Rolph's Deli on the Kop van Zuid has been transformed from a breakfast shop into an attractive, modern French bistro. The business reopened on Wednesday, October 23, with the new name Rolph's Deli - Le Petit Restaurant.
Entrepreneurs and life partners Chantal de Raaf and Rolph Hensens have been running their breakfast and lunch business Rolph's Deli at the same location since 2018. In addition, from 2014 they owned top restaurant HMB in Rotterdam, which they sold in the summer of 2024. Most Rotterdammers know where to find Rolph's Deli, but for those who don't know: the restaurant is located at Otto Reuchlinweg 974 on the Wilhelminapier.
In recent weeks, the restaurant has been transformed into a warm, intimate bistro with an art deco atmosphere. This is where conviviality, French culinary refinement and Rotterdam hospitality come together. Eye-catchers are the floor in the striking geometric pattern and the bronze tones that are reflected in the wall coverings, upholstery of chairs and sofas, lamps and details of the tables.
Chantal de Raaf: “It gives the business an intimate atmosphere. And if we provide the tables with linen in the evening and cover them with crockery and an attractive lamp, it becomes even more cozy. Due to the small scale and because we are both there in the evening, we can provide a lot of personal attention and give our guests a unique dining experience. That is also what we have been hearing from our guests since the opening on October 23 and we are very happy with that.”
Did you have any favourite dishes at Rolph's Deli? Don't worry, because the familiar breakfast and lunch dishes have remained. It has been supplemented with an accessible dining option under the name Le Petit Restaurant. From 5:30 PM, guests can enjoy French bistro cuisine with dishes made with fresh high-quality ingredients.
Rolph Hensens: “Here we cook at a different level than in HMB. I call it 'bistro-plus' dishes with pure, honest and tasty ingredients. Our cuisine is refined without being complicated. But also a bit stubborn, because that suits us and Rotterdam completely.”
On the regularly changing à la carte (dinner) menu of Le Petit Restaurant, modern bistro dishes such as raw marinated tuna with sesame and avocado and hamachi ceviche alternate with more traditional dishes such as salad niçoise, steak tartare, oysters, carpaccio, entrecote, sole and poultry with sauerkraut. Bistro classics such as onion soup and boeuf bourguignon can also be found on the menu. Starters cost between €10 and €22, main courses between €20 and €40 and desserts around €13.
Chantal and Rolph's love for good wines is reflected in their wine list. It contains largely European wines, with an emphasis on France and Italy. Vinologist Chantal de Raaf: “There is a wide range of wines under €50 and anyone who wants to drink a top wine can also do well. There are many wines available by the glass and with the help of the Coravin system we can also offer more expensive wines by the glass. Stubborn as we are, we do not serve champagne in flutes, but in coupes. We also put a lot of effort into cocktails and mocktails, which we offer both during the day and in the evening.”
Will you be dining at Rolph's Deli - Le Petit Restaurant soon? The business is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for breakfast, lunch, coffee and cocktails from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Le Petit Restaurant is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 5:30 PM for dinner.