Whether it be the perfectly precise food or the extensive wine list, the draw that pulls us towards Zoldering is serious. It has secured a Michelin star, though the intimate space remains unpretentious and remarkably simple. The menu is à la carte, as friends (Tomas, Wout, Job, and Joost) curate a selection of hot and cold bites. Book promptly as spots fill up quickly. 

It turns out that the ever-dapper Babar is just as charming as he was when we were children now that we’re adults. Bathed in warm light and rich jewel tones, this eensy little bar is perfect for dates. Or for finding a date for next week! Come by for a few glasses of wine, a dish of olives and a nice people-watching session.

Did we really need another cutesy bar on the canals? Not really, we thought. But after visiting Café Marcella, we’ve changed our tune. Big time. This charming, red-awninged café on the Prinsengracht is a lovely spot for a long, languorous breakfast with the paper in tow as it is for a buoyant, booze-filled afternoon with friends on the weekend. They’ve scored serious bonus points for their elevated ‘borrelhapjes’.

This neighbourhood bookshop stuffs every possible genre of book into its tiny, terraced space. There's niche encyclopedias of Dutch artists, architecture guides, and fiction for the old and young. Unlike many of the Amsterdam boutiques, Zwart op Wit is only closed for two days of the year (New Years Day and Christmas), ensuring that a book-driven browse can always be on the cards. Keep an eye on its agenda for events, book releases, and signings.