Pesca Rotterdam

****Later edit****

After a not so lucky first dining experience at Pesca, the venue reached out to us in order to understand what might have caused our food poisoning. They really were concerned with our well being and behaved very professional. As an apology, they sent us a limoncello bottle at home and they invited us to dine again on their expense. We decided to give the venue a second chance as we didn’t want to end with a bad memory. The second experience was fantastic. We were welcomed with a glass of Cava and some butter and bread while the fish market opened (this time we went for lunch). Then we tried the marinated salmon, scallops, tuna steak and the grilled dorade, all delicious and perfectly cook. We ended with the chocolate party dessert which was also very good. Overall an amazing experience and we thank the staff for how they acted in this situation. We now have a good memory and opinion of Pesca and we will return with other occasions as well.

***Original review***

What started as a lovely dinner turned out into the worst food poisoning. Me and my friend chose this place for a celebration as we are both fish and seafood lovers, and the reviews were really good. While the dinner itself was nice, the food tasted good and we loved the fish market concept, the next day things started to go downhill. We both got very sick, with vomiting, diarrhea, shivering, fever and fainting. We thought whether this was caused by something else, but this was the only meal we had in common and all the other food we ate afterwards was at home, stuff that we usually eat. Therefore although we loved the concept, the atmosphere, the wine and the food options, something was clearly not fresh (we had oysters, lobster, langoustines, octopus and mussels). So I can only give this place one star because it was a very expensive food poisoning and we will not be remaining with a good memory of this place. My advice is don’t take the risk!!

As a food lover, I was elated to find this gem in Rotterdam. Situated within a grand hotel, Pesca is a fantastic showcase of local seafood, served with an inventive and highly engaging concept.
Collect your sardines from the bar (this is your table number) and step up to the fish market, where you take your pick of fresh seafood, building your own menu. Staff guide you through pairings, preparations and suggestions. When you have your menu decided, move on to the wine merchant, who will pair your menu to one of their delicious wines.
Highlights for us were the gambas, Dutch oysters and sea bream-which had the most amazing crispy skin & soft, delicate flesh. 3 appetisers, 1 main & 2 sides were plenty for two people-and not overpriced!
Highly recommended.

Truly fantastic experience at Pesca - the concept of a fish market and you choosing the food you’re encouraged to share with your friends or close ones. The food is served in three courses and finishes with the dessert - everything was incredibly delicious, especially the grilled fish - incredible smokey taste! Raw sashimi-like fish at the start was also amazingly tasty. It’d have been better if the octopus went with another sauce, as I don’t think peppers go well with octopus, but it could be just me. The desserts were a bit less exciting, but overall, not bad.
It’s usually fully booked in the evenings and on the weekends, so make sure to book it in advance or try your luck with the waitlist. We were on the waitlist and got our place when someone cancelled - so it definitely works!
Will I come back again? 100%! Encouraging you to do the same🤗

AMAZING. It deserves 6’s not 5’s! We loved the concept of choosing the fish from appetisers to starters to main course. And then we went on to talk to the sommelier to choose a wine. And then we sat at our table where there was a hook behind us for our wine and water. There were excellent oysters, delicious polpo and a monkfish to die for. I wish I could go every week. Carolina as front of house was brilliant and the two guys who helped us choose fish and then wine did an amazing job. Highly, highly recommended. 👊🏻

Staff was very kind, fast and helpful as they led us to our table and explained their concept of the restaurant. The dishes are so fresh as you literally pick them out yourselves. There’s also a wine tasting area available to order wine and drinks as well. A few times I had to ask about the remaining dishes and the staff was happy to help and the dishes would follow up quickly. I highly recommend trying the octopus, so good. The rest was also as delicious.

Great restaurant with a unique “Theatre of Fish”, where you can select your own choice of excellent oysters, mussels, shellfish, coquilles and delicious fresh fish. The service is absolutely excellent. Try it and you won’t be disappointed!

Amazing place and beautiful innovative concept. Fish is fresh and the dishes are cooked very good. The employee are polite and friendly. Absolutely to try.

The food and dining concept was fantastic. With no set menu, each dish was carefully plated with amazing flavours to complement each type of the freshest seafood! We loved every bit!

A different dining experience for me.

First, you’ll get the sardine can as your table number, then the waiter(ess) will lead you to the market to pick the raw & fresh ingredients. The staff is so patient and friendly in explaining all the ingredients and cooking style.

Then you’ll go to their wine/beverage area to pick your drinks of the night.

Overall, food quality and freshness meeting our expectation. The cooking style is more Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavour, probably also depending on what you ordered.

The staffs were consistently checking out on our dining experience, which is highly appreciated.

Last but not least, their non-alcoholic cocktails are so good. We ordered the passion fruit and coffee cocktail, and we love it!

Highly recommended if you’re in Netherlands.

The staff there help us to choose our lunch. It's great. And we visit there on late lunch so there was not crowded so lovely and cozy place ☺

A great and unique seafood experience in Rotterdam city centre! You pick your own fish or other seafood and choose how you would like to have it served. Afterwards you choose a wine or have it paired by knowledgable staff.

All items were very tasty and definitely fresh. Special mention for the irish oysters, the bread with herbal cream and the monkfish! Even the side dishes were very flavourful.

Have not seen this concept before, but it is truly a great dining experience, especially in small groups so you can share.

Will definitely be coming back!

Such a great concept… choose the fish … go to next stap to get recommendations on the wine… and just enjoy the ride afterwards… loved it! The fact that they recognize and act in the sustainability aspect deserves additional recognition and respect!

A very pleasant experience I must say when we arrived there for the very first time. Staff was extremely helpful and did not bother providing us with information when asked. The dinner consists of you picking out the seafood you'd like to have, the wine to be served with it and thereafter you can comfortable sit at your table enjoying your time while your food is being prepared.

1. You will choose a bottle from the "wine shop" to your table / or order cocktails from the bar🥂
2. You will enjoy some oysters or cold starter until you will be called🗣
3. Then you will be led to the "fish market" to choose fresh ingredients with an explanation of the dish preparation🦐🐙
4. You will enjoy the food & drinks🍽😋

FYI, the restaurant doesn't have a menu by the way🙃

If you love fish, fresh and good quality seafood, exceptional staff - that’s the place for you!!!

When choosing fish in market - choice did not look so exciting, but when all meals were presented to the table - it was over expectations.
My top choice and reccomendations go to:
Scallop, octopus and fresh salad with miso! What a taste!

I would say also that 100 points go to staff, from welcoming, explaining concept, helping to choose dishes and wine.
Restaurant look simple and quiet in the start of the evening, but as evening proceeds - it gets very cosy and vibrant.
It was our first time at Pesca, but for sure not the last when we are back to Rotterdam.
Highly recommended! And really the best feedback for the staff!!!!

If you’re a seafood lover, book your table for the weekend!
We were welcomed very nicely with a glass of champagne and an explanation of the concept. I loved the simplicity with the high-end touch of the experience taking you through the fish and the wine market. Seating area is relaxed and comfy, great service and recommendations from the staff. Delicious food! Please try soft shell crab. 10/10

Really great concept in this restaurant. You select the fish and the wine upfront and then get the dishes at the table. We really enjoyed it, also great service and nice location in the middle of Rotterdam.

Interesting Concept and great service. The staff is really nice and helpful. It was very new for us to choose our dishes from a fresh fish counter and get a very competent explanation from the friendly staff. Also the wine rcomandation was perfekt. Only the fishoil in the salad was a little bit over the top. In my opinion a sidedish should neutralize between the courses. We had a really pleasant evening and we can recommend the restaurant for a nice experience.

We ordered 6 dishes and 2 desserts for us two. It was delicious. Recommend to come here if u love fish/seafood and want a different kind of experience. U can go to their fish and wine market where u can decide what u would like to eat and drink. It was fun, something new. And the service was really friendly!

Pleased to see that Pesca Rotterdam lives up to the high standards of quality and service of its flagship restaurant in Amsterdam. Each dish was incredibly delicious and fresh. These guys are the absolute masters of their trade. Five stars all round 🦀🎣👌🏻