Restaurant Just Rotterdam Part of the Mondi Formula

The popular Caribbean Fusion restaurant chain Mondi has expanded to Rotterdam. Following three locations in Amsterdam and Badhoevedorp, Mondi has extended its reach to Mauritsweg in the heart of Rotterdam. This fourth restaurant is located in the former premises of restaurant Just, offering Caribbean à la carte dishes. Mondi by Just officially opened its doors on May 1st.

The choice of location for Mondi by Just is deliberate. Since 2017, Justin Niessen has been making a significant impact here on Mauritsweg with his restaurant Just. He is also the founder, owner, and executive chef of Mondi. While Just focuses on fine dining, Mondi also emphasizes shared dining. In addition to luxurious five-course menus, à la carte dishes, which can be shared, are available. The menu features variations of the same signature dishes as Mondi South, Mondi New West, and Mondi at Skybar 747, including Justin’s famous cheese balls, his spicy meatballs, and risotto stobá, with the exception of the Seafood Curry, which is only available in Rotterdam.

Not only do the dishes receive a Mondi twist, but the look and feel are largely consistent with the other Mondi restaurants. While live music and DJ nights play a significant role at other locations, Mondi by Just focuses more on providing a dining experience with the familiar Mondi dushi-bida (the good life) feeling.

International Growth Ambition

For Justin Niessen, this is a logical step. “Mondi is a successful formula. We are expanding so rapidly that we are even making international moves. Later this year, Mondi Beach Club will open in the Otrobanda district of Curaçao, my birthplace. And there are serious plans for a second location in the Jan Thiel district. Rotterdam, the city where I happen to live, cannot lag behind. I had two options: either a Mondi next to Just in Rotterdam, meaning within a few hundred meters, or a Mondi instead of Just. Transforming Just into ‘Mondi by Just’ fits better with our growth ambition to introduce the world to ‘elevated Caribbean food’. In Rotterdam, I am excited to do this with the Mondi team.”

About Mondi

Mondi was launched in early 2019 at The College Hotel in Amsterdam-Zuid. On the ABC islands, the name refers to an untamed wilderness where the original vegetation still reigns. For Justin Niessen, it symbolizes the culinary landscape that he has significantly refined. The Mondi restaurants in Amsterdam-Zuid, Amsterdam Nieuw-West, and Badhoevedorp are also supported by Mariska Nunes, Kiana Cova, and Atilay Uslu of Corendon Hotels & Resorts. Justin Niessen is the sole owner of Mondi by Just. Mondi attracts lovers of Caribbean cuisine as well as well-known artists and DJs due to its Caribbean flavors and relaxed atmosphere.

About Justin Niessen

Justin Niessen is recognized as the pioneer of the New Caribbean Cuisine in the Netherlands. He is the first chef to elevate soul food to fine dining. Last year, he captured some of his dishes in the cookbook titled De Nieuwe Caribische Keuken. In 2017, his restaurant Just was named Best Newcomer of the Year by the leading restaurant platform De Buik. The previous year, Justin Niessen was a finalist in the TV show MasterChef.