Holland is certainly not world famous for its cuisine. The dishes served in large metropolises such as Rotterdam or Amsterdam are often a mixture of European or international flavours.
There is no denying, however, that you can eat more than well in this country. Here is an exclusive ranking of the 10 best dishes served in restaurants in Rotterdam.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Rotterdam
1 - Bagels
Rotterdam's restaurants have successfully imported the bagel'fad' from the Big Apple. These ring-shaped sandwiches are stuffed with any food, sauce or spice inside. The Dutch are used to eating them for breakfast to give themselves a huge energy boost.
Recommended for: breakfast, snack
Average cost: €3.00 to €7.00
Main ingredients: bagel, cream cheese, avocado, salmon
2 - Stamppot
This could be considered one of the 'pure' dishes of Dutch culinary tradition. Often served with an accompanying sausage or frankfurters, stamppot is a delicious mashed potato and mixed vegetables.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €6.00
Main ingredients: mashed potatoes, endive, salt
3 - Nieuwe Haring
A very popular fish dish in Rotterdam is nieuwe haring, literally'new herring'. Raw, filleted, simply dressed with pickles, this dish is often eaten with the hands, sliding it down the throat, or accompanied by a soft bread roll.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €1.95
Main ingredients: herring, onions, pickles
4 - Patatje Oorlog
One of the main ingredients of Rotterdam cuisine is the potato. Patatje oorlog are nothing more than fried potatoes served in a restaurant or classic street food cone, often topped with onion, peanut sauce and mayonnaise.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner or as a snack
Average cost: €4.00
Main ingredients: potatoes, mayonnaise, onion, peanut sauce
5 - Stroopwafel
In Rotterdam you can treat yourself to a sweet snack break with the delicious stroopwafel, imported from Gouda. These are crumbly wafer biscuits filled with delicious caramel syrup.
Recommended for: breakfast, snack
Average cost: about €4.00
Main ingredients: flour, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, syrup
6 - Soup
In Rotterdam, soups are almost an institution. From onions to fish and legumes (especially peas and lentils), you won't find a single restaurant in the city that doesn't have a variation of this hot dish on its menu.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €4.00 to €6.00
Main ingredients: broth, salt, pepper, vegetables (onions), pulses (peas), various kinds of fish
7 - Bitterballen
A tasty aperitif or a street food course? An example of finger food or an appetiser to enjoy while waiting for a sumptuous Dutch lunch? They are all this and much more: bitterballen, meatballs with an irresistible flavour. Thanks to the long marinating and boiling of the meat, the meatballs literally melt in your mouth!
Recommended for: as an aperitif, snack or appetiser
Average cost: €2.00 to €4.00
Main ingredients: beef, flour, beef broth, black pepper
8 - Poffertjes
One of Rotterdam's best-loved desserts are poffertjes, small sweet crepes dusted with a 'snowfall' of icing sugar.
Recommended for: breakfast, or as a dessert at the end of a meal
Average cost: €6.00
Main ingredients: buckwheat flour, milk, yeast, sugar
9 - Kapsalon
A Dutch variation of the kebab, of Turkish derivation. In Rotterdam, asking for kapsalon means dining on a super dish of meat (especially lamb), fried potatoes and spicy sauce, usually served in an aluminium tray.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €5.00 to €6.00
Main ingredients: lamb, potatoes, lettuce, cheese, hot sauce
10 - Sandwich
Rotterdam has imported another important culinary delicacy from the USA, sandwiches. It might seem like a dull and predictable course, but in fact a lunch with a delicious club sandwich is not only satiating, but can become a truly heavenly moment for our taste buds!
Recommended: lunch, snack
Average cost: €8.00 to €12.00
Main ingredients: bread, eggs, mozzarella, tomatoes, cheese
Where to eat in Rotterdam: best restaurants, cafés and street food
From affordable restaurants to unique places to celebrate special events, Rotterdam has something for everyone. Here are the best places to eat in Rotterdam.
1 - Het Eethuisje van Delfshaven
Description: this family-run, tavern-like restaurant in the Delfhaven district is worth a visit alone. It offers local cuisine with excellent value for money.
Speciality: Soups
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: Mathenesserdijk - Get directions - Facebook page
2 - Zeezout
Description: Very modern and elegant restaurant, specialised in fish cuisine. It has a not very extensive menu and a good choice of wines.
Speciality: seafood
Average price: from €90,00 per person
Address: Westerkade - Get directions - Website
3 - Bierhandel De Pijp
Description: Restaurant with a typical Dutch look, it has the characteristic of showing the open kitchen in the middle of the restaurant. The menu features simple dishes
Speciality: fillet of duck
Average price: from €35.00 per person
Address: Gaffelstraat - Get directions - Website
4 - The Fish Market
Description: very simple place, which gives the idea of eating street food, with an exclusively fish-based menu.
Speciality: fried fish
Average price: from €30.00 per person
Address: Binnenrotte - Get directions - Facebook page
5 - Dertien
Description: The characteristic of this gastropub is that it focuses on a menu consisting of typical Dutch products with zero food miles. Stylistically, the place is very cosy, although informal and dated.
Speciality: dishes with vegetables
Average price: from €35.00 per person
Address: Schiedamse Vest - Get directions - Facebook page
