Florence Gramende

When they say uncommon, they really mean it. Great cafes and roasteries are pretty much par for the course in Amsterdam these days, but Uncommon still stands head and shoulders above the rest. With an extensive list of wild and wonderful coffees and a short but sweet seasonal food menu, it’s the kind of place you’ll come back to time and time again.

Chef Nana works her magic creating delicious dishes from seasonal ingredients that are fresh from the nearby farmlands around Amsterdam. We suggest treating yourself to their carte blanche dinner, where all you have to do is sit down and be surprised by their 5-course menu. All the cool kids are going, so you should certainly be one of them.

We love this intimate gastrobar hidden in a former brown pub in the middle of the Jordaan. Cafe de Parel has a truly excellent selection of natural wines, which is so vast and diverse that there is no limit to pairing wines to their ever-changing 4 to 5-course menu. 

V R R is delicious casual Dutch restaurant dreamt up by the team behind Hotel de Goudfazant. They define themselves as being a "bistronomy", where guests can enjoy a relaxed version of a fine dining experience. Don't miss their in-house bakery, Stadsbakkerij As!

We rarely tire of a good bouef bourgignon, but on those few occasions we do, we head to Le Servan for something a little different. This small neighbourhood bistro serves classic French dishes with an Asian twist.

It can be near impossible to get a reservation at this Parisian hotspot, but the Sisyphean task is well worth it. Come here for bistro classics like steamed artichoke, steak frites and more.

Good bakeries can feel a dime a dozen in Paris, but truly excellent ones? Well, they're not quite so common. Mamiche is one of our fave places in the city to grab a croissant or a pastry to have with our afternoon cafe au lait.

While you could certainly grab a coffee or tea to-go at this sweet little cafe, we prefer to snag one of the tables (or a stool outside if we're lucky!) and tuck into one of their cinnamon rolls. 

Tucked away behind a dimly lit, mysterious passage in Paris, Au Passage beckons with its one-room wine bar charm. A lively crowd, inviting music, and a menu of delightful French small plates create a lovely atmosphere.

Nestled within a stunning vintage bistro adorned with 70s neon lights, tiled aesthetics, and a vibrant crowd, is wine bar Aux Deux Amis. This homey wine bar is all things authentic and French, with a daily selection of natural wines scribbled on the mirror. And no shortage of great dishes to accompany them!