Guidebook for Amsterdam

Alëna
Guidebook for Amsterdam

Drinks & Nightlife

The best brewery in A'dam, situated in a typical Dutch windmill
1100 locals recommend
Brouwerij 't IJ
7 Funenkade
1100 locals recommend
The best brewery in A'dam, situated in a typical Dutch windmill
City beach in summer & a hip place to be at any other time of year, Roest has a laid-back vibe, live DJ every night & lots of special events. Situated in a red brick converted industrial building.
496 locals recommend
Amsterdam Roest
1 Jacob Bontiusplaats
496 locals recommend
City beach in summer & a hip place to be at any other time of year, Roest has a laid-back vibe, live DJ every night & lots of special events. Situated in a red brick converted industrial building.
Cool rustic atmosphere, good for breakfast, lunch & drinks (great cocktails!) – gets busy in the evenings with a hip crowd.
549 locals recommend
bar Bukowski
10 Oosterpark
549 locals recommend
Cool rustic atmosphere, good for breakfast, lunch & drinks (great cocktails!) – gets busy in the evenings with a hip crowd.
One of the smallest bars in Amsterdam; a hangout for street artists & DJs; the interior is "Dutch 17th century meets graffiti art".
25 locals recommend
Cafe Belgique
2 Gravenstraat
25 locals recommend
One of the smallest bars in Amsterdam; a hangout for street artists & DJs; the interior is "Dutch 17th century meets graffiti art".
Possibly the best cocktail bar in A'dam... It's not just about the cocktails, but the presentation thereof, e.g. their "Smoke & Mirrors" is mind-blowing. Ask for their specials - the staff is helpful
87 locals recommend
Tales & Spirits
5-7 Lijnbaanssteeg
87 locals recommend
Possibly the best cocktail bar in A'dam... It's not just about the cocktails, but the presentation thereof, e.g. their "Smoke & Mirrors" is mind-blowing. Ask for their specials - the staff is helpful
comparatively cheap cocktails of great quality in a very central location
12 locals recommend
Café Cuba
3 Nieuwmarkt
12 locals recommend
comparatively cheap cocktails of great quality in a very central location
Best “proeflokaal” (bodega) in A'dam, WF make all their liquors & jenevers since the 17th century. My fave is cherry brandewijn! Feeling adventurous? Then ask for bridal tears/(scary)walk in the woods
161 locals recommend
Wynand Fockink
31 Pijlsteeg
161 locals recommend
Best “proeflokaal” (bodega) in A'dam, WF make all their liquors & jenevers since the 17th century. My fave is cherry brandewijn! Feeling adventurous? Then ask for bridal tears/(scary)walk in the woods
Wine & champagne bar, a bit pricey/fancy, but great choice of wines & snacks
17 locals recommend
Bubbles & Wines winebar and champagnebar
37 Nes
17 locals recommend
Wine & champagne bar, a bit pricey/fancy, but great choice of wines & snacks
Best hotel bar in A'dam, creative cocktails, colonial interior (a bit pricey)
16 locals recommend
Pulitzer's Bar
234 Keizersgracht
16 locals recommend
Best hotel bar in A'dam, creative cocktails, colonial interior (a bit pricey)
Canal view, plates to share & often special cocktail events
468 locals recommend
Bar spek
1 Admiraal de Ruijterweg
468 locals recommend
Canal view, plates to share & often special cocktail events
Belgian beer place, also serves snacks. P.S. They used to have (maybe still do) an amazing white bar cat - everyone takes pictures with it :-)
47 locals recommend
De Zotte
29 Raamstraat
47 locals recommend
Belgian beer place, also serves snacks. P.S. They used to have (maybe still do) an amazing white bar cat - everyone takes pictures with it :-)
Atmospheric bar with cool interior, hip crowd & reasonable prices.
268 locals recommend
Café Panache
117 Ten Katestraat
268 locals recommend
Atmospheric bar with cool interior, hip crowd & reasonable prices.
All kinds of weird types of sausage (lobster, chocolate sausage, etc...) + 200 wines. They offer Sunday brunch.
82 locals recommend
Worst Wijncafé
171 Barentszstraat
82 locals recommend
All kinds of weird types of sausage (lobster, chocolate sausage, etc...) + 200 wines. They offer Sunday brunch.
Iconic music venue that hosted everyone from The Rolling Stones, Joy Division, Nirvana, David Bowie, Duran Duran to more contemporary ones like Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Emilíana Torrini & Lady Gaga :-)
937 locals recommend
Paradiso
6-8 Weteringschans
937 locals recommend
Iconic music venue that hosted everyone from The Rolling Stones, Joy Division, Nirvana, David Bowie, Duran Duran to more contemporary ones like Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Emilíana Torrini & Lady Gaga :-)
French-African brick-lined bar/restaurant with some pretty spectacular cocktails: flaming passion fruit in BO CARDI & the weird combo of strawberry & wasabi didn't leave me impartial
49 locals recommend
Bo Cinq
494 Prinsengracht
49 locals recommend
French-African brick-lined bar/restaurant with some pretty spectacular cocktails: flaming passion fruit in BO CARDI & the weird combo of strawberry & wasabi didn't leave me impartial
James Bond-ish trendy cocktail bar
166 locals recommend
Vesper
57 Vinkenstraat
166 locals recommend
James Bond-ish trendy cocktail bar
Quirky & cool, fair prices for both drinks & food.
132 locals recommend
Bar Moustache
141 Utrechtsestraat
132 locals recommend
Quirky & cool, fair prices for both drinks & food.
Cosy, stylish & intimate comedy club.
33 locals recommend
Toomler
2 Breitnerstraat
33 locals recommend
Cosy, stylish & intimate comedy club.

Food Scene

High tea, lunch & take-away: cool, delicious & healthy bakery
49 locals recommend
De Bakkerswinkel Oud-Zuid
68 Roelof Hartstraat
49 locals recommend
High tea, lunch & take-away: cool, delicious & healthy bakery
Croissants, organic breads - relaxed & casual, great place for breakfast
165 locals recommend
Le Pain Quotidien
2 & 4 Cornelis Troostplein
165 locals recommend
Croissants, organic breads - relaxed & casual, great place for breakfast
One of my favorite places for breakfast: bagels (as the name suggest), muffins, coffees - all delicious & fresh!
111 locals recommend
Bagels & Beans
504 Keizersgracht
111 locals recommend
One of my favorite places for breakfast: bagels (as the name suggest), muffins, coffees - all delicious & fresh!
"An institution" when it comes to breakfast in A'dam - staff is friendly & food - delicious! They are kind of notorious for their Bloody Marys :D In summer they have a brunch boat (see website)
42 locals recommend
Gs jordaan
91 Goudsbloemstraat
42 locals recommend
"An institution" when it comes to breakfast in A'dam - staff is friendly & food - delicious! They are kind of notorious for their Bloody Marys :D In summer they have a brunch boat (see website)
Great for anything "seafood", "mix & match" kind of style, a bit pricey.
59 locals recommend
The Seafood Bar Spui
15 Spui
59 locals recommend
Great for anything "seafood", "mix & match" kind of style, a bit pricey.
Lobster OR steak OR a mix of both! Deserts are excellent & the wine card is quite creative. Call to reserve from 14:00 onward.
126 locals recommend
Restaurant RED
594 Keizersgracht
126 locals recommend
Lobster OR steak OR a mix of both! Deserts are excellent & the wine card is quite creative. Call to reserve from 14:00 onward.
Cosy interior & high quality food. Dishes with Dutch & Mediterranean influences.
38 locals recommend
De Graaf
153 Wilhelminastraat
38 locals recommend
Cosy interior & high quality food. Dishes with Dutch & Mediterranean influences.
They say it's the best place for brunch in A'dam - so you might want to try reserving a table.
180 locals recommend
Staring at Jacob
215 Jacob Van Lennepkade
180 locals recommend
They say it's the best place for brunch in A'dam - so you might want to try reserving a table.
Unpretentious, good price/quality value; cuisine: mix of French & Italian
Stacey's Pennywell
Unpretentious, good price/quality value; cuisine: mix of French & Italian
A bit further away from the center, an old barge/ship converted into a restaurant, specialize in seafood - great cuisine!
71 locals recommend
Pont 13
50 Haparandadam
71 locals recommend
A bit further away from the center, an old barge/ship converted into a restaurant, specialize in seafood - great cuisine!
Delicious 3-course menus for 26 euros - great value for money!
22 locals recommend
Restaurant de Struisvogel
312 Keizersgracht
22 locals recommend
Delicious 3-course menus for 26 euros - great value for money!
middle range, very nice service & a rather creative menu
34 locals recommend
Hemelse Modder
11 Oude Waal
34 locals recommend
middle range, very nice service & a rather creative menu
romantic atmosphere, canal view, art nouveau interior, european/french/dutch cuisine, awarded Michelin’s Bib Gourmand 6 times (“half a Michelin star”)
74 locals recommend
De Belhamel
60 Brouwersgracht
74 locals recommend
romantic atmosphere, canal view, art nouveau interior, european/french/dutch cuisine, awarded Michelin’s Bib Gourmand 6 times (“half a Michelin star”)
Steak & lobster in an industrial warehouse :-)
139 locals recommend
Bar Restaurant Pompstation
52 Zeeburgerdijk
139 locals recommend
Steak & lobster in an industrial warehouse :-)
Rather expensive (Michelin star), reservation necessary, Dutch cuisine, several rooms decorated in different styles, some with original Rembrandt paintings.
23 locals recommend
d'Vijff Vlieghen
294-302 Spuistraat
23 locals recommend
Rather expensive (Michelin star), reservation necessary, Dutch cuisine, several rooms decorated in different styles, some with original Rembrandt paintings.
Fine Italian dining, fresh ingredients, cosy inner courtyard sitting.
Campo de' Fiori
32 Reguliersdwarsstraat
Fine Italian dining, fresh ingredients, cosy inner courtyard sitting.
“Dinner in the dark” – great experience, 3-course menus for 39,50 + additional wines with every course for 12,75. Also serve a 4-course brunch on Sundays (25 euro from 11:00) & high tea for 20 EUR
34 locals recommend
Ctaste
55 Amsteldijk
34 locals recommend
“Dinner in the dark” – great experience, 3-course menus for 39,50 + additional wines with every course for 12,75. Also serve a 4-course brunch on Sundays (25 euro from 11:00) & high tea for 20 EUR
Best Mexican restaurant in Amsterdam, great value for money, simple & casual, famous for their margaritas, quite popular, so reserve in advance.
57 locals recommend
Los Pilones
63 Kerkstraat
57 locals recommend
Best Mexican restaurant in Amsterdam, great value for money, simple & casual, famous for their margaritas, quite popular, so reserve in advance.
REM Island - former pirate broadcasting home of Radio & TV Noordzee is a pretty cool restaurant today.
118 locals recommend
REM Eiland
45-2 Haparandadam
118 locals recommend
REM Island - former pirate broadcasting home of Radio & TV Noordzee is a pretty cool restaurant today.
A bit overpriced (however: good quality), wines aren't too impressive, but great if you want to watch sunset with an industrial/shipping wharf backdrop & A'dam in the distance.
130 locals recommend
Loetje aan 't IJ
14 Werfkade
130 locals recommend
A bit overpriced (however: good quality), wines aren't too impressive, but great if you want to watch sunset with an industrial/shipping wharf backdrop & A'dam in the distance.
Chilled & cosy, city-beach with rustic interior design. Take a free-NDSM ferry from the waterfront side of the Central Station.
1052 locals recommend
Pllek
59 T.T. Neveritaweg
1052 locals recommend
Chilled & cosy, city-beach with rustic interior design. Take a free-NDSM ferry from the waterfront side of the Central Station.
Vegan & vegetarian - this place serves potatoes with various fillings, toppings & sauces.
34 locals recommend
Jacketz Nieuwendijk
32 Nieuwendijk
34 locals recommend
Vegan & vegetarian - this place serves potatoes with various fillings, toppings & sauces.
Delicious & on a budget, situated in the China Town.
94 locals recommend
Nam Kee
111-113 Zeedijk
94 locals recommend
Delicious & on a budget, situated in the China Town.
Former Tram Depot now turned into a foodie hall with any cuisine you can imagine & cinema under the same roof. Albeit often VERY busy, cool place to eat, hang out & watch a flick.
369 locals recommend
De Hallen
41 Bellamyplein
369 locals recommend
Former Tram Depot now turned into a foodie hall with any cuisine you can imagine & cinema under the same roof. Albeit often VERY busy, cool place to eat, hang out & watch a flick.
Simple & healthy food with a Mediterranean twist; most of plates are made for sharing
59 locals recommend
Foodism
59 locals recommend
Simple & healthy food with a Mediterranean twist; most of plates are made for sharing
Rice tables & other delicious Indonesian stuff
Amstelveenseweg 158, Schinkelbuurt
158 Amstelveenseweg
Rice tables & other delicious Indonesian stuff
Indonesian deliciousness
31 locals recommend
Kartika
68H Overtoom
31 locals recommend
Indonesian deliciousness
Simple & effective place for breakfast
43 locals recommend
Friends
121 Nassaukade
43 locals recommend
Simple & effective place for breakfast
Typical Dutch food
252 locals recommend
Restaurant Moeders
251 Rozengracht
252 locals recommend
Typical Dutch food
Solidarity concept ('pay as you wish, ca. €7-10 per meal) vegan organic food. Open ONLY on Tue, Thu, Fri & Sun from 7pm-8.30pm, CALL 020-4122954 (no e-mail) to reserve same day from 3pm to 6.30pm.
13 locals recommend
Overtoom 301
301 Overtoom
13 locals recommend
Solidarity concept ('pay as you wish, ca. €7-10 per meal) vegan organic food. Open ONLY on Tue, Thu, Fri & Sun from 7pm-8.30pm, CALL 020-4122954 (no e-mail) to reserve same day from 3pm to 6.30pm.
Cosy, casual, alright prices, good for both food & drink (Belgian beers)
267 locals recommend
Fier Amsterdam
79 De Clercqstraat
267 locals recommend
Cosy, casual, alright prices, good for both food & drink (Belgian beers)
Cool food concept, menu changes ca. every month, always creative & visually appealing dishes. Reserve to avoid disappointment.
13 locals recommend
de culinaire werkplaats
13 locals recommend
Cool food concept, menu changes ca. every month, always creative & visually appealing dishes. Reserve to avoid disappointment.
simple good food & fairly priced wines
71 locals recommend
Cantinetta Wine & Pasta
105 De Clercqstraat
71 locals recommend
simple good food & fairly priced wines
vintage interior, sunny terrace
354 locals recommend
Café Cook
2 James Cookstraat
354 locals recommend
vintage interior, sunny terrace
Family-friendly, very relaxed, with the motto "best pancakes in town" they serve a delicious selection of sweet &/or savory pancakes (beware: 1 pancake is a meal even if you're hungry!)
63 locals recommend
The Pancake Bakery
191 Prinsengracht
63 locals recommend
Family-friendly, very relaxed, with the motto "best pancakes in town" they serve a delicious selection of sweet &/or savory pancakes (beware: 1 pancake is a meal even if you're hungry!)
nice French artisan bakery
39 locals recommend
Gebroeders Niemeijer
35 Nieuwendijk
39 locals recommend
nice French artisan bakery
Unpretentious & cosy, famous for its High Tea (14:00-17:00), but also have great breakfasts & lunches; close to Rokin & Spui.
55 locals recommend
Gartine
7 Taksteeg
55 locals recommend
Unpretentious & cosy, famous for its High Tea (14:00-17:00), but also have great breakfasts & lunches; close to Rokin & Spui.
Pretty cool, but also simple breakfast/lunch place in the "9 straatjes" part of the Jordan.
Berenstraat 19
19 Berenstraat
Pretty cool, but also simple breakfast/lunch place in the "9 straatjes" part of the Jordan.
Cool Australian "home-made"-style brunch place.
116 locals recommend
DroversDog Heemstedestraat
25 Heemstedestraat
116 locals recommend
Cool Australian "home-made"-style brunch place.
All my French friends in Amsterdam simply can't stop talking about it :) You might have to queue for your croissant, but it's so-o-o worth it
94 locals recommend
Le Fournil de Sébastien Amsterdam
119 Olympiaplein
94 locals recommend
All my French friends in Amsterdam simply can't stop talking about it :) You might have to queue for your croissant, but it's so-o-o worth it
Famous for their wood-fired pizzas...
139 locals recommend
De Italiaan
29 Bosboom Toussaintstraat
139 locals recommend
Famous for their wood-fired pizzas...
Modern Dutch cuisine in a rustic setting. Book in advance ;-)
468 locals recommend
Wilde Zwijnen
23 Javaplein
468 locals recommend
Modern Dutch cuisine in a rustic setting. Book in advance ;-)
Jamie Oliver's industrial-style restaurant. Staff are disadvantaged youngsters learning the ropes of the restaurant business.
46 locals recommend
Fifteen
9 Jollemanhof
46 locals recommend
Jamie Oliver's industrial-style restaurant. Staff are disadvantaged youngsters learning the ropes of the restaurant business.
open for lunch, "borrel" & dinner, musician's jam sessions - hip & up-and-coming
19 locals recommend
Tolbar
182 Tolstraat
19 locals recommend
open for lunch, "borrel" & dinner, musician's jam sessions - hip & up-and-coming
If you're looking for a quality Italian in town - you've found it! Everything I've tried there was mind-blowingly delicious!
34 locals recommend
Restaurant District 5
17 Van der Helstplein
34 locals recommend
If you're looking for a quality Italian in town - you've found it! Everything I've tried there was mind-blowingly delicious!
Great wine bar classic in De Pijp, only by reservation. Known for "High Wines" (16:00 - 18:00), delicious daily menus.
29 locals recommend
Wijnbar Boelen
50 Eerste van der Helststraat
29 locals recommend
Great wine bar classic in De Pijp, only by reservation. Known for "High Wines" (16:00 - 18:00), delicious daily menus.

Sightseeing

An absolute must during your visit to A'dam.
3186 locals recommend
Rijksmuseum
1 Museumstraat
3186 locals recommend
An absolute must during your visit to A'dam.
The heart of Amsterdam's nightlife - all important tram lines have a stop here, lots of bars & nightlife spots are situated around here.
1535 locals recommend
Leidseplein
Leidseplein
1535 locals recommend
The heart of Amsterdam's nightlife - all important tram lines have a stop here, lots of bars & nightlife spots are situated around here.
The best photography museum in A'dam. Usually hosts 2-3 exhibitions simultaneously. Thursday evening at 19:00 one can join a FREE English-speaking guided tour (book in advance on the website).
792 locals recommend
Foam
609 Keizersgracht
792 locals recommend
The best photography museum in A'dam. Usually hosts 2-3 exhibitions simultaneously. Thursday evening at 19:00 one can join a FREE English-speaking guided tour (book in advance on the website).

Getting Around

Hertz car rental Address: Overtoom 333 Mo-Fr: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sa: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Su: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
38 locals recommend
Hertz
333 Overtoom
38 locals recommend
Hertz car rental Address: Overtoom 333 Mo-Fr: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sa: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Su: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Europecar car rental Address: Overtoom 197 Mo-Fri: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sa 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Su 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
39 locals recommend
Europcar
197 Overtoom
39 locals recommend
Europecar car rental Address: Overtoom 197 Mo-Fri: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sa 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Su 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Bike rental: reliable & good prices. I service my bike there. In high season (and if you're a large group), I'd recommend giving them a call to check availability: +31-20 - 670 85 31.
Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat 88
88 Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat
Bike rental: reliable & good prices. I service my bike there. In high season (and if you're a large group), I'd recommend giving them a call to check availability: +31-20 - 670 85 31.
MacBike (Overtoom 45), used them once, they have a good reputation. Opening Hours 7 days a week from 9.00 to 17.45. Call to check availability of bikes: +31-20 6833369
109 locals recommend
MacBike | Bike Rental Amsterdam | Vondelpark
45 Overtoom
109 locals recommend
MacBike (Overtoom 45), used them once, they have a good reputation. Opening Hours 7 days a week from 9.00 to 17.45. Call to check availability of bikes: +31-20 6833369

Arts & Culture

Housed in an ultra-modern building it has interactive exhibitions & a café with unbeatable views through its glass walls. Btw, it's also a CINEMA! Take FREE ferry from behind the CS to get there.
1109 locals recommend
Eye Film Museum
1 IJpromenade
1109 locals recommend
Housed in an ultra-modern building it has interactive exhibitions & a café with unbeatable views through its glass walls. Btw, it's also a CINEMA! Take FREE ferry from behind the CS to get there.

Shopping

An island of piece & quiet in a busy city. Helpful staff & amazing tea selection.
Four Leaves (online shop en groothandel only)
68 Wedderborg
An island of piece & quiet in a busy city. Helpful staff & amazing tea selection.

Parks & Nature

Amsterdam's most iconic park, full of lakes, groomed trees, picnic areas, cosy cafes & cultural events year-around.
4196 locals recommend
Vondelpark
4196 locals recommend
Amsterdam's most iconic park, full of lakes, groomed trees, picnic areas, cosy cafes & cultural events year-around.
Cute park with lots of space for picnicking & BBQ.
841 locals recommend
Oosterpark
Oosterpark
841 locals recommend
Cute park with lots of space for picnicking & BBQ.