Between the grand old buildings and the cosy maritime atmosphere of the Veerhaven, there is plenty of contemporary commercial activity. In the former warehouses of the Westelijk Handelsterrein, trendy galleries
and cool eateries have sprung up, where they move the tables and chairs aside in the evening for a party. A Walhalla for connoisseurs of both food and art!

VISIT...

THE SCHEEPVAARTKWARTIER
Schmidt Zeevis (Vasteland 60) is well worth a visit if only for the vast selection they sell. Chinese tiger prawns, Italian octopus or a Dutch herring: this is the place for fish from all over the world. There is even a lunch corner for those who can’t wait until they get home. Hers (Scheepstimmermanslaan 35) stocks a very different kind of
speciality. This is a gallery-shop for contemporary jewellery and bags, such as the ideal nylon shopping bags by Susan Bijl. At Lulu (Van Vollenhovenstraat 60) you can eat and lounge in Asian style. This unique eatery has a modern Eastern menu, which criss-crosses Asia, from Japan to India.

THE WESTELIJK HANDELSTERREIN
(Van Vollenhovenstraat 15) Until recently, all that stood on this site was a row of sturdy warehouses. Now, people come here to shop, eat and party. Vles&Co sells wines from every corner of the world, both the classical wine-growing areas and the new world: from an everyday wine to the best there is. Moooi is the internationally successful label of designer Marcel Wanders. The furniture and accessories, such as the well-known egg vase, are for sale in the Moooi store. Het Domein is a stylish and attractive location for wine and food tasting. Wine and cheese, for example, but you can also taste brandy, champagne or cigars here in good company. Galerie V!ps specialises in classical and modern forms of pop art. In addition to works by Warhol and Keith Haring, the gallery stocks work by many young Rotterdam artists. At restaurant Land van Waas you can also order small portions of everything on the menu. When they stop serving food, the restaurant is transformed into the trendy Club Waas.

TIPS
The Scheepvaartkwartier is close to a number of popular attractions, such as the Euromast, the Spido and the Wereldmuseum. You can also cross the water in Rotterdam by super-fast water taxi. It will take you wherever you need to be, in a flash, and you get the spectacular views thrown in!