Amsterdam
in North Holland

Eat, drink, shop. Name an activity, and you can probably do it at Droog. This unique concept space was dreamt up by the team behind the internationally renowned design label and houses a design & fashion shop, as well as an elegant cafe. The vibe is very A Clockwork Orange in the very best way.

During the day, this sleek little spot is the perfect place to pick up a coffee and cinnamon bun, or kanelbullar, to take with you to the Oosterpark. At night, 4850 is transformed into a cosy, romantic restaurant with an excellent wine list. Although you might think you only want three courses, we highly recommend going for the whole shebang, as we’ve yet to have a bad bite here.

To be elegant but still stand out is a tough task, but Aimélie Guépin makes it infinitely easier. A skilled couturier and seamstress, Aimélie dreams up beautiful, timeless designs from her atelier in Oud-Zuid. Though we aren’t lucky enough to have a wardrobe comprised entirely of her designs, it’s our favourite spot for special pieces for special occasions.

Despite the fact that we are always on the go, we are never without a book, stashed away in our bags or tucked into a (roomy) pocket. When we want a little guidance for finding inspiring books or want the best magazines, there’s only one place we ever go: Athenaeum Boekhandel & Niewscentrum. Looking for a paper to enjoy while you have a coffee at Café Droog? There’s a great selection here.

Purity & originality are qualities that characterise each & every wine you find at Au Paradis. Like many blossoming wine shops these days, Au Paradis focuses on biodynamic wines. This is not any old natural wine store, however. Au Paradis serves up gorgeous bottles of only the most special French wines that all manage to shout their terroir from the rooftops. Très bien, non?

From the outside, BAK doesn’t look like much. But once you take the stairs up to the third floor of this stripped back, unassuming warehouse & step inside, you’ll see what all the fuss is about. This industrial-style restaurant overlooking the former timber port of Amsterdam serves up a delicious vegetable-focused tasting menu. Ask for a table by the window to best enjoy the exceptional views & tasty bites.

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.

This innovative restaurant in Amsterdam Noord is absolutely worth crossing the IJ for. If you’re wary of cycling all the way back to the city after a few glasses of excellent natural wine, treat yourself to a room at their hotel just upstairs. Not up for a full meal? Grab a delicious treat from the bakery & take it with you as you explore the area.

Amsterdam is many wonderful things, but a hotspot for top-notch Mexican food it is not. Until now, that is. Coba Taqueria is an achingly cool restaurant serving a short & sweet menu of tacos, quesadillas & tostadas. If your thirst is as strong as your hunger, indulge in any of the great tequila-based cocktails, natural wines or bright, fresh juices.

Amsterdam Noord is the place to be for all things hip & happening. This formerly overlooked corner of the city has had a serious renaissance in the last few years, and it's only getting better. A favourite of ours in the 'hood is cornerstore. This charming restaurant has a menu heaving with fantastic natural wines & eastern Asian-inspired bites. 

Casual but still cosy, Coulisse is the kind of place you can easily envision becoming part of your dining out routine, though we also think it’s fantastic for special occasions. Like so many of our go-to spots, Coulisse is hyper-focused on sourcing quality ingredients from local farmers, fishermen & producers (the chef is ex-Noma, so it's really no surprise). That means, whatever you’re eating – spring, summer or fall – it’s going to be fresh, fresh, fresh.

Many Amsterdam-based high cuisine restaurants are fused with a chic, casual cool and though de Kas does the same, it still takes the essence of fine dining eating seriously. Its philosophy, 'harvested in the morning, on your plate in the afternoon', captures the freshness of the ingredients. Fruits, herbs, and vegetables from the gardens in Amsterdam and the Beemster are at the core of the daily-changing, tasting menu. As one of the first farm-to-fork restaurants, this greenhouse dining experience is superb.

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 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.

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.

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.

We obviously love discovering new places (it’s part of what makes our job fun!), but we enjoy rediscovering beloved spots nearly as much. If not more! Frozen Fountain has been championing innovative Dutch design for decades; nearly 40 years later, they’re just as relevant. Pick up a few beautiful pieces or simply browse the shop for the ultimate in home inspiration.

If you spend even a few minutes wandering around De Pijp, you will definitely find somewhere to have a biertje or a glass of wine. But just because you could doesn’t mean you should. Instead, we highly recommend heading to Glou Glou, a fantastic wine bar just around the corner from the Sarphatipark. It’s wonderful & intimate & serves really top-notch natural, organic wines that are all free of additives.

What was once a bare bones car garage has been miraculously transformed into an elegant, industrial gourmet restaurant. Though we’d never say no to a cosy, intimate dinner at Hotel de Goudfazant, it’s one of the best places in town to head with a big group. Wear your loosest trousers because you won’t be able to resist ordering all of the delicious seafood on the menu.

When lunchtime rolls around, odds are we’re craving one thing and one thing only: pizza! That's when we head straight to Kebec for a delicious slice of their famous 'Pizza al Taglio', or pizza by the cut. Their lovely airy crispy bottom and their diverse and fresh toppings satisfy all your cravings!

Bookworms or culture fiends, Het Leeshuis is a reading house. It's all about giving great books a second life: so bring your books, take some books or exchange some books.