Your day in Rotterdam starts with a coffee at Het Lokaal, that added sandwiches and cupcakes to their menu after their rigorous refurbishment. The soups are great, as are the coffees and the sandwiches. Take your pick, and make sure your belly is filled with the good stuff, because we’re going shopping at ‘de Nieuwe Binnenweg‘!
At Flowers an Pearls (vintage fashion), seventiesdesign.com (retro furniture) and Koekela (the best cookies in town), to be precise. Make sure to stop by Schorem, to check out rockabilly men getting their hair styled and their beards trimmed (no girls allowed).
Time for lunch! Off to Lungo, a cozy espressobar meets lunchroom at the Delftseplein. The daily specials (usually Dutch specialties with a twist) are always tasty and so are the soy latte’s. Lungo often hosts exhibitions of local artists.
Alright then. Some touristy must-sees:
– the obligatory Erasmusburg
– the cube shaped buildings at Blaak (with the pencil shaped building, futuristic train station, art academy and the ‘inside out’ library in the vicinity).
The so-called Kijk-Kubus is a must if you want to see the inside of these houses, for only 2 euro 50!
– while you’re there, check out the cute Schaakstukken Museum (Chessmen Museum)
– a little further on you’ll find the ‘White House‘ and the Oude Haven (old harbour)
– at the Boompjeskade, near the Oude Haven, you’ll find one of the many watertaxi stands. Give them a call and ask them to take you to Hotel New York, a hotel and restaurant at the Wilhelminapier in the former administrative building of the Holland-America Line.
– then take the ‘Hoerenloper’ (the Rijnhavenbrug) to Katendrecht and walk towards the ss Rotterdam, one of the most famous post-war Dutch ships in the service of the Holland-America Line and then served as a cruise ship. Take Titanic-like pictures on the deck and request a tour through the ship. The guides are all very friendly and funny, you won’t regret it!
Check that? Then take the watertaxi to the Veerhaven and walk towards the Witte de With to get roti at Warung Mini. WHAT? FASTFOOD? That’s really what you want to recommend us? Well… yes! Their vegetarian roti is amazing and everyone (tourists and locals alike) raves about this weird dish. Another classic, especially for veggies, is Burger Trut. Wasabi fan? Go for the ‘Big in Japan’. Not so much? Order the ‘Ciao Marco’ with a risotto-burger in a ciabatta sandwich. With a jacked potato and a coleslaw on the side. Of course.
Everyone (or rather: the Lonely Planet) is always raving about De Witte Aap. We know that only 30-something, provincial types ‘hang’ there. The cool kids go to Bar or Tiki’s, the crazy ones go to Worm. A Stalles – Rotown – Le Vagabond combo also makes for a great evening out, most of the times. Care to dance? Go to Bird.
Start your sunday in Rotterdammish no-nonsense vibes at Hopper, before taking the train to Hoek van Holland Strand, for a day at the Dutch beach. With hot chocolate and frietjes (french fries) with mayonnaise at one of the beach bistro’s. Overslept after a wild night out and no time for endless breakfastbrunchlunchin’? Happens to the best of us! Get some caffeinated goodies, freshly squeezed orange juice and (humus!) sandwiches at Lebkov before you jump (slowly) on that train. Enjoy!
