On a budget: Ballroom

No energy left to cook? We get it. But tasty food is a must, so never settle for less. That’s why we’ve put together our tips for truly delicious takeout meals, the best delivery services and affordable places.

Witte de Withstraat has been Rotterdam’s coolest street for years, with its own festival, a few great bars and, according to many, the best burger joint in the Netherlands. And yes, you’ll also find Ballroom here.

Ballroom is a trendy restaurant with a down-to-earth Rotterdam edge. The interior features the familiar marble tables and wooden chairs, but fortunately it isn’t overly stylish. Apart from the hipster flamingo perched above the bar, that is. Most guests are between twenty-five and forty years old, which isn’t surprising given the prices on the menu and the location in the heart of the city’s nightlife district.

Whether it remains entirely budget-friendly, we have our doubts.

Balls

Here you eat bar food such as a 63-degree egg with beans and Pecorino, grilled octopus with bell pepper mayonnaise, Rotterdam-style bitterballen, and mussels with caponata. For €16.50 per person, you get a selection of the snacks.

You can get a main course for as little as €12.50. The classic tagliatelle alla bolognese is served in a large white deep plate and tastes exactly as it should. Including a glass of wine, you’ll spend less than twenty euros per person.

To round off the evening (or start it), you can sample one of the 105 gins and dance until around two o’clock. Whether it remains entirely budget-friendly, we have our doubts.

Witte de Withstraat 88b
3012 BT, Rotterdam

Image: Irene van Guin