Manhattan Coffee Roasters

Manhattan Coffee Roasters in Rotterdam combines a passion for exceptional coffee with the rich history of the port. The roastery was founded in 2017 by two veterans of the coffee scene – Esther Maasdam and Ben Morrow, who first met at the latte art championship and have collectively accumulated over thirty years of experience in the field.

Manhattan Coffee Roasters draws inspiration from the port of Rotterdam and its maritime history—the name refers to the Holland-America Line, which connected Rotterdam and New York in the 19th century. The city on the Maas River with its modern skyline is nicknamed "Manhattan aan de Maas" by locals, which perfectly captures the DNA of this roastery. Esther and Ben didn't want to settle for half measures – instead of specializing in one aspect of coffee, they mastered the entire spectrum: from barista skills to roasting to green coffee purchasing.

Their journey began at competitions, where they gradually earned titles in latte art, cup tasting, and Coffee Masters. Ben, formerly known as the "Latte Art Cowboy," spent five years as a barista in Melbourne before moving to Europe in 2016. Esther, nicknamed "El Patron," is an absolute veteran in the field. Together, they built a roastery focused on small, exceptional lots in close collaboration with producers who share their approach to sustainability and quality.

Manhattan Coffee Roasters works directly with farms and pays above Fairtrade prices. They support projects such as the Kinni washing station in Rwanda, which has brought schools, roads, and other community investments to the region. The roastery runs on 100% green energy, offers carbon-neutral shipping, and uses only recyclable packaging. Since its inception in 2017, they have supplied coffee to Dutch champions and their trophy cabinet is full of awards—all thanks to their emphasis on authentic flavor and innovative approach to roasting.