Amsterdam
in North Holland

Eat, drink, shop. Name an activity, and you can probably do it at Droog. This unique concept space was dreamt up by the team behind the internationally renowned design label and houses a design & fashion shop, as well as an elegant cafe. The vibe is very A Clockwork Orange in the very best way.

As the first restaurant to get rid of the traditional table set-up in Amsterdam, 212 strives to be innovative in every aspect - including the menu. Watch the chefs in action from your seat at the bar as you tuck into their creative dining experience. Big tip: ask for their selection of Dutch cheeses!

During the day, this sleek little spot is the perfect place to pick up a coffee and cinnamon bun, or kanelbullar, to take with you to the Oosterpark. At night, 4850 is transformed into a cosy, romantic restaurant with an excellent wine list. Although you might think you only want three courses, we highly recommend going for the whole shebang, as we’ve yet to have a bad bite here.

One of the things that the Netherlands are best known for are our flowers, & this is for very good reason. You can get the most jaw-dropping arrangements no matter where you are in Amsterdam, but one of the best places to source them is A.P Bloem. The incredibly friendly staff will help you craft a gorgeous arrangement.

You may not be purchasing new glasses regularly, but once you check out Ace & Tate, you might suddenly have a yen for a new pair or two. This Dutch gem has a great collection of chic glasses and stylish sunnies that all happen to be wildly affordable. So affordable, in fact, that you won’t feel even a little bit guilty when you reach for that extra pair.

The gorgeous natural skincare brand has finally made its way to Amsterdam and we couldn't be happier! It's shop is so bright and beautiful, and the lovely staff are always ready to jump to your help.

It may be in a slightly overlooked area of town, but Afura is one of the coolest shops in Amsterdam. This is a great place for finding a beautifully curated selection of men's and women's fashion with a streetwear bent.

You’ll forget all about bikes and bitterballen as soon as you cross the threshold at Akitsu, one of the best Japanese restaurants in town. They have a broad menu of yakitori, sushi, warm dishes and more, and they do just about everything very, very well (including takeaway!). Though it’s not the most comfortable seat in the house, we love booking one of the traditional low tables. Shoes off, snacks on!

Right beside the Amstel River and the Opera House sits Alpha Coffee, a specialty coffee spot with a Greek twist. It’s perfect for an early morning breakfast run – grab a cappuccino and one of the most comforting, cinnamon-laced pastries in the city. The sweet treats can be subbed for Greek salads and savoury pastries (minced meat and spinach, feta filo parcels) in the afternoon, but make sure to take home a slice of sweet pumpkin pie. The summer sun hits this sleek little sun in the early evening, turning it into a prime perch for soaking up some vitamin D. 

To be elegant but still stand out is a tough task, but Aimélie Guépin makes it infinitely easier. A skilled couturier and seamstress, Aimélie dreams up beautiful, timeless designs from her atelier in Oud-Zuid. Though we aren’t lucky enough to have a wardrobe comprised entirely of her designs, it’s our favourite spot for special pieces for special occasions.

With a luxurious sun terrace and calming views of the Amstel river, we can't imagine a lovelier place than this  to enjoy a fine cocktail. Grab a drink at sunset and watch the city float by. 

Every Monday a flower market pops up at Amstelveld, one of the prime hubs and city squares of Amsterdam.Be there early to have your pick of the bunch and drop by the collection of stands selling cheese, honey, and berries. From mid-March, it becomes a tulip emporium. 

Home cooking, Japanese style pop by the iconic 1989 spot that is AN for that fresh sushi roll. We know what we're craving. 

Get ready to take a breath & relax, as this traditional healing massage parlour wants you to focus on energy flow & slowing down. Once you arrive at An Chi Massage Lounge, you’ll feel truly transported, as it is like no other place in Amsterdam we know. Their tailor-made treatments are inspired by different spiritual schools of thought (think Buddhism, Taoism & Confucianism), so choose what resonates with you most.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? Well, when it comes to shops in Amsterdam, the top billing most certainly goes to Anouk Beerents. This stunning antique store is worth a visit, if only to stare lovingly into the intricately carved gold mirrors flanking the walls. Anouk is a master of mirrors, so if you are in the market, she can help guide you to ensure you pick the perfect piece.

Truly unpretentious, Apollonia is one of the dreamiest spots for a late spring or summer lunch in the city. We adore settling in on their sun-drenched terrace perched on Marineterrein for creative sandwiches, natural wines and delicious small bites. While we like it best at lunchtime, it’s also great for breakfast (from 10:00 AM), aperitivi or dinner.

This charming bookshop on one of Amsterdam's sweetest and most romantic canals is a great place to scoop up non-fiction books. They carry books on a range of subjects from architecture to design and natural history.

Artis is one of the longest running zoos in Europe, and the oldest in the Netherlands. And although we don't recommend every city zoo, this park is both beautiful and educational. The zoo and Planetarium are home to animals from every corner of the world, the ARTIS-Groote Museum makes learning about the ecosystem an immersive and interactive experience, and the Micropia is a discovery of the invisible microbes. Be sure to check out its botanic gardens while you’re there.

When you get a manicure done at Artist Lab, there’s absolutely no need to come back a week later (we swear they really never chip). But the team is so lovely and the lacquer jobs so good that you just might be compelled. Want 10% off? Register to be a Venturer on gloobles.com.

Warming, spice-infused dishes are often in order in a city like Amsterdam, and there are few places better to get them than Ashoka. This unassuming Indian & Nepalese spot in Centrum is seriously, seriously good (and just so happens to be one of our fave spots for takeaway). Check out their spot on the Kinkerstraat if you're in Oud-West!

Though it's billed as a Japanese hair salon, Assort is for everyone. This sleek, airy space has the friendliest hair dressers who snip, style and colour with unbeatable precision.