Rotterdam brunch spots and coffee shops to visit

I recently spent a few days exploring Rotterdam and had a great time discovering the local brunch scene. Here are 3 spots that I would recommend putting on your Rotterdam itinerary.

Backyard

Backyard is a plant-based café and restaurant located at Korte Hoogstraat 14 in the heart of Rotterdam. It has a modern, urban vibe with lots of greenery and a relaxed atmosphere. The space also has an upstairs workspace, making it a great spot for both casual meals and remote work.

The 100% plant-based menu includes options like smoothie bowls, avocado toast, waffles, vegan burgers and desserts such as Oreo cake.

I went there for breakfast, it was nice and quiet at 9 in the morning. The coffee was good, and I would highly recommend the waffle, served with fresh fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup. Perfect to fuel up before a day of sightseeing around the city!

Harvest Café & Bakery

Harvest Café & Bakery is a cozy spot located at Glashaven 105–107 in Rotterdam, offering a Melbourne-inspired café experience.

Founded by a duo with backgrounds in Michelin-starred kitchens and Melbourne's café scene, it emphasizes quality coffee and food.

The café serves breakfast and brunch all day, featuring dishes like poached eggs, avocado toast and fresh pastries. Their coffee menu is notable, with multiple single-origin options and a focus on precision brewing. The in-house bakery produces sourdough breads and pastries, using sustainably sourced ingredients.

Not only is the food delicious and the coffee incredible, but the spot is also overlooking the harbour, offering a great “breakfast with a view” experience if you’re lucky enough to find a seat by the window or on the terrace!

I wish I had got the opportunity to visit this spot more than once, as I would have loved to try different coffees and sample more of their baked goods!

I went for their seasonal overnight oat dish, and picked up a couple takeaway pastries. You can’t go wrong with their cinnamon bun and cashew croissant!

Sococo W70

Sococo W70 is a vibrant coffee bar and co-working space located at Weena 70 in central Rotterdam. Situated in the repurposed former Shell building, now known as W70, the venue offers specialty coffee, a global-inspired menu featuring dishes from Mixblik and Blooming Bakery, and a colorful, dynamic atmosphere. The space includes a ground-floor café and an upstairs work café.

Sococo W70 is also a social enterprise that provides training and employment opportunities for local talent.

This is where I had the best oat flat white in Rotterdam. I stumbled upon this place the morning of the Rotterdam marathon and I’m not sure if it was just a one-off for that day, but they had freshly baked, still warm banana bread that I couldn’t say no to. It was absolutely delicious.