Old Dutch has got a rich history which returns wide 70 years. The restaurant, then still bodega, opened its doors on April the 15th 1932 on the Coolsingel in Rotterdam under the guidance of Toon Mannes. Bodega Old Dutch was particularly famous by the wealthy and self-confident people of Rotterdam.

The success was however roughly interrupted by the bombing of May the 14th 1940. Old Dutch was irreparably damaged. Still in that same year Toon Mannes and its brother Wim opened a new restaurant at the Rochussenstraat.

The building got the looks of an unique farm and was especially designed by architect J. Lelieveldt. Old Dutch became part of the first rebuilding projects in Rotterdam. At present day Old Dutch is still located on that same spot.

The restaurant Old Dutch also stands for a number of particular traditions. The annual udder board dinner is such a tradition. Someday in the past André van Duin and TOM Westermeijer talked about poverty in Rotterdam-Zuid. Being nostalgic they decided to eat udder board with friends as a yearly annual.

Udder board is a real Rotterdam dish that initially was eaten by the poorer people of Rotterdam. At present day the udder board is a real delicacy and Old Dutch is traditionally the place to eat it. Legendary is also the herring day where 'tout' Rotterdam comes together.

On April the 1st 1980 Aad van der Stel became employer of Old Dutch. One of his responsibilities was to bring the restaurant back to life. Therefore he introduced the dinner dance which proved to be a big success. This dinner dance traditionally took place every saturday night with great performances of The Millers, Rita Reys and Pia Beck every last monthly edition.

At present day Old Dutch is still led by Aad van der Stel.