The 4 best food halls and food markets in Rotterdam that you really must visit!

1. Markthal Rotterdam – If there’s one food market you simply mustn’t miss whilst visiting Rotterdam, it’s the Markthal, of course!

This remarkable building next to Blaak station has now become one of the city’s best-known landmarks. As soon as you step inside, you find yourself looking up at the enormous, colourful artwork on the ceiling. But to be honest? We’re mainly there for all the delicious food.

With over 100 food stalls, shops and restaurants, there’s an incredible amount of choice. From Asian street food and Turkish specialities to Surinamese dishes and fresh sweet treats. It’s wonderfully lively here, especially at the weekend, with people strolling past the stalls and sampling tasty treats everywhere.

But where should you actually go to get something?

Here are 8 food spots that we find interesting:

• The Manti: Have you ever tried Turkish manti? These are small dumplings filled with, for example, minced meat, a bit like Italian ravioli. They’re traditionally served with garlic yoghurt and a spicy tomato sauce. That combination of warm dumplings and fresh yoghurt is definitely something you should try! You can also opt for a crispy, fried version here.
• Dumplings by Uncle Wang: For anyone who loves Chinese dumplings! Think soft, steamed or crispy fried dumplings with savoury fillings. Especially delicious with a spicy dipping sauce. Perfect for sharing a portion between you.
• Erikucha Arepera: Here you can sample Venezuelan cuisine! The speciality is the arepa: a warm maize flatbread that is cut open and filled with various savoury ingredients. You can also enjoy empanadas and tequeños here – delicious deep-fried cheese sticks.
• The Duck Truck: A burger, but with a twist! Here, it’s all about duck rather than the standard beef burger. Imagine juicy duck meat on a soft brioche bun with delicious toppings and sauces. A great choice if you fancy trying something a bit different.
• 55 Bombay Street: Fancy some Indian street food? This is the place to go for spicy vegetarian snacks, Indian chaats and curries. Chaat is a popular Indian street food dish that combines crunchy, fresh, sweet and spicy flavours.
• Saté Lounge: For lovers of Surinamese flavours! This is the place to go for satay and other Surinamese street food dishes. Perfect if you fancy something savoury and well-spiced.
• Miss Chara: A lovely spot for Asian fusion dishes. Think Korean fried chicken, generously filled sandwiches, bowls and their famous Chara potatoes. Particularly worth a visit if you like crispy chicken and bold flavours.
• Het Kroket Loket: A true Dutch classic, but with a twist! Here you’ll find not only traditional croquettes, but also unusual varieties featuring, for example, rendang, truffle or spicy chicken. It’s great fun to try the different flavours, especially if you’re visiting Rotterdam from abroad.

Our tip: Don’t go straight for one big meal; instead, order a few smaller dishes from different stalls to share. That way, you can turn it into a proper food tour!

And if you’re in the area anyway, why not pop along to the Cube Houses and the Old Harbour? They’re practically right next to the Markthal.

2. Foodhallen Rotterdam – Are you looking for a food hall where you can not only enjoy a delicious meal, but also have a drink in a cosy atmosphere? Then the Foodhallen Rotterdam on the Kop van Zuid come highly recommended!

This food hall is located in the former Pakhuismeesteren, an impressive industrial building close to the Erasmus Bridge and Hotel New York.

Inside, you’ll find a large, cosy space with various food stalls, long tables, warm lighting and bars where you can order cocktails, wine or a beer.

What we particularly like about this concept is that you can go with a group of friends and everyone can order something completely different.

Here are a few places to eat that you can discover here:

Noonchi: Are you a fan of Korean fried chicken? Then this is one to add to your list. Korean fried chicken is renowned for its deliciously crispy coating and flavourful sauces. Perfect as a snack or to share.

Baomazing: This place is all about soft bao buns and dim sum. Bao buns are light, steamed buns filled with a variety of savoury ingredients. A lovely change of pace if you fancy something other than the usual burger or pizza.

Taqueria Lima: For a little taste of a Mexican holiday! This is the place to go for Mexican street food such as tacos. It’s the perfect spot to try a variety of flavours, accompanied by a drink.

Tante San: Fancy some Indonesian flavours? At Tante San, it’s all about Javanese-Indonesian cuisine, with spicy and savoury dishes that are perfect for a fun food tour.

The Joint Pizza Bar: Sometimes you just fancy a good pizza. Here you’ll find New York-style pizza, known for its large, thin slices that are easy to eat with your hands.

Three Chicks: A great choice if you fancy trying some Caribbean street food. Expect dishes with bold spices and tropical influences.

You’ll also find sushi, Vietnamese dishes, Surinamese street food and burgers, amongst other things. So there’s plenty of choice!

And the great thing is that the Foodhallen really are a lovely place to linger for a while. After your meal, you can simply order another cocktail and enjoy a drink or two.

Our tip: Go here with a group of friends, order something different each, and put everything in the middle of the table. That way, you can try lots of different dishes.

3. Fenix Food Factory – The Fenix Food Factory in Katendrecht has a completely different atmosphere to the other food halls in Rotterdam.

Whilst the Markthal is all about a huge variety of food stalls, the Fenix Food Factory is a place where artisanal products, speciality beers and a cosy drink take centre stage.

You’ll find this unique venue in a former harbour warehouse on the River Maas. Inside, there’s a rugged, industrial atmosphere, but it’s the large terrace by the water that really makes this place so special.

On a sunny day, it’s a lovely spot to settle down with a cold beer, some tasty snacks and a view of the Rotterdam skyline.

What can you expect here?

Kaapse Brouwers: This is a really great spot for craft beer enthusiasts! You’ll find more than twenty different beers on tap here, including several from Rotterdam-based Kaapse Brouwers. From crisp, light beers to bold IPAs and dark speciality beers. Ideal if you fancy trying something new.

21 Pinchos: Fancy a bit of Spanish conviviality? At 21 Pinchos, right next to the Fenix Food Factory in the Fenix I warehouse, you can enjoy delicious Spanish tapas and pinchos. Pinchos are small bites often served on a piece of bread and are ideal for sharing. Think of a variety of pinchos, such as crispy croquettes with Iberico ham or prawns, Spanish cheeses and other tasty snacks. And the best bit? You can also sit outside here and enjoy the view of the water. Order a nice glass of wine, a selection of tapas to share, and you’ll instantly feel that lovely holiday vibe!

Artisanal snacks: This is also the place to come for a tasty lunch, snacks to go with drinks or a more substantial meal. They use produce from local producers, including cheese from Booij Kaasmakers and bread from Das Brot.

Blije Wijnen: Not much of a beer fan? Then there’s also a selection of natural wines and special ciders. Great if you fancy something a bit different from the usual house wine.

What makes this place particularly special for us is its location. You’re right by the water here, and on fine days you can even enjoy a stunning sunset behind the Euromast.

The atmosphere is relaxed, a bit industrial and typically Rotterdam. It’s not a posh restaurant where you have to sit properly at a table, but rather a place where you can hang out with friends all afternoon.

Our tip: Head here on a sunny afternoon, order a speciality beer and some tasty snacks, and find a spot on the terrace. This is the sort of place where one drink can easily turn into three!

4. Station Bergweg – This food hall is perhaps one of the nicest surprises in Rotterdam North!

Bergweg Station is actually housed in a former railway station beneath the Hofbogen. Where trains once ran, you’ll now find a variety of restaurants, cosy bars and a large roof terrace.

And that is precisely what makes this place so special. The old station architecture is combined with a modern, industrial interior. People are sitting around eating everywhere, drinks are being ordered, and – especially at the weekend – there’s a cosy, lively atmosphere.

These are the food spots you need to know about here:

‘Stooges’: Perhaps one of the best-known names at Station Bergweg! This Rotterdam burger joint is famous for its juicy smash burgers. With this cooking method, the beef is pressed firmly onto a hot griddle, creating a deliciously crispy crust whilst keeping the inside juicy. Add to that melted cheese, a soft bun and homemade sauces, and you’ll understand why these burgers have become so popular. The owners have now also opened a second outlet on Goudsesingel, where, under the name Sandwich Cult, they serve special sandwiches at lunchtime. Think, for example, of their Rotterdam Reuben with home-cured and smoked pastrami, Madras sauerkraut and prawn sambal. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Ramen Nikkou: Fancy a hot bowl of Japanese ramen? This is all about noodle soups with a flavourful broth and a variety of toppings. Particularly delicious on a cold or rainy day.

Pizza Palace: For lovers of good pizza! Here, the pizzas are made with sourdough. This gives the base its own distinctive flavour and texture. It’s lovely to share a pizza whilst trying some of the other dishes too.

Guerrillah Tacos: This is the place to go for Mexican street food. Think tacos with a variety of fillings and flavourful toppings. Perfect if you fancy a light bite to go with your burger or pizza.

ThreeSixty: Are you a fan of slow-cooked meat? Then you absolutely must pop into ThreeSixty! Here, it’s all about ‘low & slow’ barbecuing, where the meat is cooked for hours in a smoker. This makes it wonderfully tender and gives it that distinctive smoky flavour. Among other things, you can choose from generously filled sandwiches with brisket, pulled pork or lamb. The menu also features loaded potatoes and other savoury dishes. This is a great stop on your food tour of Station Bergweg, especially for true meat lovers!

Burnt: And of course, there has to be room left for something sweet! At Burnt, it’s all about Basque burnt cheesecake – a cheesecake with a dark, caramelised top and a deliciously creamy centre. A real treat for cheesecake lovers.

As well as food, Station Bergweg also has a number of bars where you can enjoy craft beer, wine and cocktails.

And don’t forget the roof terrace! It’s a lovely place to sit with friends, especially on sunny days.

Our tip: Come on an empty stomach, order something tasty from the various kitchens and finish off with a drink on the roof terrace. We think this is a really lovely concept, especially for a cosy date or an afternoon with friends.

Which food hall in Rotterdam should you choose?

If you still can’t decide after reading this, we’ll make it a bit easier for you!

For the widest choice and international street food: Markthal Rotterdam

For a cosy evening with friends and cocktails: Foodhallen Rotterdam

For craft beer and a sunny terrace by the water: Fenix Food Factory

For smash burgers, creative cuisine and a unique industrial vibe: Station Bergweg

The great thing is that every food hall offers a completely different experience. At the Markthal, you can spend hours wandering around all the stalls, whilst the Fenix Food Factory is perfect for a long, leisurely drink. And if you fancy trying out different street food dishes with a group of friends? Then the Foodhallen and Station Bergweg are great options.

Our tip? Don’t always go for the best-known place – try visiting a food hall you’ve never been to before. Rotterdam has so many different flavours to discover!

Fancy discovering even more great places to eat in Rotterdam? Check out our other blog posts on Hotspots For You and find out where you really must go for a meal next time.

Which food hall in Rotterdam is your favourite?