Zalmhuis
Zalmhuis is a fine dining restaurant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The current building, completed in 2002, was designed as a successor to the original salmon auction and pavilion that operated on the site from 1863 until the mid-20th century. While the historic structure was demolished in the 1950s, the present Zalmhuis incorporates architectural elements and historical references that reflect its legacy.
History
The history of the Zalmhuis dates back to 1863, when Adriaan Dekkers purchased an inn with an outdoor terrace on the Hooge Zeedijk. Opposite the establishment, known as Estaminet, stood a pavilion and yard. In 1875, Dekkers constructed a covered market on the riverside site for the auction and sale of river fish such as salmon, allis shad, ide, whitefish, twait shad, and sturgeon. This market grew into the largest salmon auction in the Netherlands.Around 1880, the complex was acquired by Jan van den Akker, who developed the café into a thriving business. In 1896, he added a pavilion above the salmon market, which in 1905 was replaced by a larger Art Nouveau–style structure built on steel columns over the water. This marked the first heyday of the Zalmhuis.
Decline set in soon after the 1906 opening, as salmon stocks in Dutch rivers sharply decreased. The North Sea flood of 1953, combined with advancing industrialization and the construction of the Van Brienenoord Bridge, accelerated the demise. The accompanying ferry lost its function, and by 1955 the original building was demolished.
In 1999, construction began on a new Zalmhuis, which officially opened in 2002 as a restaurant. A major renovation in 2020 gave the building a characteristic interior.
In December 2021, Zalmhuis received an Entree Award in the category Best New Restaurant & Bar. The award was officially announced in early 2022. The jury praised the restaurant’s redesign following its 2020 takeover, highlighting the attention to detail and the experiential quality of the interior design.