Prague Food and Drink

If you’re after a trendy eatery, then this is not it.

Instead, De Ballentent has a wonderful old-school feel as you slip into a seat amongst older locals who are catching up over beers and deep fried snacks.

Speaking of which, we decided we had to try both bitterballen – thick stew cooled down, rolled up, breaded then fried (€6,50 for a portion) – and kroketten – deep fried meat ragout (€9,20 with fries). And since De Ballentent is known for them, we also ordered a whopping great meatball too (€4,90).

Oh and you  have to also order some pindasaus – peanut sauce (€1,20).

What arrived wasn’t fancy, but it sure was tasty and went down especially well with a half of Heineken!

Spikizi Bar is a small, trendy bar that is embracing the fact its ‘hidden’ on a side street off raucous Witte de Withstraat.

However, that’s where it’s ‘speakeasy’ demeanour ends as staff loudly welcomed us in as we peered in from the pavement!

There’s a great cocktail selection – with prices starting from €12,50 – and James and I decided to opt for the ‘Henny Houseman’ and a ‘Murder She Wrote’ for €14 a pop. Both were labelled as ‘strong’ which may or may not have swayed our choice (and not the only thing swaying after these bad boys!).

There’s also a cocktail called ‘Pussy Juice’ but the less said about that the better… Ahem!

Can you get cocktails cheaper elsewhere? Yes. But they’re really well made, the staff are great and they kept bringing crisps to our table.

Put it this way, we loved it so much we stayed for one more. Cheers to that!

Whilst traditional dutch foods such as poffertjes – those delicious small pancakes – have become popular all over Europe, there’s another famous dish that doesn’t seem to have the same appeal.

Enter: hollandse nieuwe haring

What’s that?!

It’s picked herring.

Now, before you turn your nose up, remember that they are popular for a reason! They’re not too ‘fishy’ and often come served with some raw onion which pairs with it really nicely. What’s more, you can try it for just €3.

I’m actually quite partial to a bit of herring, though I haven’t been able to eat them like a local just yet – which is in one, dropping it in your mouth by the tail!!

If this is all a step too far for you then go for the ‘kibbeling’ instead which is ‘fried white fish’. My kibbeling sandwich (€6,00) came with a delicious tartar like sauce in a soft roll. Let’s be honest, it’s just a fancy fish finger butty – but a good one at that!

They’ve got bar snacking right in Northern Spain and so it’s wonderful these ‘pinchos’ make their way over to Rotterdam too.

It’s a simple dish – sliced bread with a variety of toppings – but with options including cheese, meats and sauces, there’s more than enough to get excited about. They also have vegan and halal options too!

The pinchos cost €3 each, 5 for €13,50 (€2.70 each) or 10 for €25 (€2,50 each).

Whilst those native to Spain may squeal at the prices (you can get served pinchos for free along with your drinks at bars!) it’s a very affordable option in the Markthal, especially as there’s a place to sit down and take a well earned rest from exploring.

Bea (host) and Martin (cook) run a cosy restaurant serving homemade and traditional Dutch dishes. It’s pretty small but there is a great family atmosphere!

The food is authentic, the portion sizes are generous and the prices are pretty fair. It’s also one of the best places to try the traditional Dutch dish Stamppot! The meal is a combination of potatoes mashed with vegetables; it’s typically served with a smoked sausage.

However, a favourite on the menu is the beef stew! The menu is displayed on a blackboard in the restaurant but you can see the dish of the day and prices on their Facebook page.

Rotterdam’s Michelin star Restaurant Fitzgerald has a well-earned reputation for being one of the best restaurants in the city. It is indeed pretty fancy but worthy of an end-of-trip treat. You can opt for the à la carte or go for one of their set menus with 5, 6, or 7 courses, depending on your preference. Their signature dish is the pigeon, which is also highly rated by visitors. However, all of the dishes are like art pieces; some meals get a little theatrical with extra interactive elements.

Restaurant Fitzgerald also offers a crazy 1700 different wines; the staff are more than happy to help you with pairings for the different courses. They take lunch and dinner bookings but you’ll need to make a reservation in advance to secure a table. The dress code is smart casual as they still have quite a relaxed atmosphere.

Although a night out at Restaurant Fitzgerald will cost you well over €100 per person you’re ultimately paying for a world class (and pretty entertaining) dining experience at a Michelin star restaurant.

Located in the iconic Delfhaven neighbourhood of Rotterdam, the Evermore Thee cafe is a great place to stop for some refreshments while out exploring!

When I was in Delfhaven, I also made sure to swing by the cosy cafe and sample their coffee. The best part is that it’s not as crowded as other touristy areas, so you can really chill out and soak in the atmosphere. Plus, they’ve got tasty snacks and pastries to go along with your drink.

Korean restaurant and bar serving fried chicken and beer – with soju to drink along with it!

You know a place is going to be good when there’s a queue forming outside. I waited just 5 minutes before being shown inside (getting a seat outside in the sun may take a while longer!) and was told they’d need the table back in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

I needn’t of worried. The service is so fast that before we knew it our ‘garlic soy’ and ‘onion lover’ fried chicken arrived along with a bowl of slaw (€13,50 each). I’d ordered a side of fries (€5,50) but wish I hadn’t – the portions were huge! The chicken was amazing but thank god they provided plastic gloves for eating – it does get a bit messy.

On leaving, the queue outside had tripled so I definitely recommend getting there early.

Poffertjessalon Seth is one of the best places to try the traditional, sweet Dutch pastry known as ‘Poffertjes’. The mini, sugared pancakes are popular at summertime festivals and Christmas markets.

However, you can try them right here, at Rotterdam’s Poffertjessalon Seth! Sit outside under canopies or head inside to the little compartments and wooden benches. They have very friendly staff and quick service, whisking out plates of teeny pancakes caked in powdered sugar and bathed in butter. They’re priced at €4 for 10 Poffertjes and you can choose from an extra assortment of toppings like fruits and sweet sauces for an additional fee.

You can also enjoy other pastries and cakes, as well as hot drinks and alcoholic beverages.