Esplanada Rotterdam is a fish restaurant where product comes first and time slows down. Very fresh seafood, prices worth checking beforehand and an unpolished atmosphere. Best for those who value flavour over speed and come prepared to wait.
Where hunger learns to wait
There are places on Sal where you eat fast, and others where you eat very well… but not fast. Esplanada Rotterdam clearly belongs to the second group. Here, fish is in charge, time stretches, and the experience depends largely on the attitude you bring to the table.
What this place really is
Esplanada Rotterdam is a popular fish and seafood restaurant, frequented by both locals and visitors who know — or discover — that the product is the main attraction here. The place is simple, even a bit worn, with no attempt to impress visually. All the effort goes into what arrives on the plate.
From the outside it may not look like much. From the inside, once you eat well, it becomes clear why it’s always busy.
Where it is and how to get there
It sits outside Santa Maria’s more polished circuit, in an area with a rawer, more real atmosphere. Getting there isn’t difficult, but parking can be tricky, especially at busy times. Many people arrive on foot or as part of organised excursions.
What you come to eat (and why)
This is a place for fresh fish and seafood: tuna, grouper, octopus, prawns, barnacles, whelks and, when available, lobster. You can often choose your fish before it hits the grill, which always helps.
The quality of the product is high, and when the dish is well executed, it’s easy to see why many consider it among the best fish meals on the island.
Pricing: where the controversy begins
Prices divide opinion. Some leave delighted by the quality–price ratio, especially compared to Santa Maria. Others feel clearly overcharged, particularly when they perceive different pricing for locals and tourists or a lack of clarity on the menu.
Practical conclusion: asking prices before ordering avoids unpleasant surprises.
Service and waiting time
Waiting is part of the package. Some days run smoothly, but one-hour waits or more are not unusual. Service can be friendly, but also overwhelmed. This is not a place that rushes. If you’re in a hurry, it’s not the right choice.
When everything clicks, the wait is forgiven. When it doesn’t, it lingers.
Raw atmosphere, no filters
The atmosphere can be noisy at times, with a mix of large groups, tourists, locals and tour stops. It’s not elegant or quiet, but it is authentic. Flies, cats roaming around and packed tables are part of the scene.
Esplanada Rotterdam doesn’t promise comfort — it promises fresh fish. Everything else is negotiable.
Who it’s for — and who it isn’t
If you’re looking for fresh product and bold flavours and don’t mind waiting or asking about prices, Esplanada Rotterdam can deliver one of Sal’s best fish meals. If you value speed, order and predictability, it may frustrate you. Here, the reward comes… but not in a hurry.
