Making expats feel at home in Rotterdam

Enjoy hospitality in Rotterdam

Riva mainly provides housing to expats and international students. Adventurous people who want to explore Rotterdam. Unfortunately due to Corona that's not possible. Restaurants and bars are closed and only offer take-away or deliver orders. But everybody is ready for the moment eating out and drinking on a terrace is possible again. 

There are even entrepreneurs who advocate making the reopening day of the catering industry a national holiday. The Rotterdam-based catering chain De Beren has started a petition to achieve this. Ad Schaap, owner of De Beren: “We have always adhered to the measures. Now it is time to get back to work. We, the consumer and our competitors, are ready. The countdown can start. The reopening day should feel like one big liberation party. How beautiful is it to see the solidarity of the catering industry reflected by hanging out flags." In addition to starting the petition #horecavrij, flags can be ordered at this site.

A #horecavrij flag on Witte de Withstraat

The municipality in the meantime helps with providing free wood to already build big terraces.  Tenants of municipal real estate can request a partial remission of the rent and entrepreneurs can receive an allowance through vouchers to make their business corona-proof.

As we have seen earlier, fortunately, new catering establishments are still opening. And surprisingly, many of the new tents are specifically based on international cuisine. Perfect for our tenants who want to get nostalgic.

Bon appétit

For over ten years Pierre has been a popular French brasserie on the Pannekoekstraat. It's not only loved because of the classic dishes like boeuf bourguignon, confit de canard, croque monsieur, coq au vin, steak tartare and pain perdu. It's also loved for the interior by influencers. Posing for the gram. The team of Pierre will open another French restaurant in the WTC Rotterdam. Jules will open when the pandemic will be over. 

Lepetitjean only operates for a couple of weeks during this lockdown. But the queues of waiting people in the ZOHO-area tell a delicious story. The history of Marc Petitjean, an original French patissier serving eclairs, tartelletes, and other delicacies. His pastry is very in demand and usually, everything is sold out in only a couple of hours. 

Café Marseille is located on the vibrant 1ste Middellandstraat, an extension of the Kruiskade. It's food is based on the rough cuisine of Marseille. The owner is a former ship's cook who visited Marseille quite a lot. So you can take away or order original dishes like bouillabaisse, panisse, brandade, apero, mechouia, madeleines and pissaladiere. 

Pani Puri

Panipuri or fuchka or gupchup or golgappa is a type of snack that originated in the Indian subcontinent, and is one of the most common street foods in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. You could already get the crisp fried dough balls which are stuffed with potatoes, sprouts, spicy tangy water or sweet chutney at 55 Bombay Street in the Markthal. But The Pani Puri Bar is totally dedicated to the favorite chaat snacks. You can order them to be delivered or you can get them take-away from restaurant Chung at Noordmolenwef 117.

                                          Get your Pani Puri in Rotterdam. Photo: Alexandr Dzyuba

Cheers at an English pub

De Witte de Withstraat may be the most popular and tourist street of Rotterdam. The was only one thing missing. A true English pub. Well, preparations are made to open Dutch Dukes once it's possible. A new venture by the owner of Hal4 in Kralingen. He thrives for a beautiful gastropub. With different beers, wines and pub food like pies and fish and chips. 

Talking about Fish and Chips. A hidden gem is Chippy Chips. This foodtruck can usually be found at the corner of Schiekade and Heer Bokelweg. It offers proper fish and chips with additionals like cheddar cheese and gravy.  

BBQ for you

Smells Good in the Hood is the brainchild of a local famous chef. Big Nate has a big reputation for serving Caribbean flavored soulfood. After working in several kitchens and offering the concept of Smells Good in the Hood on festivals and on location, he now opens a restaurant on the Benthuizerstraat. Expect Cajun Crinkle Fries, Grandma's Jerk Chicken, Burgers, popcorn shrimps, nacho's and hot dogs. 

Talking about Hot Dogs. Check Hans Worst. He makes the most tasteful hot dogs in Rotterdam. He usually operates his foodtruck on the Beursplein in front of WTC Rotterdam. But during the pandemic, he pops up everywhere in town. So keep an eye out.

The Surinam kitchen is also known for BBQ. On the quiet Rusthoflaan Faya now offers original flaming chicken, satay and porkchops. With homemade sauces bringing the heat.  

The Goat is a concept that originated in a search for high-quality junk food. So here you can find smash burgers, chicken burgers, wings, chicken waffles and slushies.

In search of quality junkfood at The Goat

Let's get Spanish

It's already an household name in The Hague. De Spaanse Moeder, or The Spanish Mother, also opened a restaurant in Blijdorp. The mother is called Carmen and she makes Catalunan stews, but also came up with a Spanish version of the famous Rotterdam snack: The Kapsalon. The Spanish edition comes with spiced patatas bravas, crispy grilled chorizo, melted Manchego cheese, green lettuce, fried egg and a choice of different sauces and extra toppings.

Yes you Mexican 

After Macho Mama became a success in Dordrecht, it was decided to branch out to Rotterdam. In Kralingen you can now order healthy Mexican streetfood.  

Familiar Vietnam 

Madame Saigon is located around the corner of the Witte de Withstraat in the city center of Rotterdam. The story of Madame Saigon started generations ago in Saigon, Vietnam. It is a family-owned restaurant serving well-kept family recipes of authentic Vietnamese food, using only seasonal ingredients.

Shop till you drop

Expats feeling homesick can off course get a taste from home at one of the countless international restaurants in Rotterdam. But getting the right groceries also helps. Plumule is a new shop on the Nieuwe Binnenweg. It mainly sells products from the United Kingdom and the United States. The shelves are constantly replenished with cereal, candy, beer, soda, meat, and cheddar. All imported. It will soon sell the products through their webshop.

Daily at Dinner is filled with local products

But it also works the other way around. Maybe you want to taste some local stuff. Daily at Donner is a mini-market on the ground floor of the well-known bookshop Donner on Coolsingel. They recently expanded their range and offer even more fresh products from local entrepreneurs. You can now order the products from brands and such as tompoucen and sausages from Patisserie Holtkamp and cheese from the Kaashoeve. Fresh bread from Jordy’s Bakery, coffee from Man Met Bril Koffie, wine from Theo Bontebal, dairy products from Floating Farm and chocolate from de Bonte Koe. At Daily at Donner you will find bouquets from the well-known Rotterdam flower shop 's Zomers but also, Bobby's Gin, and Sancho's Nuts. Recently the range has been expanded with Tomasu Soy Sauce, Holy Ravioli, Daily Baby Organics, the cider en calvados van RAM (Rotterdamse Appel Maatschappij), Rotterdamsche Confituur and Loopuyt Dry Gin.

Coverphoto: Ketelbinkie Coffee near Erasmusbrug. Photo by: Micheile Henderson/Unsplash