Eva van Imhoff

With a luxurious sun terrace and calming views of the Amstel river, we can't imagine a lovelier place than this  to enjoy a fine cocktail. Grab a drink at sunset and watch the city float by. 

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.

Whether you are stopping by for a quick drink with a friend or, are in the mood for a rousing game of chess, chances are you'll fall in love with Festina Lente. It's an incredibly cosy hangout in de Joordan for board games and drinks during the cold, winter days and for drinks in the sun on the spilling, summer side terrace. 

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.

You are guaranteed to feel hip when you cross the threshold at this trendy bar & restaurant in Amsterdam Noord. It is a great place to have a cosy, relaxed dinner with a large group of friends, thanks in no small part to the indoor skate park. Watch the skaters ollie & heel flip for hours while you sip an ice cold beer.

For all of the ‘broodjes’ we eat here in Amsterdam there are surprisingly few really fantastic bakeries. But fear not: there is one that we think may even be better than any Parisian boulangeries. Levain et le vin is a wonderful bakery & wine shop that sells gorgeous loaves of sourdough bread & exciting & unusual natural wines. Did we mention it’s adorable too?

Every Saturday without fail, you will inevitably find us with a few canvas tote bags absolutely bursting with fresh produce and gourmet delicacies. Where have we been? Noordermarkt. Come early to ensure the freshest bounty of local breads, cheeses, and that day's harvested vegetables. If you're not in need of any munchable delights, there is also a host of stalls peddling vintage furs, antique trinkets, and home crafted decor. 

Deeply seasonal in her approach, Ruth Rogers – the owner of this Thames-side Italian – prioritises ingredients above all else. Annual olive oil tastings in Tuscany come under chefs’ perks, and while the bill may pack a punch, it’s a credit to this ethos that a visit is always worth it. Go big on the antipasti, followed by primi pasta (tagliarini with white pork ragù, perhaps), and you could skip a secondi altogether. No booking? Try The River Café Café next door, which holds space for walk-ins.

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!

With the laidback, extra gezellig vibe that characterises Noord, it should come as no surprise that one of the best, most chilled brown cafés is smack dab in the middle. Café t’ Sluisje is an old school pub where Noord locals have gone for over 100 years to fill up on bitterballen & a biertje or twee. It’s the perfect pit stop when exploring Noord by bike.