Archives for “Coffee & tea” tag

Bar and restaurant Sijf is located at the Oude Binnenweg with lunch and dinner facilities. But also the perfect place to have a drink just to relax or before you are going out. In the area there are a lot of offices and one of my friends is working nearby.

When we go out for lunch we always visit Sijf because of the warm interior and their various lunch options. You can choose between warm meals, salads, omelets and more. I like the farmers bread “boerenbrood” with tuna but the omelets are also very good.

On a night out, usually Thursday and Friday in Rotterdam, bar Sijf is packed with people ready for the weekend. With the music playing on the background, good atmosphere and a drink I am glad it is weekend!

On the weekends I stop by with some friends to have a drink or quick bite before going to a festival. Because of the location in the centre of Rotterdam I think it is a perfect place to meet and catch up with my friends.

Café Van Zanten is the perfect place for beginning or ending your night out. Situated at the corner of the Meent and the Binnenrotte you can have a drink and/or dinner and watch everybody passing by.

The waiters and waitresses have good knowledge of all the drinks they serve and are more than willing to assist with choosing your beer or wine. I usually go on a Friday evening where I will meet my friends and colleagues. There are a lot of other people and you can mingle with them easily.

On the opposite side of the Binnenrotte there is Cafe Pol which is not competing with Cafe Van Zanten at all. During the afternoon/evening most people will switch between both bars. Pretty funny to see and do it yourself.

With a little sunshine and no wind I enjoy a drink on the terrace, no heaters needed! Try some of the beers and do not forget to order some bitterballen. They can also keep you warm outside!

Tip: don’t go during the market, visit the terrace a day later it will be more relaxing.

CoffeeCompany is the place for your espresso, cappuccino or something else together with a snack or not. With multiple locations in Rotterdam I like the spot at the Meent very much.

Situated at the corner of the Pannekoekstraat and the Meent it is my favorite start of the day due to the perfect spot. I always take my cappuccino (only in the morning!) outside and enjoy the beautiful view over the shopping street up to Dudok.

When the weather conditions are not so good I relax at the huge table in the cafe.

There are a lot of choices in size and type of coffee but tea or a soda are also available. Sometimes when I am hungry I order one of the delicious muffins or try the daily cake.

Inside CoffeeCompany there is always music playing which is my style. Apparently the people working at CoffeeCompany have good taste. It makes me enjoy my coffee break even more.

The CoffeeCompany also offers something unique, you can attend a coffee workshop. Every last Thursday of the month from 19:00 – 22:00 (Eendrachtsplein 2) you will learn the tricks from the professionals! Try it and your coffee at home will taste better.

Parts of my daily shopping I do at Gimsel, mariniersweg 9, the largest organic supermarket in Rotterdam with a wide range of fresh organic products. Vegetables can be found here, ones you can’t buy anywhere else. On sale is also a delicious sour dough bread made by the famous Menno ‘t Hoen! I always like the wall full of containers with products that come in bulk: dried mushrooms, nuts, cereals. Anything of your choice, which can be weighed and you can pack yourself.

In the middle of the shop you will find beauty products like Aveda. Ask the ladies for advice, they’re amazing!

The Wereldwinkel sells Fair Trade global gifts and presents. Upstairs is The Oost West Centre is for workshops.

Downstairs is the renewed Spirit Rotterdam. A Self-service Restaurant offering vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner. They got a great review in the Dutch National Newspaper in May 2013. It’s modern, good for when you have a healthy appetite or as a meeting point. They serve good organic vegetarian dishes and drinks. Just be aware of what and how much you select as a plate full of delicious bites can become expensive.

Vanbinnen, Natuurlijk Wonen at number 1 (and connected with the rest through a sliding door) sells natural quality products for the interior. Have a look or get advise how to make your home greener. It’s expensive but I do enjoy every minute sleeping between my organic Damai sheets.

De Groene Weg is at number 33, in my opinion the best organic butcher in town.

You’ve probably noticed it by now – Rotterdam has a skyline. This makes it rather unique among the Dutch cities. The uniqueness, however, comes with a price. As new high-rise buildings are continuously being added to the urban landscape, at the ground level, cafe’s with sidewalk places in the sun are becoming scarcer.

Luckily for you (and me) – there’s the occasional cheater among sidewalk cafe’s as well. I’m talking about DikT – the cafe situated adjacent to the Central Library. On ground level it’s just another coffee place/lunch room, albeit with monthly Jazz sessions and weekly science talks. But take the stairs up and it’s a full-fledged sidewalk cafe, only without the sidewalk. And with the best view in town, plus an uninhibited sunshine (at least, as long as the Dutch sun shines).

My favourite time here is, of course, on Saturdays, when the market is buzzing on the street below. But I’m not very picky – in Holland, any day the sun shines is a good day. Especially with such a view.