As a local, having grown up in Rotterdam, I’ve witnessed the city becoming increasingly international, and I absolutely love the abundance of café options available. However, the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming. That’s why I’ve decided to create a minimap of Rotterdam, sharing these wonderful places so that more people can enjoy them!

As a matcha fan myself, the cafes mentioned mostly serve matcha! I adore cute and aesthetic designs, so I always take that into consideration when cafe hopping. Not only are these places cute and aesthetically pleasing, but I also love engaging with the owners to get a feel for the place. I enjoy asking about their story and why they started their business. This adds a personal touch, which is also important to me—good food paired with good vibes!

Edited by Pei Ling & illustrated by Victoria Fernández.

Free to download, ready to print!

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1. Swallow Cake

This has a cute vibe, selling different kinds of Chinese cakes. Originally, they started online selling cakes and now they have expanded to a café! They have traditional flavors like their taro cake and meat floss cake. Besides cakes they also sell boba to cleanse your pallet after their delicious cake.

2. Round and Round

Cute Japanse style cafe that have really yummy cakes rolls, pancakes, dorayaki and drinks.
Their menu changes due to seasonal products and new creations! They also have high tea specials, loose tea options and savory pancakes for those who don’t like sweets. Love the matcha ice cream latte with rose petals. So refreshing!

Enjoying a delicious assorted of snacks @ Round and Round · Photos: Pei Ling

3. Matcha Next Door

One of my fave places in Rotterdam for matcha lovers! Same owners as the Round and Round café. They literally opened this store next door for people to enjoy matcha to the fullest. This has a more teahouse vibe. Their menu changes also due to seasonal products and new (matcha) creations! For the not matcha lovers, they also have coffee options.

My fave is their “Ichigo field” drink. This combination is so yummy! Iced matcha latte with strawberries, lychee jellies and with a sea salt cheese foam!

Matcha lovers, here’s your place! · Photos: Pei Ling.

4. Sue

This is an all vegan cafe. All their products are sweetened with natural ingredients. Famous for their mini bite size cakes (“Sue Bites”).
They have a cafe and a bakery in Rotterdam. Everything is handmade in their bakery. I love coming here for a hot matcha latte with their choco banana bread.
I usually also get a box of Sue bites and their choc chip cookie to bring back home.

5. Backyard

A bit hidden in the city center of Rotterdam, but worth a visit. This has a wood aesthetic vibe with a wooden tree as decoration. This is a plant-based café, that is also open in the evening. Selling also matcha, they also have good food here. Breakfast food, finger food, dinner, and cocktails.

6. Jordy’s Bakery

Local favorite bakery in Rotterdam. This has a homey vibe style. They sell nutritious breads, traditionally prepared and different kinds of pastries. I love to come here for a nice sandwich with their famous traditionally prepared bread. I often also pop in to take away bread for at home and check what kind of seasonal pastries they have!

7. Hotel Âme

Love the aesthetics of this place. It has a Japandi vibe. And best of all, they have matcha! They also sell canelés, banana bun cake and sometimes they also have cakes from Round and Round.
This is also a hotel so perfect to stay a night and explore Rotterdam! There is also a little shop that have local handmade designers’ products, ceramics, magazines and travelbooks.