Fortunately. New hotspots are still opening

Guiding towards hotspots

Riva not only accommodates expats and international students but we want them to feel right at home in Rotterdam. That's why we regularly publish guides with must see places and new hotspots. Like these guides to all our favorite coffee places, awarded hotspots and fine dining. 

Corona had quite an impact on us all, and the hospitality for sure. But restaurateurs and bar owners were relieved when they were allowed to reopen on 1 June (or 1 juno as the responsible minister articulated), of course with due observance of the RIVM guidelines. The local municipality will allow terraces may remain permanently until April 1. This way, entrepreneurs can try to make up for lost income this winter.

Riva is happy to point out brand new establishments in the city to our tenants. Enjoy.

City Center

In the heart of the city there is always something going on.

Clsngl is not really located on the Coolsingel, but very closeby. When you exit Station Beurs on the Westblaak-side you immediately bump in to this two leveled restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Frequently a dj provides the music.  

Bar Berta in the Scheepvaartkwartier serves really authentic Spanish tapas. The bar is already a favorite among locals.

Brunch Bar Rotterdam can also be found in Scheeprvaartkwartier. Unsurprisingly it offers brunch all day. 

On the Witte de Withtstraat a couple of friend opened a hotel. The bellhop hotel is a eco-friendly design boutique hotel, bar & restaurant. The restaurant serves delicious grab & go coffee, sweets and sandwiches for the moment. Already it's the place to be.

Typical dutch, but hard to find in Rotterdam. Until now. Didi’s stroopwafels presents these delicious fresh sweets. Of course they sell the classic version. Two waffles with syrup. But they also promote new editions with instagrammable toppings like oreo, disco dip, chocolate, caramel on the Oude Binnenweg.

It already was a micro-brewery. But together with Brewdog THOMS Stadsbrouwerij is transformed to a real outpost. Brewdog Rotterdam is located behind city hall. Next to a lot craft beer you can also enjoy food.

Soufflé pancakes have been extremely popular in Japan for years and are rapidly conquering the rest of the world. The photogenic fluffy pancakes are extremely instagrammable. In Rotterdam Soufflé Café serves the treats on Mariniersweg.

Tiwya stands for This is Who you are. In other words: 'Everybody can be themselves in this new Exotic hotspot' on the Kruiskade. This restaurant, bar and club wants to take guests on a mystical journey through authenthic Asia. That's why they partnered up with CUCU, they're known for a modern interpretation of Indonesian cuisine. The bar pours exotic cocktails.

Tiwya features art by Stephan Bontje

Katendrecht

This peninsula in the southern part has a long history of entertainment and nightlife. Nowadays this old vibe returns to Katendrecht. The Deliplein has a few new cafes. There are also new establishments in the recently completed and award-winning Fenix.

The owner of Namaste got the idea for this coffeebar during a trek up the Annapurna mountain in Nepal. During the hike the idea had taken shape, including visions of the interior, the menu and the atmosphere. Even the name was decided on during the quest, since everyone on the Nepalese massif greets each other by saying Namaste. 

Petit is the new venture of Paul Posse, a photographer and formerly known for Posse in the Fenix 2. Now the doors of Petit opened. A mix of a bar and bistro with French-Catalan-Basque influences around the corner of the thriving Deliplein.

Bed Bites & Business is mainly a hotel in a corner of the Fenix but you can also enjoy drinks and little bites adn enjoy the magnificnet view on the Kop van Zuid.

The view from Bed, Bites & Business

North

An up and coming neighborhood. More and more young families settle in North. 

In the inspiring ZOHO-quarter Bonza has opened a little gem. In addition to coffee and lunch Bonza is a place where you can also work well. The entire space is free for everyone to visit and work flexible hours. In the large space of Broeinest you can find a place to isolate yourself for a while, or join the reading table to stay in that work vibe.

De Lachende Chinees is an initiative by Hao-en Looi, near the Hofbogen and Insulindeplein. Hao-en was already known for the American Diner Gracy’s. But as he is once again exploring his Chinese roots he opened up a a new kind of snackbar offering Chinese dishes such as wonton, dim sum, ramen, dumplings next to traditional snacks.

Holy Ravioli has already been a household name in Amsterdam for nearly twelve years. Now it opens a restaurant on the Zwaanshals. There are twenty types of ravioli on the menu. From Italian classics to crazy flavor combinations such as pumpkin filling with chutney!

Delfshaven

A very big part of western Rotterdam. So also al lot of eateries and other hospitality concepts. Including a couple of new ones.

The owner of High Five used to run a pop-up (Nomo) but now really has his own place on the oostkousdijk. He has a Surinamese and Guyanese background. He combines this with his love for Caribbean and American cuisine.

Citrusveiling is a beautiful national monument in the Merwe-Vierhaven. It used the be the palce where citrus fruit was auctioned and bought. After corona this special building from 1955 will be transformed to a place to eat, drink and listen to music. For now you can find a large terrace where you can enjoy good food, specialty beer, cocktails and music every Friday to Sunday. Service comes from two containers with a kitchen and bar.

Japang on the 's Gravendijkwal, on the edge of the center en Delfshaven, is a new spot for Asian comfort food like ramen, rice bowls, buns and desserts.  

The owners of De Buffel used to cater a lot of festivals with mobile wood ovens. Wood Pizza has now progressed to a restaurant at the Middellandplein. No surprise. The pizzas at De Buffel are always baked in a wood oven and therefore have a crispy bottom. There are several classics and buffalo mozzarella is always on top. Next to that some classic Italian dishes such as antipasti, raviolo, caprese salad, tiramisu, home-made limoncello and matching wines are also on the menu.

Schiebroek

Even in this quiet part of town exciting things are happening.

Extention and seconds

Several restaurants become quite successful and want to expand. The open a second branch or they add new elements and spaces.

Arzu started in 2015, producing handmade food bars and vegan truffles. It opened a spot at the Bergweg and now there is a second spot at the Middellandplein. On both locations you can buy the bars or sit down and enjoy products such as sweet Caramel, pancakes and drink quality coffee.

Mr Nonno already operated at Middellandplein. But it recently opened a second establishment and the Mariniersweg. It offers pancakes, juices, toast, coffee, eggs and work space. 

Boompjes is a pavilion along the Maas. Usually it's a location for weddings and business events. Especially for this summer they created Palmboompjes (little palmtrees) on the bank. A pop-up with a spectacular view and tasty coffee, (special) beers, wines and snacks.

Louise Petit Restaurant is loved. Now it expands with it's own wine bar on the first floor. Louise Bar a vins has its own entrance and has three connected rooms, each with a different atmosphere and a view on this beautiful historic harbor. It's a place where you can take your date for a good glass of wine and French delicacies.

The Turkish cuisine from Ekmekci can already be enjoyed in Markthal, Zuidplein and Alexandrium. Now it also opened a restaurant at Central Station. It's an all day concept. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many of the famous dishes like kumpir, doner, baklava, Gözleme and pizzas are prepared and baked live. Ekmecki is a family business that is slowly transitioning to the 3rd generation of entrepreneurs.

You will find Fontein rooftop on the tenth floor of the former Shell building in Rotterdam. Here you have a breathtaking view of the Hofplein and the Coolsingel. Reserve a table in the rooftop restaurant and enjoy an extensive five-course surprise menu from Fonteins chef Ronald Koolmees. The menu with fresh delicacies changes weekly. You can also opt for a matching wine arrangement. From 6.30 pm you will be escorted upstairs and (in good weather) you start with a bubble or gin and tonic on the roof terrace, after which everyone sits at the table at the same time. You can enjoy an after-dinner drink on the terrace, where you can enjoy the late evening sun together.

The new rooftop bar on Fontein offers spectacular views. Photo: Milan Boonstra

Around town

Rotterdam is an extensive city. So there is more than the usual places. Here they are.

In this new winebar you will find more than 70 wines that you can tap yourself.