In May this year, I had the pleasure of spending 5 days in Rotterdam in The Netherlands. The focus of my trip was the epic Traverse Conference, but I extended my stay either side of the event to really get a feel for the city and, of course, to get to know the best cafes in Rotterdam.
My initial impressions were not strong, and the heavy rain didn’t help. But slow exploring on foot and by bike over the course of the following few days and I really began to just get Rotterdam. It’s a bit quirky and odd, and some of the best gems are not in obvious view. Rotterdam seems like a particularly wonderful city to live in – it’s safe, friendly and surprisingly vibrant.
I’ve put together some of my favourite foodie and coffee spots I discovered around the city of Rotterdam. Take a lo0k below for the best cafes in Rotterdam and find all your foodie inspiration for a trip to this great destination!
8 of the Best Cafes in Rotterdam
Sajoer
Perfect for breakfast and healthy snacking throughout the day, Sajoer serves up freshly pressed juices and delightful acai and smoothie bowls.
I loved its outside eating area in the cool pedestrianised area outside and its choco smoothie bowl (below) was divine, blended with avocado and dates.
It’s also very Instagram friendly!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sajoer/
Address: Botersloot 46 3011 Rotterdam
Website: http://sajoer.nl/
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm on weekdays
Lot & Daan
Amazing interiors AND delicious food. Service was a little slow on the day I visited, but they had literally just opened and I was the first person in on a Saturday morning. I loved loved loved the quirky fun interiors and that it wasn’t so busy, so I could really appreciate them!
Lot & Daan is tucked away behind the Citizen M hotel opposite Markthal. Once you get to the cafe, you’ve got wonderful walks right ahead of you along the canals too!
Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/lotdaan/
Address: Gelderseplein, Rotterdam
Website: http://lotdaan.nl/
Opening hours: Various every day, but 8.30am – 9pm on Saturdays and 8.30am to 5pm on Sundays
Fenix Food Factory
This super hip hangout’s terrace areas are packed on sunny weekends, but the Fenix Food Factory is equally as busy on wetter days with its huge indoor seating area. Foodie entrepreneurs came together in 2014 to occupy this old port warehouse in Katendrecht with various stalls and stands. You’ll find excellent artisan coffee at Stielman Koffiebrander, a craft beer brewery and plenty of live music. The waterfront here offers beautiful sunset views over the Nieuwe Maas River.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenixfood/
Address: Veerlaan 19D
3072 AN Rotterdam
Website: http://www.fenixfoodfactory.nl/en
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Thursday : 10 – 19
Friday : 10 – 20
Saturday : 10 – 18
Sunday: 12 – 18
Lilith
Another Rotterdam cafe in a different part of town, delivering amazing breakfasts that come highly recommended, and ALL DAY. I enjoyed another delicious smoothie bowl here at Lilith and loved its fun, eclectic interiors. The staff are also cute.. which really helps.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilithcoffeerotterdam
Address: Gelderseplein, Rotterdam
Website: Apparently no website!
Opening hours: 8.30am-5pm
Markthal
One of the most iconic sites in Rotterdam, its famous Markthal foodie market is in the heart of the city and is the gourmet destination. No guide to eating in Rotterdam would be complete without including Markthal. This vast indoor market hall offers more than 100 fresh food stands and plenty more restaurants. You can really eat around the world here and hop from stand to stand.
The thing that surprised me most however, was that it closed so early at 8pm. So be aware to head over early and not for an evening dinner (!)
Markthal is an amazing place to try some typical Dutch foods too, such as the delicious poffertjes (like mini Dutch doughy pancakes!)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markthal/
Address: Ds. Jan Scharpstraat 298
3011 Rotterdam
Website: https://markthal-en.klepierre.nl/
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday & Saturday 10.00 – 20.00
Friday 10.00 – 21.00
Sunday 12.00 -18.00
Dough Bakers
So I ended up going to Dough Bakers almost every day to enjoy my cookie dough fix. Housing all things unhealthy, this brilliant cafe offers a number of different cookie dough mixes and loads of different topping options. I honestly couldn’t get enough of this places’ gooey deliciousness!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bakersdough/
Address: Pannekoekstraat 82A
3011 LK Rotterdam
Website: https://www.bakersdough.nl/
Opening hours: 12pm – 6pm everyday
Cinta Coffee
In their own words, they’re a coffee bar with an Indonesian twist. Cinta means to love or adore in an Indonesian dialect, and that is easy to do here. Located in the upper floor of the very cool InConcept store, Cinta is cool, calm and collected. I loved my coffee and the staff were so pleasant, I could have lost plenty more hours with my laptop in here. The coffee beans are imported from Indonesia and brewed Kopi Tubruk, which is a centuries-old coffee brewing method.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cintacoffeerotterdam/
Address: Coolsingel 83 1st floor
3011 AG Rotterdam
Website: http://cintacoffee.nl/
Opening hours: 10am – 5.30pm Mon to Sat (10.30am – 5pm on Sundays)
Brasserie Schielandshuis
Located conveniently next to the Rotterdam tourist office, I decided to pop into Brasserie Schielandshuis after collecting some info from the staff. Well, what a hidden gem! Great staff and really delicious food, maybe even one of the best toasties I’ve had – and I’m partial to a good toastie! I worked with my laptop here for a few hours and it was the ideal quiet daytime spot. I’ve heard it’s a great evening drinks spot too though!
Address: Coolsingel 114
3011 AG Rotterdam
Website: http://brasserieschielandshuis.nl/
Opening hours: 10am – 5.30pm Mon to Sat (10.30am – 5pm on Sundays)
8 of the Best Cafes in Rotterdam
If you’re heading to Rotterdam in The Netherlands soon, I do hope this post on the best cafes and restaurants in the city is helpful. Rotterdam is a wonderful and surprising destination, with a lot to offer!
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My friend from The Netherlands will be visiting me here in Australia next week – but when I return the favour next year, I will be sure to check some of these places out 🙂
Wow, these places look insane! Definitely Bucket List material right here!
I am so bookmarking this! I love traveling the world, and I always look for cafes when I do. I just feel like cafes are the best way to experience the culture of an area.
In Rotterdam I had only been to DOUGH BAKERS. And my experience of it was lovely. However, I would love to try out others too.
Wow, those are really beautiful place to visit and to dine. I have never been in one of them but I will definitely go there once I visit that country.
These all look and sound amazing! That first dish looks so delicious… I’ll take a bowl of that anytime any day 🙂
All of these places look so cute and the food looks so delicious! Yum.
The one with the painting of the lady with plant hair got me all excited, omg! I have to go!!
Wow these cafes look like places I’d visit. Love the vibes these give off.
Xx, Nailil
The painting/decor on the back wall at Sajoer is breathtaking. It really stands out and is unique.
They all look warm and inviting, I would love to visit Rotterdam one day
All of these cafes look great in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. Would really be heard to choose a favourite.
I have never been to the Netherlands but I love discovering great cafes in the cities I visit. Love the look of SAJOER
I’d love to visit Rotterdam, it looks like such an interesting place. These cafes all look great, I always like to find a good cafe.
Rotterdam looks like a great place to visit. Love the art and hanging out in Cafe.
Every picture of food is fantastic. I loved everything about this blog
I have been to Rotterdam recently and really fell in love with their diverse food scene! Fenix Food market was my place to go for lunch, I had some lovely sandwiches in there. My favorite cafe was Op Het Dak, which is on a rooftop and has its own vegetable garden there.