from university. This spot had been recommended by a local on Spotted by Locals, and it definitely lived up to expectations. We sat indoors, enjoying the cozy atmosphere and pleasant ambiance. Although the cafe is known for hosting jazz performances, there wasn’t one during our visit, but it still provided a relaxing environment for a great conversation. Our drinks were also excellent, adding to the overall experience. It’s a lovely place I would gladly return to!
Baker & Moore
Baker & Moore was another place I visited to thanks to a 15% discount card from my hotel. It has a more touristy vibe. A lot of people come here for breakfast, especially on Sunday mornings. They offer breakfast platters for two, as well as various sandwiches. You can also create your own sandwich, which is what I did. It ended up being more affordable, and I got to include only the ingredients I liked. The ambiance wasn’t particularly special; just a regular cafe, in my opinion. The breakfast platters are quite large.
Crave Coffee & Bakery
I chose Crave based on its Google Maps rating. The interior was decorated in soothing beige tones, giving off a third-wave coffee shop vibe. It was hard to decide which sweet treat to get from the display, but I settled on a cinnamon roll. Although it tasted nice, it seemed a bit stale; it would have been much better if it were fresher. I was happy with the coffee and the atmosphere, though. You might want to try a different pastry for a better experience.
Cafe Van Zanten
It seems like this spot is popular with people who visit the outdoor market in front of Markthal on Saturdays, especially when the weather is sunny. When I first sat down, there wasn’t any sun, and the shades were out. But as soon as the sun came out, they rolled up the shades. The locals noticed my surprise and said, “As soon as the sun shines, it’s time to sunbathe here!”. Definitely time to soak up that vitamin D. The seating is arranged facing outward, similar to Parisian cafés, making it a great spot for people-watching. However, the tables in the photo aren’t arranged this way, so don’t be misled by the image.
Nine Bar
Despite the name “bar,” this place has more of a cafe vibe in the mornings, making it a nice spot for breakfast. I went with my usual coffee and croissant combo. The croissant wasn’t particularly impressive in appearance, but the taste was decent. The coffee, however, was quite good. The location is conveniently close to the center, and the seating area in the back offered a quiet place to relax and enjoy my breakfast
Markthal
There are plenty of food options in Markthal. The open-air market in front, held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, also offers great choices for food. Locals often shop for cheese here, and you can taste the kind of cheese you’d like to try before buying. We tried kibbeling (fried fish) at one of the fried fish stalls, which was a bit greasy but delicious. It comes in various sizes and options; we went for the classic version. Most stalls also accept credit cards, making it convenient for payment.
For a general guide on places to visit in Rotterdam, check out my post “Things to Do in Rotterdam”.
