Amsterdam
in North Holland

It’s impossible to have too many great spots for chilled drinks with friends. Don’t you think? When we’re over across the IJ, we head straight to the Noorderpark to have delicious drinks under the sun umbrellas at Pompet. If you work up an appetite lifting all those drinks to your lips, order the Salade “Pompet” and get excited for the garlic butter escargot you’ll find on top. 

On occasion, we definitely like to hit up the Noordermarkt or the Lindenmarkt for our flowers, but unfortunately, they’re not available every day. When we just can’t wait any longer for a beautiful bouquet, we make sure to head to Pompon, one of the loveliest flower shops in Amsterdam. It’s particularly fantastic if you are feeling overwhelmed with options, as the friendly & knowledgeable staff will help you assemble the perfect bouquet.

Brunch is all the range in De Pijp, but Poppy's just gives that little bit extra. Forget the avo toast, it's all about sharing plates and fingerfood here. Bao buns, crispy cauli tenders and of course, plenty of kaasstengels make for that perfect Sunday brunch. 

Is there a better combination than wine & cheese? If you ask us, there most definitely is not. When a hankering for a few pieces of creamy, funky cheese & an intriguing wine creeps up, hop on your bike & whizz over to Proeflokaal Kef. Their location in Noord has a large tasting room & gorgeous terrace, the ideal place to indulge in a cheese tasting.

Bringing some truly tasty, authentic Indonesian food to Amsterdam's Grachtengordel is Proper Indofood. Whether it's their Sambal Setan, or Ayam Kecap expect a kick of spice and a fusion of flavours. The perfect lunch to-go: get it to take away and tuck in whilst overlooking the canals. 

Third-wave coffee has really taken Amsterdam by storm. You can hit up any area & find a great café serving up killer coffee. Though we love them all, probably the coolest one in the city is located in Noord, Public Space. It’s fresh & industrial yet still warm & inviting, and they have a lunch menu so good you may never eat at home again. On a day you have to knock out a bit of work, pack up your laptop, hop on the ferry & settle in at Public Space for a few hours.

This sophisticated, privately-owned boutique hotel is spread across 25 gorgeously restored 17th & 18th century canal houses. Its central location in the heart of the buzzing Negen Straatjes makes it an ideal jumping off point for a day of culture or shopping. We can’t resist an afternoon drink in the garden courtyard in summer, & also adore booking onto the hotel’s boat for a cruise around the canals.

If ever you could imagine a city oasis, nowhere is quite imagined as serene as Pure Wellness is. Never have we ever felt more at ease after a massage or facial than at this spot.

What was surprisingly a former dental centre, is now quite possibly the hippest place to rave in Amsterdam. Quite the transition! So for the techno lovers out there, grab your shades and head to Radion, a place where the dance iconically never stops. 

A bowl of ramen so good people were willing to queue for it, mourn its closure and celebrate its comeback. This no-fuss spot just across from Amsterdam Centraal has earned a loyal following thanks to its rich broths, perfectly chewy noodles and legendary spicy pork ramen. Order a bowl, take a seat at the counter and embrace the slurping. If you leave without broth on your shirt, you're doing it wrong.s

With a menu of comforting but light Italian fare, calisto is sure to be soon cemented in the hearts of Amsterdammers. And visitors too, naturally. Housed in a monumental 17th-century building in the heart of De Jordaan, this restaurant is another absolute smasher from Bob Nagel (of Binnenvisser and Twee Prinsen) and his team.

Beautifully situated at the crux of two little canals, Entrepot is stunning before you even step inside. The interior, like many of our favourite restaurants in the city, is sleek & pared back with an industrial edge. The food employs similar restraint, elevating simple, fresh local ingredients & pairing them with an exciting, dynamic wine list. You could come here weekly & never get bored.

Taking over a space from a beloved restaurant can be tricky, as the old ardent supporters are likely to lament the changeover. Miraculously, Restaurant Watergang has managed to fill the very big shoes of La Cacerola. The table d'hote menu at Restaurant Watergang changes monthly and focuses on inventive takes on hearty comfort food classics. The service is friendly & attentive without being overbearing, so it's a great spot for a long, tranquil dinner.

If you like RIJKS you are sure to love Wils*, where you can expect the same attention to detail and fab service. Wils* places an emphasis on the power of fire in cooking, serving either a 4 or 6-course menu as well as offering à la carte. It has become a culinary hotspot, so make sure to book in advance!

When you hear the word Rijks, your mind likely automatically heads to stunning still lifes & Dutch genre paintings. These days, though, there’s even more to it. Rijks is a wonderful fine dining restaurant at the base of the museum with bright young chef Joris Bijdendijk at the helm. The restaurant focuses on seasonal ingredients & makes heavy use of vegetables from their own garden.

The Netherlands may not be known for its gastronomic history, but luckily our dear Flemish neighbours are a slightly different story. Rijsel Rotisserie is a bright & airy restaurant with a bit of an industrial vibe that serves some of the tastiest food in town. Though all of their food is delicious, we find it impossible to resist their famous roast chicken.

The former Palace of Justice on Prinsengracht now houses the latest Rosewood venture, easily the city’s smartest place to rest your head. Studio Piet Boon’s interiors channel quintessential Dutch refinement: pleated headboards referencing judicial robes, textural fabrics, and Dutch art throughout (the Maarten Baas Grandfather Clock is a particularly nice touch). Outside, Piet Oudolf’s landscaped courtyard offers respite from busy canal-lined streets.

This coffee roastery and bakery tucked away in Amsterdam East has dangerously delicious homemade baked goods. If you fall in love with their coffee (it's very, very good), grab a bag of beans to take home.

Going vegan doesn't mean giving up on delicious baked goods. At SAINT-JEAN, you can stock up on treats like their lemon yuzu and thyme cake or their ridiculously good pistachio cruffins.

This tranquil shop has a great selection of carefully curated lifestyle products that are both organic and durable. It's the best place to grab beautiful Japanese homeware like donabes and other ceramics.

As you step across the threshold at Yamazato or Sazanka, you’ll likely be rubbing your eyes in disbelief. Were you just transported to Japan in the blink of an eye? Well, sort of. These Michelin-starred sister restaurants focus on the intricacies of omakase & teppanyaki dining, respectively. Whichever one you choose, you are in for a beautiful meal prepared with great attention to detail.

Scandinavian Embassy is a sweet little bakery just across the street from the Sarphatipark. Tuck into one of their 'kanelbullar' (cinnamon buns, for the non-Scandinavians amongst us) or grab a seasonal Scandinavian brew.

Good luck pronouncing the name of this trendy, spacious restaurant if you’re not a native speaker. But luckily, your mouth will be far better occupied gobbling up the simple yet delicious food. Because it’s a bright, spacious room, it’s a great place to dine with a group – they’ll also do a well-priced set menu for you. The killer wine list jam packed with excellent German wines only makes it all the more appealing.