Jetteke van Lexmond

Though we’re suggesting you come here for lunch, there's never a time of day that Buffet van Odette doesn't draw us in. The space is beautiful, with a lovely little terrace outside, and the truffle cheese omelette is the stuff of legends here in Amsterdam. Settle in for a delicious lunch, a fantastic glass of wine, and while away the afternoon.

Though a lot of Amsterdam’s museums are clustered together in the Museumkwartier, one of our go-to spots for soaking up culture is just across the Magere Brug. Thanks to partnerships with the British Mseum, Centre Pompidou and Smithsonian American Art Museum, H'ART has a dizzying rotation of stellar exhibitions that come through the museum. Visiting on a Saturday? Check out the lovely Saturday market to scoop up fresh groceries for the week.

People always say that good things come in small packages. Nowhere is that truer than at Balthazar’s Keuken, a lovely, compact little restaurant on the Elandsgracht that we just can’t help but frequent. Ever since they opened back in 1995, Balthazar’s Keuken has been serving a delicious & affordable tasting menu that makes everyone wonder why they don’t have three-course meals every single day.

Not all that glitters is gold, but there sure is a heck of a lot that glitters here at Inez Stodel. This wonderful shop sells a wide selection of rare & wearable antique jewellery from their shop on the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat. Expect jewels from grand houses like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron & Mauboussin, ranging in date from antiquity to the 1970s.

Tucked away on an intimate little side street in the Jordaan is this lovely, intimate wine bar. The incredibly friendly staff will gently guide you through the spectacular wine list & suggest the best of their delicious small plates to go along with whatever you decide to sip. No matter your choice, you are sure to be pleasantly surprised, but we particularly love the sardines & the roasted leeks.

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. 

CARMEN is a feast for each and every sense. Run by Carmen Atiyah de Baets and her husband Joris, this guesthouse-kitchen-shop is a delightful mishmash of creativity and design. The 17th century former family home is now a bustling, central city hangout, where the kitchen takes centre stage. Open for lunch service seven days a week, the ravioli is our menu go-to. For something lighter, a date scone is served with whipped salted butter, and a slither of the chocolate torte has become the afternoon staple. 

As an extension of the Maha Amsterdam community, Café Maha Amsterdam is, as the name suggests, a cafe come homeware store. It's aesthetically pleasing in every way, though what makes this spot a true gem is the family feel. Serving especially good coffee, and ultra-delicious sweet treats; the matcha sesame, and miso chocolate cookies aren't to be missed. 

For too long, we've been missing truly excellent pastries here in Amsterdam. And now, though we're wont to share our little secret with you, we've got pastry so good, you could knock us over with a croissant flake. This place is the lord of the lamination, the baron of the buns. Our utopia, our Pantopia.