This is a culinary place that is so worldly, innovative, and flavorful that it would be unfair to keep it to myself, so here I share it with you. DoDo: restaurant, café, and bar in one. But where to start…

I actually stumbled upon this spot when a friend and I once again missed the movie due to my poor planning and had to fill an hour. Around the corner from Pathé Schouwburgplein, we found the terrace of DoDo, where our sulking mood disappeared like snow in the sun thanks to the tropical cocktails and bites they served here. Of course, there came a moment when I had to visit the restroom, and upon entering, I was surprised by the interior, which I can only describe as f***ing fantastic. Spread across different themed rooms including The Grand Café, The Jazz Room, The Havana Room, and The Tattoo Room, there is space for about 220 guests. The restaurant is filled with antique, vintage furniture, and you will also find various creative solutions, artworks, and recycled materials. New combined with old, just like Rotterdam itself.

Many Rotterdammers, Hagenezen, or lovers of these cities are surely familiar with the Vietnamese restaurant Little V, a delightful place to visit if you ask me. This successful formula is from the creative Tan Do, and he just happens to be the owner of this (if you ask me) new success story.

You can find DoDo on Karel Doormanstraat, also referred to by Tan as ‘the gateway to the city’ since everyone enters the center here via the central station or the access roads. Where Rotterdammers, day-trippers, and tourists come together. And that last part is exactly what he hopes to create with DoDo: a place to connect, enjoy drinks together, and savor worldly dishes and the tastiest cocktails.

Last Monday, I had the chance to return to this almost non-Dutch place to try some dishes from the new menu, and it was enjoyable once again. To be honest: ‘spicy’ was the common thread through these dishes, but I don't know how good of a gauge I am since I can already find sweet chili sauce spicy. Anyway, if you also start to drool at oysters with basil dressing, tuna-watermelon tartare, and fried sticky chicken Bao Bao, be sure to save this tip and share it with your favorite dining companions.