Zuid Rotterdam – All our local tips

Three bridges cross the Maas at Rotterdam. Two of them are in the centre and especially the Erasmus Bridge is quit popular nowadays. I think that has mostly to do with media publicity, trying to make this bridge the mark of Rotterdam. But for me the Brienenoord Bridge is THE mark of Rotterdam.

The bridge was built in 1965 and named after the island below. It was rather slim and transparent for its time, what made it an example for other bridges at the time. The capacity wasn’t sufficient, as the traffic which was crossing it day in and day out. So in 1990 the bridge was doubled.

I remember it being just one bridge. Whenever we would take the car and drive outside Rotterdam for holidays or to visit relatives, my brother and I did this little game. After the contest, who saw the most caravans, we would play ‘Who saw the Brienenoord Bridge first’. So I remember sitting in my fathers car staring outside, in search for the bridge desperately. I knew whenever I saw the bridge, I had not only won the contest… I was home.

These days whenever making a little bike tour around Rotterdam, I always include the bridge. Not only is the length and steepness is a challenge on its own, I love the feeling of riding free-falling downhill. With the wind in my back, my personal record on this bridge is set on 42km/hour. I do suggest to take the bridge from the north to the south if you want to ride down that hill, since at the other side there is this sharp hairpin bend.

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Brienenoordbrug | Art & culture | Free
brienenoordbrug | Zuid
24 hours daily

Rachel van Olm of theater Walhalla and chef Jim de Jong joined forces and opened a tables d’hôtes De jonge De Jong at Deliplein.

A corner building with an original Dutch interiour. It’s like stepping into a Delfs Blue decor. Not so staggering if you know stencil graffity artist Hugo Kaagman decorated the place.

The menu is simple. 3 starters, 3 mains and desserts or a 3 course chef special for only €27,50.

Jim is a young talented chef, who as trainee have had the opportunity to work in the 2nd best kitchen in the world (a place where I ate as a guest once:).

I love Jim’s food as it’s simple. Guess you can call it International French bistro style with a Dutch twist. He works with biological and local products and fresh things from the market and makes original combinations. We ate quinoa with cod, lentils with a sausage of Iberico and a dark chocolate with Bergamot mousse served in a large wine glass on it’s side. The food/wine combination wasn’t perfect, but just tell them and they offer you something else.

They opened last October, but officially mid January 2010. Don’t expect everything to be perfect. Just go, enjoy this special place and tell the staff or chef if they don’t meet your expectations. They all are very helpful and eager to give you an excellent night out.

I hope to be back soon, but next time by watertaxi (check the Watertaxi article) and I’ll go for the Theater Walhalla special!

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De Jonge De Jong | Art & culture, Theaters, Restaurants (French) | 3 course € 27.00
Delistraat 52 | Zuid | +310641374893
Wed – Sun 18:00 – 00:00

I get good vibes at this no-nonsense Rotterdam style Deli Bird Thai restaurant and Take Away.

The chatty owner is very welcoming and the chefs smile behind the pots cause they know they can cook.

Some may already know the take away at number 44A, but since mid January they openen a restaurant next door,. It’s only divided by the shared open kitchen.

Deli Bird Restaurant is family friendly and has a no-nonsense interior with some nice features like a sun set behind bamboo.

For those who never been to Katendrecht, it’s a pier in the harbour area. I truly recommend you to go and discover it by bike, over water or walking. Deliplein is surrounded by some of my favourite restaurants, Walhalla, tattoo bob and a cultvideotheek amongst many other things. This square is the place to at Katendrecht and you’ll meet mainly locals here of whom from different cultures, many creative professionals and young families.

You don’t like to wait, try to get a hold of the menu and place your order at the Take Away by phone 010-4854004, so the food will be ready when you arrive. They also sell Hottie sambals here.

I recommend to eat in at 44 B-C, for freshly (no ve-tsin used!) made Thai soups, Curry’s, salads, wok dishes and more. My favourite dishes are Moo ping and Kaend phed with a cool Singha beer. Till the summer you order from the Take Away menu, but it gives you a taste of the future when the restaurant. Different dishes to share, just like in Thailand.

Let the water taxi bring you to Katendrecht. It’s just a small walk to Deliplein.

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Deli Bird Thai Kitchen | Shopping, Snacks, Restaurants (Thai) | Starters € 3.75
Delistraat 43 A-C | Zuid | +310104854004
Tue – Sun 17:00 – 21:30

This is one of my favourite restaurants in Rotterdam and many agree!

I just love eating here because everything is perfect. The atmosphere is nice, the interior is modern, the chefs are passionate cooks and the waiters give excellent service. You will not regret going here, but book in advance! Most of the time they are fully booked.

Have been here many times in different settings, celebrating my b’day, meet up with a colleague or dine with my boyfriend or friends. On each occasion it was perfect.

The food is French International and the concept unique. They only serve small portions between €7,50 – 9,50 each. You can order as many different things as you feel like it. My experience is that 4 dishes are enough.

Creative cooking, delicious, fresh and all homemade. Excellent wines you can order by a full or half glass. New is their selection of sherrys! And do try their cheeses!

My favourite spot is at the bar (2 pp). It makes you feel part of the kitchen and they might spoil you with little extras;)

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Kwiezien Restaurant | Restaurants (French International)
Delistraat 20-22 | Zuid | +310102151440
Tue – Sun 18:00 – 22:00

The city’s former pride and glory – the ss (steamship) Rotterdam – of its maritime top rank position has been revitalized to be a landmark for the port for years to come.

The initial owner – the Holland America Line – operating from the head office at the Wilhelmina pier (see the Hotel New York article) had the Rotterdam make its maiden trip to New York in 1959 as part of a transatlantic Europe – America service.

Till 2000 the ss Rotterdam traversed world wide seas first as a passenger liner and later as a cruise ship. When the ship had been decommissioned and was withering away, a conservation society was founded to enable the Rotterdam to return home as a hotel and conference center, a tourist attraction and a variety of dining and eating, drinking and lounging spots. After a lengthy and costly renovation with a focus on restoring its former grandeur and style of the sixties, it is now permanently moored in Katendrecht across from the Euromast (see the Euromast article).

It is a great destination for getting a feel of an ocean liner from the old days, now fixed up with up to day amenities. Guided tours can be booked or audioguide self exploration trips to acquire a look and feel of the decks, engine room and steering bridge and so on. A small museum records the ship’s history in more detail, an experience center will be opened shortly, a boutique shop with memorabilia and a theater all help to revive the nostalgia.

The Lido restaurant offers food and drink almost all day long from 06.30 till 22.00, just like the days when the ship was at large (I know from experience: I worked as a pantry boy on the Rotterdam in 1964 and again as the ship’s doctor in 1974). The adjacent Club Room offers fine dining from 18.00 – 22.00.

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ss Rotterdam | Art & culture, Bars, Shopping, Restaurants (Intern.)
Katendrecht | Zuid | +31107410900
Apr – Oct 09:00 -19:30 daily | Nov – Mar 09:00 – 16:00 daily

I live in a part of Rotterdam where I’m surrounded by bridges, water and the bustle of ships passing by. It’s called the Noordereiland (Northern island) in the Nieuwe Maasriver and connected by the Willemsbridge and Koninginnebridge.

The name derives from Noorderhaven (harbour) which is now called Koningshaven. When they dug this harbour, the island got separated from former island Feijenoord. This name should ring a bell with football lovers whereas the name is written as Feyenoord.

The island has become an Art project called MS Noordereiland, initiated by artist Joe Cillen who also lives here. The concept is that the island is in fact a motor ship ready to take off one day and sail away with all its inhabitants. If you walk around on the island you will see many objects which refers to parts of a ship. We even have our own flag.

When you cross the Willemsbridge to the island, you will see a newer side on the left part. The right part is more authentic and was spared by the bombing during WWII. Have a nice walk and see the houses on Maaskade 85, 113 and the Hulstkamp building. Try and find all the paintings in ornamented frames on several buildings. There’s a lot of art to find.

Even though most of the shops have gone, there are plenty of cafes to rest and wonder where the journey will lead to when the MS Noordereiland really starts moving…Or swim your way around it during Rondje Noordereiland in summer..

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The Noordereiland | Art & culture, Bars, Relaxing
Prins Hendriklaan | Zuid
Daily