Amsterdam
in North Holland

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Both the beans of the espresso and filter coffee (which are roasted in-house) change on a regular basis, so you’ll always have something fresh and exciting to drink when you’re here. They also serve up a wonderful range of sweet and savoury snacks, so it’s easy to idle away the afternoon. What is more, there's also a 'puppycino' for all the pups in town. 

This diminutive bakery is easy to miss if you're zipping through the Negen Straatjes, but it's certainly worth a stop if you find yourself hungry mid-shopping spree. If the sun's out, we love nothing more than sinking our teeth into one of their cinnamon buns while getting as much of a tan as we can in the Dutch sun!

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.

Do you want to feel like you are in a ski chalet, but in Amsterdam? Head to Bistrot des Alpes for a classic cheese fondue night. Or if raclette is more your vibe, opt for that. 

This uncomplicated little bistro has a laid-back French menu and and inviting, relaxed atmosphere. Expect a wonderful rotation of new wines to accompany their delicious menu!

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. 

Sometimes you want something totally classic, though other times you want to feel like you’re in the know, like you’ve finally one-upped those hipsters you see flooding through the city. When you want to indulge in some amazing third-wave coffee in the coolest of locations, you better hop on your bike & head over to Bocca. Their short but sweet food menu never disappoints & we struggle to resist their delicious pastries, particularly the raspberry brownies.

An authentic Amsterdam experience consists of a visit to a coffeeshop, and no, we don’t mean the latte art, dash of pumpkin spice kind.

Boerejongens, literally translated to ‘farmer boys’, is an experience of its own kind. Not into this sort of stuff? We still recommend a visit, as the interior reminds us of a 20th century pharmacy/doctor's office. It’s not everyday you see a coffeeshop with marble floors!

When in Rome, right?

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 wildly popular table d’hôte is buzzy for a reason. The laid-back French food is delicious – we like to order the weekly four-course menu – & settle in for a long, lovely evening. You can’t order a la carte, but trust us, you won’t miss it. If the weather is nice, ask for a table outside, & be sure to sufficiently probe the host to discover the very best wine.

Tucked away in the middle of the Negen Straatjes is Café de Pels. It may look unassuming & unexciting at first glance, but we implore you to give it a chance. It’s the dreamiest respite from a day of brisk shopping & the ideal place to spend a rainy afternoon. Order a biertje or two, & maybe a toastie if you’re feeling a bit peckish, & enjoy some of the best people watching around.