Travel better with Urbanaut

Eat / Drink

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 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.

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 Deepti Rao 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 Deepti Rao 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 Vibha Hirokawa 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.

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.

by Deepti Rao 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.

@droog amsterdam

by Ksenija 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.

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 Deepti Rao 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.

Real local

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Do

Klimmuur (Climbing Wall) Centraal

by Deepti Rao Just a stone’s throw away from the central station is the go-to spot for climbing and bouldering in the city. If the weather permits you can even climb the outside of the structure. Klimmuur Amsterdam is open to climbers at all levels of skill. You can take a lesson or get a day-pass.

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.

Free walking tour Amsterdam

by Deepti Rao The best way to really see the old city is not by cycle but by foot. There are many free walking tour companies that tell you about the history, dirty secrets and marvels of the city. Free Walking Tour Amsterdam has local guides who can take you on a classic tour or an alternative tour of the city. Both are tip-based, 2-hours long and start every afternoon from Dam Square.

by Ksenija Burn some fat in club style spinning class with blasting music! Great start to any morning!

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!

by Deepti Rao This is where you can shop till you drop. With all the big brands located along this one street, the Kalverstraat is the place to go to get your shopping fix. There are also some notable landmarks along this street such as the ornate ceiling of the Beurspassage, the Begijnhof, the oldest courtyard of the city and the Bloemenmarkt, or the flower market.

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.

Alpacahoeve Klinkenberg

by Vibha Hirokawa If you have a free day and want to do something very different AND you’ve always wanted to pet/feed an alpaca (who hasn’t?), go here! This is a super cute small alpaca farm where you can pet, go for a hike and even do a yoga class with them!

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!

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.

by Deepti Rao 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.

@droog amsterdam

by Ksenija 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.

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.

by Deepti Rao 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.

Buy

by Deepti Rao This is where you can shop till you drop. With all the big brands located along this one street, the Kalverstraat is the place to go to get your shopping fix. There are also some notable landmarks along this street such as the ornate ceiling of the Beurspassage, the Begijnhof, the oldest courtyard of the city and the Bloemenmarkt, or the flower market.

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.

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!

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.

@droog amsterdam

by Ksenija 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 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.

by Ksenija Concept store with pretty little treasures.

by Deepti Rao If you’re looking to discover Dutch design, head to Hutspot. The store offers a combination of fashion, innovative design and local art. From locally distilled gin to art prints by local artists, books to versatile fashion, this well-curated shop is also a good place to buy gifts for your design-savvy friends.

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.

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.

by Deepti Rao 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.

Stay

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.

Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam

by Urbanaut It’s safe to say that budget isn’t a constraint at Lloyd— this Amsterdam icon also happens to be the world’s first 1-5 star hotel. You know what that means– whether you’re looking for a bunk to spend the night, or all the trappings of a full-blown luxury suite, swing by this historic establishment. As if that wasn’t enticing enough, although the hotel allows you to pick a room type, the exact room you get, out of the 117 unique ones they have, is a total surprise. You might get a wood-panelled suite or a sleek white room– you’ll know when you open the door. Now that’s the kind of surprise we can get behind.

by Deepti Rao This hotel which overlooks the idyllic Oosterpark in Amsterdam East, is steeped in history. A former catholic orphanage, this boutique 4-star hotel retains many of the iconic fixtures of the original monumental building.

Conscious Hotel Vondelpark

by Deepti Rao Conscious Hotels make traveling a little more sustainable by offering a chain of four eco-hotels in the heart of Amsterdam. With their green cleaning and maintenance practices, energy consumption, waste disposal and organic, locally sourced food, this chain of hotels goes the extra mile to be conscious and stylish at the same time.

by Deepti Rao 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 Stout & Co is a bit of everything, really– the class of a luxury suite with the warmth and friendliness of a local bed and breakfast. It’s housed on the site of a former brewery, which is long gone but remembered through the statue opposite the front door. They’re a design-forward establishment, as you’ll see when you enter the room you’ve booked, complete with a private terrace and personal kitchenette. We love the attention to detail at Stout & Co– from the art by young Belgian and Dutch designers to a great selection of magazines. Oh, and we can’t forget the Aesop products in the en-suite bathrooms– a definitive win.

@droog amsterdam

by Ksenija 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.

The Hoxton, Amsterdam

by Urbanaut The Hoxton checks several boxes. Firstly, it’s located in the Nine Streets, which just happens to be one of Amsterdam’s most hip locales that’s home to cool boutiques and charming restaurants. Despite being a part of a hotel series, this version of The Hoxton is truly Amsterdam, from the menu down to the architecture– after all, it’s housed in storied canal houses typical of this side of the world. You’ll get all the perks you expect from a great hotel– WiFi, hot beverages, hairdryers and snacks to beat midnight cravings. The hotel also earns brownie points for Lotti’s, which packs all the must-haves including coffee and cocktails.