The weather report: overcast again, and the chilling 11 degrees Celsius is starting to get to you. You start dreaming of a trip to South America or Mexico. You wake up from your dream as the sound of the metro reminds you that you are in Rotterdam, Holland. However, don’t lose hope. You get off at Oostplein, and in a few moments, make your way into Café Cultura (Hoogstraat 28a), which had its grand opening on Oct. 12, 2013.
The Spanish music in the background and two gentlemen speaking in Spanish at one of the tables in this spacious café make you feel like you have just landed in another country. As you make your way into this marvelous space, you notice at the far right corner a little “market” of Spanish products from a variety of countries (Bolivia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador). You instantly remember that Sangria you had last summer in Spain, and a smile encompasses your face as you spot a Sangria bottle available for purchase. Ladder-like steps take you down into a library full of every book imaginable about Spanish countries, and an art exhibition adds more color to this intimate room. You grab a book and head back upstairs to enjoy the food.
The owner, Lorena, is from Madrid, and she is busy chatting with customers in both Dutch and Spanish. You ask for a menu, and she describes the options available today. You order the empanadas, guacamole and nachos. Later, you finish the meal with coffee from Bolivia. The café also has special mixes of tea, Spanish cheeses, chorizo, and ceviche. Lorena explains that the idea of providing information about the Spanish culture and Spanish-speaking countries started out as a blog. Then, in 2012, a two-day Spanish fair took place on a river ship, and it was a huge success. The idea of a permanent place grew.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., you can reserve a place to watch films. On Friday from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., a language exchange takes place. A teacher from a local Rotterdam language school is there during this event. On Friday and Saturday evening at 8 p.m., you can reserve a spot to please your taste buds with a surprise tapas menu (25 Euros). Heading back to the metro in this chilly Rotterdam weather isn’t so bad after all. You can always get some Spanish culture to warm you up and that’s what makes Rotterdam such a remarkable international city.
Since this cute café just opened mid Oct., it’s still in its beginning stages. Café Cultura is open Tuesday – Sunday, and Wi-Fi is available. To make a reservation e-mail: info@cafecultura.nl. Visit the website at www.cafecultura.nl.
