Kralingen Rotterdam – All our local tips

I like games. Little gadget and toys I am also fond of. In some way the little boy in me takes up a big space. Considering I am a woman, that might be a little odd. It is therefor no surprise my son and I can be settled for hours in this shop called Arabesk. They sell toys. But not just any toys, but optical illusions, insight, sciences and so on. Puzzles that make you dizzy by even looking at them, let alone trying to solve it. The fact that I love the little things, does not mean I am any good at solving the puzzles.

If I come by here I often stop by just to browse. But it is an excellent place to buy little presents. Their shop is loaded with all kind of toys and puzzles, shelves, tables and even on the ground. There is a basement with even more, if you have the time to browse through everything.

The only thing I was searching for, I couldn’t find, an old fashion abacus. But I will keep searching.

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Arabesk | Shopping
Oostzeedijk Beneden 111-115 | Kralingen | +310102140361
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

This restaurant lives up to it’s name, heaven on earth. It’s the favorite restaurant of one of my best friends and not with out a reason. Their tapas are delicious and there is lots to choose from. My favorite are the dates filled with an almond and rolled in bacon.

This popular place does not take reservations during the weekend, so it could be that you have to wait before you get a table. Or you can take a seat at the bar.

Just with their food, the owners have put a lot of thought and love into the interior of the restaurant. Everywhere in the place there are statues of angels and other things that have to do with heaven.

Enjoy a great meal here and maybe afterwards you can have a nice beer or something warmer by the fireplace at the Locus Publicus (check the Locus Publicus article).

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Hemel op aarde | Restaurants (Tapas) | Dates with almond & bacon € 3.25
Oostzeedijk beneden 205a | Kralingen | +31104139656
17:30 – 00:00 daily

It all started as the place to get your kitchen knives sharpened and maintained, but now this father to son enterprise has virtually taken over the Noordplein and has become a leading quality kitchen center in Holland and beyond.

With hundreds of square meters floorspace, divided over separate theme shops it is now a one stop shop that has it all. An astounding variety of appliances either simplifies or complicates the choice, depending on the range of your preferences and wallet.

Cross the street and face an equally comfortably wide choice of coffee and espresso machines, as well as anything you could think of for making tea. Coffee and tea, cups, mugs, pots – for you to choose. Next door the main shop with a fine selection of knives of course and expert advice how to use and handle them, pots and pans, all the smaller and larger gadgets and kitchen top appliances  to make the preparation of food a feast rather than a chore, an extensive collection of local and international cookbooks.

In the back a cooking school is set up with enough kitchen work space to improve your practical skills or to watch invited top cooks show their style and expertise. Gazing around here helps so much to get the inspiration to put that apron on and start for either cake or cookies or an elaborate dinner.

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Kookpunt | Shopping
Noordplein | Kralingen | +31104431077
Mon 12:00 – 18:00, Tue – Thu 09:30 – 18:00, Fri 09:30 – 21:00, Sat 09:30 – 17:30, Sun 12:00 – 17:00

A very old student pub on the corner of Oostplein with a nice fireplace -good for the cold winters- and a range of special beers. The bartenders, only male and student, have a good knowledge of all those beers. The locus is a pub made to really enjoy your beer. It’s not too big and the pub rules tell you to switch off your phone.

This place is good for relaxing when it’s not that crowded, but on Thursday and Friday evenings it can get quite busy. People who come here are students or those who used to be.

I was here for a beer (or 2) again just before Christmas and got a little surprise. There is a massive set of stairs build in the corner all the way up to the attic. This is where some functions are being held. Anyway, big improvement. Don’t know how they did it, but the Locus feels even more like a cosy house then ever!

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Locus Publicus | Bars | Small beer € 2.00
Oostzeedijk 364 | Kralingen | +31104331761
Mon – Thu 16:30 – 01:00, Fri 16:00 – 02:00, Sat 16:30 – 02:00, Sun 20:00 – 01:00

Eating out can be quick and simple or a glorious pastime to be taken seriously and passionately. If good food or better superb dining as gourmet evening entertainment is your goal, Fred will fulfill your expectations.

Based on the classical French cooking style, but modernized to the current lighter approach with a widening variety of tastes, flavors and ingredients, stunning plates artistically arranged are presented. Go with the flow and let the chef decide on your surprise menu – changing every two weeks – and mellow down with the accompanying wines, where the sommelier will take great care to let them suit the dish, your preference and wallet. The wine list shows a wide collection of mostly French wines with the rest of the globe well represented as well.

Wait for the upcoming surprises and relax and your evening is all set. The restaurants interior is a statement in itself and breathes a certain solidness and serenity – by the way in contrast, the ladies washroom is a spectacle and a frivolous surprise -.

It did not take long for Fred to receive nationwide recognition in the 2010 listings: a top ten spot in the national review by Specialbite.com, a Michelin star ( he had one before in his previous restaurant), a high score in the Gault Millau. Well done Fred and your team!

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Restaurant Fred | Restaurants (French ) | 4 course dinner € 59.50
Honingerdijk 263-265 | Kralingen | +31102120110
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 21:30, Sat 18:00 – 21:30