Rotterdam Restaurants

  1. Blits

    It was only a matter of time. In a city that loves diverse food and cutting-edge architecture, here's a restaurant that combines both: wall-length windows looking out over the Maas, and a classy international menu. Seating arrangements are 'out there': try the bench with pillows or the 'Love Suite', a heart-shaped, rich-red enclosure.

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  2. Café Gallery Abrikoos

    This is a bright and cheery tapas bar filled with art and a variety of soups, salads and mains, and wicked Mediterranean minimeals. Addictive - and a great way to start a long evening.

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  3. Dudok

    This Rotterdam institution, housed in a former insurance office designed by WM Dudok, has a wonderful spacious feel with its high ceilings and big windows. Whether you're here for a meal, a drink or a snack, you must try the scrummy apple pie (around €3 .90), famous throughout Rotterdam and surrounds. Solo travellers will love the large reading table.

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  4. Kip

    A lovely place that's more elegant than its moniker might imply. It's won a swag of 'Lekkers' (the Dutch restaurant-awards) and has crisp, white tablecloths, a dainty dining room, and delicious and immaculately prepared meat, poultry and vegetable concoctions with a haute cuisine feel.

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  5. Look

    This one's especially recommended for single people, Buffy and Francophiles. Look is a cosy little restaurant that specialises in garlic-based dishes: steamed garlic, fried garlic, garlic soup, garlic vegetables… even garlic dessert, on occasion. It's delicious and you can even be a spoilsport and plump for nongarlic dishes.

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  7. Panorama

    This brasserie has the best location in town, in the midsection of the Euromast tower. At 100m it almost doesn't matter about the food, with that kind of view and a design to maximise it (the angled windows impart the odd sensation of eating in mid-air). It's a bonus, then, that the menu is up to scratch: fillet of suckling pig and grilled mackerel were recent offerings.

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  8. Parkheuvel

    Some say it's the Netherlands' best restaurant - as one of only two Dutch fancies with three Michelin stars, it's got a strong claim. The French/international menu is especially fab with seafood - red mullet with balsamic dressing, anyone?

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