Keile District Rotterdam, what is it and what can I do there? It is a location you simply have to discover and experience. A large area stretching across the industrial area between Rotterdam and Schiedam, next to the port of Rotterdam. A place that is now extremely popular, and also a place that is always buzzing. Creative excesses, cozy cafes and innovative enterprises: we take you along the best places in the Keile District Rotterdam.
The Keile District in Rotterdam
The Keile District is now a well-known hot spot in Rotterdam and has developed into a creative and vibrant place where art, culture and entrepreneurship come together. Don't you know this place yet? Then it's high time to discover this fun place!
You will find the Keile District opposite the Dakpark and the residential boulevard in Delfshaven. For Rotterdammers, the area is just on the edge of the Schiedamseweg, towards the industrial area. From Schiedam you might recognize it by its raw, industrial atmosphere and creative initiatives.
The Keile District in Rotterdam is bursting with creative excesses, cozy hotspots and impressive sights. To make sure you get the most out of your visit to the Keile District, we share the coolest locations below.
1. Keile Café
Nonstop conviviality is what you'll find at the Keile Cafe. An atmospheric and accessible place where you feel like you are at a festival. Maybe festival is not the right word, but it definitely feels like a cozy garden party. During the weekend there are nice DJs spinning and sometimes there is even the possibility to play as a DJ yourself. And don't forget to order some delicious food as well, the menu is finger-licking good. Because the Keile Café is an outdoor location, opening hours depend on the good weather.
Address Keile Café: Vierhavenstraat 46
2. Meadows
A two-acre site offers endless possibilities, and that's where Weelde incredibly well used. For on the grounds you will find not only the indoor location .The Poolcafé, a real sand terrace at the Sand Bar where you will also find the guilty pleasure hotspot Jack Bean and somewhere on the grounds you will automatically come across the Speak Easy Bar. The place on Weelde where you can drink cocktails. And if you thought this was it, you're wrong. Weelde offers so much more. It's a great location you can't get enough of. So tjoptjop, let's go!
Address Weelde: Marconistraat 37 & 39
3. City Harbor Brewery
Where Europe's fruit port was once located, there is now one of the Keile District's most fun hotspots. The City Harbor Brewery is a combination of a craft beer brewery with its own catering facility. The at least 100-year-old fruit shed was completely renovated several years ago and transformed into a trendy hot spot. Every year, the brewery brews 2 million liters of beer!
The "Fearless Fruit" and "Fearless Crew" beers are bottled in cans, bottles and kegs and are available to drink at the brewery, at other hospitality venues and liquor stores nationwide. You can also scoring the beers in the shop of the Stadshaven Brewery. But the most fun remains, of course, to have your beer at the brewery itself. The concept of a brewery with its own catering facilities is attractive and a party in itself. Stadshaven Brewery is a cozy place for young and old, for everyone who loves gastronomic dining, socializing in the gastropub and relaxing with a beer on the spacious waterside terrace.
Tip: the homemade beer cocktails, you don't want to miss them!
Address Stadshaven Brewery: Galileistraat 24
4. Floating Farm
The Floating Farm in Rotterdam is the world's first floating farm. The creation of the Floating Farm is based on stopping food loss, reducing transportation of food and improving the quality of food. They are committed to producing healthy food in the city so that it is close to the consumer. This is where the Floating Farm has a great word for it: Transfarmation. Now you must be wondering what do the cows at the farm eat? The cows at Floating Farm are fed food scraps from local entrepreneurs. For example, they get beer brew from Rotterdam breweries, bran from the Schiedam Mills, grass from sports fields and potato peels from local processors.
Floating Farm address: Gustoweg 10, where you can also find the store where you can buy such things as milk and yogurt from the Floating Farm cows.
5. Food Garden Rotterdam
Between the buildings and industry, there is a green piece of "healthy city" on this port site. A place where people work together to create a sustainable food garden. Seasonal vegetables grown and cultivated here are offered free of charge to Voedselbank Rotterdam and other social projects. The Food Garden Rotterdam is a place to visit, meet others and lend a hand.
Address Voedseltuin Rotterdam: Gedempte Keilehaven (entrance after Keilestraat 5).
6. AVL Mundo
Seeing art outdoors, it is an idea that was born during the lockdown of the corona crisis. After all, going to museums was out of the question. The idea has since become a reality and formed into AVL Mundo. A location on the Keile District of Rotterdam where you can admire life-size outdoor art at Joep van Lieshout's sculpture park. You can also walk the sculpture route, a route that takes you past several artworks at different locations such as at Weelde and the Keilewerf.
Address AVL Mundo: Keileweg 18
7. The Keilepand
The Keilepand, a former fruit and vegetable warehouse built in 1922, has been completely transformed into a vibrant gathering place where creativity, sustainability and gastronomy come together. Here you will find not only workspaces for architects, furniture makers and food entrepreneurs, but also a mix of hotspots that make a visit more than worthwhile.
For example, you will find the pizzeria Koertino, a place we love to visit when we are in the mood for a tasty pizza! But the restobar Cult=Us also comes highly recommended! Craft beer fans can also visit the Keilepand for a locally brewed beer from Kaapse Brouwers.
In addition to the hospitality venues, the Keilepand also offers space for art and culture. Visit one of the pop-up exhibitions of KeileContemporary, or get inspired by the exhibitions and events in the spacious KeileZaal on the second floor. For example Cinema Culinary a tip for an incredibly fun and special night out! For those who want to learn more about sustainability, creativity and innovation, lectures, debates and workshops are organized regularly.
Address Keilepand: Keilestraat 9, Rotterdam (next to the Voedseltuin).
How do you get to the Keile District?
If you travel to the Keile District by public transport, it's best to get off at Marconiplein. Want to explore multiple locations in the Keile District? Then wear comfortable walking shoes. After all, the area is quite large.
Exploring the Keile District by bicycle is the best option in our opinion. This way you are also nice and free to go wherever you want.
In terms of parking at venues, it varies, but generally space is limited.
Are you traveling from Rotterdam or Schiedam on a Felyx or Check scooter? Then be sure to check the service area of these scooters before you set out.
Special stay in Delfshaven, Rotterdam
Tip: Did you know that you can sleep in some of Joep van Lieshout's creative creations? You can do this at the cozy city campsite Culture Campsite in Delfshaven. From here you can easily cycle to the Keile District. Highly recommended for a special city trip to Rotterdam!
