Restaurant Bierhandel De Pijp — Restaurant in Rotterdam

I visited Bierhandel De Pijp in Rotterdam recently and I must say—this place is something special. If you’re looking for a restaurant with history, character, and truly great food (that ribeye steak deserves special praise!), this is one you should put high on your list.

Atmosphere & Setting From the moment you walk in, you know you’ve entered a place with soul. The interiors are nostalgic, almost time-capsule-like: dark wood, long communal tables, old photo frames, walls full of memorabilia, and yes, even the peanut shells on the floor add to the quirky, informal charm. 

The open kitchen gives you a front-row view of the cooking action: chefs in crisp white coats, flames, sizzles, and that delicious aroma of steaks and traditional Dutch-French dishes being prepared. It feels warm, bustling, and genuine—not a polished show, but beautifully honest. 

Service & Staff The service is friendly, approachable, and well-informed. The waitstaff seem proud to work here, often wearing tradition on their sleeves (literally: white jackets, chalk under fingernails, kind of thing). They’re helpful, they give good recommendations, and they don’t try to rush you. Even though the place is busy, there’s a convivial ease to the way things are run. 

The Food: Ribeye Steak & Other Dishes Here’s where Bierhandel De Pijp really shines. I ordered the ribeye steak, and I still dream about it. Perfect sear, juicy, with a great depth of flavour—just what you want from good beef. It came with simple accompaniments that let the steak be the star: baked potatoes or fries, seasonal vegetables, perhaps a dollop of herb butter or a sauce on the side. If you like your steak with character (taste, texture, flavour), this one delivers.

Other dishes on offer are classic and comforting. Think tournedos, baked mussels, fried liver with bacon and onions, stewed beef, capucijners with bacon—each dish feels rooted in tradition, well executed, and generous. 

Price & Value It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for. The quality of food, atmosphere, and history make the cost feel fair. Portion sizes are good, the meat is well treated, the drinks are decent. If you want a special dinner, this spot delivers. Some guests do note that a full meal with drinks can add up. 

Things to Consider • Be prepared for loud ambiance: communal tables, chatter, the clatter of cutlery, and lively discussions. It’s part of the charm, but not ideal if you’re after a quiet, intimate night. • The decor is charming but worn—in a good way—but it can feel rustic. If you prefer things modern and sleek, this won’t be your style. • Make reservations when possible, especially on busy nights. It fills up. 

Final Thoughts All in all, Bierhandel De Pijp gives you more than just a meal—it gives you a sense of place. The food, especially that ribeye steak, is excellent. The ambiance feels like coming home to an old friend you haven’t visited in years. For anyone who values character, history, and just great, well-cooked food, this is a gem. Will...

A new discovery for us, and by new I mean the oldest restaurant in Rotterdam. We picked Bierhandel de Pijp for dinner because it's nearby and we couldn't be happier with our choice. It's a traditional French-Dutch restaurant, with a history that goes back to the 19th century.

We ordered the stewed beef with red cabbage and duck confit with sherry and plums from their mains. The duck was soft and tender, sliding off the bones easily and the sauce was was well-seasoned. The beef stew was also juicy and well-cooked. Both dishes came with pan-fried potatoes and a side salad. Potatoes were crispy with just enough salt, and the salad was well-dressed. For dessert, our waiter suggested the Zo'n Pakket, which had their homemade ice cake covered with pancakes, and covered with sugar. You can smell the pancakes as they are freshly made right in the middle of the restaurant, even before they arrive your table! The ice cake was delicious, and the warm pancakes complemented the cake so well. Our waiter was spot on with his suggestion, but he was wrong in that the plate was certainly not enough for 2 people. So we had to order a 2nd dessert, and we went for their cinnamon ice-cream. Their home-made ice-cream was served with cripsy cookies (kletskoppen), topped with whipped cream. Both dessert, I suggest you order as many dessert as you can from their menu since they were all very tasty and fresh made.

The atmosphere inside the restaurant is cozy, it's full of easter eggs. Each time you look at a spot you notice something new. Their service is also really good, you can tell it's a well-established restaurant since the staff is very professional and knowledgable about the food. Overall, we had an amazing meal, and really enjoyed our time at Bierhandel De Pijp, can't...

Bierhandel De Pijp is one of the oldest restaurants of Rotterdam. Tracing its origins as a Heineken distribution centre and hence the name, the place is now a great steakhouse with a decor that's reminiscent of its time as the hub of the student resistance movement during WWII. In typical Rotterdam style, it is very down to earth and hidden in plain sight. It has a good selection of beers which go well with the dishes. The preparation time for the steaks took a bit long, but quality isn't a speed game. The steaks were cooked to perfection with the sauce being made from "melted garlic" (at least that's how I understood it :)), giving the dish a very unique taste. At the end of the evening I requested the waiter for some coasters for my coaster collection. The waiter was more than happy to give me a complimentary beer glass instead! That's customer...