Masa - Mezcaleria & Antojitos — Restaurant in Rotterdam

Edit: review updated 12-9-2025:

Sadly Masa is no longer what it used to be. The menu cards got renewed to something that only has a quarter of the previous dishes. Everything is on 1 list, with no explanation of what is a drink, a starter, a main or a dessert. There were only 5 main dishes on it, wildly varying in price and with no explanation at all (for example a dish that just said "lengua"). I know they have more dishes, because you can order a 9 course... so why not put them on the a la carte menu?

Same with the drinks. 10 drinks, with NO explanation of what's in it or what it tastes like. Mostly their own creations, so any knowledge of IBA cocktails won't help you much. And talking about drinks... it should be labeled under "ice cubes" instead of "drinks", because they give you the tiniest glass, which is filled to the brim with a MASSIVE ice cube, and less than a shot glass worth of drink surrounding the ice cube. See the attached photos. Also, previous classics such as the horchata were no longer on the menu.

The food was mostly underwhelming. A tiny slice of cucumber with spices, some totopos that were okay. Then a fish taco where the fish smelled AND tasted old. Then there was cochinita pibil as the main course, which was thankfully delicious and very nicely made (aside from the store bought tortillas... come on guys, you charge WAY too much money to not be making your own tortillas). Then there was a diep fried dish with some sort of ice cream. That was tasty too. Overall, Im happy I "only" bought the 5 course menu (which didnt make us full, but still cost us 120 euros for 2 people), because at least it left me with some budget to still go for chicken wings around the corner.

Just go back to the old concept guys... this is not it. In this market, people no longer want to spend a huge amount of money on mediocre service and quality.

Old review: Delicious elevated modern take on mexican cuisine. The restaurant looks cozy and gorgeous, and the food and drinks are both fantastic. The staff is very friendly...

Update – One Year Later

I felt it was important to update my review from last year because unfortunately my experience has drastically changed.

When I first visited, everything was excellent, from the food to the cocktails, the service, and the atmosphere. It truly felt like a little escape, one of those rare restaurants where every detail came together to create something magical. Sadly, my recent visit was a completely different story.

Much of what made this place feel special is gone. The food, which once felt creative and full of inspiration, now comes across as flat and without soul. I also really miss the staff that was working here a year ago. Their warmth, the stories they shared, and the explanations they gave with each dish and drink made the whole experience so personal and unique. Without that, the energy feels hollow, as though the heart of the place has been lost.

Instead of being a standout destination, it is starting to feel like just another restaurant in Rotterdam, blending into the scene rather than defining it. And that is truly sad to see, because this used to be one of my favorites.

I sincerely hope they find their way back to what once made them shine, but as of now, I cannot recommend it with the same enthusiasm as before.

Came here on Friday to celebrate my girlfriends birthday. From the moment we entered we felt like we were on vacation. Excellent food, amazing staff and just a great experience overall.

My favourite dishes were the aubergine tacos and the conxhinta pibil. Also the best cocktail I've had in Rotterdam. I would definitely recommend a visit if you're interested in Mexican food and mezcal. We were seated at the bar which turned out to be an excellent decision. Fun conversations with the barenter Noa was a great host and made our experience extra special.

10/10, you will definitely see us back soon for more food,...

What a unique and fantastic offering! We were with three people, had been looking forward to the meal already for some time based on the reviews. And it didn't disappoint.

We went all-in, 9 courses with drinks pairing and some oysters to start. Every course had something that was completely innovative or unknown to us, either in ingredient or technique. As others have pointed out, don't come here expecting classic tacos el pastor. This is modern culinary approach to the Mexican kitchen.

Some highlights: pistachio guacamole because avocados are a problematic vegetable to source ethically a passion fruit hollandaise white mole with macadamia nuts with a juicy pork chop

If you're familiar with mezcal, you will be thrilled by the quality and choice. If you're newer to it, the staff is awesome at helping you discover (through tasting) different characteristics. The cocktails are equally innovative and delicious.

There are a couple of notes. It would be great if you got a nice basket of (corn)bread along with the meal. The sauces are amazing and you want something to scoop up every last drop. Also the portions focus on flavour rather than filling - even after 9 courses we did still end up getting a snack on the way home. Some good bread would totally solve that.

It's not cheap. We ended up pushing €150 pp including some after-dinner drinks. If you're into flavour-/creativity-first cuisine then you will adore the innovation and discovery.. but not everyone will perceive the same value.

The staff is amazing. Truly friendly and knowledgeable about the food and the mezcal. They are totally into what they're doing and you sense an authentic interest in what you think of the food. Really nice conversations.

Looking forward to...