Krutenau

Overview

Krutenau is Strasbourg's liveliest student and bohemian quarter — a maze of narrow streets south of the cathedral filled with independent cafés, ethnic restaurants, vintage shops, and the city's most vibrant nightlife scene.

Highlights

• Nightlife: Dozens of bars, pubs, and live music venues cluster along Rue des Orphelins and surrounding streets.
• Restaurants: Some of Strasbourg's most adventurous dining — from Kurdish and Ethiopian to contemporary fusion — is found here.
• Local Character: An authentically lived-in neighborhood far from the tourist centers.

History

Historically a working-class district and vegetable garden area (the name derives from 'Krütenawe,' meaning 'herb meadow'), Krutenau was progressively gentrified from the 1980s onward as students from the nearby university colonized its affordable housing and empty commercial spaces.

Visitor Tips

• Evening: Krutenau is an evening destination — bars and restaurants fill up after 19:00.
• Thursday & Friday Nights: The busiest nights of the week, when the student population is fully present.
• Duration: 1–2 hours for an evening out.