Enriched by its historical past and distinctive canal-oriented setting, Amsterdam is a metropolis that has one thing for everybody. In case your European summer time tour occurs to carry you to the Northern European area, we’ve rounded up each conventional spots and native metropolis goers’ favorites to profit from the town.
Simply a few weeks in the past, Amsterdam was in full celebration mode because it rang in its 750th anniversary this yr (formally on October 27). An annual gathering, the Celebration of the Ring — what locals described as a “rave blended with official wedding ceremony ceremonies, block events and a meals pageant” — came about on A10 Ring Street and your complete area was buzzing with good power.
Whether or not you’re searching for a celebration, a foodie who learns the methods of a brand new area by diving headfirst into native flavors (like Dutch classics bitterballen or pickled herring) or a beer fanatic who desires to be immersed into the wealthy historical past of the long-lasting Dutch model, Heineken, Amsterdam has greater than sufficient to supply. In our second metropolis information for the town, we curated an inventory that defies vacationer traps and anticipated haunts.
Dive into can’t-miss eating places, bars, cafes, shops and extra under.
Procuring
Afura
Afura
Afura
Afura is an expertly curated idea retailer with choices from a few of right this moment’s hottest unbiased and established manufacturers, particularly showcasing these from the Netherlands and Scandinavia. Racks show the most recent from Ganni, OperaSport, Isa Boulder, Arc’teryx and extra. In case you’re after distinctive items with Northern Europe’s easy cool, that is your spot. The shop additionally embraces native run tradition, teaming with Amsterdam-based Bambas Sports activities Membership for a classy group run developing this July.
Deal with: Vijzelgracht 13, 1017 HM Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Classic Clothes (AVC)
Amsterdam Classic Clothes
Amsterdam Classic Clothes
Getting into Amsterdam Classic Clothes looks like bringing your favourite on-line classic grails right into a relaxed, fashionable Dutch setting. AVC affords curated finds, from reliable, worn leather-based jackets to designer finds from Prada, Gucci and extra. It’s a basic archive boutique within the coronary heart of the town and lots of locals cease in to find pre-loved items.
Deal with: Prinsengracht 226, Amsterdam, Netherlands 1016HD
Van Dijk & Co
Van Dijk & Co
Trying to find classic dwelling items? Van Dijk & Co affords 2,500 sq. meters of secondhand treasures. The house is situated inside an industrial warehouse that’s stuffed to the brim with dated Hungarian furnishings, seating, dwelling accents, ceramics, glassware, Danish design gems and extra.
The operation started as a humble stall in Noordermarkt and has now grow to be a mainstay for consigned furnishings and decor. The enterprise is devoted to exhibiting the great thing about furnishings with a historical past, and proudly promotes reuse and sustainability.
Deal with: Pieter Ghijsenlaan 12A 1506 PV Zaandam
Meals
Cornerstore
Cornerstore
Cornerstore spotlights East Asian and European flavors in a retro setting, and the funky restaurant brings good vibes with music performed on vinyl all through the week. The menu is a tasty mix of cultures, providing basic Asian flavors with intriguing twists — like shrimp soup dumplings and crimson chili king fish.
In between having fun with Cornerstore’s numerous menu, you may catch particular DJ units, that are recorded and shared on-line. And if you happen to’re searching for some consolation meals, the restaurant serves dim sum on the final Sunday of each month.
Deal with: Papaverweg 11, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Euro Pizza
Euro Pizza
Euro Pizza
Euro Pizza brings basic flavors to you, however in a high quality eating environment. The situation serves a small pizza menu with not-so-basic taste mixtures — from bolognese with inexperienced chili to pecuillo and calamari — high quality wine, snacks and dishes that basically exhibit the area’s recent, native components. The perfect half is, you may even take pleasure in Euro Pizza at dwelling. The restaurant additionally sells its signature, handcrafted sourdough in frozen batches.
Deal with: Gedempt Hamerkanaal 79, Amsterdam Centrum, Noord-Holland, Netherlands 1021KP
HappyHappyJoyJoy
Happyhappyjoyjoy
Happyhappyjoyjoy
Locals say HappyHappyJoyJoy serves a few of Amsterdam’s finest Asian avenue meals — its playful title mirrors the joyful, vibrant environment inside. It’s adorned from ground to ceiling with eye-catching wallpapers and neon lights, whereas the menu boasts genuine, consolation dishes like Gaeng Phed Neua curry and pad thai noodles. A fan favourite merchandise is the multicolored bao buns. The restaurant additionally hopes to broaden past brick and mortar, with plans to distribute sauces, cookbooks and extra.
Deal with: George Gershwinplein 1 1082 LS Amsterdam
Zero Zero
Zero Zero
Zero Zero
This can be a “gap within the wall” in contrast to every other. The sandwich store — which is a favourite of locals — produces its personal recent do-it-yourself sourdough day-after-day, which acts as the right canvas for mortadella, piccante, porchetta sandwiches and extra.
Zero Zero additionally sells choose Italian items, bringing an genuine style of Italy to the Netherlands. In case you’re down for a fast chew, you’re in luck, there are a number of areas, which suggests you may simply be steps away from one.
Deal with(es):
Gerard Doustraat 56
Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 3A
Gustav Mahlerlaan 399
Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 3A, Amsterdam, Netherlands 1017 DB
Benji’s
Benji’s
Benji’s
Benji’s serves up all-day brunch with espresso and matcha choices throughout three completely different areas within the metropolis. It’s an amazing pre-canal tour cease to get your fill earlier than exploring Amsterdam’s historic streets. Menu favorites embody do-it-yourself falafel, Bloody Mary’s and Salmon Avocado Teriyaki Toast.
Deal with(es):
Wibautstraat 196 (Oost)
Baarsjesweg 188 (West)
Maassluisstraat 243 (Nieuw-West)
Hospitality/Inns
Lodge De L’Europe
Lodge De L’europe
Lodge De L’europe
Lodge De L’europe
Lodge De L’Europe, established in 1896, is a historic location on this checklist. It oozes genuine Dutch tradition, constructed on the identical web site because the first-ever inn in Amsterdam. The Heineken household donated priceless Dutch artwork to the lodge, which decorates its ornate rooms. It additionally hosts an array of high quality eating eating places, together with Flore (which earned 2 Michelin stars in its debut yr), Marie, and Trattoria Graziella.
Deal with: Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14, 1012 CP Amsterdam, Netherlands
Volkshotel
Volkshotel
Situated in Amsterdam’s East District, Volkshotel blends boutique allure with late-night bites, an underground soundbar and rooftop saunas for mid-sightseeing breaks. The sauna space, or Badplaats, affords saunas and scorching tubs with rooftop views so you may take in some steam with uncommon views of the town.
Deal with: Wibautstraat 150, 1091 GR Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bars/Cafes
Freddy’s Bar
Freddy’s Bar
Freddy’s Bar
Freddy’s Bar
Freddy’s bar is a historic mainstay named after Alfred “Freddy” Heineken. The comfortable house is adorned with darkish picket tones and leather-based furnishings, and company can take pleasure in specialty cocktails, like a Dutch highball, whereas listening to stay jazz. The perfect half is that you are able to do all of that whereas taking in a scenic view of the canals.
Deal with: Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14, Amsterdam
Skatecafe
Skatecafe
Skatecafe
Skatecafe is a cool bar full with a skate ramp and outside seating. Whether or not you wish to observe your kickflip or simply sit back and revel in a chilly beer, this can be a one-of-a-kind expertise that brings the power. The hangout spot hosts DJ units, stay performances and events a number of occasions per week, and through the Spring and Summer season months, it’s normally the place you’ll discover locals in-the-know. There’s additionally the Skatecafe Karin & Yvonne, Dick & Dick Sport Cafe and Bar-Bodega if you happen to’re within the temper for a meal.
Deal with: Gedempt Hamerkanaal 42, 1021 KM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Arie Cafe & Bar
Arie Cafe & Bar
Arie is a restaurant and bistro with an area neighborhood vibe. On a Saturday evening, the house is full and energetic. Locals will also be noticed having fun with pancakes, recent salads and Dutch cheese plates through the day. The bistro additionally sometimes hosts watch events for Amsterdam’s skilled soccer membership, Ajax, making it the place to be on gameday.
Deal with: Ferdinand Bolstraat 24, Amsterdam, Netherlands 1072 LK
Experiences
Heineken Expertise/Brewery
Heineken Expertise
Heineken Expertise
Heineken Expertise
Heineken Expertise
Heineken’s presence is difficult to overlook in Amsterdam — its emblem waves outdoors almost each pub, and locals sip it alongside basic Dutch dishes. What began as a household brewery over 150 years in the past now spans 190 nations and holds the title of first imported beer post-Prohibition within the U.S. For a deeper dive into its legacy, head to the Heineken Expertise within the coronary heart of the town.
The Heineken Expertise affords a deep dive into the model’s legacy — from its signature four-ingredient brew (that includes the particular Heineken A yeast) to its fashionable improvements, like alcohol-free Heineken® 0.0. Guests can discover the brewing course of, view uncommon artifacts within the Personal Archives, and even pattern Mokum 750, a limited-edition beer made for Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary and blended with coriander seeds, citrus peels and Heineken A yeast.
Deal with: Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the nationwide museum of the Netherlands, holding spectacular artworks that inform the town’s historical past. Rijks, certainly one of Amsterdam’s finest Michelin star eating places, additionally resides on the museum’s property – it’s really useful to spend a day on the museum and to prime it off with an amazing meal. Rijks has an expansive wine checklist and ingenious menu choices, together with beet millefeuille, glazed sweetbreads and extra.
Deal with: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Canal Tour
Ian Mackey/Unsplash
A canal tour in Amsterdam is the perfect method to get a correct style of what the town has to supply. You may normally take them from the town heart and enterprise out into the lesser-traveled canals, taking in views of the over seven-century-old panorama and complex houseboats — it’s the most effective vantage factors for folks watching too.
Deal with: Metropolis Heart, really useful to take off from Stationsplein, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
