Guidebook for Amsterdam
Drinks & Nightlife
Starbucks
72 OvertoomThe Paardje B.V.
1 Gerard DoupleinCafe Restaurant Venster 33
42 Eerste van der HelststraatCafé Schilders
45 Eerste van der HelststraatBar & restaurant that sometimes turns into a dance place at night (5 minute walk).
46 locals recommend
Barça
30-31 Marie HeinekenpleinBar & restaurant that sometimes turns into a dance place at night (5 minute walk).
Cocktail bar that is a bit secretive and selective. Call them ahead of time (06 34045122) to tell them you are coming (20 minute walk).
149 locals recommend
Door74
74 ReguliersdwarsstraatCocktail bar that is a bit secretive and selective. Call them ahead of time (06 34045122) to tell them you are coming (20 minute walk).
Nice local bar that catches a lot of sun during the day (8 minute walk).
34 locals recommend
Café Wildschut
1 Roelof HartpleinNice local bar that catches a lot of sun during the day (8 minute walk).
Colorfully-lit bar where everything from the walls to the glasses are made out of ice (10 minute bike ride).
32 locals recommend
Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam
194 AmstelColorfully-lit bar where everything from the walls to the glasses are made out of ice (10 minute bike ride).
For good cocktails at a cost of €7 (€5 during happy hour!) go to Coco’s, an Australian themed bar with a lot of TV screens showing sports. Happy hours are every day from 18-19, Sunday to Thursday: 22-close and Friday & Saturday: 22-23. On Monday’s certain food is 50% off. Address is Thorbeckeplein 8 (very close to Rembrandtplein).
21 locals recommend
Coco's Outback
8-12 ThorbeckepleinFor good cocktails at a cost of €7 (€5 during happy hour!) go to Coco’s, an Australian themed bar with a lot of TV screens showing sports. Happy hours are every day from 18-19, Sunday to Thursday: 22-close and Friday & Saturday: 22-23. On Monday’s certain food is 50% off. Address is Thorbeckeplein 8 (very close to Rembrandtplein).
If you like liquor there is a little known place called Wynand Fockink. Visit wynand-fockink.nl online to get an idea of the place. The address is Pijlsteeg 31 and tel is +31 (0) 20 639 2695. They do a tasting too. They are open daily from 14.00-21.00 hrs.
161 locals recommend
Wynand Fockink
31 PijlsteegIf you like liquor there is a little known place called Wynand Fockink. Visit wynand-fockink.nl online to get an idea of the place. The address is Pijlsteeg 31 and tel is +31 (0) 20 639 2695. They do a tasting too. They are open daily from 14.00-21.00 hrs.
Chocolate Bar
62B Eerste van der HelststraatNice place!
Café Flamingo
37 Eerste van der HelststraatRembrandtplein
A square with quite a few clubs to chose from!
Leidseplein
LeidsepleinA square with some bars, restaurants and clubs
Jimmy Woo
18 Korte LeidsedwarsstraatThis cafe is very close to the apartment (2 mins) and when the sun is out you can worship it while sitting outside at this cafe. It's a very popular spot among Amsterdam locals.
74 locals recommend
Cafe Binnen Buiten
115 RuysdaelkadeThis cafe is very close to the apartment (2 mins) and when the sun is out you can worship it while sitting outside at this cafe. It's a very popular spot among Amsterdam locals.
Food Scene
If you like avocado's. Very popular with tourists and therefore long queues.
52 locals recommend
The Avocado Show
449 Daniël Stalpertstraat If you like avocado's. Very popular with tourists and therefore long queues.
The Seafood Bar
5h Van Baerlestraat Seafood place with a nice interior.
Decent pizza for a cheap student price. Will taste amazing after a long day of sightseeing and their kitchen is open till around 22:00. (4 minute walk)
30 locals recommend
Monte Verde
15-17 Albert CuypstraatDecent pizza for a cheap student price. Will taste amazing after a long day of sightseeing and their kitchen is open till around 22:00. (4 minute walk)
Good pizza in a slightly too well lit restaurant. Not really a restaurant, but if you can sit outside it’s fine. (3 minute walk)
23 locals recommend
da portare VIA
63 Frans HalsstraatGood pizza in a slightly too well lit restaurant. Not really a restaurant, but if you can sit outside it’s fine. (3 minute walk)
A restaurant specializing in steak, French fries and a salad. Popular with locals and busy. You can only make a reservation if you are with 4 or more. Otherwise just walk in and ask what the wait time is. If you are okay waiting (usually around 20 to 30 minutes) then give your name to the barman, have a drink at the bar and they will call you when a table is ready (6 minute walk).
289 locals recommend
Café Loetje
52 Johannes VermeerstraatA restaurant specializing in steak, French fries and a salad. Popular with locals and busy. You can only make a reservation if you are with 4 or more. Otherwise just walk in and ask what the wait time is. If you are okay waiting (usually around 20 to 30 minutes) then give your name to the barman, have a drink at the bar and they will call you when a table is ready (6 minute walk).
– I’ve never been here but they say it’s really good and there is a secret restaurant area at the back…let me know
157 locals recommend
The Butcher
129 Albert Cuypstraat– I’ve never been here but they say it’s really good and there is a secret restaurant area at the back…let me know
Indian restaurant that is surprisingly good and affordable. Around €12-€14 for a main course and they include a free poppadum and mixed vegetable dish (4 minute walk).
22 locals recommend
Balti House
41 Albert CuypstraatIndian restaurant that is surprisingly good and affordable. Around €12-€14 for a main course and they include a free poppadum and mixed vegetable dish (4 minute walk).
Local burger place where you can’t go wrong. Has an American style interior with sitting booths (4 minute walk)
111 locals recommend
Burgermeester | de Pijp
48 Albert CuypstraatLocal burger place where you can’t go wrong. Has an American style interior with sitting booths (4 minute walk)
Popular restaurant with locals and often busy. Specializes in chicken and French fries (2 minute walk).
196 locals recommend
Van 't Spit
95 De ClercqstraatPopular restaurant with locals and often busy. Specializes in chicken and French fries (2 minute walk).
This restaurant has one Michelin star and is only 12 minutes walk away on Ceintuurbaan 342. The price for a 3 course meal is around €40, so reasonably cheap for a restaurant with a star.
48 locals recommend
Sinne
342 Huis CeintuurbaanThis restaurant has one Michelin star and is only 12 minutes walk away on Ceintuurbaan 342. The price for a 3 course meal is around €40, so reasonably cheap for a restaurant with a star.
Good thai food for a decent price of around €12 per dish. Restaurant has a no thrills interior but you can see the kitchen at the back (always a good sign :-) and the food is great! (5 minute walk)
Pheun Thai
71 HobbemakadeGood thai food for a decent price of around €12 per dish. Restaurant has a no thrills interior but you can see the kitchen at the back (always a good sign :-) and the food is great! (5 minute walk)
A food hall where you can eat dishes out of street kitchen from all over the world. Interesting place!
1500 locals recommend
Foodhallen Amsterdam
16 BellamypleinA food hall where you can eat dishes out of street kitchen from all over the world. Interesting place!
Restaurant Mamouche
104 QuellijnstraatUpscale Moroccan restaurant (5 minute walk).
Indonesian food at a cheap price of under €10. Closes at 20:00 (4 minute walk)
27 locals recommend
Sari Citra
52bg Ferdinand BolstraatIndonesian food at a cheap price of under €10. Closes at 20:00 (4 minute walk)
Very popular, small, Surinam restaurant. You might need to wait 15 minutes before getting a table and you will be sitting close to other people as table are virtually touching each other (4 minute walk).
50 locals recommend
Warung Spang Makandra
39 Gerard DoustraatVery popular, small, Surinam restaurant. You might need to wait 15 minutes before getting a table and you will be sitting close to other people as table are virtually touching each other (4 minute walk).
Saravanaa Bhavan Amsterdam
123-124 StadhouderskadeFor all us vegetarians
Middle Eastern food in a big restaurant with a bar in the middle. They are always busy and often seem understaffed (10 minute walk).
258 locals recommend
De Bazar Amsterdam B.V.
182 Albert CuypstraatMiddle Eastern food in a big restaurant with a bar in the middle. They are always busy and often seem understaffed (10 minute walk).
A semi-Asian chain restaurant that serves food in a box for around €5 to €9. Enough tables to eat there too (5 minute walk).
eazie Amsterdam Ferdinand Bolstraat
16 Ferdinand BolstraatA semi-Asian chain restaurant that serves food in a box for around €5 to €9. Enough tables to eat there too (5 minute walk).
Small dim sum restaurant. Looks cute and clean, but I have not been there yet. (4 minute walk)
DIM SUM NOW
36 Ferdinand BolstraatSmall dim sum restaurant. Looks cute and clean, but I have not been there yet. (4 minute walk)
Chinese Indonesian restaurant. I have never eaten there but if you want Chinese then go here (10 minute walk).
Nieuw Peking
166H Van BaerlestraatChinese Indonesian restaurant. I have never eaten there but if you want Chinese then go here (10 minute walk).
ARTIST
1 Tweede Jan SteenstraatLebanese food done really well and not overly expensive (10 minute walk).
A new vegan place along the Marie Heineken plein, which is getting popular (5 minute walk)
92 locals recommend
Vegan Junk Food Bar
22 StaringpleinA new vegan place along the Marie Heineken plein, which is getting popular (5 minute walk)
Famous American restaurant where you have to clean up after yourself when you are finished eating
35 locals recommend
McDonald's
75 Albert CuypstraatFamous American restaurant where you have to clean up after yourself when you are finished eating
High end restaurant that serves great food. The price will be around €50 for a 3 course meal (5 minute walk).
38 locals recommend
Restaurant "Le Garage"
54-56 RuysdaelstraatHigh end restaurant that serves great food. The price will be around €50 for a 3 course meal (5 minute walk).
A culinary hotspot in Amsterdam. Also a good place for cocktails, but pricey (3 minute walk).
113 locals recommend
IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen & Bar
2-6 Albert CuypstraatA culinary hotspot in Amsterdam. Also a good place for cocktails, but pricey (3 minute walk).
A vegetarian restaurant. On the second floor you can lounge around your table. I prefer sitting in a chair but you might like this. Meals are around €18 to €21 (10 minute bike ride).
42 locals recommend
Golden Temple Vegetarisch Restaurant
126 UtrechtsestraatA vegetarian restaurant. On the second floor you can lounge around your table. I prefer sitting in a chair but you might like this. Meals are around €18 to €21 (10 minute bike ride).
My Little Patisserie
63 HS Eerste van der HelststraatHigh quality, nice cosy atmosphere, tasty.
Baking with Passion
53 Albert CuypstraatGreat selection of bread, cakes and pastries.
Patisserie Holtkamp
15 VijzelgrachtVery good cakes, small chocolates and biscuits.
Really cute typically Dutch cafe to have nice coffee and sandwiches.
79 locals recommend
De Laatste Kruimel
4 LangebrugsteegReally cute typically Dutch cafe to have nice coffee and sandwiches.
Essentials
Dirk van den Broek
25 Marie HeinekenpleinEkoplaza
164 HaarlemmerdijkBiological supermarket
Jumbo
55H Eerste Constantijn HuygensstraatSupermarket close to the apartment
Etos
140 B SloterkadeConvenience store for all your basics
AH Stadhouderskade
101 StadhouderskadeGood supermarket, also has some souvenir type food
Shopping
Make sure to walk over to PC Hooftstraat. It’s the most luxurious street in Amsterdam. All the super high-end shops are there, including some cool cars parked outside (10 minute walk across Museum Quarter field or “Museum plein” as it is called in Dutch). One end of the PC Hooftstraat leads into the Vondelpark.
652 locals recommend
P.C. Hooftstraat
Pieter Cornelisz HooftstraatMake sure to walk over to PC Hooftstraat. It’s the most luxurious street in Amsterdam. All the super high-end shops are there, including some cool cars parked outside (10 minute walk across Museum Quarter field or “Museum plein” as it is called in Dutch). One end of the PC Hooftstraat leads into the Vondelpark.
Hudson's Bay Amsterdam
274 Oudezijds VoorburgwalNewly opened on the newly renovated Rokin street!
Check out “De negen straatje” (the nine streets). Small streets with vintage/niche/local shops and places to eat. Each street is named after an animal.
1405 locals recommend
De 9 Straatjes
Check out “De negen straatje” (the nine streets). Small streets with vintage/niche/local shops and places to eat. Each street is named after an animal.
Check out the open air market on the street called Albert Cuyp. It’s there every day except Sunday’s (5 minute walk away). If you don’t have time then don’t worry about it. It’s not a life changing experience
1832 locals recommend
Albert Cuyp Market
Albert CuypstraatCheck out the open air market on the street called Albert Cuyp. It’s there every day except Sunday’s (5 minute walk away). If you don’t have time then don’t worry about it. It’s not a life changing experience
High-end shopping mall at Dam square. All the big brands are there.
421 locals recommend
de Bijenkorf Amsterdam
1 DamHigh-end shopping mall at Dam square. All the big brands are there.
A long street full of shops that starts at The Munt and ends at Dam square. It's the busiest in Amsterdam and a must walk through for the avid shopper.
643 locals recommend
Kalverstraat
KalverstraatA long street full of shops that starts at The Munt and ends at Dam square. It's the busiest in Amsterdam and a must walk through for the avid shopper.
You can buy decent stuff here at a low price. Definitely worth a visit for people who like to shop!
30 locals recommend
Primark
11 MetropolestraatYou can buy decent stuff here at a low price. Definitely worth a visit for people who like to shop!
The Kalvertoren, a shopping center in Amsterdam, is located on Kalverstraat, Amsterdam's busiest shopping street.
19 locals recommend
Kalverpassage
212-220 KalverstraatThe Kalvertoren, a shopping center in Amsterdam, is located on Kalverstraat, Amsterdam's busiest shopping street.
A lot of books on offer in English. the square is a nice one to visit too!
24 locals recommend
The American Book Center
12 SpuiA lot of books on offer in English. the square is a nice one to visit too!
A street where you can buy everything to do with flowers. Definitely worth checking out. The flower market dates from 1862, displaying blooms from tulips to geraniums on floating barges.
447 locals recommend
Bloemenmarkt
SingelA street where you can buy everything to do with flowers. Definitely worth checking out. The flower market dates from 1862, displaying blooms from tulips to geraniums on floating barges.
Entertainment & Activities
Heineken Experience
78 StadhouderskadeGo early :-)
Pathe City
15-19 Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen Cinema
ARTIS
38-40 Plantage KerklaanArtis: the Amsterdam zoo.
Sightseeing
If you have time and you are visiting during the months of April to September then consider going to “De Zaanse Schans.” Take a train from central station and get off at “Zaandijk Zaanse Schans”. It will be around a 25 minute train ride and then be a 15 minute walk to the area. You will see lots of windmills, cheese shops and eateries. There is also a museum and lots of souvenirshops. You have to pay to see the inside of the windmills but the whole area itself is free to visit and you can honestly have a lovely day without spending any money. Be prepared for a lot of tourists so best to go early to avoid the crowds. The place closes down around 5 pm. You can see it all in under 2 hours.
651 locals recommend
Zaanse Schans
KraaienestIf you have time and you are visiting during the months of April to September then consider going to “De Zaanse Schans.” Take a train from central station and get off at “Zaandijk Zaanse Schans”. It will be around a 25 minute train ride and then be a 15 minute walk to the area. You will see lots of windmills, cheese shops and eateries. There is also a museum and lots of souvenirshops. You have to pay to see the inside of the windmills but the whole area itself is free to visit and you can honestly have a lovely day without spending any money. Be prepared for a lot of tourists so best to go early to avoid the crowds. The place closes down around 5 pm. You can see it all in under 2 hours.
Check out Utrechtsestraat. It’s a long street with lots of restaurants, bars and shops. One end of the street borders on Rembrandtplein.
421 locals recommend
Utrechtsestraat
UtrechtsestraatCheck out Utrechtsestraat. It’s a long street with lots of restaurants, bars and shops. One end of the street borders on Rembrandtplein.
Begijnhof is worth a visit. It’s free to see and in the centre of the city about a 10 minute bike ride away. It’s a couple of traditional Dutch houses in a courtyard that used to be occupied by nuns. It’s basically just a walk-through and you’ve seen it in 5 minutes but still nice for a photo (open between 9am and 5pm).
277 locals recommend
Begijnhof
1 BegijnhofBegijnhof is worth a visit. It’s free to see and in the centre of the city about a 10 minute bike ride away. It’s a couple of traditional Dutch houses in a courtyard that used to be occupied by nuns. It’s basically just a walk-through and you’ve seen it in 5 minutes but still nice for a photo (open between 9am and 5pm).
Go to the Waldorf Astoria hotel for a tea or coffee. This hotel, which is a series of 6 classical canalhouses all next to each other, only opened its doors in 2014 and has a beautiful boutique interior. A person I know who works at the hotel told me that they are actually a little disappointed in the amount of people coming in for a drink. Most people simply don’t associate the hotel with a place for a drink. Basically, you are more than welcome there!
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
542-556 HerengrachtGo to the Waldorf Astoria hotel for a tea or coffee. This hotel, which is a series of 6 classical canalhouses all next to each other, only opened its doors in 2014 and has a beautiful boutique interior. A person I know who works at the hotel told me that they are actually a little disappointed in the amount of people coming in for a drink. Most people simply don’t associate the hotel with a place for a drink. Basically, you are more than welcome there!
360° sky deck with Panorama Restaurant & Rooftop Bar.
Check out https://www.adamlookout.com/
603 locals recommend
A'dam Lookout
5 Overhoeksplein360° sky deck with Panorama Restaurant & Rooftop Bar.
Check out https://www.adamlookout.com/
Visit the Jordaan. It's a nice area of Amsterdam and has all lot to see! You are walking through one of the most iconic parts of Amsterdam!
756 locals recommend
Jordaan
Visit the Jordaan. It's a nice area of Amsterdam and has all lot to see! You are walking through one of the most iconic parts of Amsterdam!
Arts & Culture
Please be aware that to visit the Van Gogh museum, you need to buy tickets online and you cannot buy them at the museum itself.
Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum station
Van Gogh Museum
6 MuseumpleinStedelijk Museum Amsterdam
10 MuseumpleinModern art, recently renovated building.
Moco Museum
20 HonthorststraatFor if you like Banksy
On certain Wednesdays the Concertgebouw hosts a free lunchtime classical concert of about 30 minutes. If you arrive at 12 noon then you will able to get in to enjoy the concert from 12.30 to 13.00 hrs. Check out their schedule in English here: https://www.concertgebouw.nl/en/lunchtime-concerts.
476 locals recommend
The Concertgebouw
10 ConcertgebouwpleinOn certain Wednesdays the Concertgebouw hosts a free lunchtime classical concert of about 30 minutes. If you arrive at 12 noon then you will able to get in to enjoy the concert from 12.30 to 13.00 hrs. Check out their schedule in English here: https://www.concertgebouw.nl/en/lunchtime-concerts.