Guidebook for Amsterdam
Food Scene
Here are some of our favourite and regular places. Some touristy and great, some simply great and some hardly known and outstanding. You will not go home hungry.
The best apple pie in town. Anyone thinks different - they are wrong. It's a world contender.
506 locals recommend
Winkel 43
43 NoordermarktThe best apple pie in town. Anyone thinks different - they are wrong. It's a world contender.
The perfect lunch & dinner setting. Overlook the canals and tuck into their fresh, seasonal menu.
74 locals recommend
De Belhamel
60 BrouwersgrachtThe perfect lunch & dinner setting. Overlook the canals and tuck into their fresh, seasonal menu.
Great authentic informal tapas with flamenco dancing classes in the back.
50 locals recommend
Duende Tapas Bar
62 LindengrachtGreat authentic informal tapas with flamenco dancing classes in the back.
Ibericus Amsterdam
93 HaarlemmerstraatSpanish jamon indulgence. Grab yourself a sandwich here.
Consistently great place to eat. Great ambiance, inspiring interior and no, it's not a hotel. Expect to see the owners' vintage cars within the space. A favourite.
410 locals recommend
Hotel De Goudfazant
30 AambeeldstraatConsistently great place to eat. Great ambiance, inspiring interior and no, it's not a hotel. Expect to see the owners' vintage cars within the space. A favourite.
The place for steak frites in a superb old turbine hall. Child friendly.
284 locals recommend
Café Restaurant Amsterdam
6 WatertorenpleinThe place for steak frites in a superb old turbine hall. Child friendly.
Great, fresh, wood oven pizza. Book a seat in advance or you may be lucky to find a spot at the bar.
248 locals recommend
La Perla Pizzeria
53 Tweede TuindwarsstraatGreat, fresh, wood oven pizza. Book a seat in advance or you may be lucky to find a spot at the bar.
Inspiring street food in a huge an old tram shed. Buzzing at the weekends.
615 locals recommend
De Hallen Amsterdam
47 Hannie DankbaarpassageInspiring street food in a huge an old tram shed. Buzzing at the weekends.
'Secret' spot for brunch. Check their site for what's on and their other Amsterdam location.
42 locals recommend
Gs jordaan
91 Goudsbloemstraat'Secret' spot for brunch. Check their site for what's on and their other Amsterdam location.
Small, friendly & authentic Spanish tapas. Book ahead or be early. Lunch served at weekends.
8 locals recommend
Tasca Bellota
2 BickerswerfSmall, friendly & authentic Spanish tapas. Book ahead or be early. Lunch served at weekends.
Inspiring quality & local fresh food - breakfast, lunch and dinner.
135 locals recommend
Buffet van Odette
598 PrinsengrachtInspiring quality & local fresh food - breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The right place for that special dinner in a beautiful converted banking hall. Book ahead & only ten minutes walk down the canal.
45 locals recommend
THE DUCHESS
172 SpuistraatThe right place for that special dinner in a beautiful converted banking hall. Book ahead & only ten minutes walk down the canal.
The best chocolate cookies known to mankind, ever, baked freshly throughout the day. A highly recommended treat. A classic example of the benefit of doing just one thing really well.
41 locals recommend
Van Stapele Bakery
4 HeisteegThe best chocolate cookies known to mankind, ever, baked freshly throughout the day. A highly recommended treat. A classic example of the benefit of doing just one thing really well.
Thoughtful coffee and tea spot with home made cakes and a few craft beers. Plenty of room to take it easy or grab an early caffeine fix. Open 7.30 weekdays, 9.00 at the weekend.
63 locals recommend
Toki
15 Binnen DommersstraatThoughtful coffee and tea spot with home made cakes and a few craft beers. Plenty of room to take it easy or grab an early caffeine fix. Open 7.30 weekdays, 9.00 at the weekend.
Waterfront warehouse restaurant with beach area. Cosy fireplace for the winter and overall a great atmosphere with good fair priced food.
1052 locals recommend
Pllek
59 T.T. NeveritawegWaterfront warehouse restaurant with beach area. Cosy fireplace for the winter and overall a great atmosphere with good fair priced food.
The best freshly made and authentic Sardinian pasta in their canal side studio. Magic!
8 locals recommend
Salvatorica
71 LijnbaansgrachtThe best freshly made and authentic Sardinian pasta in their canal side studio. Magic!
Beef patties, fried chicken, kimchi salad, jalapeños cheese fries, corn, coleslaw and oreo milkshakes. Life is complete.
It gets booked up, so arrive around 18.00/19.00 for a seat at the bar.
92 locals recommend
Rotisserie Amsterdam
81H De ClercqstraatBeef patties, fried chicken, kimchi salad, jalapeños cheese fries, corn, coleslaw and oreo milkshakes. Life is complete.
It gets booked up, so arrive around 18.00/19.00 for a seat at the bar.
Great fresh salads. Eat in or takeaway. We prefer to choose one from their menu, they tend to be really good.
102 locals recommend
SLA
34 WesterstraatGreat fresh salads. Eat in or takeaway. We prefer to choose one from their menu, they tend to be really good.
Authentic Japanese ramen near the museum district and at last look, open daily.
Vatten Ramen Kerkstraat
KerkstraatAuthentic Japanese ramen near the museum district and at last look, open daily.
Modern, refined and tasteful smokehouse. Great quality and daily smoked meat. Book in advance online and it's an easy 20 minutes walk away to 'try' and burn it all off.
27 locals recommend
Pendergast
14 Groen van PrinstererstraatModern, refined and tasteful smokehouse. Great quality and daily smoked meat. Book in advance online and it's an easy 20 minutes walk away to 'try' and burn it all off.
If you like inspiring tasty food in a tasteful and comfortable setting, this is the place. Young progressive team, friendly knowledgeable service - this makes for a lovely dinner out for 2 or a group of friends. Make an evening of it here.
63 locals recommend
BREDA
210 SingelIf you like inspiring tasty food in a tasteful and comfortable setting, this is the place. Young progressive team, friendly knowledgeable service - this makes for a lovely dinner out for 2 or a group of friends. Make an evening of it here.
If you love natural wines and thoughtful food. Café Binnenvisser is the one for you. Authentic and locals favourite, it's a 20 minutes walk away through the canals.
57 locals recommend
Café Binnenvisser
36 BilderdijkstraatIf you love natural wines and thoughtful food. Café Binnenvisser is the one for you. Authentic and locals favourite, it's a 20 minutes walk away through the canals.
Cecconi's wins on atmosphere, service and food. Dress up and take it all in. If you can't book in advance, they take some walk in's and you might be lucky for a seat at the bar. Just ten minutes walk away down the canal
29 locals recommend
Cacao Connections Amsterdam
210 SpuistraatCecconi's wins on atmosphere, service and food. Dress up and take it all in. If you can't book in advance, they take some walk in's and you might be lucky for a seat at the bar. Just ten minutes walk away down the canal
Quality India restaurant less than 10 minutes walk from us. Book a table or phone ahead for a takeaway and take a stroll.
Ashoka's well worth eating in though, it has a very nice ambiance.
Ashoka Restaurant- Amsterdam Centrum
3G SpuistraatQuality India restaurant less than 10 minutes walk from us. Book a table or phone ahead for a takeaway and take a stroll.
Ashoka's well worth eating in though, it has a very nice ambiance.
This is it. This is where you get your authentic Amsterdam Stroopwafel fix. Lanskroon is a charming, authentic Amsterdam bakery specialising in this traditional Dutch treat.
8 locals recommend
Lanskroon Bakery
385 SingelThis is it. This is where you get your authentic Amsterdam Stroopwafel fix. Lanskroon is a charming, authentic Amsterdam bakery specialising in this traditional Dutch treat.
Arts & Culture
The rightful classics and the inspiring contender of Body World's which we find amazing.
Anne Frank House
20 WestermarktThis is it. The queues are extreme, try booking ahead online.
Foam
609 KeizersgrachtBrilliantly curated photography museum.
The hidden and beautiful Church in Amsterdam's infamous red light district. This is a real gem.
172 locals recommend
Museum Ons'Lieve Heer Op Solder
38-40 Oudezijds VoorburgwalThe hidden and beautiful Church in Amsterdam's infamous red light district. This is a real gem.
You're staying in the Jordaan, originally the poor district of the working class and home of Rembrandt van Rijn himself. Go see the glorious Rijksmuseum to see where he ended up.
3186 locals recommend
Rijksmuseum
1 MuseumstraatYou're staying in the Jordaan, originally the poor district of the working class and home of Rembrandt van Rijn himself. Go see the glorious Rijksmuseum to see where he ended up.
A very striking and informative exhibition of humans and happiness. Apparently the only permanent Body Worlds show in Europe by critically acclaimed scientist Gunther von Hagen.
35 locals recommend
Body Worlds
66 DamrakA very striking and informative exhibition of humans and happiness. Apparently the only permanent Body Worlds show in Europe by critically acclaimed scientist Gunther von Hagen.
Drinks & Nightlife
Vesper
57 VinkenstraatFor your local intimate cocktail fix.
More cocktails & very popular. It's worth booking your spot.
99 locals recommend
Hiding in Plain Sight
18 RapenburgMore cocktails & very popular. It's worth booking your spot.
Herengracht 255
Friendly, lively, well used locals bar. A few local draft beers on tap usually too.
160 locals recommend
Café Thijssen
107 BrouwersgrachtFriendly, lively, well used locals bar. A few local draft beers on tap usually too.
Step out of your door, turn left and you can't miss it. Your new Amsterdam living room.
Local, authentic and the best bridge and converging canals of Amsterdam for people watching. Take a drink inside or out, sit, relax, chat with your neighbour or simply watch.
This is the great Amsterdam spot to simply be.
Serving coffee, apple pie, beer, drinks Het Papeneiland is good for any time of day and when you do buy at the bar, say a friendly 'Dank u wel!' which translates to 'thank you'. It'll be well appreciated.
71 locals recommend
Cafe Papeneiland
2 PrinsengrachtStep out of your door, turn left and you can't miss it. Your new Amsterdam living room.
Local, authentic and the best bridge and converging canals of Amsterdam for people watching. Take a drink inside or out, sit, relax, chat with your neighbour or simply watch.
This is the great Amsterdam spot to simply be.
Serving coffee, apple pie, beer, drinks Het Papeneiland is good for any time of day and when you do buy at the bar, say a friendly 'Dank u wel!' which translates to 'thank you'. It'll be well appreciated.
Sightseeing
All types of action over here with huge warehouses hosting the Ij-Hallen flea market, plus plenty of child friendly cafes. Free ferry behind centraal station.
143 locals recommend
Vlooienmarkt IJhallen
All types of action over here with huge warehouses hosting the Ij-Hallen flea market, plus plenty of child friendly cafes. Free ferry behind centraal station.
The A'DAM Lookout gives spectacular views over the city. There's an open air viewing deck, cafe, restaurant, clubs and a super fast experiential lift ride up. For convenience, book tickets in advance.
603 locals recommend
A'dam Lookout
5 OverhoekspleinThe A'DAM Lookout gives spectacular views over the city. There's an open air viewing deck, cafe, restaurant, clubs and a super fast experiential lift ride up. For convenience, book tickets in advance.
Shopping
The best of Dutch design & beyond. Superbly curated interiors & furniture store.
28 locals recommend
Frozen Fountain
645 PrinsengrachtThe best of Dutch design & beyond. Superbly curated interiors & furniture store.
An ode to denim. Well curated quality clothing for men & women just 2 minutes away.
45 locals recommend
Tenue de Nimes
60 ElandsgrachtAn ode to denim. Well curated quality clothing for men & women just 2 minutes away.
Chrysantenstraat 20
20 ChrysantenstraatVintage & industrial interior pieces.
Essential, simple stylish basics for home, kitchen and garden. Good for thoughtful gifts.
11 locals recommend
Dille and Kamille
16-18 NieuwendijkEssential, simple stylish basics for home, kitchen and garden. Good for thoughtful gifts.
The original Amsterdam jewellery shop. Predominantly secondhand jewellery & ornaments this is the place frequented by fashion and interior stylists.
Lyppens Jeweler
8 LangebrugsteegThe original Amsterdam jewellery shop. Predominantly secondhand jewellery & ornaments this is the place frequented by fashion and interior stylists.
An organic food market of local producers Saturday and a flea market Monday. This is wonderful, authentic Amsterdam.
892 locals recommend
Noordermarkt
42B NoordermarktAn organic food market of local producers Saturday and a flea market Monday. This is wonderful, authentic Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam sneaker and streetwear destination. Famed artist Parra created Patta's logo. The immediate area has grown to be a cultural hub.
18 locals recommend
Patta
68-70 ZeedijkThe Amsterdam sneaker and streetwear destination. Famed artist Parra created Patta's logo. The immediate area has grown to be a cultural hub.
Essentials
Organic supermarket for all your needs. Open from approximately 8.00-22.00 daily. Pay with pin card only and bring a bag.
857 locals recommend
Marqt
402 CeintuurbaanOrganic supermarket for all your needs. Open from approximately 8.00-22.00 daily. Pay with pin card only and bring a bag.
Caulils Delicatessen
115HS HaarlemmerstraatThe award winning delicatessen and right on our doorstep.
Super convenient and inspiring grocery store with fresh baked bread and pastries every morning. This is your local stop for almost everything you need.
45 locals recommend
STACH Food
1A Nieuwe HoogstraatSuper convenient and inspiring grocery store with fresh baked bread and pastries every morning. This is your local stop for almost everything you need.
Rabobank ATM
721 IJburglaanCASH! Your local ATM. This gets busy on Saturday.
Convenient and very local laundrette. Open every day they can also do your washing for you.
6 locals recommend
The Clean Brothers Laundry
26 WesterstraatConvenient and very local laundrette. Open every day they can also do your washing for you.
Chabrol Wines
7 HaarlemmerstraatOur local and excellent wine shop with knowledgeable helpful staff.
Entertainment & Activities
Intimate and authentic local cinema showing both blockbusters and arthouse all within ten minutes walk. Possible to eat here too.
429 locals recommend
The Movies
159 - 163 HaarlemmerdijkIntimate and authentic local cinema showing both blockbusters and arthouse all within ten minutes walk. Possible to eat here too.
Grab the free ferry across the water to get a new perspective on the city. Inspiring building, great films & fantastic views from their cafe.
15 locals recommend
IJpromenade 1
1 IJpromenadeGrab the free ferry across the water to get a new perspective on the city. Inspiring building, great films & fantastic views from their cafe.
We're spoilt to have Rapha Cycle Club so close. Avid cyclists ourselves you can store your road bikes safely inside the Carriage house.
15 locals recommend
Raak Amsterdam
46 Eerste van der HelststraatWe're spoilt to have Rapha Cycle Club so close. Avid cyclists ourselves you can store your road bikes safely inside the Carriage house.