Guidebook for Amsterdam
Food, Nightlife, Attractions, etc.
Places I life, places my friends like, etc... so many to name, but I will try to give a few and keep adding!
200 meters from my apartment, excellent atmosphere, busy and bustling, with a variety of Tapas, drinks and good sangria! It may be busy and a bit noisy, but is a great spot.
200 recommandé par les habitants
Pata Negra
124 Utrechtsestraat200 meters from my apartment, excellent atmosphere, busy and bustling, with a variety of Tapas, drinks and good sangria! It may be busy and a bit noisy, but is a great spot.
Great Italian food. It's not the cheapest place, but it's good. When my parents are in town we go here one night. It's not over-the-top expensive; it's just not the average Amsterdam price point. But it's good, homemade quality and great combinations. And good wine too!
9 recommandé par les habitants
Segugio
96 UtrechtsestraatGreat Italian food. It's not the cheapest place, but it's good. When my parents are in town we go here one night. It's not over-the-top expensive; it's just not the average Amsterdam price point. But it's good, homemade quality and great combinations. And good wine too!
My favorite brunch place. On the weekend expect to wait a bit, but you can drink coffee while you do. From Eggs Benedict to more unique things like the Navajo Eggs w/spicy barbecued pulled pork and poached eggs with Avacado slices. Always recommend getting a side of pancakes to go with any meal -- they are fabulous. Also has a good Bloody Mary!
Note: there are 2 locations nearby, one in the "pijp" (south of my apartment) and it is usually busier. The one in the north (look on google. google maps) is just as good and less crowded, and a different but cool neighborhood.
315 recommandé par les habitants
Bakers & Roasters
54 Eerste Jacob van CampenstraatMy favorite brunch place. On the weekend expect to wait a bit, but you can drink coffee while you do. From Eggs Benedict to more unique things like the Navajo Eggs w/spicy barbecued pulled pork and poached eggs with Avacado slices. Always recommend getting a side of pancakes to go with any meal -- they are fabulous. Also has a good Bloody Mary!
Note: there are 2 locations nearby, one in the "pijp" (south of my apartment) and it is usually busier. The one in the north (look on google. google maps) is just as good and less crowded, and a different but cool neighborhood.
Great brunch place! Sometimes brunch places are hard to fins in Amsterdam, but this is good!
121 recommandé par les habitants
Omelegg - de Pijp
143 Ferdinand BolstraatGreat brunch place! Sometimes brunch places are hard to fins in Amsterdam, but this is good!
Great brunch place! Sometimes brunch places are hard to fins in Amsterdam, but this is good.
18 recommandé par les habitants
Omelegg - City Centre
24 NieuwebrugsteegGreat brunch place! Sometimes brunch places are hard to fins in Amsterdam, but this is good.
I love this restaurant. It's also not inexpensive, but it's not too much (this is Amsterdam, afterall) and it is worth it. You can dress casually, so it's not overly fancy. The chef usually takes your order. The menu is hand written each day (or it was when I last went). Always good.
22 recommandé par les habitants
Bordewijk
7 NoordermarktI love this restaurant. It's also not inexpensive, but it's not too much (this is Amsterdam, afterall) and it is worth it. You can dress casually, so it's not overly fancy. The chef usually takes your order. The menu is hand written each day (or it was when I last went). Always good.
One of my favorite places in Amsterdam to eat.
They have a weekly set menu: a variety of small starters, choice of meat or fish of the week and a set dessert. Only a few choices of wine. It's always good, as long as you aren't an overly picky eater. It's such a cool setting -- like you are in the kitchen. Even the light bulbs are cool!
89 recommandé par les habitants
Balthazar's Keuken
108 ElandsgrachtOne of my favorite places in Amsterdam to eat.
They have a weekly set menu: a variety of small starters, choice of meat or fish of the week and a set dessert. Only a few choices of wine. It's always good, as long as you aren't an overly picky eater. It's such a cool setting -- like you are in the kitchen. Even the light bulbs are cool!
Great place -- they only serve Steaks, Lobster or a combination "surf & turf" and I think one pasts dish for vegetarians. Great side salads and amazing french fries. It's a nice restaurant, but it's a good price too.
126 recommandé par les habitants
Restaurant RED
594 KeizersgrachtGreat place -- they only serve Steaks, Lobster or a combination "surf & turf" and I think one pasts dish for vegetarians. Great side salads and amazing french fries. It's a nice restaurant, but it's a good price too.
Starbucks
72 OvertoomClosest Starbucks to my apartment, on Rembrantplein.
Take Thai Restaurant
24 ThorbeckepleinGood Thai a short walk from my apartment
The name of this placed changed, but it's still good and is right by my place (I can't remember the new name of it, sorry!) Great restaurant with "international cuisine". They have a salads, pastas, a good steak, etc. And wine and cocktails too. And a nice atmosphere, a short walk from the apartment.
132 recommandé par les habitants
Bar Moustache
141 UtrechtsestraatThe name of this placed changed, but it's still good and is right by my place (I can't remember the new name of it, sorry!) Great restaurant with "international cuisine". They have a salads, pastas, a good steak, etc. And wine and cocktails too. And a nice atmosphere, a short walk from the apartment.
This is food and drinks and nightlife and shopping all in one!
This is an old tram station with many restaurants and bars in it, with open seating all over -- so you can get food and drinks from multiple places and have it all at one table (or one person can east sushi while others eat burgers and others have tacos and one can just sit and drink cocktails :)
There is big restaurant at the back (far west side) also which is more of a nice sit-down area, and a bit less crazy than the other areas. But the normal area with the food stalls and all the people standing and walking around is great.
And!! There is also a movie theater in "de hallen" with several screens, and the theater here is more like to have independent films than the typical theaters.
There is also a shopping and arts and crafts area where artists and crafts people sell their goods, especially during Nov and Dec... and there are also cool stores in the same area which are open year around.
Overall, de Hallen is a great place to visit!
369 recommandé par les habitants
De Hallen
41 BellamypleinThis is food and drinks and nightlife and shopping all in one!
This is an old tram station with many restaurants and bars in it, with open seating all over -- so you can get food and drinks from multiple places and have it all at one table (or one person can east sushi while others eat burgers and others have tacos and one can just sit and drink cocktails :)
There is big restaurant at the back (far west side) also which is more of a nice sit-down area, and a bit less crazy than the other areas. But the normal area with the food stalls and all the people standing and walking around is great.
And!! There is also a movie theater in "de hallen" with several screens, and the theater here is more like to have independent films than the typical theaters.
There is also a shopping and arts and crafts area where artists and crafts people sell their goods, especially during Nov and Dec... and there are also cool stores in the same area which are open year around.
Overall, de Hallen is a great place to visit!
Shopping
Famous street market, goes along this entire street. Open most all days, closed on Sunday. They have lots of good street food, vegetables, butchers and other food vendors. Also clothes and t-shirts and tourist items.
1832 recommandé par les habitants
Albert Cuyp Market
Albert CuypstraatFamous street market, goes along this entire street. Open most all days, closed on Sunday. They have lots of good street food, vegetables, butchers and other food vendors. Also clothes and t-shirts and tourist items.
The classic department store. Sort of like a Nordstrom in the US, but here you also have many of the high end designers which have a store-within-the-store. It's a good place for all your clothing needs, with a very nice and large cafe in the top, with bakery and various sweets on ground floor.
425 recommandé par les habitants
De Bijenkorf
1 DamThe classic department store. Sort of like a Nordstrom in the US, but here you also have many of the high end designers which have a store-within-the-store. It's a good place for all your clothing needs, with a very nice and large cafe in the top, with bakery and various sweets on ground floor.
Apple Amsterdam
25 LeidsepleinThe one official Apple store in Amsterdam.
The "9 Streets" is this area on the west side of the center, and is part of the Jordan neighborhood. There are many local stores and boutiques, antique stores, art, locally owned cafes and places for meals throughout the day. This whole area is worth walking around in to check it out.
1405 recommandé par les habitants
De 9 Straatjes
The "9 Streets" is this area on the west side of the center, and is part of the Jordan neighborhood. There are many local stores and boutiques, antique stores, art, locally owned cafes and places for meals throughout the day. This whole area is worth walking around in to check it out.
High end shopping street, from Prada to Rolex to Ermenegildo Zegna and everything in between.
652 recommandé par les habitants
P.C. Hooftstraat
Pieter Cornelisz HooftstraatHigh end shopping street, from Prada to Rolex to Ermenegildo Zegna and everything in between.
Drinks & Nightlife
This Gollem (there are a few in Amsterdam and are all great) is the one closest to my apartment. This one has an assortment of micro brews from Amsterdam, around Europe (like the others) but also US micro brews. They also have small snacks -- "toasties" (sandwiches), but the best snack to get is the Cheese, Bread and/or Sausage and Meat platters.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Cafe Gollem Amstelstraat
34 AmstelstraatThis Gollem (there are a few in Amsterdam and are all great) is the one closest to my apartment. This one has an assortment of micro brews from Amsterdam, around Europe (like the others) but also US micro brews. They also have small snacks -- "toasties" (sandwiches), but the best snack to get is the Cheese, Bread and/or Sausage and Meat platters.
This is a sports bar, so if any sporting event are on that you want to watch, you can go here. They have good bar food and serve pints and even have pitchers of beer. On weekend nights there is dancing and a bunch of kids. But on big game/match nights, it's all sports, beer and ribs and burgers, etc.
21 recommandé par les habitants
Coco's Outback
8-12 ThorbeckepleinThis is a sports bar, so if any sporting event are on that you want to watch, you can go here. They have good bar food and serve pints and even have pitchers of beer. On weekend nights there is dancing and a bunch of kids. But on big game/match nights, it's all sports, beer and ribs and burgers, etc.
Great Belgian beers, with many on tap. Also great food! Later at night it's more of a bar scene, but at dinner time or on weeknights it is more mellow and a great place to get a steak, burger, fondue, friend and other dutch appetizers.
174 recommandé par les habitants
Gollem's Proeflokaal
160-162 OvertoomGreat Belgian beers, with many on tap. Also great food! Later at night it's more of a bar scene, but at dinner time or on weeknights it is more mellow and a great place to get a steak, burger, fondue, friend and other dutch appetizers.
An old church turned into a music venue. It's my favorite place to see music in Amsterdam. It has a large hall, but also a small room for smaller, lesser known bands. Sometimes that have DJs and dance nights too, but I have only been to concerts.
937 recommandé par les habitants
Paradiso
6-8 WeteringschansAn old church turned into a music venue. It's my favorite place to see music in Amsterdam. It has a large hall, but also a small room for smaller, lesser known bands. Sometimes that have DJs and dance nights too, but I have only been to concerts.
Cool location, with drinks and beer and wine, great places to sit outside when it's nice out. Even a good place to lay in the sun and have drink all day long when it's sunny -- like a beach bad in Amsterdam. At night and when rainy it's also great, in a big building with tables and sofas and music.
496 recommandé par les habitants
Amsterdam Roest
1 Jacob BontiusplaatsCool location, with drinks and beer and wine, great places to sit outside when it's nice out. Even a good place to lay in the sun and have drink all day long when it's sunny -- like a beach bad in Amsterdam. At night and when rainy it's also great, in a big building with tables and sofas and music.
Great local micro brewery beside a huge windmill. Has good snacks and you can get flights of beer to taste them all. Great outdoor seating, and a good place to go chat with locals or other tourists while having some beers. NOTE: they close at 8 pm, so go in the afternoon and stay til they close!
1100 recommandé par les habitants
Brouwerij 't IJ
7 FunenkadeGreat local micro brewery beside a huge windmill. Has good snacks and you can get flights of beer to taste them all. Great outdoor seating, and a good place to go chat with locals or other tourists while having some beers. NOTE: they close at 8 pm, so go in the afternoon and stay til they close!
Great place for Japanese food and Sushi, and also open late for late night food, drinks and beer and wine and sake.
67 recommandé par les habitants
De Plantenmarkt
228 Albert CuypstraatGreat place for Japanese food and Sushi, and also open late for late night food, drinks and beer and wine and sake.
Arts & Culture
Great museum that collaborates with the Hermitage in Russia. Not too big, but always with nice exhibits. And a very short walk from my apartment, just across the Amstel.
604 recommandé par les habitants
Hermitage Amsterdam
51 AmstelGreat museum that collaborates with the Hermitage in Russia. Not too big, but always with nice exhibits. And a very short walk from my apartment, just across the Amstel.
It's got more of his work that anywhere else in the world, and also they have good exhibits as well!
2485 recommandé par les habitants
Van Gogh Museum
6 MuseumpleinIt's got more of his work that anywhere else in the world, and also they have good exhibits as well!
Big museum with all the classics, a great spot -- but I recommend having a look at the guidebook you get when you enter so you can focus on what you want to see. You could easily spend most of a day in here.
3186 recommandé par les habitants
Rijksmuseum
1 MuseumstraatBig museum with all the classics, a great spot -- but I recommend having a look at the guidebook you get when you enter so you can focus on what you want to see. You could easily spend most of a day in here.
Modern art museum. You can always see some of their permanent collection, from Kandinsky and Chagall to Karel Apel and Monet and Matisse, but usually the current exhibits are the main attraction, always something new and innovative.
1544 recommandé par les habitants
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
10 MuseumpleinModern art museum. You can always see some of their permanent collection, from Kandinsky and Chagall to Karel Apel and Monet and Matisse, but usually the current exhibits are the main attraction, always something new and innovative.
Photo museum! Very nice, very popular, and a short walk from my apartment.
792 recommandé par les habitants
Foam
609 KeizersgrachtPhoto museum! Very nice, very popular, and a short walk from my apartment.
Parks & Nature
Great park with bike paths and foot paths and even a few cafes for a coffee, drinks or snacks around the edges. Also good to just go for a long walk or a job to get some exersize.
4196 recommandé par les habitants
Vondelpark
Great park with bike paths and foot paths and even a few cafes for a coffee, drinks or snacks around the edges. Also good to just go for a long walk or a job to get some exersize.
Big and sprawling, a great place and not as touristy as Vondel park.
841 recommandé par les habitants
Oosterpark
OosterparkBig and sprawling, a great place and not as touristy as Vondel park.
Entertainment & Activities
Pathe de Munt
15 VijzelstraatPathe City
15-19 Kleine-GartmanplantsoenOld art deco movie theater, beautiful inside -- it's a tourist attraction because of the architecture and design.
340 recommandé par les habitants
Pathé Tuschinski
26-34 ReguliersbreestraatOld art deco movie theater, beautiful inside -- it's a tourist attraction because of the architecture and design.
This is a cafe and bar with a movie theater in the back as well. Good food, drinks, coffee and atmosphere, and located right on the Leidesplein.
41 recommandé par les habitants
De Balie
10 Kleine-GartmanplantsoenThis is a cafe and bar with a movie theater in the back as well. Good food, drinks, coffee and atmosphere, and located right on the Leidesplein.
Movie theater with a nice bar and restaurant and cafe on the ground floor. It's a great place that is not like one of the big chains -- it has first run and older movies also, independent, etc.
176 recommandé par les habitants
Filmtheater Kriterion
170 RoetersstraatMovie theater with a nice bar and restaurant and cafe on the ground floor. It's a great place that is not like one of the big chains -- it has first run and older movies also, independent, etc.
Essentials
Large grocery store within a short distance of my apartment. Bakery with fresh bread. Food, wine, beer, toothpaste, soap, etc, etc.
57 recommandé par les habitants
Frederiksplein
3 FrederikspleinLarge grocery store within a short distance of my apartment. Bakery with fresh bread. Food, wine, beer, toothpaste, soap, etc, etc.
Higher end grocery and bakery -- if you want organic and healthy this is the place, very close to the apartment.
This is the higher end market, with a great bakery and amazing selection of cheeses and excellent pre-made healthy dinners. It's mostly organic. For example, they don't sell Coca-cola. Lots of good juices and yogurt and organic wine. But the basic super market called Albert Hein (listed here also).
857 recommandé par les habitants
Marqt
402 CeintuurbaanHigher end grocery and bakery -- if you want organic and healthy this is the place, very close to the apartment.
This is the higher end market, with a great bakery and amazing selection of cheeses and excellent pre-made healthy dinners. It's mostly organic. For example, they don't sell Coca-cola. Lots of good juices and yogurt and organic wine. But the basic super market called Albert Hein (listed here also).