5 of the most fabulous bakeries and pastry shops in Rotterdam

Jordy Klootwijk was born into a baker’s family. In 2011, he opened his own bakery and lunchroom. People queue here to buy sourdough bread, but you can also sit down and enjoy a toasted sourdough sandwich. Finish your meal with a macadamia cookie or a brownie.

Sourdough, sourdough and more sourdough. At Das Brot they make artisan breads with a long rise time. The excellent croissants and pains au chocolat also may take up to three days to reach perfection. Das Brot has a steadily growing fan base.

Californian native Sereni Horton moved to Rotterdam for love and started her own pastry shop where she combines American staples like cookies, brownies, blondies, and lemon bars with a Rotterdam no nonsense attitude. People who’ve tasted her magic cookie bar, made of pure and white chocolate, cranberries, raisins and pecan nuts keep coming back for more.

Mother and daughter team Elena and Anastasia de Ruyter only bake and serve what they like, because life’s too short to eat bad food. They use local and organic produce. They serve breakfast and lunch, but are most famous for their afternoon tea with breads, cakes, chocolates, scones, quiche and a Russian samovar. Reserve ahead.

Locals get their fresh and organic sourdough bread through a subscription, while passers-by settle down for a cup of coffee and excellent pastries. Big plusses are the bright blue interior and a terrace overlooking the River Maas. Open Wednesday through Saturday.