A wine fan in Rotterdam

I regularly get asked by non-Rotterdammers if I know anything fun in this fantastic city. Where should you eat, drink, and stay in Rotterdam? I have a series of tips for you, so many that you could easily spend a month here, but let's start with the highlights.

Restaurant Fred**

Restaurant Fred opened its new premises on the Maas River in early January 2023. Upon entering, the open kitchen, the magnificent climate-controlled cheese room, and the matching walk-in climate-controlled cabinet will instantly make your mouth water. The interior is chic, but not stuffy. Fred Mustert's cooking style is classic French with, as befits a two-Michelin-star chef, a unique twist. Don't miss the signature dish of foie gras, scallops, and truffle. Or the king crab with caviar and pumpkin. Prepare to be surprised by the original selections of sommelier Axel Rosier. Or opt for a classic—there are plenty of them.

Restaurant Fred, Boompjes 41

Wine bar Verward & Harrie's Wine & Deli

Start your day at Verward. A cozy wine bar, run by Ward behind the bar. They do what they feel like. And that could just be some awesome wine Top-notch wines that you can suddenly order by the glass. Besides delicious wines, there's also plenty to eat at Verward. A cheese or meat platter (oh, those delicious rillettes) always goes down well, right?

Confused, Hoogstraat 69A

After that (or before) you can go to the next door Harrie's Wine & Deli . Founded by Harrie Baas, former co-owner and sommelier of Michelin-starred restaurant Amarone, now owning his own tasting room and delicatessen. What's not to like?

Harrie's Wine & Deli, Hoogstraat 63A

Wine bar Walsjérôt

At Walsjérôt, you can choose from 75 open wines, which you can pour yourself. You decide how much you want: a single sip, half a glass, or a whole glass. This finally makes it possible to enjoy a glass of Château d'Yquem on a Wednesday afternoon or kick off a summer evening with that fantastic Chardonnay from South African Master of Wine, Richard Kershaw. I'll sign you up. You can check out or inquire about the exclusive wines on tap on Instagram. Read more about Walsjérôt. check this article >

Wine bar Walsjérôt, Bentinckplein 5

Louise Petit Restaurant

At Louise Petit Restaurant, you'll feel like you're in Paris for a moment. Overlooking the Veerhaven and the Maas River, you can enjoy a delicious meal. pain perdu A brioche bread (sweep me up) in the morning, or an afternoon snack with champagne and oysters. We've also enjoyed a bottle of Morgon with steak tartare and fries. Louise is always a good choice. One minor drawback: the wine selection by the glass is limited.

Louise, Veerhaven 12b

Bar Berta

If you haven't been here yet, you should definitely make a reservation. I almost hesitate to mention the word tapas, as it's acquired a completely different connotation in the Netherlands. At Bar Berta, you'll eat tapas the way tapas are meant to be. Top-notch. So delicious. From simple (yet incredibly tasty) bruschetta with tomato salsa to duck liver with onion compote, black pudding, juicy rib-eye, and even fries with scrambled eggs and chorizo. That last one might sound strange, but it's heavenly. By far the best hangover food imaginable, but that's beside the point.

Then the wines, of course also Spanish, the enthusiastic sommelier Tim has selected some really cool things. Think of The Muelle by Luis Perez and the wines of Suertes del Marques from Tenerife. Enjoy.

Bar Berta, Calandstraat 6B

The Little Jean

No wine, but the best croissants in Rotterdam – with or without fillings like pistachio cream. You'll find them at Le Petit Jean in Rotterdam-Noord. Astute readers will know this is practically Le Club HQ's next door neighbor.

Le Petit Jean, Zomerhofstraat 75

Three

Tres is unparalleled, I think, because I've never actually been there due to all the lockdowns. I did get takeout a few times when they had to close and transformed themselves into a Mexican taqueria. It was so good. The menu they're offering now – post-lockdown – must be even better. Don't expect tables; you eat at the bar. In a small group, as there's only room for 14 people. The menu is created for you (they don't accommodate dietary requirements) and consists of 18 courses.

From the review by Hiske Versprille ( Volkskrant ): He (the chef) inoculates apples with white mold to give them a Camembert crust and drives to the Veluwe to catch citrus-like black wood ants – you read that right – which he then serves on green asparagus rubbed with blackcurrant oil.

You have to try this, right?

Tres, Five Continents

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Staying in Rotterdam? New hotel at Kop van Zuid.

Not so long ago, a new hotel opened on the Kop van Zuid: Hotel Room Mate Bruno . It's incredibly hip, all in one. Literally, because right below it you'll find the Rotterdam Foodhallen. My tip: start your morning with a short walk along the Maas River and then stop by for a cup of coffee at the Foodhallen. Delicious.

Food halls, Wilhelminakade 52

Even more good restaurants in Rotterdam

Yes, do you have a minute?

• Floris' kitchen for an extensive dinner of no fewer than nine courses and nine wines. I wrote about this before an article .
• Sailor & The Girl , also eat what's on the table, but in four or Five-course meal . Delicious and cozy. Limited wine list.
• Bistro du Bac For a French atmosphere, great wines, and the always friendly sommelier Zappa. Last time, we had Clau de Nell from the Loire for a fantastic price.
• Mrs. Meijer for the French cuisine in a French atmosphere.
• LUX and Vineum for delicious food with a surprising and extensive wine list.

I haven't been to these restaurants yet, but they are high on my list: The Millèn, Fitzgerald and Japanese restaurant Yama.