Urbanaut

by Urbanaut Choux really is the picture-perfect restaurant– a cosy ambience, great wine and delicious food whipped up by one of Amsterdam’s best chefs and managed by one of the city’s best hosts. Choux is much loved by Amsterdammers – a peek at their Instagram page will show you that – because they serve organic fare that is a beautiful amalgamation of flavours, textures and presentation. Their menu regularly changes depending on the season but, in general, you’ll find 3, 4 or 7-course meals to choose from. Oh, and did we mention that their primary ingredients are almost always vegetables?

Gollem's Proeflokaal

by Deepti Rao Every Amsterdammer has their go-to local bar and many have adopted one of the six Gollem Café’s as theirs. Gollem is a warm, friendly neighborhood bar with a lot of special beers, their extensive menu covers the walls of the café! They’ve got board games, pub quizzes and a resident cat that’s always posing in a corner.

Café Restaurant Amsterdam

by Urbanaut If there ever was a restaurant that remained a steady Amsterdam favourite since inception, it’s Cafe Restaurant. The emblematic restaurant, founded in 1996, is housed in a former pumping station, of all things– a relic from the peak of the industrial revolution during which the station was built. Gastronomically, too, the restaurant is a landmark. Their menu is an exciting mix of Dutch, French and exotic fare, and they’re most well-known for their seafood and fish dishes that you can’t miss when you’re there.

Haarlemmerdijk

by Urbanaut Haarlemmerdijk is a must-visit shopping street with indie boutiques, organic farmers' markets and a distinct sense of community. It’s an continuation of the more popular Haarlemmerstraat, and has a superbly eclectic collection of locally-run boutiques that sell everything from clothes to cheese, and then some. It’s also worth mentioning that the street has been dubbed Amsterdam’s food alley– you probably know now that you’ll find some lip-smacking street food to gorge on. Swing by the Haarlemmerplein on Wednesdays for the ever-popular street market.

Coffee & Coconuts.

by Urbanaut Café goals, anyone? Coffee and Coconuts serves up as much magic in their decor as they do on their menu. The three-level café and roastery is housed in a gorgeous 1020s Art Deco cinema– and remnants of the space still exist in the form of exposed brick walls and flashback photos hung up. The crowd is a mix of local Amsterdammers and travellers looking to get work done or catch up with friends over a cuppa. Their brunches, lunches and breakfasts are worth writing home about. You’ll find French-toast brioche, almond and buckwheat pancakes and good ol’ avo toast for brunch. Their lunch and dinner menus run the gamut of flavours, from prawn tacos to paper-baked cod.

BAMBINO

by Urbanaut Bambino might be a sister establishment to BAK Restaurant, but where BAK keeps things elegant, Bambino thrives on a playful and cheery energy that literally spills onto the sidewalks. Bambino’s menu focuses on European dishes made from locally sourced ingredients and plated to share. Their super-informal atmosphere extends to the wine list, which isn’t fixed as much as chalked up every morning on the outdoor blackboard. Bambino is by far a favourite among Amsterdammers– take a seat outdoors on a sunny day and you’ll see why.

Mezrab Cultural Center

by Deepti Rao Mezrab is a special place dedicated to storytelling, improv, music and theatre. With a casual atmosphere you can settle into a floor cushion and listen to one of the professional storytellers as they take you on an adventure. All the events are in English and entrance is free but donations are welcome so be kind!

Nieuwe Spiegelstraat

by Urbanaut This arcane street is a beautifully preserved holdover from the Netherlands’ past, lined with antique boutiques that stock the most bizarre collection of oddities. No one shop is like any other– in one, you’ll find relics of dental tools and dissection kits; head to another and it houses nautical instruments of all kinds. But it’s also worth visiting if you’re on the lookout for authentic Dutch antiques to take home, such as blue Delft tiles and gorgeous period furniture.

COTTONCAKE

by Urbanaut A local favourite in Amsterdam’s much-loved De Pijp, Cottoncake is a lovely little sustainable boutique - slash - coffee shop. The concept store stocks clothing and accessories personally curated by the two owners, whose passion for travel also extends to the shop’s collection and aesthetic. We love that you can enjoy a cuppa while you shop or take it to the window-side to watch people go by. It’s also a cosy little spot to enjoy a Sunday brunch with beautiful art in sight.

Friedhats FUKU Cafe

by Urbanaut At FUKU, you can expect to find a diverse crowd of people with one thing in common– they all really, really love coffee. For starters, it’s run by 2018 World Barista Championship runner-up and Dutch barista champion Lex Wenneker with his business partner Dylan Sedgwick, the champs behind Friedhats Coffee Roasters. The café is goofy and very Roy Lichtenstein in colour, and the bar was hand-built by the founders themselves. As if that wasn’t personal enough, you ought to know that they also stock “competition coffees”– rare and super expensive beans that’ll set you back by quite a few euros but are totally worth the experience.

Oudemanhuispoort

by Urbanaut Between quintessentially Dutch houses along the canal snakes a passageway once frequented by Vincent Van Gogh. Today, it’s home to thousands of second-hand books and sheet music piled unceremoniously onto teetering tables, carts and storefronts. There’s no rhyme or reason to the arrangements there, so you’d best expect to spend a few hours hunting for the perfect book. The 17th-century passageway is part of the University of Amsterdam building, but has played multiple roles through the past from a cholera hospital to a storehouse for Vermeer and Rembrandt paintings that form the basis of the Rijksmuseim today. If you enjoy maps and vintage prints, you’ll find more than a few gems here to take back home.

Bar Kosta

by Urbanaut Amsterdammers flock to Bar Kosta for, among many other reasons, its massive terrace that’s perfect for summers. The low-key establishment is cosy without being a tight squeeze and the team consists of hospitality veterans who know what makes a good restaurant tick. The super diverse and innovative menu also makes it a great spot for vegetarians and health-watchers who want the best of both worlds. Overall, it’s a laid-back, unfussy place to just drop by when you’re feeling like a good time with friends or solo.

Ten Kate Market

by Urbanaut Ten Katemarkt is a bustling street market tucked well away into a largely residential neighbourhood. If you’ve got a free afternoon, we’d recommend strolling through to see how Amsterdammers shop– the open air market has over 100 stalls selling a variety of must-haves and wants including fresh organic veggies, fabric, flowers, shoes and more. It leads up to the Kinkerstraat which just so happens to be one of this area’s busiest shopping streets, packed with indie cafés and greengrocers. The market itself is over 100 years old!

Roopram Roti

by Deepti Rao This local fast-food style cafe is well-known for their fare of Surinamese food. For the uninitiated, Suriname is an erstwhile Dutch colony in the Caribbean and in addition to its indigenous population, its people have their origins in India, China, Indonesia and the Netherlands. So just imagine what the food could be like!

De Hallen Amsterdam

by Deepti Rao De Hallen is a hub for culture, art, design, food and film! Housed in an old tram station, this architectural landmark has lovely boutique stores, a monthly market of local designers, a bustling food hall, art galleries, dance lessons, film theatres and much more.

Salon de Thé (The Smallest House in Amsterdam)

by Urbanaut Salon de Thé is housed in the smallest house in Amsterdam, indeed in Europe, at only 6 feet wide. The 1600-era Dutch canal house is sandwiched between two regular-sized facades, and has taken on the role of a snug little teahouse run by kindly owners Kristen and Niels. Aside from the novelty factor, of course, Salon de Thé also receives brownie points from patrons for their delicious homemade cakes and high-quality tea in over 150 varieties. The private tea rooms on the second floor comfortably seat up to 7 people per group.

De Kas

by Urbanaut Picked in the morning and plated by the afternoon— that’s De Kas in a nutshell. The much-loved restaurant is housed in and around a chic garden conservatory and upholds a simple and organic farm-to-table ethos. All the richness you’ll see on your plate, when you order from their daily menu, comes straight from their garden, which has been sowed, nurtured and harvested by the team themselves. By day, the atmosphere is very like an escape from the city into a rustic farm; by night, it takes on a more romantic avatar. You’re also welcome to walk around the nursery after your meal– the staff will helpfully show you around.

Toki

by Urbanaut TOKI means “time of opportunity” in Japanese, and we can guarantee you’ll get both time and opportunity to slow down and enjoy some (great) coffee here. The relaxed and warm energy has made TOKI a favourite among Amsterdammers, who stop by for slices of the best banana bread in Amsterdam by far. It’s housed in a historic corner building and, despite having a relatively tiny footprint, is nicely done up in minimal furniture and a stunning terrazzo bench that has featured in many an Instagram flatlay.

Plastic Fishing with Plastic Whale

by Urbanaut Yes, this activity is exactly what the title sounds like. Sightseeing meets environmental activism in this Plastic Whale-led tour of Amsterdam’s canals. Everyone on board gets a fishing rod and, for the two hours you spend cruising through the canals, you pick up every piece of discarded plastic you find. You’ll find that the whole process turns into a bout of friendly competition, generating conversations you’ll remember with a smile. Plus, you get to see Amsterdam from a different perspective– how fun is that?

Bookstore of Pampus

by Urbanaut Boekhandel Van Pampus, as it’s known to local bibliophiles, has but one philosophy— invite to stop. This means you’re more than welcome to stroll in, pick a book and lounge in their armchairs to read for a while. The alternative bookstore has your average top 10 books, but it’s much better known for special editions of literature, philosophy, architecture, even children’s books. You can also order a cup of coffee or tea to go with your lounging– it’s only fitting.

Broek in Waterland

by Deepti Rao Broek in Waterland is the first stop on a day trip through the region of Waterland, that sounds and looks like it’s from a fairytale. The area is well connection with local buses from Amsterdam Noord metro station. On a walk around Broek in Waterland you will encounter a large lake with a little chalet for ducks, meandering streams and charming 16th and 17th century wooden houses.

Noorderlicht Café

by Urbanaut Noorderlicht is in the heart of Amsterdam’s burgeoning art scene, yet retains a distinctive and laid-back vibe. You can’t miss the premises– it’s quite like an airplane hangar in appearance, often blazing with pulsating lights when playing the host to a party. Their menu is unpretentious yet delicious, featuring organic and regional dishes that change with the season. Their sustainable approach stretches to the decor and architecture as well, as almost everything is built from raw, natural and recycled materials. Aside from serving great food with a side of music, the cultural cafe often hosts DJ nights, poetry readings and bonfires.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

by Deepti Rao If you’re a true beer fanatic, this is the place to go. Proeflokaal Ardendsnest specializes in Dutch beer and has over 50 beers on tap and another 100 bottled brands available. They have an outdoor seating area on the Herengracht in central Amsterdam and a cozy indoor tasting room. Confused about what beer to choose? Never fear, just ask the friendly knowledgeable waiters who will spoil you silly with tasters!

Albert Cuypmarkt

by Deepti Rao The Albert Cuyp Market started in 1905 and is still as bustling and lively as ever. There’s nothing like a warm freshly made stroopwafel from Rudi’s original Stroopwafel stall followed by a frothy cappuccino at Darras Café. This market has a lot to offer – fresh fruit, veggies and fish, a variety of food stalls from fried chicken to Turkish Gözleme, vintage and souvenir shopping – it’s all here!

Euro Pizza Restaurant

by Urbanaut The other side of the river IJ, a suburb full of industrial garages and lofts, is home to Euro Pizza. This new pizza joint is housed in an aforementioned industrial garage with lovely skylights, but people choose to spill out onto the sidewalk on a sunny Amsterdam day. Despite featuring a couple of small side dishes on their menu, Euro Pizza really is all about pizzas. You’ll also find a great selection of wines to go with your slice.

Cafe Belgique

by Urbanaut Tiny in footprint but loud in decor and menu– that’s Cafe Belgique in a nutshell. Their calling card is most definitely the over 50 types of Belgian beer they stock on rotation. They often feature new craft breweries shaking up the Belgian beer scene as well as local craft brews that are truly Amsterdam. They’ve got tables to sit at as well as a bright red awning outside to chill under– but it does get pretty cosy inside.

Sterk Amsterdam

by Deepti Rao This is another must-do for beer lovers. Sterk (which means strong in Dutch) is a corner liquor shop with a twist, they have every single brand of beer you can imagine! From niche limited editions from Australia to brews by monks in Belgium, they’ve got it all. More than the beer, I can spend hours just staring at the labels!

Café de Ceuvel

by Deepti Rao De Ceuvel is where old, abandoned houseboats find a purpose. The café is located on a former industrial terrain now turned into a sustainable hub for artists and entrepreneurs. Serving organic, locally sourced food and drinks, this café has a unique DIY-esque vibe to it and if you do make it here, don’t forget to take a walk on the path around this special place.