City Guide: Amsterdam

written by John Philp May 30, 2024

The Dutch capital of Amsterdam is truly a feast for the senses, with its iconic winding tree-lined canals, overflowing with charming houseboats and stair-stepped gabled architecture. Romantic bridges arc over the waterways (over 1200 in the city!) while cyclists whiz by, adding to the enchanting scene. With Dutch delicacies like stroopwafel, Dutch apple pie, and poffertjes, you won’t find yourself hungry in this city! It’s no wonder Amsterdam has been dubbed the “Venice of the North!”Amsterdam’s captivating canal ring was established in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, when the city was one of the most important ports in the world. Wealth from maritime trade allowed the expansion of the city’s concentric canal system and the construction of stately merchants’ houses that still stand proud today as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Dutch East India Company was headquartered here, helping establish Amsterdam as a global economic force.

There’s no shortage of attractions and activities either. You can explore gems like the world-class Rijksmuseum filled with paintings by the Dutch Masters, the poignant Anne Frank House, the lush Vondelpark, and quirky spots like the Heineken Experience brewery tour. A classic glass-topped canal cruise is an absolute must for first-time visitors.

While the canals are the iconic backdrop, the food scene is another major draw for visitors to Amsterdam. You’ll find delicious Dutch treats like poffertjes (tiny puffed pancakes – my favorite!), bitterballen (crispy meat snacks), and thick-cut fries served with an array of decadent sauces like peanut, joppie, and Dutch mayo. For something more upscale, Amsterdam boasts innovative modern dining with a host of Michelin-starred restaurants. If it’s your first time in Amsterdam, you’ll have to hit Gartine, Ree 7, Louf, or Bakerij Wolf for breakfast or brunch! There are so many casual cafés for lunch, but some of my favorites are Little Collins and Le Salonard. With so many tasty treats, you’ll have to carve out some time in the afternoon for fries at Fabel Friet, stroopwafel from Rudi’s, and a Dutch apple pie at Winkle 43! If you’re still hungry by the time dinner rolls around, Nnea Pizza, Mister Gyoza, and Café De Klepel are all great options!

To Eat:

*Gartine – Cozy, antique-filled café for breakfast, lunch & tea made with pickings from their on-site kitchen garden. Be sure to make a reservation!
Omelegg – Great brunch spot. They don’t take reservations, but the line moves quite quickly.
*Fabel Friet – This touristy French fry spot is worth the type. Crunchy, golden fries with several toppings to choose from – I got the parmesan shaved on top with truffle mayo! The line is worth the wait (and moves pretty quickly!) but I’d recommend going at a funny time of day.
Buffet van Odette – Classy, whitewashed restaurant with a bar & a terrace, offering lunch, dinner & drinks.
De Reiger – French & international seafood, meat & fish dishes in a veteran eatery with art deco accents.
De Kas – Chic garden conservatory serving fresh Mediterranean dishes made from organic ingredients that are grown right on-site!
Balthazar’s Keuken – Cozy & compact restaurant with an open kitchen, serving innovative & seasonal Dutch dishes in a rustic space. Sister restaurant to Bar Parry!
Little Collins (De Pijp)- Be sure to get the fried feta dish – it was delicious!
Toscanini – Home-cooked regional Italian cuisine in a sky-lit, modern rustic restaurant with an open kitchen.
The Duchess – Located in the former KAS Bank, this Michelin-starred restaurant is serving up inventive food in an exceptionally gorgeous space!
Lagome – All-day brunch & lunch! They have a menu and delicious loaded fries!
Kartika – Javanese puppets adorn this petite, softly-lit restaurant serving traditional Indonesian rijstafel.
*Café De Klepel – This French wine bar serves wines from an incredible list and
Salmuera – Creative takes on Argentinian & Mexican flavors, plus mezcal & cocktails, in a trendy space.
*Ree 7 – Quaint coffee shop serving up delicious breakfast & brunch! I loved the chicken club sandwich!
Foodhallen – Hip, cavernous space with stalls prepping global foods from burgers & hot dogs to dumplings & tacos.
Cafe Blue – This café with a view is great for brunch or lunch!
Le Salonard (De Pijp) – Great cold-cut sandwiches and deli to grab meats & cheeses from for a picnic!
Cornerstore – This new bar & restaurant located in the northern neighborhood of Noord brings Asian-inspired food and natural wines together
*Nnea Pizza – Incredible Neapolitan pizza! It’s hard to get a reservation, you might have to set a reminder on Resy!
Zero Zero – Gant’s Italian-inspired sandwich shop
Bak – This fine dining establishment has landed itself on the Michelin guide for serving high-end organic food and its extensive wine list!
Janz – Small plates, sandwiches & salads, in several elegant, wood-clad dining rooms hung with artworks.
De Wasserrette (De Pijp) – This daytime café is great for lunch & brunch!
Mister Gyoza – Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam, our cozy Gyoza bar offers a diverse menu of creative Gyoza dishes, Japanese sides, and delicious drinks. They also have a great lemon pie for dessert!

Coffee & Bakery:

Uncommon – Chic cafeé roasting their own coffee beans!
*Louf – This bread-centric café is making some incredible pastries and breads as well as delicious coffee. This was a favorite of mine!
Café Thijssen – Low-key hangout whipping up breakfast, finger foods & sandwiches. Fun, low-key spot for an afternoon coffee or cocktails!
*Winkle 43 – Known for its Dutch apple pie, this lively cafe/bar serves hearty European snacks, lunches and dinners. There might be a line, but it moves somewhat quickly!
*The Papeneiland Café – Traditional canalside cafe with outdoor seating serving coffee, beer & Dutch apple pie. Locals say this is their favorite Dutch apple pie!
*Screaming Beans – Delicious coffee shop roasting their own beans
Wandu Café – Serving up coffee, teas and matcha as well as pastries!
Bakers & Roasters – Bright, modern cafe for brunch, homemade baked goods & specialty coffee, plus cocktails & beers.
JuiceBrothers – Great for a grab-and-go juice or acai bowl
*Toki – Great coffee and a cool-kid hangout!
The Pancake Bakery – Massive sweet & savory pancakes are served up at this 2-storey converted warehouse with canal views.
Selma’s – This traditional Nordic bakery is family-run and serving up some specialty pastries as well as delicious coffee.
*Have a Roll – Incredible vegan cinnamon rolls!
Café ‘t Smalle – This cute corner cafe is a pub with wood-paneled walls & a cute canalside terrace, serving hearty food & Belgian beers!
*Bakerij Wolf – This bakery takes reservations in their sit-down area and has a to-go counter as well. Incredible breads and pastries! I had a religious experience with their chicken sandwich. I’ll be back to try their smash burger!
De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam -Specialty store & deli selling Dutch & imported cheeses as well as wine, beer, salads & snacks.
STROOM in de Pijp (De Pijp) – Café great for breakfast or lunch or a drink with a sunny terrace!
Coffee & Coconuts (De Pijp) – Craft coffee, fresh coconut juice & an eclectic menu served in an airy space with beach-shack vibes.

To Drink:

J.D. WIlliam’s Whiskey Bar – Scottish, Irish, Japanese & US whiskeys, beer & snacks, in a stylish venue with exposed brick.
Hiding in Plain Sight – Cocktail bar tucked away in the middle of the red light district
*Café Twee Prinsen – This cute corner wine bar has a fun crowd!
Blauwe Theehuis – Breezy bar in the middle of Vondelpark park serving craft beers, breakfasts & pizzas in a round building with a terrace.
Bar at the Hoxton Hotel – They have a fun vintage photo booth!
*Pulitzer’s – Glam hotel bar with old-world decor, serving custom-made, artisanal cocktails & upscale bites.
*Festina Lente – Cute corner bistro and bar!
Glouglou – Natural wine bar
*Bar Parry – This was a favorite for me! Buzzy little wine bar serving small bites that were all delicious!
*Club NYX – the best gay “club” in Amsterdam
De Tulp (De Pijp) – Funky, ivy-draped, tropically inspired eatery featuring cocktails & sharing plates, plus a terrace.
Mimi’s – Cute corner bistro and wine bar tucked in a residential area
RADION Amsterdam – Industrial-chic bar & cafe in a cultural event space, offering pizzas, burgers & a seasonal terrace.
Cannibale Royale – Located in Amsterdam’s City Centre area, they serves up tasty cuts of meat and burgers. Its unique setting features old photographs on the wall
Bar Brasserie OCCO (at the Dylan Hotel)- Gorgous all-day bar with an inside terrace
Cafe Gambrinus (De Pijp) – Warm, relaxed hangout with sidewalk seats offering coffee, craft beer & informal meals.
Waterkant – Modern canalside bar & eatery with Dutch & Surinamese fare, a wide choice of beer & outdoor seating.
Biertuin (Oost) – Fun beer hall with dozens of beer offerings on-tap!
Brouwerij de Prael – House-brewed draft beer & everyday pub fare served in laid-back digs with a cool vibe.
Hannekes Boom (Oost) – Easygoing dockside restaurant with a terrace serving seafood, meat & veggie dishes.
Bar Bukoski (Oost) – Funky, urban cafe & cocktail bar with a terrace, serving burgers, baguettes & flammkuchen.
Ruk en Pluk (Oost) – One of the most traditional old Amsterdam bars
Brouwerij t IJ (Oost) Industrial-style brewery next to a windmill offering some of the best white beer in the world!
Mooie Boule (Oost) – you can drink while playing the French game “jeu de boule”

To Do:

*Visit the Anne Frank House – make a reservation online before your trip!
Run through or picnic in Vondelpark
*Visit the Vincent Van Gogh Museum
Rent a boat and see the city from the canal!
*Visit the Rijksmuseum
Sip your way through the Heineken Experience
Shop along the Nine Streets “De 9 Straatjes“
Visit the Albert Cuyp Market
- Eat a raw herring at Volendammer vismarket
- try a “Baka Bana” at Warung Swietie Lelydorp
- Grab a freshly baked stroopwafel at Rudi’s (the original!)
- Try some “poffertjes” – traditional tiny Dutch pancakes
- Grab a Surinamese sandwich Tjin’s Toko (“Pom” is the best one)
Visit the Rembrandt House Museum
Take a bike to Amsterdam-Noord and explore the northern neighborhood (take the free ferry!)
- Tolhuistuin
- FC Hyena for drinks
- De Goudfazant for dinner
- Cornerstore for dinner
- Skatecafe for drinks
- Pllek is a cute beach town
See the Kroller-Muller Museum
Rent a bike and ride the streets like a local!
Visit the Hortus Botanicus
Farmers Market on Noordermarkt
Shop:
- Casa Gitane – Furniture & home goods
- Mercer Amsterdam – Men & Women’s sneakers
- De Bijenkorf – Department store
- Wildernis – very cute plant shop
- The Otherist – Cool taxidermied butterflies & insects
- Concrete Matter – vintage american inspired menswear
- Closed – German brand of menswear
- Margriet Nannings -curated designer menswear
- Porcelien – Beautiful ceramics
- Kapten & Son – German brand of backpacks, glasses
- De9heren (The 9 Gents) – resort menswear
- Project AMS – menswear
- De Oliewinkel Amsterdam – Oils & tinned fish

To Stay:

Pulitzer Amsterdam – A 5 star hotel nestled amongst Amsterdam’s most iconic canals
Conservatorium – This luxury hotel is located right in the middle of the Musem district
The Waldorf Astoria – Located in the UNESCO-listed city center, the hotel spans six 17th and 18th-century palaces on the Herengracht Canal. Enjoy an exceptional culinary experience in their two Michelin-starred restaurant, Spectrum, and indulge in personalized treatments at their Guerlain Spa.
The Andaz – Housed in the former public library, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is one of the most creative luxury lifestyle hotels in the city,
The Dylan – For a luxury 5-star experience, this boutique hotel offers a unique stay. It’s where Beyoncé stays when she’s in town!
The Hoxton – Set in storied canal houses, this chic, contemporary hotel has a hopping lobby bar!

With its blend of historic charm, cultural diversity, and renowned cozy culture, Amsterdam makes for an utterly engaging city break. Just be prepared for the possibility of impromptu rain showers during your visit to this beguiling “Venice of the North.” Have you been to Amsterdam yet? You’ll have to let me know some of your favorite things to do in the city!

Stay Risky,

– John