Anchored in Dutch cultural custom is the joyous cry: shall we ‘grab a terrace?’ in any season or time of day! Throughout Rotterdam one can find cafes and restaurants with the option of enjoying a beer or glass of wine, coffee or tea outside with a meal or finger food. Every option is available from breakfast to a late night/early morning closer. Whether you want pavement seating with the most sun, the very best river view of the Maas River, most interesting spot for people watching or a great view of Rotterdam’s skyline here is a list of popular hip terraced cafes and a some unique pearls.

Popular terraces in Rotterdam

Terraces Oude Haven
All around the historic Old harbor are many terraced cafes and restaurants of all sizes. Beautiful views popular with the Rotterdammers and tourists alike.

Terraces Binnenrotte
On sunny days this is a great place to take a break while watching people saunter in from the Meent or Blaak Metro station.

Terraces Stadhuisplein
Looking for a pavement view from a café restaurant in the heart of Rotterdam? Then City Hall Square off the Coolsingel is a popular and lively option.

Terraces Schouwburgplein
Located around the Theater Square are several café restaurants with large terraces. Handy for a pit stop on the way to the theater, concert, ballet or the movies.

Terraces Witte de Withstraat
A whole busy street full of hip cultural pavement cafes and restaurant options. Not only a great experience when the sun shines but evenings hosts a lively atmosphere. Many options and great fun during festivals and celebrations.

Terrace Café-Restaurant Prachtig
Offering a sublime view of the Maas River at the foot of the Erasmus Bridge (The Swan) this beautifully situated restaurant with a large terrace and spacious light inside is a great place to enjoy good food and a glass. In 2012 Prachtig won the prize for Best Terraced Café in Rotterdam.

Terraces in the centre of Rotterdam

Terrace Thoms
Café Thoms in the Timmerhuis in de Meent is the winner of the AD Terraces trophy 2016.

Terrace Bokaal
Also a winner of the AD Terraces trophy (2015). Biercafé Bokaal has a large terrace at the Nieuwe Markt.

gustorotterdam

Terrace Gusto
Sympathetic terrace at the Schiedamse Vest. Fine Italian bites and wines.

Terrace Laurence Church
Is this medieval Rotterdam? You could think so from the terrace of Proeflokaal de Swarte Leeuw staring at the Laurence Curch and the famous statue of Erasmus.

Terraces with the best views in Rotterdam

Terrace Hotel New York
Take a water taxi to the well-known old terminal for the Holland American Line, now a bustling restaurant/hotel. HNY has  a popular terrace with a wide view of the Maas. Also get a good look at the cruise ships all along the riverside.

Terrace NHOW De Rotterdam
You’ll find a  spectacular view of the Erasmus Bridge and city skyline  30 meters high in the terraced bar of De Rotterdam. An exceptional building designed worldwide by architect Rem Koolhaas.

Terras Engels

Terrace The Suicide Club 
On the roof of the Wholesale Building next to Central Station you’ll find a bar, restaurant and club with a special view of the city.

Unique terraces in Rotterdam

Terrace Restaurant De Schone Lei
Large sunny terrace with a view of the Kralingse Plas, a lake to the North, and the city skyline.

terras ss rotterdam

Terrace Cruiseschip Rotterdam
Experience a special feeling sitting on the stern deck terrace of this renovated cruise ship. The bars, restaurant and the terrace are all free entry options.

Terrace Het Nieuwe Instituut
A combination of design, e-culture and the largest architecture collection this building also includes a large airy light terrace that is listed in the top 100 Dutch terraced cafes. Exceptional experience for everyone, kids too!

Hip terraces in Rotterdam

Biergarten terras

Terrace Biergarten
Hip young Rotterdam goes to the Biergarten. An out of the way open air café serving beer and BBQ in the sun to lots of lovely people accompanied by good music, especially Friday’s. Open from afternoon to midnight  it is very busy  spring and summer, closes for the winter. Meestal zeer druk.

Fenixfood factory terras rotterdam

Terrace Fenix Food Factory
Pick up delicious food choices from the stalls with all sorts of beer inside an old pack house and sit outside on the Katendrecht riverbank with a river view of Wilhelmina pier. Or stay inside and listen to whoever is playing the piano in a living room family style seating construction that feels a bit like being outside. 

Alohabar terras

Terrace Alohabar
Created in what used to be a tropical swimming paradise is now great place to chill. A terraced bar with inside or outside seating depending on season and preference. Gold stars for a good vegetarian menu especially if you are into mushrooms!

Terraces in the Rotterdam city parks

Terrace De Tuin 
The Garden café terrace has been a hit for years in Rotterdam where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Kralingse Lake with its surrounding green park and the city skyline.

Parqiet het Park Rotterdam

Terrace Parqiet
The monumental restored carriage house and restaurant was opened in 2016. Beautiful woods atmosphere in the middle of Het Park.

Vroesenpark paviljoen

Terrace Vroesenpaviljoen
A fine terrace of the lovely Vroesenpaviljoen in the Vroesenpark close to the zoo. Nice small bites.