The Fat Fox — Restaurant in Rotterdam

The Fat Fox is a cozy and vibrant spot that stands out for its hearty, imaginative menu and laid-back, welcoming vibe. Located in an easy-to-reach part of town, it has quickly gained popularity for both casual brunches and lively dinners.

Atmosphere: Upon walking in, The Fat Fox feels like a blend of vintage charm and contemporary warmth. Its rustic decor—think warm woods, quirky fox-themed art, and dim lighting—creates a relaxed, inviting ambiance. It's the kind of place where you can sink into a comfortable booth or grab a casual bar seat. The atmosphere is bustling, especially during peak hours, but it never feels overwhelming.

Service: The staff at The Fat Fox are attentive without being overbearing. They strike a nice balance between friendliness and professionalism, knowledgeable about the menu, and quick to offer recommendations. Service is generally prompt, and you can tell the team enjoys the food they’re serving, which adds to the overall experience.

Food: The Fat Fox offers a menu that could be described as upscale comfort food with a creative twist. The portions are generous, and the flavors are bold.

Brunch Favorites: Their brunch menu is particularly noteworthy, with standout options like the "Fox’s Benedict" featuring house-smoked salmon, and the rich, perfectly seasoned shakshuka. The avocado toast, topped with fresh herbs and feta, is also a hit for those looking for something lighter.

Dinner Options: The dinner menu includes seasonal items that highlight fresh, local ingredients. Their signature burger is a must-try, juicy and layered with house-made sauces, while the roasted vegetable platter offers an unexpected level of flavor for a plant-based dish. The dishes are thoughtfully plated, with an emphasis on vibrant, fresh ingredients.

Drinks: The Fat Fox has an impressive drink menu, with a mix of craft cocktails, local beers, and a well-curated wine list. Cocktails like the "Fox’s Tail"—a citrusy gin concoction with a hint of basil—are refreshing and creative. Their bartenders know their stuff, so don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations.

Price: While The Fat Fox isn’t the cheapest option in town, the quality and portion sizes justify the price. Brunch averages around $15-$20 per plate, while dinner entrees range from $20-$30. It’s a spot that feels like a treat but remains accessible for a special weekend meal.

Final Verdict: The Fat Fox is a gem of a restaurant that balances quality with a relaxed, neighborhood feel. With its friendly service, inventive dishes, and cozy atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for both a casual meet-up and a special night out. Whether you're a brunch lover or looking for a cozy evening meal, The Fat Fox delivers a consistently...

Booked the Mon-Tue-Wed special: €16 for steak & fries.

Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from start to finish.

Service was confusing. Our waiter did not speak Dutch and he spoke very little English - which made communication difficult. He was also not aware of the steak & fries deal and kept asking which steak we wanted. In the end, my husband showed him the offer on his phone. We asked if it was possible to swap the fries for a lower carb option, such as the charred broccoli. He checked with his colleague and said it was not possible. But he did say it was possible to swap the regular fries for sweet potato fries. My husband ordered the regular fries and I ordered the sweet potato fries.

After a 50 min wait, our food arrived. Both steaks came covered in a creamy mushroom sauce with fresh spring onions. Very disappointing. On the menu sauces are listed separately and come at an additional cost. Neither of us would have ordered a sauce. We prefer our steak plain; simply with butter, salt and pepper. Also, my husband dislikes mushrooms and I dislike spring onion. So, neither of us enjoyed our steak. (Since we had already waited 50 min for our food, we did not send it back.)

Our order was wrong. Both plates came with regular fries. No sweet potato fries. And, a side of charred broccoli appeared - which we had not ordered. It was not very tasty either. Only half of it was charred, the rest was soft and not at all crispy. (The waitress removed the charred broccoli from our bill and told us we could keep the side.)

The food itself was underwhelming. The steak was fine. The fries were hot and crispy, but dry and lacking salt.

On paper, the deal looks appealing. In practice, the long wait, poor communication, multiple mistakes, and disappointing flavours made it...

I'm not sure if the restaurant was short-staffed or if something had happened between staff, but the vibe was really odd! The older gentleman (I think the maître d) was warm and friendly, but he showed us to our table then we waited 35 minutes before anyone else came to us! Customers that had come in after us were seen before us. When the waitress finally got to us, I mentioned that nobody had been to us yet - I'm far too British to complain in a restaurant, so I wasn't a knob about it - but she didn't offer an apology or explaination as to why we'd waited so long...which would have taken the sting out of it a little, but she gave us nothing. I get it, I've worked in hospitality and the public are exhausting, but it helps to pretend you care, especially when you've kept someone waiting! 😂 I started to think maybe I'd offended her in some way! 😬 Thankfully the food was worth the wait - the burrata was gorgeous and the ribeye and short rib were melt-in-your-mouth delicious! We didn't get one of our side dishes and the maître d hinted that the kitchen was busy and said it was on the way...it never actually arrived. The desserts sounded lovely but we felt so awkward we just wanted to get out of there so requested the bill. We explained to the waitress that we didn’t get one of our sides and she did take it off but, again, there was no apology or explanation - it honestly felt like we were just an annoyance to her. 😳 When we paid, the barman who took our payment was also so bizarrely cold and dismissive - I felt so uncomfortable and we left feeling really let down. Such a shame because the place looks great and the food was yummy, I just couldn't work out why the staff seemed so lifeless. We didn't feel looked after or comfortable so I can't recommend it despite the wins...