Guidebook for Amsterdam
Food Scene
The Lobby restaurant in Hotel V. Great place!
Fantastic trendy restaurant with beautiful and great vibe. Good for breakfast and for dinner reservations are needed.
19 locals recommend
Hotel V Nesplein
49 NesFantastic trendy restaurant with beautiful and great vibe. Good for breakfast and for dinner reservations are needed.
Great place for breakfast, lunch or to buy bread and other goodies.
48 locals recommend
De Bakkerswinkel Centrum
69 WarmoesstraatGreat place for breakfast, lunch or to buy bread and other goodies.
Gebroeders Niemeijer
35 NieuwendijkBakery and breakfast/lunch cafe in old renovated building.
De Laatste Kruimel
4 LangebrugsteegTiny Bakery for sweets, sandwiches and quiches. Cute place.
Great little coffee place in the Red Light District: also on one of the most beautifull little square you can imagine.
25 locals recommend
Quartier Putain
4 OudekerkspleinGreat little coffee place in the Red Light District: also on one of the most beautifull little square you can imagine.
Great place for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. Nice terrace.
165 locals recommend
Le Pain Quotidien
2 & 4 Cornelis TroostpleinGreat place for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. Nice terrace.
If you want typical Dutch food, this is a option. Popular place also for locals. Its good (avoid the one in the street close to my house serving Dutch food...that one is not so great unfortunatly)
252 locals recommend
Restaurant Moeders
251 RozengrachtIf you want typical Dutch food, this is a option. Popular place also for locals. Its good (avoid the one in the street close to my house serving Dutch food...that one is not so great unfortunatly)
Herenstraat
HerenstraatCute street with restaurants and shops.
Great stone-oven pizza. Do what we do: order your pizza in this tiny take-away place and eat yours on the canal. Done eating, have a beer at next door great cafe Brandon.
37 locals recommend
da portare VIA
34HS LeliegrachtGreat stone-oven pizza. Do what we do: order your pizza in this tiny take-away place and eat yours on the canal. Done eating, have a beer at next door great cafe Brandon.
This cafe/restaurant is SItuated beautifully on the canal. Good spot for a drink. Food is average in my opinion, but for a drink and a small bite its ok.
26 locals recommend
Spanjer en van Twist
60 LeliegrachtThis cafe/restaurant is SItuated beautifully on the canal. Good spot for a drink. Food is average in my opinion, but for a drink and a small bite its ok.
Fantastic food & outstanding wine. The absolute culinary hotspot of Amsterdam. Reservations is a must, but walk in (since it's in our street) and give it a try to see if they have a table.
51 locals recommend
Kaagman & Kortekaas
43 Sint NicolaasstraatFantastic food & outstanding wine. The absolute culinary hotspot of Amsterdam. Reservations is a must, but walk in (since it's in our street) and give it a try to see if they have a table.
Good hotel hang out- also used a lot bij locals. Good atmosphere for an inside coffee or wine.
78 locals recommend
The Hoxton, Amsterdam
255 HerengrachtGood hotel hang out- also used a lot bij locals. Good atmosphere for an inside coffee or wine.
Take the ferry behind Central Station (every 15 minutes past the hour, and 15 minutes before the hour and they are FREE) to the NDSMwater front. This is a cool upcoming area with a nice vibe and some great places to eat and drink. This place is an old dock and atmospher is good. The food is ok, but definetly acceptable and the good thing is, you can probaly have a table here without a reservation.
104 locals recommend
Restaurant-Café De IJkantine
5 NDSM-KadeTake the ferry behind Central Station (every 15 minutes past the hour, and 15 minutes before the hour and they are FREE) to the NDSMwater front. This is a cool upcoming area with a nice vibe and some great places to eat and drink. This place is an old dock and atmospher is good. The food is ok, but definetly acceptable and the good thing is, you can probaly have a table here without a reservation.
This easy going restaurant and bar is immensely popular with locals. good, laid back vibe, nothing fancy nothing crazy, just good times. The whole street is nice in fact, with all good local restaurants and little cafes.
202 locals recommend
Café de Tuin
13 Tweede TuindwarsstraatThis easy going restaurant and bar is immensely popular with locals. good, laid back vibe, nothing fancy nothing crazy, just good times. The whole street is nice in fact, with all good local restaurants and little cafes.
Chain of salad restaurants, if you are feeling like healthy food, its a good choice. I ususally don't feel like it tho haha.
102 locals recommend
SLA
34 WesterstraatChain of salad restaurants, if you are feeling like healthy food, its a good choice. I ususally don't feel like it tho haha.
Breakfast place with really GREAT quality pancakes in a cool clean vibe (so not the crappy looking nutella pancakes shop, which I really DO NOT recommend)
8 locals recommend
MOAK Pancakes - City Center (Formerly MOOK)
144 JodenbreestraatBreakfast place with really GREAT quality pancakes in a cool clean vibe (so not the crappy looking nutella pancakes shop, which I really DO NOT recommend)
Take the free Ferry behind Central Station to ' NDSM' and go to the Brooklyn of Amsterdam. Really cool vibe here in this old warehouse like thing, all locals and great view on the old city over the water. Winter they have a fire, in summer the terrace is really great!
1052 locals recommend
Pllek
59 T.T. NeveritawegTake the free Ferry behind Central Station to ' NDSM' and go to the Brooklyn of Amsterdam. Really cool vibe here in this old warehouse like thing, all locals and great view on the old city over the water. Winter they have a fire, in summer the terrace is really great!
if you LOVE good food (like me) and fantastic wine (yes, me too) than go here. Walking distance and just a fabulous restaurant. THe culinary scene of Amsterdam has exploded in the past years and resulted in great restaurants like this one and the one in our street. Reservations is a must, but this place also does lunch. It's great too. Unless you are vegetarian, than don't go here, not too many options than.
63 locals recommend
BREDA
210 Singelif you LOVE good food (like me) and fantastic wine (yes, me too) than go here. Walking distance and just a fabulous restaurant. THe culinary scene of Amsterdam has exploded in the past years and resulted in great restaurants like this one and the one in our street. Reservations is a must, but this place also does lunch. It's great too. Unless you are vegetarian, than don't go here, not too many options than.
When you see this place, you probaly think I am crazy to recommend it. But really, the eggs sunny side up witch cheese or ham or bacon are the best of Amsterdam. The grilled cheese sandwiches are the best of Amsterdam too. I am really not kidding. The coffee is probaly the worst of Amsterdam. Just so you know. Very Dutch, very local. I do like it for lunch or breakfast (from 11:00 on).
When there if a football match the place is cramped. kinda fun tho.
25 locals recommend
Kat in de Wijngaert
160 LindengrachtWhen you see this place, you probaly think I am crazy to recommend it. But really, the eggs sunny side up witch cheese or ham or bacon are the best of Amsterdam. The grilled cheese sandwiches are the best of Amsterdam too. I am really not kidding. The coffee is probaly the worst of Amsterdam. Just so you know. Very Dutch, very local. I do like it for lunch or breakfast (from 11:00 on).
When there if a football match the place is cramped. kinda fun tho.
So yes, the coffee here is really really good. have one. Nice view from there too.
7 locals recommend
Caffè il Momento
180 SingelSo yes, the coffee here is really really good. have one. Nice view from there too.
I love to eat. And I love to eat here. Great Italian restaurant. All locals, quite big, cool vibe, excellent all around. Do make reservations tho.
313 locals recommend
Toscanini
75 LindengrachtI love to eat. And I love to eat here. Great Italian restaurant. All locals, quite big, cool vibe, excellent all around. Do make reservations tho.
Crazy and cute and lovely. This place has been here forever. Really good apple pie and good coffee. Open early. also breakfast and lunch.
63 locals recommend
Latei
143 ZeedijkCrazy and cute and lovely. This place has been here forever. Really good apple pie and good coffee. Open early. also breakfast and lunch.
Sometimes I am craving middle eastern food. Well than I go here. Clean and cute with an nice atmosphere. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. great drinks and good coffee.
66 locals recommend
Hummus bistro d&a
136 WesterstraatSometimes I am craving middle eastern food. Well than I go here. Clean and cute with an nice atmosphere. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. great drinks and good coffee.
The Lobby Nesplein
49 NesEssentials
AH Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal
226 Nieuwezijds VoorburgwalBig good supermarket. All you need is here.
The American Book Center
12 SpuiGood bookstore with all English books.
Big grocery store: really all you need you can find here. We do here our groceries. (if you want cheese, buy it here. Since cheese is for the Dutch just a everyday thing, most supermarkets have good cheese. Waay cheaper than those fancy cheese stores you see in the busier areas)
108 locals recommend
AH Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal
226 Nieuwezijds VoorburgwalBig grocery store: really all you need you can find here. We do here our groceries. (if you want cheese, buy it here. Since cheese is for the Dutch just a everyday thing, most supermarkets have good cheese. Waay cheaper than those fancy cheese stores you see in the busier areas)
Shopping
Excellent Pharmacy store if you need anything from that department. Literally around the corner.
209 locals recommend
Etos
140 B SloterkadeExcellent Pharmacy store if you need anything from that department. Literally around the corner.
Absolute great store for interiour stuff: we bought all our stuff there. So if you like our house, you will love this store.
De Weldaad Authentic Interior
35 NoordermarktAbsolute great store for interiour stuff: we bought all our stuff there. So if you like our house, you will love this store.
Walk this street from beginning till end. Its a great shopping street with only independent small labels, foodowners and other cool bars, shops etcetera.
411 locals recommend
Haarlemmerstraat
HaarlemmerstraatWalk this street from beginning till end. Its a great shopping street with only independent small labels, foodowners and other cool bars, shops etcetera.
the highstreet: all the big labels as Zara, H&M, TopShop and all that you can find here. But the most interesting stuff is when you look up above the signs of the stores: superold houses.
643 locals recommend
Kalverstraat
Kalverstraatthe highstreet: all the big labels as Zara, H&M, TopShop and all that you can find here. But the most interesting stuff is when you look up above the signs of the stores: superold houses.
FANTASTIC bookshop! really! and loads of English books there. Also a good coffeeshop too in there, so yes give it a try. Closeby.
12 locals recommend
Scheltema
9 RokinFANTASTIC bookshop! really! and loads of English books there. Also a good coffeeshop too in there, so yes give it a try. Closeby.
This store is great: it's like the Dutch Ikea and everybody loves the Hema. They sell everything. Attached to our house basicly so just have a look. small grocery inside too. Great to pick up some presents: great design and very good priced.
130 locals recommend
HEMA
133a SloterkadeThis store is great: it's like the Dutch Ikea and everybody loves the Hema. They sell everything. Attached to our house basicly so just have a look. small grocery inside too. Great to pick up some presents: great design and very good priced.
Everything Else
Central Station. 24/7 acces to Schiphol International Airport by train.
1346 locals recommend
Amsterdam Centraal station
StationspleinCentral Station. 24/7 acces to Schiphol International Airport by train.
Good bike-shop to rent bikes that blend into the daily life of Amsterdam. ALso good blace to rent bikes that you can carry kids on.
Het Zwarte Fietsenplan Centrum
146 Nieuwezijds VoorburgwalGood bike-shop to rent bikes that blend into the daily life of Amsterdam. ALso good blace to rent bikes that you can carry kids on.
Nice old square, with great ambiance with cafes, restaurants and cute and very nice food market on Saturday.
47 locals recommend
Nieuwmarkt en Lastage
Nice old square, with great ambiance with cafes, restaurants and cute and very nice food market on Saturday.
Nice organic market on Saturday: busy but a great thing to do. On mondays here is a 2nd hand vintage market.
892 locals recommend
Noordermarkt
42B NoordermarktNice organic market on Saturday: busy but a great thing to do. On mondays here is a 2nd hand vintage market.
Rainy day? Take the (free) Ferry behind Central Station (goes every 6 minutes) and check out this cool uber modern film museum. Great cafe (with good food) with good view and cool movies.
1109 locals recommend
Eye Film Museum
1 IJpromenadeRainy day? Take the (free) Ferry behind Central Station (goes every 6 minutes) and check out this cool uber modern film museum. Great cafe (with good food) with good view and cool movies.
Entertainment & Activities
ARTIS
38-40 Plantage KerklaanSuper cool Amsterdam Zoo. Kids will love it.
This old and charming cinema is so cute and beautifull. Art deco charm and a pretty nice cafe to have a drink afterwards or dinner beforehand. ALl in that charming vibe. They have a good selection of movies, leaning a bit towards the art house.
429 locals recommend
The Movies
159 - 163 HaarlemmerdijkThis old and charming cinema is so cute and beautifull. Art deco charm and a pretty nice cafe to have a drink afterwards or dinner beforehand. ALl in that charming vibe. They have a good selection of movies, leaning a bit towards the art house.
Sightseeing
Amsterdam Museum
51 KalverstraatGood museum about Amsterdam and her history.
Really great famous museum w historic paintings. Its beautifull and worth a go. Although its BUSY in high season. Go early. Check out the great and free beautiful garden attached to the museum too.
3186 locals recommend
Rijksmuseum
1 MuseumstraatReally great famous museum w historic paintings. Its beautifull and worth a go. Although its BUSY in high season. Go early. Check out the great and free beautiful garden attached to the museum too.
So beautifull! this inside corner of Dutch old house in a circle which is called a "hofje', a hidden neigbourhood. Very old and it all breathes history. Love it. I sometimes still go here to just enjoy the old houses. But I go before the busloads of chinese tourgroups come in, usually before 10:00AM. But it's walking distance make sure to have a look.
277 locals recommend
Begijnhof
1 BegijnhofSo beautifull! this inside corner of Dutch old house in a circle which is called a "hofje', a hidden neigbourhood. Very old and it all breathes history. Love it. I sometimes still go here to just enjoy the old houses. But I go before the busloads of chinese tourgroups come in, usually before 10:00AM. But it's walking distance make sure to have a look.
Parks & Nature
Rent a bike and go biking in the area North of Amsterdam to see Rural village life, bike pads on dikes, and cute Dutch houses.
48 locals recommend
Broek in Waterland
Rent a bike and go biking in the area North of Amsterdam to see Rural village life, bike pads on dikes, and cute Dutch houses.
Nice lively park. Locals love it. Also great place to eat and have a drink. walking is a nice 25 minute stroll. go for it.
1599 locals recommend
Westerpark
4 HaarlemmerwegNice lively park. Locals love it. Also great place to eat and have a drink. walking is a nice 25 minute stroll. go for it.