ROTTERDAM, 4 September 2025 – A new restaurant and bar concept is set to open inside a historic building on the Mathenesserlaan. MIES will combine seasonal dining with art, culture and local community events.
MIES to open inside Morgan & Mees boutique hotel in Rotterdam
Rotterdam will welcome a new addition to its culinary and cultural scene on 15 October, as boutique hotel Morgan & Mees launches its independent restaurant and bar concept, MIES. Located in the former Instituut Schoevers building on the Mathenesserlaan, the venue has been named in honour of Mies Lanen, the institute’s founder and a prominent advocate for women's rights.
Previously integrated within the hotel, the restaurant has now been reimagined as a stand-alone concept with its own identity. MIES aims to be a meeting place where food, art and community intersect. The concept embraces both the heritage of the location and a forward-thinking outlook.
A focus on seasonal dining and local influence
MIES will offer a menu designed by chef Lucas Jeffries, available from Wednesday through Saturday. Guests can choose from an à la carte selection or opt for a set menu of three to five courses. On Sundays, a family-style lunch will be served.
The kitchen philosophy revolves around Dutch classics reinterpreted through a modern lens, using seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Attention to detail and culinary craftsmanship are central to the menu.
The bar will serve as a key gathering point within the space, offering a range of snacks and cocktails. From Sunday to Tuesday, breakfast and lunch will be available. In the evenings, the bar will remain open with a full bar menu and daily dish inspired by Dutch culinary heritage.
During these days, the main dining area will be available for private events, workshops, lectures and other activities in line with MIES’s broader cultural and social goals.
Art, culture and community at the core
Beyond food and drink, MIES intends to serve as a platform for artistic and social engagement. In collaboration with ArtPublicity, a new artist will be featured quarterly, with works displayed throughout the building. The first to be featured is Melissa Moria, whose work will be unveiled at a special event.
In addition to visual art, MIES will host a series of cultural evenings, including live music, intimate performances and thematic dinners. Community-based initiatives are also part of the agenda. MIES previously collaborated with Oma’s Soep to connect different generations through shared meals and stories, and participated in the Nationale Monumentendag (Dutch National Heritage Day) to celebrate the building’s history.
Workshops, lectures and other gatherings focusing on social themes and local entrepreneurship are expected to continue playing a role in the venue’s evolving programme.
A legacy honoured through contemporary hospitality
The building where MIES is located was commissioned in 1938 by Mies Lanen as a training institute for young women. At the time, it offered an alternative to traditional gender roles, promoting education and professional ambition.
Lanen herself lived on the top floor, symbolising her leadership and vision. Nearly a century later, that legacy is being acknowledged through a concept that blends strength, creativity and progress. MIES aims to continue her mission in a modern context, fostering community while serving food and drink with a local identity.
How to get there
MIES is located inside Morgan & Mees Rotterdam on the Mathenesserlaan. The area is situated west of the city centre, within walking distance of the Nieuwe Binnenweg and easily accessible by tram or bicycle. The street is known for its historical buildings and residential charm.
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