Mauritskwartier
Exclusive fashion boutiques, luxurious shoe shops, trendy hair salons and charming lunchrooms. The Mauritskwartier is where Parisian chique meets no-nonsense Rotterdam pragmatism. The Van Oldebarneveltstraat is a great place to find lots of extraordinary fashion stores. The window displays at Nen Xavier, Van Dijk and Mostert & Van Leeuwen showcase elegant stiletto heels, chique overcoats and handbags made from the highest-quality leather. There are many Danish, Swedish and French brands sold here, but Rotterdam’s own designers are well represented as well, including Monique van Heist and Susan Bijl. The entire streetscape is all about good taste – even the flowers sold by the ‘s Zomers florist’s shop across the street are high-end. No wonder the Mauritskwartier is known as Rotterdam’s gay district! The flamboyant shops are interspersed between popular gay bars, like Strano and De Regenboog.
Several prominent cultural institutions are just around the corner, including De Doelen concert hall and the Rotterdamse Schouwburg. Scheduled cultural events regularly take place on the Schouwburgplein as well. From live music to outdoor yoga workshops that are completely free to join, this spacious square is often put to good use.
