Guidebook for Amsterdam
Food Scene
Bella Storia
26 BentinckstraatAmazing food and atmosphere in this small Italian tratoria.
Bagels & Beans Van Hallstraat Amsterdam
613 Van HallstraatNice coffee and bagels
Restaurant El Kasbah
94I Van der HoopstraatYour local super nice Moroccan food just outside your house.
Lovely restaurant across the street from you, located directly in Westerpark. You can sit outside or inside and enjoy the very nice food they offer.
52 locals recommend
Westerliefde
4-6 KlönnepleinLovely restaurant across the street from you, located directly in Westerpark. You can sit outside or inside and enjoy the very nice food they offer.
Amazing place with pizza that makes you wonder if you were somehow transported directly to Italy. It's a must! :)
81 locals recommend
De Pizzabakkers Haarlemmerdijk
128 HS HaarlemmerdijkAmazing place with pizza that makes you wonder if you were somehow transported directly to Italy. It's a must! :)
You can enjoy both food or drinks at this nice little place. Come early or make a reservation as it gets busy.
43 locals recommend
Cafe Nobo
73 HaarlemmerstraatYou can enjoy both food or drinks at this nice little place. Come early or make a reservation as it gets busy.
Now this is my secret jewel - best restaurant in town and I come here any time I get a chance. If you're a bit of a foodie and like quality wine, you will love this place. Make a reservation.
42 locals recommend
Bistrot Neuf
9 HaarlemmerstraatNow this is my secret jewel - best restaurant in town and I come here any time I get a chance. If you're a bit of a foodie and like quality wine, you will love this place. Make a reservation.
Not the cheapest but special experience. You get to sit on big cussions on the floor and enjoy live belly dancing and yummy delights.
20 locals recommend
Nomads
17 HerengrachtNot the cheapest but special experience. You get to sit on big cussions on the floor and enjoy live belly dancing and yummy delights.
Again, across the street from you, direct in the Westerpark. Great food and chilled atmosphere, whether you are sitting outside or inside.
23 locals recommend
Raïnaraï
252 PrinsengrachtAgain, across the street from you, direct in the Westerpark. Great food and chilled atmosphere, whether you are sitting outside or inside.
One of my favourite places to eat. A bit hidden from the buzz of Prinsengracht and the food is fantastic. Book in advance as they are busy.
74 locals recommend
De Belhamel
60 BrouwersgrachtOne of my favourite places to eat. A bit hidden from the buzz of Prinsengracht and the food is fantastic. Book in advance as they are busy.
Don't get put off by the touristy location as this is a hidden jewel. Foodie experience, excellent wine - not cheap but totally worth it.
7 locals recommend
GRAVES | restaurant-wijnbar |
10 GravenstraatDon't get put off by the touristy location as this is a hidden jewel. Foodie experience, excellent wine - not cheap but totally worth it.
If you don't know about it, you'll never find it. A former fabriek, this is a unique space and atmosphere. Tends to be busy, so make a reservation.
284 locals recommend
Café Restaurant Amsterdam
6 WatertorenpleinIf you don't know about it, you'll never find it. A former fabriek, this is a unique space and atmosphere. Tends to be busy, so make a reservation.
Great art nouveau space, posh atmosphere, great for a nice coffee and cake - makes you feel like you've just stepped into a royal palace :).
10 locals recommend
Café Américain
28 LeidsepleinGreat art nouveau space, posh atmosphere, great for a nice coffee and cake - makes you feel like you've just stepped into a royal palace :).
Student like feel, nice for a bite before a gig in the next door Paradiso or cinema. Art films and festivals are often hosted here - check the programma.
41 locals recommend
De Balie
10 Kleine-GartmanplantsoenStudent like feel, nice for a bite before a gig in the next door Paradiso or cinema. Art films and festivals are often hosted here - check the programma.
Great Thai in this tiny place, it may not look it but worth trying.
28 locals recommend
Ko Chang Thai restaurant
91 WesterstraatGreat Thai in this tiny place, it may not look it but worth trying.
OK, there will always be a fight between who knows the best burger place in town, I say it's this one. Tends to be super crowded but what isn't in Amsterdam - everybody wants a piece of it.
111 locals recommend
Burgermeester | de Pijp
48 Albert CuypstraatOK, there will always be a fight between who knows the best burger place in town, I say it's this one. Tends to be super crowded but what isn't in Amsterdam - everybody wants a piece of it.
Great value for money, love the space too. If you're on a bit of a budget and happened to be around the area, it's worth exploring.
258 locals recommend
De Bazar Amsterdam B.V.
182 Albert CuypstraatGreat value for money, love the space too. If you're on a bit of a budget and happened to be around the area, it's worth exploring.
You can dispute the coffee quality of Starbucks all you want but this is worth at least for the architecture. Great space.
66 locals recommend
Starbucks
72 OvertoomYou can dispute the coffee quality of Starbucks all you want but this is worth at least for the architecture. Great space.
Restaurant, coffee, club, great outside seating space, this place has it all. Next door is also the more famous Anne Frank's museum :). Not necessarily the cheapest but common, you're on holiday :).
22 locals recommend
Werck
277 PrinsengrachtRestaurant, coffee, club, great outside seating space, this place has it all. Next door is also the more famous Anne Frank's museum :). Not necessarily the cheapest but common, you're on holiday :).
Consider yourself lucky that I'm sharing this one with you. In my view the best Spanish food in town but what do I know, I'm not Spanish ;). When Spain plays, they also show it on a big screen.
14 locals recommend
Vamos a Ver
308 Govert FlinckstraatConsider yourself lucky that I'm sharing this one with you. In my view the best Spanish food in town but what do I know, I'm not Spanish ;). When Spain plays, they also show it on a big screen.
There's a tiny Bird and a bigger Bird :). You can either hop into the take away one or the seating restaurant one. Both have great Thai. A word of warning, they have no alcohol licence.
167 locals recommend
Bird Thais Restaurant
72-74 ZeedijkThere's a tiny Bird and a bigger Bird :). You can either hop into the take away one or the seating restaurant one. Both have great Thai. A word of warning, they have no alcohol licence.
I don't particularly like Chinese food, as in not your regular Chinese take away kinda girl but this modern Chinese fusion is to die for. Loooong lines, so make a reservation.
59 locals recommend
New King
115-117 ZeedijkI don't particularly like Chinese food, as in not your regular Chinese take away kinda girl but this modern Chinese fusion is to die for. Loooong lines, so make a reservation.
There is one here and one closer to you on Bilderdijkstraat. Great coffee.
80 locals recommend
de koffie salon centrum
130-BG UtrechtsestraatThere is one here and one closer to you on Bilderdijkstraat. Great coffee.
On the whole this area is worth wandering around and see where you fancy drinking/eating. Good Italian food here.
15 locals recommend
La Trattoria Di Donna Sofia
300 AnjeliersstraatOn the whole this area is worth wandering around and see where you fancy drinking/eating. Good Italian food here.
Can be tricky to find but that's part of the fun. Small, cozy, great nachos..try it!
17 locals recommend
Goodies Food & Drinks
9 HuidenstraatCan be tricky to find but that's part of the fun. Small, cozy, great nachos..try it!
Burried in the Nine streets area, whether you're new to Japanese pancakes or a devoted fan, it's a must.
7 locals recommend
Japanese Pancake World
24 Tweede EgelantiersdwarsstraatBurried in the Nine streets area, whether you're new to Japanese pancakes or a devoted fan, it's a must.
By now you have probably discovered the longest street in Holland - Prinsengracht. Stylish, romantic, not cheap but doable, Mashua offers a great South American fusion experience.
Mashua
703 PrinsengrachtBy now you have probably discovered the longest street in Holland - Prinsengracht. Stylish, romantic, not cheap but doable, Mashua offers a great South American fusion experience.
Casa Perú
68 LeidsegrachtThe name says it all. The food is great in this little Peru castle.
Used to be my favourite local spot, Cafe De Tuin is great for a drink or a few. Very popular by the locals, so get in early if you want to sit inside.
202 locals recommend
Café de Tuin
13 Tweede TuindwarsstraatUsed to be my favourite local spot, Cafe De Tuin is great for a drink or a few. Very popular by the locals, so get in early if you want to sit inside.
Dionysos Taverna
176 OvertoomIf you feel like some Greek food, this is a great spot.
Great food and lovely vibe, this place has it all. Very walkable from Westerpark, so stretch your legs before you sit down for some nice wine and yummy delights.
107 locals recommend
La Oliva
122 124 EgelantiersstraatGreat food and lovely vibe, this place has it all. Very walkable from Westerpark, so stretch your legs before you sit down for some nice wine and yummy delights.
I'm not a great carnivore but I love the quality of meat here. Easily the best steak in town. A bit far away from Westerpark but the trams or bikes take you everywhere :).
19 locals recommend
Mi Sueño
40 MaasstraatI'm not a great carnivore but I love the quality of meat here. Easily the best steak in town. A bit far away from Westerpark but the trams or bikes take you everywhere :).
Westerpark will forgive you for cheating on it with Vondelpark ;). Cafe Vertigo is kinda in the middle, it has a big section both inside and outside for enjoying crowd watching.
26 locals recommend
Vertigo
3 VondelparkWesterpark will forgive you for cheating on it with Vondelpark ;). Cafe Vertigo is kinda in the middle, it has a big section both inside and outside for enjoying crowd watching.
I've been there just once as it's so busy and I don't do crowds :). However, it's famous for the meat quality and fun to go to.
289 locals recommend
Café Loetje
52 Johannes VermeerstraatI've been there just once as it's so busy and I don't do crowds :). However, it's famous for the meat quality and fun to go to.
If you feel like a bit of a challenge, try and find this restaurant on a boat. It's fabulous, often with live jazz (think Sunday), great food and chill factor present at all times.
71 locals recommend
Pont 13
50 HaparandadamIf you feel like a bit of a challenge, try and find this restaurant on a boat. It's fabulous, often with live jazz (think Sunday), great food and chill factor present at all times.
Again, perhaps not so easy to find but your patience will be rewarded. I cannot describe it, you have to go and experience it :).
489 locals recommend
Noorderlicht Café
102 NDSM-PleinAgain, perhaps not so easy to find but your patience will be rewarded. I cannot describe it, you have to go and experience it :).
There are two reasons why to come here: it's almost outside your door..or ok, around the corner from you :) AND it serves Belgian beer. Do I have to say more? Proost!
9 locals recommend
Cafe Brel
37 Van HallstraatThere are two reasons why to come here: it's almost outside your door..or ok, around the corner from you :) AND it serves Belgian beer. Do I have to say more? Proost!
Arts & Culture
A small nice independent cinema with a coffee bar showing arty films across the street from you.
106 locals recommend
Het Ketelhuis
4 PazzanistraatA small nice independent cinema with a coffee bar showing arty films across the street from you.
Clubbing, exhibitions, check their schedule for the programma when you are around.
263 locals recommend
Zuiveringshal West
37 PazzanistraatClubbing, exhibitions, check their schedule for the programma when you are around.
The Movies
159 - 163 HaarlemmerdijkOld fashioned wonderful little arty cinema just a short walk away.
Now, this is a special place. If you enjoy arty, studenty, live music, amateur theater, independent cinema type of squat, then I recommend to come here for at least a drink & see if you like it.
116 locals recommend
De Nieuwe Anita
111 Frederik HendrikstraatNow, this is a special place. If you enjoy arty, studenty, live music, amateur theater, independent cinema type of squat, then I recommend to come here for at least a drink & see if you like it.
Everything Else
Westerpark in Amsterdam is across the street from you. Enjoy the bars and coffee places or just ponder on the grass people watching :).
1599 locals recommend
Westerpark
4 HaarlemmerwegWesterpark in Amsterdam is across the street from you. Enjoy the bars and coffee places or just ponder on the grass people watching :).
Biological market every Saturday and Monday morning. You will find tasty things as well as a bit of flea market. If that's not enough, you can sit around in one of the surrounding cafes & ponder :).
892 locals recommend
Noordermarkt
42B NoordermarktBiological market every Saturday and Monday morning. You will find tasty things as well as a bit of flea market. If that's not enough, you can sit around in one of the surrounding cafes & ponder :).
You can visit the museums or sit on the grass and watch the world go by. Great photo opportunities of the Rijksmuseum.
1480 locals recommend
Museumplein
MuseumpleinYou can visit the museums or sit on the grass and watch the world go by. Great photo opportunities of the Rijksmuseum.
More for the girls I guess but a nice thing to do, I mean women and handbags..I don't need to say more, do I? :)
Great high tea space with an inner garden too.
100 locals recommend
Museum of Bags and Purses
573 HerengrachtMore for the girls I guess but a nice thing to do, I mean women and handbags..I don't need to say more, do I? :)
Great high tea space with an inner garden too.
Famous for...being famous really. I think the small markets are much nicer but if it's your first time in Amsterdam, then why not.
1832 locals recommend
Albert Cuyp Market
Albert CuypstraatFamous for...being famous really. I think the small markets are much nicer but if it's your first time in Amsterdam, then why not.
At the flower market, you will find flowers :). Lots of them, good value, just don't necessarily buy at the first stall but walk through it first - best bargain at the end of the day (around 5ish).
447 locals recommend
Bloemenmarkt
SingelAt the flower market, you will find flowers :). Lots of them, good value, just don't necessarily buy at the first stall but walk through it first - best bargain at the end of the day (around 5ish).
This one I am sure you've heard about before. It's small and intimate, long waiting time though, so check if you can buy tickets online.
2775 locals recommend
Anne Frank House
20 WestermarktThis one I am sure you've heard about before. It's small and intimate, long waiting time though, so check if you can buy tickets online.
I am ashamed to say that I've never been but all tourists do it, so it must be good :).
1283 locals recommend
Heineken Experience
78 StadhouderskadeI am ashamed to say that I've never been but all tourists do it, so it must be good :).
I am not suggesting you should read when you're in Amsterdam but it's a great building and on the top floor you can eat with at La Place with a nice view.
188 locals recommend
OBA Library of Amsterdam
143 OosterdokskadeI am not suggesting you should read when you're in Amsterdam but it's a great building and on the top floor you can eat with at La Place with a nice view.
And here we go, the famous fight for the best bread in Amsterdam. Both Bakkerswinkel (across the street from you in Westerpark) and here are extremely good in my view.
31 locals recommend
Vlaamsch Broodhuys Haarlemmerstraat Amsterdam
108 HaarlemmerstraatAnd here we go, the famous fight for the best bread in Amsterdam. Both Bakkerswinkel (across the street from you in Westerpark) and here are extremely good in my view.
If you, like me, love architecture, you will love visiting the film museum. Lots of fun things to do and see, great cafe with a fab view too just a short FREE boat ride from the back of Centraal.
1109 locals recommend
Eye Film Museum
1 IJpromenadeIf you, like me, love architecture, you will love visiting the film museum. Lots of fun things to do and see, great cafe with a fab view too just a short FREE boat ride from the back of Centraal.
Depends when you come to Netherlands, in spring you can visit the world's biggest collection of tulips. You can also rent bikes and cycle along the tulip fields, it's a memorable experience.
465 locals recommend
Keukenhof
166A StationswegDepends when you come to Netherlands, in spring you can visit the world's biggest collection of tulips. You can also rent bikes and cycle along the tulip fields, it's a memorable experience.
You're in Holland, so may want to see some windmills, right? Zaanse Schans is a short train trip from Amsterdam and totally worth it.
651 locals recommend
Zaanse Schans
KraaienestYou're in Holland, so may want to see some windmills, right? Zaanse Schans is a short train trip from Amsterdam and totally worth it.
And we're on architecture again, I think it's worth seeing if not for the content, then definitely for the building.
820 locals recommend
Het Scheepvaartmuseum
1 KattenburgerpleinAnd we're on architecture again, I think it's worth seeing if not for the content, then definitely for the building.
Intimate, touching space, here and there they do live music with candlelights. Great building.
55 locals recommend
Portuguese Synagogue
3 Mr. VisserpleinIntimate, touching space, here and there they do live music with candlelights. Great building.
This is a zoo, it's not massive, it's quite nice and I love the planetarium.
1622 locals recommend
ARTIS
38-40 Plantage KerklaanThis is a zoo, it's not massive, it's quite nice and I love the planetarium.
A former theatre, it's a lovely space for some popcorn and a block buster. Ehm, if you had a feeling something brushed your foot, it could be a mouse, it's Amsterdam after all.
340 locals recommend
Pathé Tuschinski
26-34 ReguliersbreestraatA former theatre, it's a lovely space for some popcorn and a block buster. Ehm, if you had a feeling something brushed your foot, it could be a mouse, it's Amsterdam after all.
A free open air film festival taking place in August. Come early and I mean like 6pm, grab a good seat as it's packed every single time.
8 locals recommend
Pluk de Nacht
A free open air film festival taking place in August. Come early and I mean like 6pm, grab a good seat as it's packed every single time.
This is a museum of Bols where you get to taste the famous jenevers. Fun for all, legal drinking, ages, informative and interactive.
55 locals recommend
House of Bols, the Cocktail & Genever Experience
12 14 16 Paulus PotterstraatThis is a museum of Bols where you get to taste the famous jenevers. Fun for all, legal drinking, ages, informative and interactive.
You are in Amsterdam and you absolutely have to try this. Rent a bike and you will be mobile everywhere around the city and fully flexible. It's a jungle but dive right in and join in the fun.
28 locals recommend
Rent a Bikey
20-22 DamstraatYou are in Amsterdam and you absolutely have to try this. Rent a bike and you will be mobile everywhere around the city and fully flexible. It's a jungle but dive right in and join in the fun.
Drinks & Nightlife
Small cocktail bar with the best cocktails in town (at least in my books! :). Come early as it's tiny and busy.
166 locals recommend
Vesper
57 VinkenstraatSmall cocktail bar with the best cocktails in town (at least in my books! :). Come early as it's tiny and busy.
Typical 'kroeg' in Dutch - something between a pub and a bar :). If you are after the local feel, this is a good one.
23 locals recommend
Café Kobalt
2 A SingelTypical 'kroeg' in Dutch - something between a pub and a bar :). If you are after the local feel, this is a good one.
Tiny, hidden, old-fashioned and awesome little Jenevers place. Don't be alarmed when you're required to bend over to drink your first one, it's a local custom. Enjoy :).
161 locals recommend
Wynand Fockink
31 PijlsteegTiny, hidden, old-fashioned and awesome little Jenevers place. Don't be alarmed when you're required to bend over to drink your first one, it's a local custom. Enjoy :).
Again, one of my favourite places. Great food and space and the service tends to be good.
121 locals recommend
Mata Hari
22 Oudezijds AchterburgwalAgain, one of my favourite places. Great food and space and the service tends to be good.
So, say you want to watch some football and you've had enough of the busy tourist centre, Taverna Barcelona is a good hiding place. Great Spanish food.
16 locals recommend
Taverna Barcelona
37 SaenredamstraatSo, say you want to watch some football and you've had enough of the busy tourist centre, Taverna Barcelona is a good hiding place. Great Spanish food.
Stylish bar with some great food too. You will find it right on Leidseplein where number 10 tram takes you directly from your Amsterdam home base :).
10 locals recommend
bubbles Amsterdam
90-92 Lange LeidsedwarsstraatStylish bar with some great food too. You will find it right on Leidseplein where number 10 tram takes you directly from your Amsterdam home base :).
Essentials
This branch of Marqt has recently opened on Haarlemmerstraat. You will find bio and local farm groceries at reasonable price.
857 locals recommend
Marqt
402 CeintuurbaanThis branch of Marqt has recently opened on Haarlemmerstraat. You will find bio and local farm groceries at reasonable price.