Top 15 Seafood Restaurants in Rotterdam. Taste the Sea on the Maas

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Rotterdam, the bustling port city on the Maas, is known for its diverse culinary scene and vibrant food culture. For lovers of fresh fish and seafood, this city is a true paradise, with an abundance of fish restaurants bringing the flavors of the sea to the table. From traditional fish dishes to modern interpretations, Rotterdam offers a range of dining options that embrace the fresh catch of the day.

In this article, we take a look at some of the best fish restaurants Rotterdam has to offer. Whether you're looking for an intimate dining experience, an informal waterfront eatery, or a gourmet journey through the sea, this selection of restaurants promises an unforgettable culinary experience for all seafood lovers. Dive into the world of delicious seafood as we explore the top fish restaurants in Rotterdam.

Pesca

Welcome to Pesca, the 'Theatre of Fish' where culinary experience blends with fresh fish straight from the market. Housed in the historic building of a former savings bank on Botersloot, Pesca offers a unique concept where guests select their fish at the market and enjoy dynamic prices throughout the day. Don't expect traditional menus; at Pesca, it's all about the theater of the fish market, where guests are part of the experience and create their own dishes. Come and be swept away by the magic of Pesca's 'Theatre of Fish'!

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Zeezout

Located on the picturesque Westerkade in Rotterdam's Scheepvaartkwartier, Zeezout is a true gem in the city's culinary scene. Led by Patron Cuisinier Patrick 't Hart, who earned his stripes as sous-chef at De Engel, Zeezout has offered an unparalleled seafood experience for more than two decades. Since its inception in 1998, Zeezout has built a reputation for its consistent quality and attention to detail, earning a well-deserved Michelin star. Patrick's commitment to using high-quality ingredients and his personal cooking style create dishes that linger in guests' memories. From freshly dived scallops to perfectly cooked Dorade in salt crust, each dish on the menu promises a culinary adventure. For Patrick, cooking is not just a profession but a lifelong passion that began at the age of twelve. Now, thirty years later, he remains driven to deliver the best every day, alongside his dedicated team. Zeezout is about more than what's on the plate—it's about the entire experience, making it a must-visit destination for fans of refined seafood dishes.

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The Harbour Club

Located in the former Parkzicht, a historic villa in Het Park next to the Euromast, The Harbour Club Rotterdam offers a unique and refined experience for lovers of fish dishes. With a bold and contemporary ambiance and a focus on detail and quality, The Harbour Club guarantees an unforgettable culinary experience. Guests can enjoy a wide range of dishes, from sushi and sashimi to fruits de mer and classic fish dishes, amidst an oasis of tranquility and greenery.

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The Oyster Club

The Oyster Club, located in the heart of Rotterdam, is a vibrant seafood restaurant where cuisine, entertainment, vibe, and ambiance come together. Enjoy classic fish and meat dishes, oysters, sushi, sashimi, and nigiri, all prepared in a classic manner in the kitchen. The extensive wine list offers beautiful wines, and the elegant bartenders craft amazing cocktails. With a trendy interior and a menu that delights both the eyes and taste buds, The Oyster Club is the place for lunch, drinks, and dinner. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, the restaurant transforms into a dance floor where you can enjoy the tunes of a DJ, ending your evening in style.

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Wow Crab

At Wow Crab, it's all about seafood. Located in the Oude Haven and Hoogstraat in Rotterdam, the restaurant offers a menu filled with delicious starters and seafood snacks, but the specialty is the seafood boil. Various seafood, potatoes, corn, and sausage are cooked together with spices in a bag and then spread across the table. With gloves on and a lobster cracker in hand, it's time to dive into this American delicacy.

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Fjord

For a unique culinary experience, you must visit Restaurant Fjord! This seafood restaurant offers a beautiful setting and a Norwegian-French-Mediterranean menu, inspired by the purity of the Norwegian fjords and influenced by French and Mediterranean cuisine. With high-quality products of clear origin and simple preparation that focuses on flavor, Fjord guarantees an excellent culinary experience in a bold yet atmospheric environment. The interior reflects this rugged aesthetic, featuring an eye-catching Apollo lamp by Rotterdam designer Romy Kühne and a mix of various chairs and materials, including Dutch Spoinq Casco. With room for 75 guests and a terrace, Fjord is also ideal for drinks, meetings, or a delightful dinner.

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Vislokaal Kaap

Vislokaal Kaap, located on the bustling Deliplein in Katendrecht, Rotterdam, is a haven for lovers of fish and vegetarian dishes. With a focus on honest, healthy, and above all flavorful meals, Vislokaal Kaap offers a warm and accessible environment where locals and guests from all over Rotterdam come together to enjoy the rustic Norman cuisine. The menu, created by Emmy Walburg and Rob Baris, two prominent figures in Rotterdam's culinary scene and natural foods movement, includes a rich assortment of seafood, fresh fish, and surprising vegetarian options, all prepared with fresh, and where possible, organic ingredients. The selection of special wines, beers, and ciders, often sourced from local producers, complements the culinary experience. In an interior reminiscent of a lively fish market, complete with colorful fish crates, Vislokaal Kaap offers an authentic and cozy atmosphere where guests can enjoy delicious dishes inspired by both Norman traditions and Rotterdam's diverse culinary landscape.

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Vis op de Dijk

At Vis op de Dijk, passion for fresh fish is at the heart of everything, and this is reflected in every dish served from the open kitchen. Located on the lively Oudedijk, this intimate fish restaurant in Kralingen embodies the essence of a good atmosphere, simplicity, and hospitality. With a rotating menu offering seasonal dishes at fair prices, there is something for everyone to enjoy fish the way it should be, accompanied by delicious matching wines. Whether you choose classic favorites like fish and chips or more refined options like sashimi and stuffed tomatoes with Dutch shrimp, Vis op de Dijk welcomes guests with ultimate hospitality. Whether you sit on the spacious, sunny terrace or at a table by the beautiful high windows, the relaxed Rotterdam vibe and enthusiastic staff ensure a delightful evening of culinary indulgence.

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Kaat Mossel

At Kaat Mossel, it's all about culinary nostalgia and delicious seafood. Since 1990, this cozy restaurant on Admiraliteitskade in Kralingen has been a true living room of Rotterdam, with an interior that has recently been renewed but still exudes the familiar atmosphere. Owner Ron and partner Marie Claire run this cozy establishment with passion and dedication. Kaat Mossel is known for its unchanging menu full of classic seafood dishes, such as mussels in various sauces, oysters, and other shellfish, but also offers other fish and meat dishes. After a major makeover following a fire in 2020, Kaat Mossel has received a beautiful new look, while maintaining its warm and familiar atmosphere. With a gas-free kitchen where guests can watch the preparation of the dishes, Kaat Mossel is ready for the future. The restaurant exudes a cozy and nostalgic vibe, complete with a beautiful mural of the legendary Kaat Mossel herself. Here you can enjoy honest and flavorful meals, prepared with fresh ingredients like fresh fish, lobster, and Black Angus steak. Whether you're coming for the famous mussels, a flavorful fish dish, or a cozy evening in Rotterdam style, Kaat Mossel puts hospitality and quality first.

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Schmidt Zeevis

Schmidt Zeevis, formerly located at the Vasteland and now situated in the Spaanse Polder, offers a unique experience for lovers of fresh fish and seafood. Though technically not a restaurant but a fish market, the lunch corner is a beloved spot where you can find an international mix of people daily enjoying a variety of fish dishes and delicacies. Schmidt Zeevis supplies fish to the hospitality industry throughout the Netherlands and is known for its extensive selection, from traditional shrimp croquettes to exclusive fish species. Located in an impressive 100-meter-long and 17-meter-high store shaped like a ship, Schmidt Zeevis is worth a visit for a unique culinary experience. Whether you choose oysters, half a lobster, or a portion of kibbeling, accompanied by a good glass of wine, at Schmidt Zeevis you can taste the highest quality seafood amid a lively international atmosphere.

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Ruud den Haan

At Fish Shop Ruud den Haan on the Oudedijk in Rotterdam, the fourth generation of the Den Haan family is now at the helm, led by twin brothers Robert and Christian, assisted by their best friend Seth, who is considered a third brother. This friendly fish shop in Kralingen has been a neighborhood staple for four generations. Here you will find an extensive selection of fresh fish, with a particular emphasis on their fantastic herrings, fried fish, and home-smoked salmon, for which Fish Shop Ruud den Haan is well known. The salmon is of such high quality and freshness that even pregnant women can enjoy it. When the weather is nice, it's lovely to eat your fish on the terrace, but there are also two cozy tables inside where you can enjoy your fresh catch. Whether you choose to indulge on-site or take your fish home to prepare yourself, at Ruud den Haan you are always guaranteed a flavorful experience. And of course, the Hollandse Nieuwe herring is a must, as it's simply embedded in their DNA. In addition to herring, they also offer delicious salmon rolls and sprat, an old Dutch favorite.

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Viskantine

The Viskantine, located at the Coolhaven, has found a permanent spot at De Machinist by the Cool after a successful pop-up period. While they are still known for their delicious fish dishes, they now also serve changing meat dishes. Along the banks of the Coolhaven, you'll find this restaurant which Rotterdammers often speak highly of. The Viskantine, a branch of the nearby restaurant De Machinist, focuses—surprisingly enough—on fish. What makes it extra fun is that the Viskantine is set up like a beach bar. Here you can enjoy fresh fish while your toes dig into the sand. But the menu of the Viskantine goes beyond just oysters, razor clams, and cod. In addition to a wide choice of fish dishes, they also offer a range of meat dishes, vegetarian options, wheat beer, and of course an extensive selection of wines. In short, the Viskantine is the place to enjoy delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere along the Coolhaven.

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A la Plancha

A la Plancha offers a unique experience along the Maas River in Rotterdam: in the summer as a pop-up seafood restaurant in the open air and year-round as a permanent neighborhood restaurant on the Noordereiland. On the pop-up terrace over the water, built on the foundation of the old Willemsbrug, sustainably caught fish are grilled on the plancha, accompanied by sides and a good glass of wine, while you enjoy a stunning view of the city's skyline. The permanent location onshore, directly opposite the pop-up, welcomes guests year-round with ever-changing dishes from the plancha. Inspired by Mediterranean restaurants where fish is prepared outdoors, A La Plancha also offers tapas and cocktails to complete the summer vibe. In short, a unique culinary experience that makes you feel like you're on vacation in your own city, with a flavorful nod to Spanish and South American cuisine.

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Langoest

Langoest, located at the Boompjes, is a seafood restaurant that serves super-fresh items from the sea every day, from fruits de mer and lobster to oysters and octopus. With its perfect location and beautiful interior, including a bar with a scale pattern and a neon silhouette of lobster claws, Langoest offers the ideal setting for any occasion. Whether you're coming for seasonal fish, fruits de mer, lobster, oysters, or octopus, Langoest welcomes guests from Monday to Saturday to enjoy a culinary experience with a stunning view of the Erasmus Bridge.

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Zalmhuis

Located along the Maas, just outside the city center, the historic Zalmhuis is an iconic seafood restaurant that underwent a complete renovation in 2020 to breathe new life into this beautiful place in Rotterdam. With an impressive entrance and a stunning interior, led by chef Lars Litz and hospitality entrepreneur Herman Hell, the Zalmhuis is known for serving the world's most exclusive salmon: the Keta salmon from Alaska, alongside house-smoked Scottish organic salmon, dry-aged meat, vegan dishes, oysters, and more. Awarded the Entree Award for 'Best new Restaurant & Bar' in 2022, the Zalmhuis is not only a destination for sushi and unique salmon but also for delicious cocktails, making it the perfect place to create unforgettable memories in the shadow of the Van Brienenoord Bridge.

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