Rotterdam West's Hidden Dutch Cuisines
The city of Rotterdam is located in one of Europe's largest ports. A unique city with a dark past like the bombings by the German Empire in the 2nd World War. But also a city that is characterized by rebuilding together and standing hand in hand when needed. Different neighborhoods in Rotterdam characterize themselves by the different architectural styles and also by the real Rotterdam coziness. Real brown pubs, nice restaurants or just a chic restaurant, everywhere in Rotterdam you can find what you are looking for. For this post we will look at Rotterdam West and Delfshaven, where Euromast and "the park" are located. In these up-and-coming neighborhoods there are some hidden gems that we would love to get you acquainted with.
De Machinist
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Located in the old Shipping and Transport College of Rotterdam you will find "De Machinist en Vis aan de Cool". A large cafe with a tavern by the water where delicious fish dishes are served. The cozy and enthusiastic team tries every day to provide the best service. Every six months the menu is changed to allow customers to come back, and with their "signature" dishes they have acquired a large support base. For the quality and conviviality people really like to return. In the summer they sometimes see guests several times a week at De Viskantine because they love their fresh fish and the atmosphere they create.
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Address: Willem Buytewechstraat 45, 3024 BK Rotterdam
De Ballentent
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Located in "the park" you might find one of the oldest Dutch restaurants Rotterdam has to offer. On the South-East corner you will find "De Ballententent", an eatery that was founded in the early years after the Second World War. The building in which the cafe is housed was first a customs depot. Immediately after the war the Central Bureau for Driving Proficiency Certificates was still in it. The story goes that driving exam candidates then had to drive a few laps across the quay and if they did so without a hitch, they immediately got their driver's license.
Café Maaszicht and later De Ballentent - the name arose because the customers said 'let's have a drink in that ballentent®' in Rotterdam - have always been visited by many people who worked in the harbour.
Above all, it's a real Rotterdam tent so, and the nice thing is, you can go there for some delicious meatballs ;), I hoped the name hadn't already given it away already ;).
Address: Parkkade 1, 3016 GN Rotterdam
Het Eethuisje van Delfshaven
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You can eat something you like in almost every corner where you look in Rotterdam, Spaghetti, Asian or a delicious kebab. But sometimes you also miss the real Dutch food. For those occasions there is the "Eethuisje in Delfshaven".
Things where you can enjoy the real Dutch cuisine are hard to find. Luckily there are people like Martin and Bea and their eatery. There you can eat a dish of the day or for a few Euros more a steak or a fish. Martin is in the kitchen, Bea does the front. That has been a golden combination for more than twenty years.
On their Facebook page they place a dish of the day every day: from stewed pointed cabbage with ragout to a pork steak with potatoes and tomato sauce. There is something for everyone.
Address: Mathenesserdijk 436 3026 GV Rotterdam
Published: 2nd of December, 2020 | Author: Boris Hoevenaar