There’s a new rhythm pulsing through Rotterdam’s MaHo district, and its name is Morena. Warm, colourful and full of Latin soul, this new restaurant captures the energy of the continent it celebrates: lively, bold and impossible to forget.

Created by Darryl Peijnenborgh and Faruk Dervis, the duo behind The Iron Lady and The Fat Fox, Morena blends Latin passion with Rotterdam flair. Having visited both of their earlier ventures and enjoyed them, I was curious to see what this restaurant duo would come up with next.

The grand opening

We visit Morena on 15 October 2025, the night of its grand opening. The restaurant is packed, filled with chatter and laughter, and the smooth sounds of samba and bossa nova float through the air courtesy of a live Brazilian band.

Grand opening of Morena, on 15 October 2025

Halfway through the evening, something completely unexpected happens: a group of alpacas walks into the restaurant. Yes, real alpacas. Guests are given snacks to feed them, and the room erupts in disbelief and laughter. It’s playful, a little chaotic and absolutely unforgettable, perfectly matching Morena’s spontaneous energy.

Yes, that's an alpaca...

A space that glows with warmth

The interior feels like a love letter to Latin America. Behind the bar, rows of rum, mezcal and tequila bottles sparkle beneath hanging glassware and cascading greenery. The terracotta tiles, golden accents and soft lighting make the entire space glow.

Large murals of Latina women in tropical settings set the tone: warm, proud and full of life. Velvet curtains, wooden tables and palms add a touch of elegance, while candlelight flickers across brass details and patterned floors. Even the restroom mirror, framed in gold and surrounded by flowers and candles, feels like part of the experience.

The service is excellent. The staff are friendly, attentive and genuinely seem to enjoy what they do. The team is multicultural, each bringing their own energy and charm to the floor, which adds to the restaurant’s warm and inclusive atmosphere.

Morena brings Latin warmth and rhythm to Rotterdam’s MaHo district

Tapas with a Latin heartbeat

My friend and I start with a crispy chicharrón, served on a tortilla with fresh guacamole and lime. The balance between crunchy, creamy and citrusy is spot on.

Next comes a beef empanada, golden and flaky, paired with a bright tomato salsa. Then there’s the oyster mushroom taco, a surprise hit. The mushroom seems lightly fried, topped with baby corn, pickled onion and a touch of green salsa. It’s smoky and earthy with just enough bite.

The steak, similar to picanha, is perfectly cooked with a seasoned crust that adds incredible flavour. We end with a Tres Leches cake, soft and creamy, topped with strawberries and a dusting of cinnamon. Every bite is sweet comfort.

Even though these dishes were part of the opening-night tasting selection, they capture Morena’s essence: bold flavours, bright colours and plenty of soul.

Beef empanada at Morena 

Tres Leches Cake at Morena Rotterdam

Drinks that dance

We begin the evening with a rum punch, bright, fruity and dangerously smooth. Halfway through the night, we order another round, and that’s when we realise just how strong it really is. It’s tropical, delicious and, true to its name, it definitely packs a punch.

The rest of the bar menu follows the same rhythm with mezcal and maracuja, pisco and guava, rum and lime. Every cocktail tells a story.

The Rum Punch at Morena definitely packs a punch

My final word

Morena feels like a restaurant with heart. It’s full of character, warmth and joy, the kind of place that leaves you smiling as you walk out the door. In fact, we had so much fun that after leaving Morena, we headed straight to a salsa and bachata night to keep the rhythm going.

If that doesn’t say something about the energy of the evening, I don’t know what does.

HAPPENING 29 SEP 2025 | The Euromast will light up in red on Monday 29 September as part of Dress Red Day, an annual initiative by the Dutch Heart Foundation to raise awareness of heart disease in women. Visitors can also book a special dinner menu featuring dishes with red accents.

A red icon on the skyline

As Rotterdam’s most recognisable landmark, the Euromast will turn into a glowing red beacon for one evening. The event highlights the importance of recognising cardiovascular problems in women, which are often diagnosed too late.

Alongside the red lighting, the Euromast restaurant will serve a three-, four- or five-course surprise menu created specially for the occasion. Dishes will include seasonal ingredients presented with red details, symbolising strength, love and the work of the Heart Foundation.

Visitors invited to join in

Guests are encouraged to wear red themselves and share their photos on social media, becoming part of the campaign. By turning red, the Euromast joins a national effort to put women’s heart health in the spotlight and to make the issue more visible.

Heart Foundation research shows that women’s symptoms are not always recognised early enough, making awareness and support vital. The red illumination is intended as a large-scale statement to bring that message to the forefront in Rotterdam.

Special Dress Red Day menu

The restaurant team has prepared a one-night-only surprise menu. Prices are set as follows:

• 3 courses – €46.50
• 4 courses (with soup) – €50.00
• 4 courses (with intermediate dish) – €53.50
• 5 courses – €57.00

The menu includes fish, meat and seasonal vegetables, finishing with a dessert. Prices are per person, excluding drinks and the separate entrance fee to the Euromast. Reservations must be made in advance, and guests are asked to share any allergies or dietary requirements when booking.

Practical information

Date: Monday 29 September 2025
Location: Euromast, Rotterdam
Special: 3-, 4- or 5-course surprise menu with red accents
Reservations: www.euromast.nl/dress-red-day

Location and directions

The Euromast stands in Het Park on the edge of the city centre, with views across the river and skyline. It can be reached by tram, metro and bicycle from Rotterdam Centraal Station, or by car via Parkhaven.

It is every restaurant owner's dream to be featured in the Michelin Guide. So naturally, if you're looking for a truly special dining experience, visiting a restaurant with a Michelin star is definitely a great place to start! We've compiled all of Rotterdam's most respected restaurants for you in one list. 

There are eight Michelin star restaurants in and around the greater Rotterdam area. One of them is actually located in Capelle aan den Ijssel, but the town is so well-connected it is often mistaken as one of the city's many suburbs. 

How the Michelin star system works: 
⭐ One star is awarded to a restaurant that is considered very good in its category. 
⭐⭐ Two stars are awarded to a restaurant that offers excellent cooking and is worth a detour.   
⭐⭐⭐ Three stars are awarded to a restaurant that offers exceptional cuisine and is worth a special journey.  

🍃 A green star recognises restaurants that lead in sustainable gastronomy—responsible sourcing, low-waste kitchens, fair practices, and care for the environment; it’s a sustainability distinction, not a measure of culinary quality.

FG Restaurant ⭐⭐

FG Restaurant in Rotterdam

Whether you're looking for excellent seafood or beef, in the mood to taste unique cocktails based on house-crafted gin or in the mood for a shot from the most advanced espresso machine in the world, FG Restaurant is an excellent choice.

The menu features unsalted caviar from the White Siberian sturgeon as well as Hida-gyu, which is considered the finest beef in the world. Don't feel like dressing up for dinner? Who cares! FG Restaurant welcomes all patrons, regardless of dress codes. FG is also the only restaurant in the Netherlands with its own 'flavour laboratory.'

Website: https://fgrestaurant.nl
Address: Katshoek 37b, 3032 AE Rotterdam

Parkheuvel ⭐⭐

Restaurant Parkheuvel in Rotterdam

Parkheuvel, located near the Euromast and on banks of the river Nieuwe Maas, has been crowned with two Michelin stars. Parkheuvel's signature dishes include Oyster, Snails, Wagyu beef, Goose liver, Bresse Chicken and Wild grey-legged partridge. Chef Erik van Loo takes pride in knowing where the ingredients come from and in handpicking suppliers who share the restaurant's philosophy regarding taste and quality.

Parkheuvel's dining room area is shaped like a half-moon, its interior is modern art-deco and the restaurant also has a nice terrace overlooking the river and passing boats. Moreover, if you're bent tasting all the wines, Parkheuvel will even drive you home in your own car! 

Website: http://www.parkheuvel.nl
Address: Heuvellaan 21, 3016 GL Rotterdam

Fred ⭐⭐

Restaurant Fred in Rotterdam

Fred honours the traditional French cuisine while adding its own special touch to every dish. Fred aims to present foods as they are. At Fred, you'd rarely find any pastes, powders or gel on your plate. Specialties include crustaceans, shellfish and all early vegetables. The cuisine is based on the use of acids. For example, citrus fruit, as it ensures that all the dishes are easily digestible. Fred has two Michelin stars. The restaurant is located in the Rotterdam Kralingen area, near the Excelsior stadium and Erasmus University.

Website: https://www.restaurantfred.nl
Address: Honingerdijk 263-265, 3063 AM Rotterdam

Amarone ⭐

Restaurant Amarone in Rotterdam

An open kitchen, a fireplace and luxurious lounge chairs all add to the warm and welcoming vibe at Amarone. The food is based on the French cuisine and their main courses include Dover sole, skin-fried seabass, Anjou pigeon and saddle of venison.

Amarone is also a good choice for wine lovers. Amarone received the "Award of Excellence" for its wine menu from Wine Spectator magazine in 2008 as well as "one star" from The World’s Best Wine List in 2014. Amarone is located on Meent; one of the most popular streets in Rotterdam.

Website: http://www.restaurantamarone.nl
Address: Meent 72a, 3011 JN Rotterdam

Joelia ⭐

Restaurant Joelia in Rotterdam

Joelia by Mario Ridder offers a dining experience fit for royalty! We know because we once spotted the Dutch king & queen having lunch here. The restaurant is located inside the Hilton Rotterdam, which is a national monument in its own right. All dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients and chef Mario's signature dishes include turbot, sole, roe deer and Dutch hare. 

Website: https://joelia.eu (Dutch)
Address: Coolsingel 5, 3012 AA Rotterdam

Fitzgerald ⭐ — Permanently closed, as of 13 July 2025

Fitzgerald in Rotterdam

Fitzgerald was a beautiful restaurant located in Rotterdam's Oude Haven area (near Blaak). It offered a regularly changing menu of contemporary dishes inspired by international cuisine, along with an extensive wine selection numbering in the hundreds. The restaurant was named after writer Francis Scott Fitzgerald, who famously said: “Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.” That, we definitely agreed with—until its permanent closure on 13 July 2025. 

Website: https://www.restaurantfitzgerald.com
Address: Gelderseplein 49, 3011WZ Rotterdam

The Millèn ⭐

Restaurant The Millèn Rotterdam

 

Restaurant The Millèn serves distinctive dishes with cosmpolitan flavours. The restaurant opened in 2018 and managed to claim its Michelin star within 5 months. Owner and worldclass chef Wim Severein takes great pride in only using local and seasonal ingredients in his culinary creations.

At Restaurant The Millèn, you can either dine a la carte or opt for a four, six or eight-course dinner menu featuring scallop, tuna, cod, chaps, sweetbread, venison, le bouygette and passion fruit.

The Millèn is located on the first floor of the Marriott hotel; the iconic grey tower across the street from Rotterdam Central Station. Private dining in also available for groups of up to 16 people.

Website: https://restaurantthemillen.nl/
Address: Weena 686, 3012 CN Rotterdam

 

 

Perceel ⭐

Restaurant Perceel in Capelle aan den Ijssel

Perceel was officially opened in 2010 and it only took 16 months before they were awarded their Michelin star. The meals are prepared with seasonal products. Choose from a four, six or eight-course menu featuring fine dishes such as corvina, cod, beef tartare, farm chicken and desserts such as chocolate (70%) or carrot with tripel beer and lovage. The restaurant is located inside the old Town Hall in Capelle aan den IJssel. 

Website: http://www.restaurantperceel.nl
Address: Dorpsstraat 3, 2902 BC Capelle aan den IJssel 

Zeezout ⭐

Restaurant Zeezout in Rotterdam

Seafood restaurant Zeezout - located in the Scheepvaartkwartier in Rotterdam - has been in existence since 1998. Patron Cuisinier Patrick 't Hart understands the art of handling ingredients in a very careful and honest way. At Zeezout, it's not only what's on the plate that's important, but also what happens around the plate. The focus is on consistent quality and attention to the guests. Every dish on the menu promises something special. In the 20 years that Zeezout has been operating, this approach has paid off.

Website: https://restaurantzeezout.nl/
Address: Westerkade 11, 3016 CL Rotterdam

🍃 Green star restaurants in rotterdam

Michelin’s Green Star highlights restaurants that lead the way in sustainable gastronomy. It recognises things like responsible sourcing, low-waste kitchens, ethical operations, and thoughtful energy use. It is a sustainability distinction and not a measure of culinary quality in the same way as Michelin stars; you can hold a Green Star with or without a traditional star. 

Rotonde 🍃

Rotonde centres vegetables, ferments, preserves, and works nose-to-tail with plants. The team collects produce in an electric van, pours natural and biodynamic wines, and designs the menu around what nature offers, aiming to use every part of each ingredient. Rotonde currently holds a Michelin Green Star and a Bib Gourmand.

Website: restaurantrotonde.nl 
Address: Goudsesingel 230, 3011 KE Rotterdam

Tres 🍃

Tres is an intimate counter-dining experience (about 16 seats) where chef Michael van der Kroft builds a seasonal tasting menu with a tight local radius for producers. At the 2025 Netherlands ceremony in Maastricht, Tres was awarded a Michelin Green Star.

Website: tresrotterdam.com
Address: Vijf Werelddelen 75 (Entrepotgebouw), 3071 PS Rotterdam

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.