The district of Crooswijk makes many people think of the ‘real’ Rotterdam. Oud-Crooswijk is located right in front of Kralingen and the city centre: an ideal location, close to the greenery of the Kralingse Bos and the city centre. Former businesses – like the Heineken brewery – have disappeared from the neighbourhood. The people in Oud-Crooswijk are a mix of old Rotterdammers, young people and students, and the diversity can be seen in all that the neighbourhood has to offer.
IJssalon Doppio
Ice cream parlour Doppio is located on the Crooswijkseweg, for years the best place to get a cup of handmade ice cream on summer evenings in Oud-Crooswijk. From yoghurt-pomegranate to cappuccino and Bastogne, all of their ice cream flavours are thought up and made here. Its success led to Doppio opening a second store on the Lusthofstraat in Kralingen. Wander through the neighbourhood, towards the Kralingse Plas lake and back, you will not only have earned your ice cream but walked it off too!
Old Heineken Brewery
The old Heineken Brewery is a beautiful building. This is the former office building of Heineken and the work of architect Kromhout, built in 1932. It is now a national monument and in the hands of Stadsherstel Historisch Rotterdam. After renovation it opened again in 2001, this time as an office building for various tenants. The building is not freely accessible, but maybe you can get in, in exchange for a beer.
Noordplein
The Noordplein is located next to the vibrant Zwaanshals, with popular places like Hopper, Lof der Zoetheid, Whiskeybase, the Kookpunt, restaurant Destino and a variety of vintage shops. The square itself lends itself well to events, the most popular of which is the Rotterdam Harvest Market. You can buy all that is good and green from the immediate surroundings at this farmers’ market every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. An attractive and tasty outing which will also leave you with a good feeling and a well-stocked pantry.
Restaurant Brazzo
The Brazzo restaurant is located in a beautiful old gatehouse on the Boezemstraat in the centre of Crooswijk. On the menu: French-Mediterranean dishes from local products. In addition to good food, there is often plenty to do at Brazzo because the owners are lovers of art and music. Besides exhibitions, you can enjoy an art menu, four courses with an exclusive arty espresso cup as a gift. Fun tip: every year you can experience the Eurovision Song Festival with an extravagant gala, dinner and the broadcast on the big screen.
