Guidebook for Amsterdam
Drinks & Nightlife
Local Brewery in the Pjip - cool neighbourhood where locals frequent for many bar/restaurant options.
178 locals recommend
Brouwerij Troost
21 Cornelis TroostpleinLocal Brewery in the Pjip - cool neighbourhood where locals frequent for many bar/restaurant options.
The most crooked bar in Amsterdam; from 1695 it's a must visit even if for a cup of tea. Go there if you are new NieuwMarket Square... Redlight... Rembrandt Huis (across the street) or Portugese Synagogue. It's fun, but will leave you feeling a bit tilted.
19 locals recommend
Café de Sluyswacht
1 JodenbreestraatThe most crooked bar in Amsterdam; from 1695 it's a must visit even if for a cup of tea. Go there if you are new NieuwMarket Square... Redlight... Rembrandt Huis (across the street) or Portugese Synagogue. It's fun, but will leave you feeling a bit tilted.
This bar is very close to our house on the 5 tram; super Dutch; either packed with people in their 40s or youngins, you never know. We enjoy it for some beers, sometimes go there in the afternoon for bitterballen (Dutch bar food) - it's very close to Museumplein - 8 minute walk and there are other cafes along the walk as well.
34 locals recommend
Café Wildschut
1 Roelof HartpleinThis bar is very close to our house on the 5 tram; super Dutch; either packed with people in their 40s or youngins, you never know. We enjoy it for some beers, sometimes go there in the afternoon for bitterballen (Dutch bar food) - it's very close to Museumplein - 8 minute walk and there are other cafes along the walk as well.
Lokaal de Pijp
51 DusartstraatBeer lover bar.
Brewery in the Red Light District that's off the path; hidden in a side street. If you are in the area and interested in beer, check it out.
75 locals recommend
Brouwerij de Prael
26 Oudezijds ArmsteegBrewery in the Red Light District that's off the path; hidden in a side street. If you are in the area and interested in beer, check it out.
Sightseeing
Favourite museum in the city.
If I had to pick one museum to visit, this would be it. Van Gogh was like no other artist; and this modern museum which exhibits over 200 works is proof. You can easily spend 2-3 hours there - there are many cafes near Museumplein and it's a wonderful place to take the tram to and start your journey into the city.
2485 locals recommend
Van Gogh Museum
6 MuseumpleinFavourite museum in the city.
If I had to pick one museum to visit, this would be it. Van Gogh was like no other artist; and this modern museum which exhibits over 200 works is proof. You can easily spend 2-3 hours there - there are many cafes near Museumplein and it's a wonderful place to take the tram to and start your journey into the city.
Definitely recommend doing a 1 hour canal tour if the sun is shining. This is a company my friends and I used once - but there are a ton of options! Prices range from 10-16 euro.
12 locals recommend
Rederij Friendship
230 Oudezijds VoorburgwalDefinitely recommend doing a 1 hour canal tour if the sun is shining. This is a company my friends and I used once - but there are a ton of options! Prices range from 10-16 euro.
Food Scene
Food Hall in Station Zuid - open till 9pm, has good inexpensive options ranging from Pho, sushi to sandwiches and beer
6 locals recommend
Station Zuid
Station ZuidFood Hall in Station Zuid - open till 9pm, has good inexpensive options ranging from Pho, sushi to sandwiches and beer
If you are in the West neighborhood, it's worth going into. The FoodHallen is similar to many other markets in big cities (Chelsea Market in NYC) in that it has food from every region, at a bit of a mark up, it's a scene. However, it used to be a old train warehouse so the structure itself is beautiful. There is also a great movie theatre inside.
1500 locals recommend
Foodhallen Amsterdam
16 BellamypleinIf you are in the West neighborhood, it's worth going into. The FoodHallen is similar to many other markets in big cities (Chelsea Market in NYC) in that it has food from every region, at a bit of a mark up, it's a scene. However, it used to be a old train warehouse so the structure itself is beautiful. There is also a great movie theatre inside.
Soup! This is a chain; delicious natural ingredients, other locations are found throughout the city. Nothing fancy.
Soup en Zo - van Baerle
81 Van BaerlestraatSoup! This is a chain; delicious natural ingredients, other locations are found throughout the city. Nothing fancy.
Pancakes. Dutch speciality - sort of like a crepe. If you are in the Jordaan area stop in.
PANCAKES Amsterdam Westermarkt
277 PrinsengrachtPancakes. Dutch speciality - sort of like a crepe. If you are in the Jordaan area stop in.
A bit upscale; situated in a boutique hotel this is a lovely spot for a soup or delicious salmon brioche for lunch. Or simply coffee and people watching if you are walking around the Jordaan.
17 locals recommend
Restaurant Jansz.
8 ReestraatA bit upscale; situated in a boutique hotel this is a lovely spot for a soup or delicious salmon brioche for lunch. Or simply coffee and people watching if you are walking around the Jordaan.
We bike to the nearby Klein Kalfje for warme chocomelke; this is in Amstelveen; right by the Amstel river and passed a windmill.
14 locals recommend
Klein Kalfje
355 Amsteldijk NoordWe bike to the nearby Klein Kalfje for warme chocomelke; this is in Amstelveen; right by the Amstel river and passed a windmill.
Indonesian is a staple in the Netherlands; as it was a formal colony. This spot is a bit pricey but they have a to go option as well. There are so many restaurants in the city that we haven't tried them all!
69 locals recommend
Kantjil & De Tijger
291 A SpuistraatIndonesian is a staple in the Netherlands; as it was a formal colony. This spot is a bit pricey but they have a to go option as well. There are so many restaurants in the city that we haven't tried them all!
There are cafes/restaurants in our mall (Asian x 3, Le Pain Quoitidien, Italian Bistro that wrap around the exterior)
KROON is a fish stall. It's very Dutch to get herring, salmon or kibbeling. They have lovely fish salads; to stay or go. This is usually a lunch or early dinner meal. They close around 7.
19 locals recommend
Gelderlandplein station
There are cafes/restaurants in our mall (Asian x 3, Le Pain Quoitidien, Italian Bistro that wrap around the exterior)
KROON is a fish stall. It's very Dutch to get herring, salmon or kibbeling. They have lovely fish salads; to stay or go. This is usually a lunch or early dinner meal. They close around 7.
Shopping
WE LOVE OUR MALL.
Seriously, sounds silly but it has everything.
Korean/Japanese Market.
Cheese Shop. Fish vendor. Pharmacy.
Grocery Stores - we go to ALBERT HEIN XL (Blue and White)
- Taking your own bag is a custom here, otherwise you will be charged. Feel free to use ours.
52 locals recommend
Gelderlandplein
GelderlandpleinWE LOVE OUR MALL.
Seriously, sounds silly but it has everything.
Korean/Japanese Market.
Cheese Shop. Fish vendor. Pharmacy.
Grocery Stores - we go to ALBERT HEIN XL (Blue and White)
- Taking your own bag is a custom here, otherwise you will be charged. Feel free to use ours.
This is a chain store; stop in for delicious samples - even if you're not in the market to shop.
Amsterdam Cheese Company
2 LeidsestraatThis is a chain store; stop in for delicious samples - even if you're not in the market to shop.
Arts & Culture
Cool, small, digestible museum that provides the history of how Amsterdam was formed. The Audio guide and visuals are great. Takes about 1.5 hours. If you don't want to spend the money to go in but are in the SPUI area - go thru it's courtyard; and maybe just have a coffee in it's cafe.
111 locals recommend
Amsterdam Museum Building
92 KalverstraatCool, small, digestible museum that provides the history of how Amsterdam was formed. The Audio guide and visuals are great. Takes about 1.5 hours. If you don't want to spend the money to go in but are in the SPUI area - go thru it's courtyard; and maybe just have a coffee in it's cafe.