in short…

• two cute shops in  Jordaan  and  Museums Quartier

• hand-rolled sourdough bagels from the stone oven

• our favourite travel provisions for the journey home

Wandering through Amsterdam’s Jordaan district, a little sustenance is just what you need.

At Breadwinner, hand-rolled sourdough bagels fresh from the stone oven are baked with organic ingredients.

In the small, bright shop with a handful of seats outside, we have our choice of plain sourdough bagels, salted, poppy seed or sesame, onion bagels, jalapeno and cheddar, or two sweet options - cinnamon raisin or chocolate.

in short…

• a quiet nook on Lijnbaansgracht

• we love the homemade apple pie

• Noortje and Inge prefer Fair Trade and organic products

This café is the quintessential prototype of a trendy coffee shop - a bit of home office, a bit of a meeting spot for friends, a community table, design coffee equipment for sale, large windows, stylish furniture and incredibly skilled baristas.

We get exactly what we want – a delicious cappuccino, an excellent pour-over coffee, and a scrumptious apple pie, all accompanied by the cozy buzz of a bustling café.

in short…

• an idyllic little garden in the middle of the red-light district

• coffee and cake in the Oude Kerk

• here we can take a breather to the sound of birdsong 

For many visitors to Amsterdam, the heart of the city often means wandering through the Red Light District.

But we also see the many picturesque corners with their historic, crooked houses, old fountains, and small squares... and the enchanting garden of the Koffieschenkerij in front of the cozy, repurposed parish rooms of the Oude Kerk.

This oasis, where sunlight filters through the leaves of the trees and a few sparrows chirp among the flowers, is perfect for enjoying coffee and cake.

in short...

• a small cabinet of curiosities on Leliegracht

• for those who, like us, love to collect treasures

• butterfly boxes, beetles, oddities 

The little store on Leliegracht is filled with lovingly collected works. Butterfly boxes and iridescent green beetles, jewelry and antiques sit alongside handmade candles and artisanal soaps, while art prints hang above marvelous curiosities.

Apothecary cabinets and old glass display cases are filled to the brim, inviting exploration. It’s nearly impossible to leave without a small treasure in tow.

in short...

• perhaps no secret - but too beautiful to leave unsaid

• vintage shops, vinyl stores and cafés in Amsterdam's oldest streets

• our favourite stop - eating fries on one of the canal bridges

The picturesque streets between Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel have long ceased to be a hidden gem, but perhaps that’s precisely why we want to write about them.

Sometimes, even after being discovered by many enthusiastic visitors, a recommendation manages to retain its old charm.

in short:

• buy visually appealing everyday items

• sustainable, fair, plastic-free since 1974

• perfect for both - gifting and treating yourself

Behind large, bright windows in a classic brick building in Amsterdam's Oud West lies the enchanting household goods store, Dille & Kamille.

Enamel dishes, linen tablecloths, bergamot soap, acacia wood cutting boards, wildflower seeds, and garden gloves – everything that makes a home cozy and functional is available here.

Naturally, it’s easy to find a suitable gift for loved ones back home at Dille & Kamille. But treating yourself here is just as delightful.

in short...

• perfect for a bite to eat

• healthy detox teas to sinful meatball truffle sandwiches

• our favourite souvenir - stroopwafel chocolate

Whenever a spontaneous craving or thirst arises in Amsterdam, the local deli chain STACH is always exactly where we need it.

Often found in charming corner shops, sometimes with a few seats for a quick break, STACH is always delightfully colorful and appetizing.

Moreover, they offer a lovingly curated selection of local products that make for wonderful food souvenirs.

At the turn of the year 2025 to 2026, Google has come up with a gift for its numerous users.

From now on, the pages, tailored to the most common search terms by artificial intelligence and consisting of generic lists and platitudes will no longer appear at the top of the search results.

Instead, the search engine will give preference to pages that have clearly been written by people who have real expertise and present unique and genuinely personal experiences.

And so an artificial intelligence is currently checking whether our texts sound like artificial intelligence to an artificial intelligence. The thought makes me feel slightly dizzy.

The smell of toast and coffee fills me with an incredible sense of warmth. It carries the promise that this day will start off right. It always has.

As a child, I begged my parents endlessly to let me try their coffee. When they finally gave in and allowed me a sip, the disappointment was crushing. It was bitter, harsh and nothing like the comforting aroma I had imagined.

I didn’t touch coffee again for a decade.

I can still picture my parents’ satisfied expressions, convinced they had won a small victory in parenting.

That was long before baristas in suspenders started crafting latte art, before we could choose from five different kinds of milk, before tiny backyard roasteries began popping up in hip urban neighborhoods.

But one thing has never changed - my love for the smell of coffee.

I’m rarely the type to march through the supermarket, checklist in hand, darting from aisle to aisle like a woman on a mission.

More often, I meander through the shelves, half-lost in thought, on the lookout for inspiration.

That’s probably why the shopping cart of the lean marathon runner catches my eye - tofu, low-fat cottage cheese and a suspicious number of eggs.

It reminds me of a story a friend recently told.

In his office, an employee asked to speak with him urgently, in private.

Oddly, the man had skipped both his direct supervisor and that supervisor’s boss, going straight to my friend - the boss’s boss… 

“Do you have anything gluten-free? So, no milk?”

“You mean lactose-free?”

“I’d prefer vegan.”

“Well, we have a fruit salad or some of our sandwiches can be made vegan. There’s also a bagel with…”

“I’ll take the scrambled eggs.”

“Ah. Okay. I thought you wanted something vegan?”

“No, just gluten-free. I always say vegan for that.”

“Alright, so we’ll leave out the toast with the scrambled eggs to keep it gluten-free?”

“No, that’s not necessary. Toast is fine.”

Anyone thinking this conversation is made up couldn’t be more wrong.

The late nineties had faded into the past and the enthusiasm of the new millennium was beginning to wane.

I had graduated from the Technical University of Munich as an architect and decided to stash my Buffalo platforms along with the low-rise jeans in the attic.

But slipping into the black turtleneck of the architecture guild in my late twenties didn’t quite feel right.

The creative spark of my studies had fizzled out in the dusty routine of office life, bogged down by liability clauses and dull government regulations.

I couldn’t muster much excitement for the idea of arguing with the building authority.

So my husband and I surprised our parents with the plan to open a café  with a concept store.

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• Swedish bakery in Copenhagen's Østerbro district

• freshly baked all throughout the day

• so good - no queue could be too long for us

I know people who have a coffee table book filled with photos of puppies. On particularly dreary days, they flip through the pictures of fluffy bundles with big eyes and floppy ears to lift their spirits. 

For me, my mood brightens instantly when I look at Juno the Bakery's Instagram. 

I immediately feel the anticipation that comes with patiently waiting in line in Juno's front yard.

The joy I feel while stuffing a much-too-large bag with appetizing pastries is nearly tangible, and just like that, my spirits are lifted. 

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• Japanese soul food and Danish natural wines

• from delicate trout ceviche to savoury gyoza - it's all delicious

• our place of choice for a laid-back night out - relaxed, cosy and incredibly welcoming

This Izakaya fits perfectly into the vibrant, fresh Vesterbro district.

The cool team and the casual look of the space create an easygoing atmosphere.

The relaxed crowd gives the impression that everyone has known each other for a long time.

There are wonderful selected sakes, natural wines and a house-made Jah IPA, served in a chilled glass.

Small street food-style dishes are made for sharing with friends while listening to reggae tunes.

in short…

• Trine Andersen's gorgeous showroom in the historic brick building on Kuglegårdsvej

• delicate glass, oiled wood, brass, ceramics - Ferm uses only the most refined materials

• also on our own table - the Ripple glasses and carafes

Copenhagen keeps surprising us with some of the best food we could ever wish for.

It seems to be a quiet superpower of the Danish capital to outshine others when it comes to taste.

But just as renowned is Denmark’s knack for interiors.

“Hygge,” the Danish word for a sense of cozy well-being, has long travelled across languages and borders.

Less known, perhaps, is the expression “ferm på fingrene,” meaning “skilled with one’s hands.”

That’s exactly where the name of the beautiful interiors brand Ferm Living comes from.

in short…

• a market for foodies and street food fans

• a delight for all the senses - colourful fruit, fragrant flowers, crispy smørrebrød and a cheerful market soundscape

• from Hija de Sanchez tacos to Mikkeller craft beer - everything that's fun

The Torvehallerne are not just a feast for the eyes.

Two airy halls flank a large marketplace, which blooms with a sea of flowers.

Food trucks surround the square, offering delights like Korean Barbecue Chicken or tacos from Hija de Sanchez, making the choice deliciously difficult.

Inside the halls, we find a foodie paradise filled with Smørrebrød, cheeses, seafood, spices, cinnamon pastries, fresh juices, specialty coffee and everything a gourmet heart desires.

in short…

• the bakeries of Richard Hart and René Redzepi

• by hand and with passion, down-to-earth ingredients are turned into the absolute best here

• the bread is good enough even for Noma - we love it as a kimchi toast straight to go

Sometimes, we wonder if there's anyone in Copenhagen's food scene who isn't connected to Noma in some way.

It's clear that the influence Noma has had globally is most prominent here in the Danish capital.

Founded in 2018 by René Redzepi himself, together with Richard Hart, Hart Bageri now boasts more than ten locations in Copenhagen.

And naturally, they bring baked goods to perfection.

in short…

• eat Kastberg's delicious ice cream scoops right by the quay wall and let your legs and your soul dangle

• our favourite - smooth soft ice cream made from real bourbon vanilla in a butter waffle cone

• it gets no more Danish than this - sea buckthorn sorbet or liquorice ice cream

Even in Copenhagen, summer days can be sunny and hot.

While the abundant waterways invite refreshing dips, cooling down from the inside with delicious ice cream is always a good idea.

Sea buckthorn or elderflower sorbet, licorice ice cream or salted caramel, honey nougat or chocolate ice cream – all these flavors more than fulfill their cooling purpose at Nyhavn 40.

What could be better than dangling your legs over the harbor edge, savoring ice cream and enjoying the bustling scene of Copenhagen’s famous cityscape?

in short…

• casual luxury in the heart of the edgy neighbourhood

• the most welcoming lobby with live music

• for sleepyheads and night owls - breakfast up to 2 p.m.

The Orania is the sister hotel of the renowned Schloss Elmau, nestled at the foot of the Wetterstein Mountains. 

Surprisingly, in this vibrant corner of Kreuzberg we find a touch of the serenity and coziness that the Bavarian wellness retreat is known for. 

In the elegant listed building from 1912, the welcome is warm, the lobby cozy and the standard luxurious.

Stepping outside we are right in the heart of edgy, colorful Kreuzberg, where some of our favorite restaurants, like St. Bart or the Long March Canteen, are just a short stroll away. 

For those who prefer to stay cocooned in the hotel’s inviting embrace, the in-house restaurant serves the most delectable Peking duck, while the bar offers fabulous cocktails, often accompanied by live music.

in short…

• handmade chocolates since 1880

• wrapped in pretty boxes with Berlin motifs - the perfect gift

• our favourite shop - right in the charming Hackesche Höfe

Confiseur, master confectioner, artisan of sweets - these melodious titles describe the skilled hands behind Sawade’s exquisite treats. 

Following time-honored traditions, they handcraft brittle leaves in delicate layers and produce truffles and pralines using recipes dating back to the 19th century.

Wrapped in eco-friendly foil and cellophane, these colorful confections make the perfect souvenir from Berlin.

The pastel-colored boxes, adorned with black-and-white Berlin motifs, are so charming that they’re unlikely to be discarded, even once the delicious contents are gone.