CARMEN is a feast for each and every sense. Run by Carmen Atiyah de Baets and her husband Joris, this guesthouse-kitchen-shop is a delightful mishmash of creativity and design. The 17th century former family home is now a bustling, central city hangout, where the kitchen takes centre stage. Open for lunch service seven days a week, the ravioli is our menu go-to. For something lighter, a date scone is served with whipped salted butter, and a slither of the chocolate torte has become the afternoon staple. 

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. 

For too long, we've been missing truly excellent pastries here in Amsterdam. And now, though we're wont to share our little secret with you, we've got pastry so good, you could knock us over with a croissant flake. This place is the lord of the lamination, the baron of the buns. Our utopia, our Pantopia.

If you're on the run or simply looking for a juicy, meaty burger or an indulgent sandwich then we'd urge you to head to Lombardo's. Though they do have great burgers, we're actually far more into their Philly Cheesesteak and Chicken & Avocado Sandwich.