Louise Petit Restaurant

The stuffed egg presented as a welcome bite immediately sets the tone for the quality that makes Louise Petit Restaurant, owned by Loesje Tieleman, so highly sought after. Served at the perfect temperature, the egg cream is velvety smooth and gently spiced in flavor. It proves to be a promising preview of French classics at their very best. The atmosphere in the brasserie, located in the Shipping Quarter, is thoroughly enjoyable. The decor on the ground floor and first floor is exactly what you’d expect from a French establishment: small tables draped in white cloths, red leather wall benches, somewhat sturdy wooden chairs, an old herringbone floor, and plenty of steps up and down. We are quickly served a carafe of chilled water that never appears on the final bill. Choosing the vegetarian starter—a generous portion of roasted beetroot topped with slices of Mothais goat cheese, crunchy caramelized walnuts, and pickled radish, finished at the table with a lightly tangy crème fraîche-based dressing—is a resounding success. It offers a perfect balance of earthy flavors, bright acidity, and subtle sweetness. We pair it with a juicy Felix Lorenzo Cachazo Carrasvinas Barrica, surprisingly sourced from Spain. The wine list, however, features more selections from the Mediterranean. Just as delightful is the pan-fried cod in an aromatic langoustine sauce, served alongside perfectly al dente pearl barley and tomato concassé. And why not, since we’ve already had a taste of our Spanish neighbor’s wine, we round off the meal with a cup of piping-hot cortado, accompanied by a tiny, crisp French madeleine. Well, that's perfectly fine.

French scenes unfold in the utterly charming restaurant of Loesje Tieleman. Located in the popular Scheepvaartkwartier in Rotterdam, night after night the place is packed with cheerful guests coming to sample authentic French-classic cuisine. The very essence of La Douce France permeates this brasserie, which welcomes guests on both the ground floor and the first floor. The latter also boasts a fabulous view over the bustling Veerhaven. The menu features entrées, plats, and desserts. In addition, you can order oysters, charcuterie, bread, and sides such as pommes Anna, petite salad, or haricots verts. We begin with escargots swimming in delightful herb butter, which we mop up to the last drop using bread that receives unlimited refills once ordered. Then we indulge in crispy pan-fried pork belly with potato mousseline, sauerkraut, apple, and calvados jus. Damn, how delicious. There is still room left for dessert: a pear tarte tatin served with spiced ice cream, caramel, and Swiss cream. We finish off with a strong double espresso. Hats off to the staff, who deftly navigate between all the tables while keeping a sharp eye on everything.

Louise Tieleman is right at home in this charming spot in the stately Scheepvaartkwartier district of Rotterdam. French flair blended with Rotterdam down-to-earth practicality. It’s an attractive brasserie that wouldn’t look out of place in Paris. The highlight here is – especially on the first floor – the fantastic view over the ever-active Veerhaven harbor. Here, French cuisine reigns supreme. It’s expressed through bistro classics, nostalgic floral tableware, old-fashioned elegant champagne flutes, complimentary water on the table, and generously poured wine glasses. The prices are also Parisian-French, but you certainly get beautifully artisanally crafted dishes in return. Paired with a round, softly sparkling Burgundy wine from Noémie Grand Vernaux, we indulge in wobbly oeufs mayonnaise served on a tiny plate and meant to be eaten by hand, but hey, the flavor is unmatched. And the same holds true for the plump mussels in a fragrant saffron sauce with tomato and green herb oil. The vegan starter of ribbon-like tender-crisp green asparagus with peas and romanesco is completed tableside with a fresh, creamy yogurt and salted lemon dressing that leaves only a very subtle hint of citrus. Meanwhile, the restaurant fills up, the acoustics aren’t exactly ideal, but the atmosphere is superb and the international staff keeps things relaxed. For the main course, quail stuffed with tarragon cream is served alongside grilled sweet-and-sour apricots and a velvety smooth puree, all finished tableside with a spicy Espelette pepper jus. In the glass, a slightly chilled fruity Pinot Noir Les Jamelles from 2021. Plus, French fries that are barely warm and a simple salad of quartered little gem lettuce with a lemon-chive vinaigrette. To finish, a rich mousse of goat cheese and white chocolate with caramelized nectarine and saffron. Joie de vivre in a nutshell.

Louise Tieleman has her little business(es) well in hand. This energetic hospitality entrepreneur was only 21 when she launched Louise Petit in 2018. Four years later, alongside the restaurant, she also operates a Petit-Marché (mini-market) and, on the upper floor, a Bar à Vins. And to top it all off, next to the mini-market is a breakfast spot: Louise Petit-Déjeuner. Even in Paris, Louise Petit would truly stand out. The long red benches, classic paintings, large wooden bar, and white-clothed small tables with Thonet chairs create a cozy atmosphere. The vintage crockery is sourced from flea markets. The bistro classics are each executed to a standard well above average. You do pay a pretty penny for it, but it’s absolutely worth it. The oeufs mayonnaise arrive as an amuse-bouche. A dish of simple elegance that must be flawless. And it is: perfectly cooked eggs paired with artisanal, silky mayo. The baguettes are baked using a traditional French recipe, featuring a crisp crust. Served with premium cultured butter. The steak tartare, accompanied by piccalilly cream, radishes, and sourdough croutons, truly stimulates the senses. Top-quality beef, beautifully balanced and served at the perfect temperature. A floral, fruity Mas des Lauriers Sauvignon Blanc pairs seamlessly with it. Next comes the pan-fried red mullet with cockles, razor clams, and a frothy saffron sauce. The mullet is cooked to perfection, boasting a crisp exterior just as it should be. But what really leaves us speechless is the sauce. Its flavor is so subtle that it sends us into a state of bliss. Pure luxury. Finally, we succumb to a potent shot of vanilla liqueur, espresso, and cream: ‘La fin parfaite’. We are thoroughly impressed. Despite being incredibly busy, the food and wine arrive at the perfect pace, served with flair. The service is both attentive and highly professional. Grand merci, Louise Petit!

A delightful spot in Rotterdam’s Scheepvaartkwartier, right on the Veerhaven harbor with a large terrace. Inside, two adjacent pipe racks line the space with long red benches, and at their heart lies a half-open kitchen that primarily prepares classics from French cuisine. It’s a cozy, “old-fashioned” French bistro where waitresses wear black uniforms with white aprons, officially classified as a “petit restaurant.” Opened in 2018 and catering to both young and old, it also features a separate wine bar along with dedicated breakfast and lunch areas. Owned by hospitality heir Loesje Tieleman, who transformed it into a “women’s place with men,” the venue buzzes with a pleasant cacophony. Set against a parquet floor and a mood-setting painting of the Champs-Élysées from around 1900, we sample Bayonne ham with sourdough bread, paired with glasses of excellent white Rhône wine—La Bastide Saint Dominique, 2010. Maîtresse, manager, and owner Loesje then serves steak tartare with mustard, potato croquettes, and a 65-degree egg yolk, alongside a slightly rich duck liver terrine with macadamia nuts and apricot compote. Delicious! From the kitchen of head chef Naomi van Es come perfectly cooked sea bass with prawns, razor clams, and vegetables in a luscious shellfish bisque, and on the other plate, Bouchot mussels in a savory tomato-saffron sauce. Mmm! To finish, a poached peach with almond and vanilla. Excellent across the board—a true asset to Rotterdam.