Urbanaut

Republiek Bloemendaal

by urbanaut Republiek Bloemendaal brings a touch of Bali to Amsterdam, in the form of sun-bleached wooden decks, cane furniture and a beachside setting. It’s definitely one of the more frequented beach bars on Zandvoort aan Zee, both for its atmosphere and the great sundowner views. Patrons rave about the pizza, steaks and the crab starter, but they also have vegetarian-friendly items on the menu.

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 urbanaut 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.

by urbanaut The school classroom aesthetic in Rijsel is probably explained by the fact that it shares an entrance with a school. But that’s all that’s simple about the establishment because, when it comes to food, there’s no cutting corners. The restaurant is best known for its French-Flemish fare whipped up by the house chef in an open kitchen that you can peer into. The menu changes regularly, but you’ll find that they really ace the flavours with every rotation. It’s an unfussy dining experience that values substance through and through. Oh, and you must try the rotisserie chicken– it’s a specialty.

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.

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.

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.

La Perla Pizzeria

by urbanaut This little restaurant in the Jordaan neighborhood serves up the best wood-fire pizzas topped to the brim with authentic ingredients. They’ve got room to have a quick casual meal and a more formal sit-down area.

by urbanaut This sunny outdoor bar curiously located under a parking lot is a little tropical getaway in the city. With a range of beers on tap, cocktails and a mix of Dutch and Surinamese food, this cozy spot is a good place to start off an evening of revelry and catch some sun (when it’s out).

by urbanaut Cute cafe next to the Amstel river! Great for chilling with a beer and some bitterballen. Sit by the water and watch the boats go by or watch people as they paddleboat.

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.

by urbanaut Great coffee and amazing croissants. Perfect place to start or spend your day.

Lot Sixty One Coffee Roasters

by urbanaut Greeaaaat coffee. Enough said.

Monks Coffee Roasters.

by urbanaut If your hotel/ airbnb is in the west, go to Monk’s for breakfast. This is an aussie café with some really good coffee! My favourite thing to get here is a cortado and a pastel de nata. They don’t have a huge food menu but whatever they do have is great!

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.

by urbanaut 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 urbanaut 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.

by urbanaut This bar-slash-beach pavilion is a local favourite among surfers and foodies heading to Zandvoort for their daily dose of fun in the sun. As one of the area’s first permanent beach bars, Tijn sets high standards for great atmosphere, good food and chilled drinks. Their menu features organic and sustainable fare both local and international. They’ve also laid claim to a great patch of the beach, which is now decked out with sun beds and four volleyball courts that guests at the bar can freely use.

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.

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.

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.

by urbanaut A 15-minute free ferry ride from Amsterdam Centraal station takes you to NDSM werf, the graffiti-filled edgy neighborhood of Amsterdam Noord. Pllek is a great spot on the water with a sandy beach to dig your feet into. They’ve got a rage of beers on tap, cocktails and a menu with lots of vegetarian options.

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.

Van Soest Amsterdam

by urbanaut They call themselves the ‘Chocolate Heaven’ of Amsterdam which holds true after checking out their range of artisanal chocolates and Italian ice creams. Located at the end of the hip Utrechtsestraat, Van Soest will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

by urbanaut 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!

Brouwerij 't IJ

by urbanaut Brouwerij 't IJ is Amsterdam's best known micro-brewery located in a former bath house right next to the biggest wooden windmill in the country. They've got a range of beers on tap with some seasonal ones as well. My all time favourite is a fresh citrusy wheat malt called IJwit, and paired with a cheese or sausage platter, it hits the spot!

by urbanaut Volkshotel is where quirky design meets an easy-going vibe. With a co-working space, restaurants and truly unique rooms, this hotel is more than just a place to sleep. Located in a former newspaper building, the hotel is a great option for an affordable distinctive stay.

by urbanaut As Amsterdam’s first-ever no-table restaurant, Restaurant 212 sets the bar really high. Here, the kitchen takes centre stage and the elongated bar around its perimeter offer guests an unfiltered view of the inner workings, so to speak. As a result, the atmosphere is light and friendly, with guests often questioning chefs about their processes and receiving informative answers back. The food is presented beautifully, and pack quite a punch in the taste department as well. The Scandinavian interiors in this Michelin Guide restaurant, although tasteful, are minimal enough to keep the focus on the kitchen.

De Bakkerswinkel

by urbanaut Best cheesecake in town! Also a great spot for lunch. Located in a lovely area to walk around afterwards

by urbanaut If you’ve seen a picture of the quintessential Amsterdam streets along the canals, lined with buildings that are all slightly tilting, it’s probably taken here in the Nine Streets! Think designer boutiques, vintage shops, hidden cafes, gourmet restaurants and a view that will make you whip your camera out around every corner.

by urbanaut This modern building that looks straight out of a sci-fi film sits on the water across the Amsterdam Central station and is a must for film and architecture buffs. Apart from a permanent free exhibition, the museum screens art-house films, has a café with a breathtaking view and the most fun museum shop!

Albert Cuypmarkt

by urbanaut 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!

Restaurant Moeders

by urbanaut The Dutch aren’t really known for their cuisine but if you do want to give it a try, head over to Moeders (Mothers in Dutch). What they do excel at is creating a cozy atmosphere which is what you’ll find at Moeders. The menu has a selection of typical Dutch meals such as soups, steaks and Stamppot (mashed potato with vegetables and meat).

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.

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.

Restaurant Entrepot

by urbanaut Housed in a former pool centre — remnants of which exist in the form of a lone pool table — Restaurant Entrepôt is at once cosy and chic. The austere tables and chairs are laidback, as if to set the stage for the open kitchen– which, to be fair, does take centre stage. The menu, which changes everyday based on local and seasonal ingredients, aims to be both comfortable and exciting. To that end, you’ll find familiar names stacked on top of more unfamiliar ones, so you choose how adventurous you’d like to be that day. Don’t skip out on the wine unless you have to, because they’re from all over Europe.

@droog amsterdam

by urbanaut It’s all in one place: gallery, shop, restaurant, and hotel (for one couple only). They’ve got a new terrace and a little fairy tale garden as well. Swing by for your dose of design and coffee.

by urbanaut Ever fancied partying on a ship with stunning views of an expansive water body? We think Veronicaschip fits the bill. Formerly Radio Veronica, a 1960s pirate radio ship, Veronicaschip today is a fully-functional event and party space moored off the famous NDSM wharf. Head between decks to have a sit-down lunch with great views of Amsterdam and the river. The attached terrace comes with fire pits to warm up against on cooler nights. The belly of the ship is a full-blown nightclub, and the party sometimes spills above-deck.

by urbanaut Adorable coffee spot - they roast their own coffee and it’s legit! They have two locations with the other one in Van Hallstraat

by urbanaut Wonderful terrace on the water in the city center with an artistic ambience inside

by urbanaut Lots of different stalls with food from everywhere - on Friday nights they have different DJ’s spinning and it’s a fun vibe.

by urbanaut The A’DAM Tower stands 22-stories tall, overlooking the historical city center of Amsterdam. There’s a LOT going on at this multi-purpose building including a dance club, hotel, music school and some fantastic restaurants and bars. Get to the top (A’DAM lookout) to see the gorgeous view over Amsterdam 🥰

by urbanaut Just a 15-minute train ride away from Amsterdam is Haarlem, a town that many consider to be the cuter, smaller sibling of its neighbour. But don’t be fooled because this medieval city has a lot to offer in terms of culture, art, history and gastronomy. Ever wanted to drink a beer in a church? One of the highlights is De Jopenkerk (The Jopen Church), which is a microbrewery of the famous Jopen beer housed in a renovated church.

Café de Ceuvel

by urbanaut 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.

Van Stapele Koekmakerij

by urbanaut Your hunt for the world’s best cookie ends here! Van Stapele Koekmarkerij, nestled in a tiny Amsterdam street, is a cookie shop that makes just one kind of cookie, and boy have they gotten it right! Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, this piece of culinary art brings dark, milk and white chocolate together in perfect harmony.

by urbanaut Bak may have started out as a pop-up, but it smoothly segued into its current brick-and-mortar form in a refurbished warehouse on a lumber port. It’s unpretentious, choosing instead to create a welcoming atmosphere with attentive staff and chic interiors. Bak’s calling card is the set three, five and seven-course seasonal menus popping with texture, taste and artistic presentation courtesy Chef Benny Blisto. Discerning palates will also be gratified by their superb list of wines. Oh, and did we mention they have great vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options? Once you visit, we daresay you’ll be Bak (pun intended).

Serres Séparées and Mediamatic

by urbanaut In the wake of the pandemic, Mediamatic, an arts center in Amsterdam, went viral for their ingenious corona-proof dinners that manage to keep the romance more than alive! Their restaurant Serres Séparées serves a 4-course vegan, sustainable dinners for two or four, with ingredients harvested from their own aquaponics systems.

Dignita Hoftuin

by urbanaut Amazing brunch in the inner yard of the Hermitage museum, beautiful! Try the forest dwellers toast, it’s delicious.

by urbanaut With a large Indonesian population in The Netherlands, you’ll find many toko shops scattered througout the city! This particular one is my favourite- for a few euros you can sample some of the best Indonesian delicacies right here in Amsterdam!