Top spots on the van Oldenbarneveltstraat and the Karel Doormanstraat
Mangiare
You feel like you have landed in Italy when you step into Mangiare (Italian for food). If you can tear yourself away from the antipasti choices at the counter you’ll find more on offer in the elevated dining area and in the restaurant – with small garden – downstairs. A blackboard menu lists the day’s dishes and the chef’s specials are explained at your table by your waiter. The kitchen serves up platters of delicious antipasti that can be followed by a main chosen from a wide selection of pasta dishes or fish and meat options.
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 150
‘s Zomers Bloemen
Inspired by the fantastical world of Alice in Wonderland this wonderful shop is awash with flowers, interesting vases, stuffed animal displays, and ornaments. A glass fish on a furry rug or a huge porcelain peacock might be just the thing you are looking for!
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 144
L’Ouest
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat is often referred to as Rotterdam’s ‘Rue de Mode’ but it is also a good dining destination. The L’Ouest tasting room has more than 40 different wines to choose from, imported from all around the world. Enjoy a glass with tapas or a meat and cheese platter. The restaurant’s menu has been created to offer diners food and wine options that are geared to one another.
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 139
Nostra
Loyal patrons frequent this cheerful wine bar for its high teas and high wines. Its menu includes club sandwiches, wild sockeye salmon, rib-eye steak salad, and gorgonzola dolce on bread with locally made condiments.
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 127a
Alice in Cakeland
I Lemon You Berry Much, Pink Velvet, and Queen B are some of the tempting cupcakes sold at Alice in Cakeland. Freshly baked every day using quality ingredients, pure butter, and no artificial additives. You can order custom made cupcakes for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions. Alice in Cakeland also runs cupcake workshops.
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 117
Theemaas
This specialty shop sells over 180 teas and 45 different coffee varieties from all around the world. It also sells beautiful modern ceramics (collected by the owner, a former Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum employee), delicatessen items that go with tea and coffee, tea and coffee tins and pots, books about tea, and chocolate.
Karel Doormanstraat 469
C.E.O Baas van de Lunch
Affiliated to Joelia, a two-star restaurant, but without the two-star prices! Specialties include steak sandwiches with goose liver and truffle jus, eggs Benedict, and Mr C.E.O, a meatball served with (organic) bread and jus. Attention to detail is all important for the owners of this establishment.
Karel Doormanstraat 368-370
The Sue Store
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of sweet things. Sue (real name: Kim) makes sugar-free, lactose-free, raw, and vegan treats using unrefined natural sugars. You’ll be seriously tempted by her raspberry cheesecake, tiramisu, or salted caramel with almonds, dates, peanut butter, vanilla, cacao, and pecan nuts.
Karel Doormanstraat 34b (from 15 June at number 372)
Van Beek en Specker
An authentic Rotterdam patisserie and confectionary run by two families. Quality and craftmanship are key ingredients for their tarts, cakes, and chocolate products. Their ‘appelkanjers’ are world famous in Rotterdam— a flaky pastry case with an apple filling, topped with chopped nuts. Their strawberry sponge cake and hazelnut meringues are also delicious.
De Koffiebar
Get your Italian Buscaglione caffè crema at this coffee bar, open from early morning till the evening. The red carpet that runs through the terrace leads you to De Koffiebar’s comfortable interior where you can sit and work or just relax. Like the gentleman observed sitting in front of the café’s large window, earphones on, reading a book; in front of him a cappuccino and one of six (!) Koffiebar’s delicious cheesecakes..
Karel Doormanstraat 352
Stone Island by Country House
This shop specialises in Italian designed, quality casual gear for men. Stone Island, with its distinctive compass logo, is their main label. They also sell jackets by C.P Company, jeans by Denham, and jumpers by Ten C (an acronym for The Emperor’s New Clothes).
Karel Doormanstraat 344
Hutspot Rotterdam
A fantastic mini-warehouse that sells a hotch-potch (hutspot) of wares such as clothes, bikes, lamps, furniture, accessories, and heaps of other must-haves. This concept store is a great place to check out new and interesting brands, designers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Its owners are always on the lookout for unique products made with care and attention to detail, such as the beautifully crafted combs, scissors, knives, and tweezers by Bensenhaver
Karel Doormanstraat 317
Caesar Uomo en Donne
Looking for high-end women’s and men’s fashion or always wanted a classic Eloise bag by Christian Louboutin? Caesar Uomo en Donne sells exclusive labels, including Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Laurent, and Valentino. This stylish store has the latest threads from the world’s top fashion houses. Customers are welcome to ask the shop assistants for styling tips and fashion advice.
Karel Doormanstraat 257 and 263
Jac A. van Zanten
A delicatessen specializing in British food and gifts such as Mrs Ball’s chutneys or Emma Bridgewater’s crockery. High tea is served in the ‘living room’ (and wine section) space a couple of steps up at the back of the shop.
Karel Doormanstraat 292
