Local terraces in Rotterdam

In Rotterdam you’ll find inviting terraces everywhere: all over the heart of the city, tucked away among (and sometimes even on top of) the gleaming skyscrapers, on the riverside quays, in the rolling green parks and in the trendy neighbourhoods around the city centre. On this page you’ll find an overview of the nicest places where the locals hang out this summer.

Sunny Side Terrace ss Rotterdam

Next to the well-known Lido Terrace on board the ss Rotterdam, you can also discover the hidden pearl of Rotterdam: Sunny Side Terrace. At this special place, you can enjoy the skyline of Rotterdam during the day and in the evening you will have a front row seat to a beautiful sunset. All of this while enjoying a variety of snacks and a refreshing cocktail.

Aloha Bar

Once upon a time, children whirled down the whitewater course in this former swimming paradise Tropicana. Today this is the home of the Aloha Bar. With a bar, restaurant, Aloha coffee roaster and a terrace on the Maas, this is a summer place par excellence. During the day there is a playground for children, and there is regular dancing in the evenings.

Biergarten

This outside only bar, located behind the creative Schieblock, is now one of the permanent Rotterdam local hotspots. With long benches, BBQ, DJs and of course beer.

Garden of Bird

Opposite the stage, club and restaurant BIRD is Garden of Bird. Here you can enjoy delicious cocktails, fine wines, craft beers, pizzas & bites. Besides enjoying a snack and drink, you can also attend exciting events such as brunch concerts and silent disco’s!

Hotel New York

This hotel is the former head office of the Holland America Line on the Kop van Zuid has a beautiful view of the Maas.

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Vessel 11

Vessel 11 is a beautiful red ship docked in one of Rotterdam’s oldest ports. Want to have a drink in a special place? Then Vessel 11 is the place to be! At this unique location you can enjoy typical British pub meals, home-brewed beer and live music.

Weelde & Keilecafé

Weelde and Keilecafé are two of the most popular hotspots among Rotterdam locals, both located in the up-and-coming Merwe Vierhaven Area (M4H). Enjoy a homemade sangria with your toes in the sand in the Zandbar of Weelde, or get loose on the dance floor of the ‘permanent festival’ at the Keilecafé, there is even an indoor skate pool at Weelde to show your latest stunts. When you walk from one place to another, don’t forget to take a look at the hidden sculpture garden of AVL Mundo!

Maaskantine

De Maaskantine is a waterfront restaurant serving you the best BBQ dishes and delicious drinks with a view. It is a place where you can enjoy the atmospheres of a beach club.

Café van Zanten

Known for the large terrace on the Meent, with which you have a beautiful view of the Laurenskerk and can watch people unabashedly while enjoying a nice beer. On a sunny day, go to Van Zanten on time, otherwise it is guaranteed to be full.

Thoms

Nowhere better to people watch than at THOMS, with a large terrace in the middle of the bustling Meent. At THOMS you can enjoy Rotterdam seasonal dishes, prepared from fresh and local products. THOMS is located in the Timmerhuis.

Fenix Food Factory

Looking at the ships on the Maas and the impressive towers on the Wilhelminapier. You don’t need more than a cheese platter and a beer from the Kaapse Brouwers to feel comfortable here. Or let yourself be surprised by the varying range of food trucks, which alternate regularly.

Weelde

Deliplein

Noordplein

Nhow Rotterdam

SS Rotterdam

Deliplein

Deliplein is the ultimate hotspot for the Rotterdam local. With a huge range of restaurants, cafes and theaters you can enjoy yourself for days. Enjoy the sun on the square, or walk to the SS Rotterdam (with its own amazing terraces with an ultimate view of the city and the harbour) or the Fenix Food Factory within a few minutes.

Parqiet

A small paradise in a large park. In the middle of Het Park, next to the Euromast, Parqiet has settled in the old Koetshuis. Take a seat in one of the beach chairs on the terrace and enjoy your breakfast, lunch, drinks or dinner among the locals. Parqiet also organizes many small events, such as living room concerts, children’s parties, or pop-up dinners at long picnic tables.

Bokaal

Bokaal is a lively city café and beer room with a large terrace on one of the nicest squares in Rotterdam and a true meet up of the real locals. You can have lunch, dinner or choose from the extensive menu with small snacks, which you can order separately or on combi trays – perfect for drinks with friends.

The Industriegebouw and its neighbourhood

Het industriegebouw is a local gem in itself with cool places like By Jarmusch, Old Scuola and Alfredo's Taqueria, but the neighbourhood behind it is at least as nice. The Hoogstraat is full of nice café’s and De Gele Kanarie and the Vegan Pizza bar are within walking distance!

Restaurant Tosca

At Restaurant Tosca in the Old North, it’s like you’re enjoying a holiday in Italy. The picturesque restaurant is located on a cozy square where you can enjoy yourself until late with a bottle of wine on the table and some live music.

Bertmans

This hip breakfast and lunch bar serves organic, gluten-free and vegan dishes. You can have breakfast with chia seed pudding and lunch with Okonomiyaki, a Japanese savory pancake. Bertmans has a terrace on the Rotte where, in addition to cold-pressed juices and smoothies, you can also enjoy a good glass of wine or cocktail.

Teds

On the DakAkker, on top of the Schieblock, honey bees are kept and vegetables, fruit and herbs are grown. You can taste all of this during the all day brunch on the outdoor terrace of Teds. Enjoy the Rotterdam skyline at the same time!

Noordplein

Noordplein is the newest and nicest addition to Rotterdam Noord with Containterbar Noord as its biggest highlight. Noordplein is stacked with nice cafes, and you can walk straight into the Zwaanshals with its restaurants and cute boutiques. Every Saturday there is the Oogstmarkt, an amazing local farmers-market where you can get the tastiest food and drinks.

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