Food · Rotterdam · Netherlands
What to eat in Rotterdam
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Rotterdam, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Start with Kibbeling, Raw herring and Kapsalon. Work your way around the Markthal's stalls for cheese, stroopwafels, seafood and international snacks under the painted ceiling. Dutch dinner times are early; many kitchens are busiest from about 6pm to 8:30pm.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Kibbeling
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 4
- Tipping
- Service is included.
- Food experiences
- 3
10 foods to try
Street food
1.Kibbeling
Chunks of white fish, usually cod, battered and fried and served with a garlic or remoulade sauce. It is the standard fish-stall snack.
Where: Fish stalls at the Binnenrotte market, the Markthal and fish shops across the city.
Street food
2.Raw herring (Hollandse Nieuwe)
Lightly salted raw herring, eaten whole by the tail or on a soft roll with onions and pickles. The new season's 'Hollandse Nieuwe' arrives from about June.
Where: Fish stalls and herring carts around the centre and markets.
Street food
3.Kapsalon
A Rotterdam invention: fries topped with doner or shawarma meat and melted Gouda, then a layer of salad and garlic or hot sauce, served in a foil tray. Its name means 'hair salon', after the hairdresser who first ordered it at a Delfshaven snack bar in the early 2000s.
Where: Snack bars and shawarma shops across the city, especially late at night.
Snack
4.Bitterballen
Crisp, deep-fried balls of thick beef ragout, served with mustard as a bar snack alongside beer.
Where: Brown cafés and bars, especially around the Oude Haven and Witte de Withstraat.
Snack · Vegetarian
5.Stroopwafel
Two thin waffle wafers pressed together with caramel syrup; freshly made ones are warm and chewy.
Where: Market stalls at the Markthal and the Binnenrotte market make them fresh.
Dish
6.Roti
A Surinamese dish of flatbread served with curried chicken, potatoes, long beans and egg, reflecting Rotterdam's large Surinamese community.
Where: Surinamese takeaways and restaurants in the West and South districts and around the Nieuwe Binnenweg.
Street food
7.Broodje pom
A Surinamese sandwich filled with pom, an oven-baked dish of grated pomtajer root, chicken and citrus, often with pickled vegetables and chilli.
Where: Surinamese takeaways and snack bars across the city.
Snack · Vegetarian
8.Dutch cheese (Kaas)
Aged Gouda and other Dutch cheeses range from mild 'jong' to crumbly 'oud', often flavoured with cumin or herbs.
Where: Cheese shops in the Markthal and stalls at the Binnenrotte market; ask for a taste before buying.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Jenever
The juniper-flavoured Dutch spirit that preceded gin, served in a tulip glass filled to the brim. Neighbouring Schiedam was a centre of jenever distilling, with tall windmills that ground the grain.
Where: Brown cafés in Rotterdam and the Jenever Museum and distilleries in Schiedam.
Dessert · Vegetarian
10.Appeltaart
Deep Dutch apple pie with a lattice crust, spiced with cinnamon and raisins, served with a dollop of whipped cream.
Where: Cafés and terraces across the city.
Food experiences
Markthal grazing
Work your way around the Markthal's stalls for cheese, stroopwafels, seafood and international snacks under the painted ceiling.
Fenix Food Factory and Katendrecht
Katendrecht's warehouses and the Deliplein square have food stalls, a brewery and restaurants with harbour views.
Binnenrotte market
The large open-air market next to the Markthal sells fish, cheese, produce and street food, and is one of the biggest in the Netherlands.
Quick bites and street food
- Kibbeling — Fish stalls at the Binnenrotte market, the Markthal and fish shops across the city.
- Raw herring — Fish stalls and herring carts around the centre and markets.
- Kapsalon — Snack bars and shawarma shops across the city, especially late at night.
- Bitterballen — Brown cafés and bars, especially around the Oude Haven and Witte de Withstraat.
- Stroopwafel — Market stalls at the Markthal and the Binnenrotte market make them fresh.
- Broodje pom — Surinamese takeaways and snack bars across the city.
- Dutch cheese — Cheese shops in the Markthal and stalls at the Binnenrotte market; ask for a taste before buying.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 4 are usually vegetarian: Stroopwafel, Dutch cheese, Jenever and Appeltaart. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Dutch dinner times are early; many kitchens are busiest from about 6pm to 8:30pm.
- Cards are widely accepted and some places are card-only.
- Book ahead for popular restaurants on Witte de Withstraat and Katendrecht on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Lunch is often light, such as a sandwich or soup; save the big meal for the evening.
- Tap water is not always offered automatically; ask for 'kraanwater'.
Tipping
Service is included. Rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good table service is appreciated but not expected.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dank je wel | Thank you |
| Goedemorgen | Good morning |
| Mag ik afrekenen? | Can I pay, please? |
| Proost | Cheers |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Rotterdam famous for?
Kibbeling, Raw herring, Kapsalon and Bitterballen. Chunks of white fish, usually cod, battered and fried and served with a garlic or remoulade sauce.
+Is Rotterdam good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Stroopwafel, Dutch cheese and Jenever.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Rotterdam?
Service is included. Rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good table service is appreciated but not expected.