Amsterdam
in North Holland

You wouldn't expect Amsterdam to be home to a bio-innovative farm growing the most delicious vegetables and herbs, but the fantastic initiative of de Stadsgroenteboer to have made it possible to get local seasonal produce delivered to your front step every week with their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). We eagerly await the reopening of their farm stand come spring. 

When the sun is shining, this city is always overflowing with people. On roofs. In parks. On terraces. That’s why, occasionally, we prefer to escape the madness of the city and head out to this gorgeous former farm that snugly butts up against a little canal. Treat yourself to a night in one of the lovely rooms and wake up feeling refreshed and renewed. Or, simply head for a lunch or dinner and dine on some hearty, seasonal fare.

Funny names aside (the name translates to the lady with the beard), De Vrouw met de Baard is a pretty wonderful place to head for a chilled dinner. A self-described culinary café and wine bar, De Vrouw met de Baard focuses on soul food, so don’t expect airy light bites. We can never resist the Double Dutch Sticky Spareribs or Dr. Lemette’s Rendang. 

This stunning all-glass café is nestled snugly in the back garden of Amsterdam’s Hermitage Museum. After an hour or two in the museum, we love settling in for a relaxed lunch or a coffee. They’ve got wonderful fresh, healthy salads & sandwiches, all featuring vegetables from their own garden.  It’s also one of our top spots for a luxurious weekend brunch.

Though it’s got seriously impressive credentials – both the chef & the sommelier were at Toscanini for years – Domenica is totally down to earth. This homey, cosy spot is ideal for Sunday dinners (Domenica, in Italian!) but just as lovely any day of the week. With a little bit of Italian flair & a lot of warmth, Domenica is quickly becoming an old standby in our dining routine.

Door 74 is a fun take on classic prohibition bars. Hidden away in a tiny alley, this bar prides itself on being difficult to find. Once you ring the little doorbell, you are welcomed into a world of vintage wines, bubbles and exquisite cocktails.

Disco balls and neon lights, the Duky of Tokyo brings the energy of Japan's capital to the streets of Amsterdam. For a night which will leave your voice hoarse, belt out your favourite tunes in one of the private karaoke booths whilst sipping on funky cocktails and innovative sake mixes. 

This stunning building gracefully situated on the Amstel is home to the world renowned Dutch National Opera & Dutch National Ballet. You can, of course, find age old classics performed here, but we’re particularly enchanted by their unique, progressive productions. They have an ever-changing roster of performances, so it’s wise to check their website for their current opera & ballet performances.

The name really says it all, doesn't it? We love this concept store & deli for its well-curated selection treasures - both edible and inedible. Edible Treasures stands for everything artisanal to pimp up both your kitchen and palate! 

The museums of Oud-Zuid aren’t the only ones who rule the roost, despite how it may seem. This culture-soaked neighbourhood is also home to many a fantastic gallery. Chief amongst them is EENWERK. Designed by Barend Koolhaas & opened in 2017, this contemporary exhibition space has quickly become one of our favourite spots in the city.

Meticulously curated vintage has been absolutely BOOMING over the last few years, and ENSŌ vintage is one of the best places in Amsterdam to shop pre-loved designer clothing. They have a great selection of timeless, minimal pieces.

Ready to sweat off the stressful work week? At Equal Yoga you are challenged to work out the body and mind through inventive yogic flows. This studio welcomes all levels.

The Dutch are known for their love of the ‘borrel’, a sort of happy hour with good drinks, light bites ad long chats with friends. Erik’s Delicatessen is every borrel enthusiasts dream, as he has the most delicious assortment of cheeses, meats, tapenades, nuts and, of course, wines for the perfect charcuterie ensemble. 

Killer croquettes? No problem! Top notch coffee? Easy! But pizza? Well, that’s a different story here in Amsterdam. Or at least it used to be until Euro Pizza burst onto the scene in the midst of the city's restaurant boom of 2020. This laidback restaurant is good for more than just excellent pizza, however. Head here for delicious natural wines and thoughtful small plates. Or, for a more fine-dining experience snag a table at their sister spot, Restaurant Europa, next door.

Whether you’re heading to the EYE Filmmuseum to catch a killer exhibition, a screening of an unusual movie or simply to snap a photo of its beautiful design, you will not be disappointed. We like to settle into their café with a coffee (or a drink!) to enjoy the sweeping views of the IJ. If you have a Cineville card or Museumkaart, you’ll get a little discount on your tickets.

Although Berlin claimed it first, we are so happy that Amsterdam is now home to a Factory Girl too. This all-day plant-based brunch spot has become one of the hottest places to be in De Pijp, with a vast, colourful menu that won’t leave you wondering “where’s the bacon?”

Going to the movie theatre is almost always a good idea. It’s an even better idea when you can tuck into fresh, simple food & lovely, organic wines before you head into the chill of the theatre. FC Hyena is a cool neighbourhood cinema showing art house films. Haven’t managed to finish that bottle before the movie starts? No problem! You’re free to bring it in with you.

Whether you are stopping by for a quick drink with a friend or, are in the mood for a rousing game of chess, chances are you'll fall in love with Festina Lente. It's an incredibly cosy hangout in de Joordan for board games and drinks during the cold, winter days and for drinks in the sun on the spilling, summer side terrace. 

Though we’re obviously pretty global here at gloobles, we’ve got to admit that we really love when we see our beloved Dutch brands shining on the international stage. One very cool brand doing just that is Filling Pieces. Bridging cultural gaps, Filling Pieces is a brand that speaks to just about everyone – hypebeasts, the streetwear savvy, classic cool kids & traditionalists alike.

This has to be just about the cutest cinema we’ve ever seen. De Uitkijk is an iconic 1920s arthouse theatre with just one screen. But that one screen? Well, it shows some of the best films out there, from cult classics like Midnight Cowboy to more recent independent movies. There’s no popcorn here, so we like to sneak in our own snacks to nibble on with a glass of the house red.

In a country known far & wide for its blooms, it can start to feel like floral overload. But just because wonderful florists are nearly a dime a dozen here doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few truly unique places to pick up a bouquet or a few plants for the house. With its distinctive style & its diminutive space, Flower Loves Me is a standout. 

Every hipster in Amsterdam (& believe us there are many) has been to FOAM once or twice in their day. This cool, contemporary museum focuses on photography & photography alone. They’ve got an ever-changing roster of impressive exhibitions from photography icons, as well as a small space to highlight up & coming photographic talent. Once you’ve sauntered through the museum, grab a coffee from their café downstairs & hit the gift shop. You can never have too many coffee table books.