Amsterdam – the timeless capital of the Netherlands

Grey Citroën DS classic car parked along an Amsterdam canal, boats in the foreground, brick townhouses with large windows and a streetlamp in view

Our first visit to Amsterdam in the 1990s is a hazy memory of a campsite on the city’s outskirts, a trendy techno club in a repurposed church, coffee shops with peanut shell-strewn floors but no actual coffee and seedy streets bathed in red light.

While the city’s shadowy excitement was undoubtedly fascinating to us back then, we are now delighted to call a very different Amsterdam one of our favorite cities.

  • The city feels young, vibrant, and relaxed, while the beautiful old houses along the traditional waterways creak, and venerable parks frame the historic city center.

    We adore the fantastic food scene, the unique small shops, and the charming hotels.

    The open nature of the Amsterdam residents always makes us feel more than welcome here.

    And the wonderfully understandable pace of the city, reflected in the speed of bicycles and canal boats, makes Amsterdam delightfully cozy and yet never boring for us.

Schwarz-weiß-Illustration einer Biene, die einen Teller mit dem Wort 'eat' hält.

Our Best Restaurant Recommendations for Amsterdam

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Café Wilhelmina - Bitterballen and Vol-Au-Vents
Café Wilhelmina - Bitterballen and Vol-Au-Vents

in short…

  • eating with the locals

  • from breakfast to dinner

  • our favourite – shiitake bitterballen with Amsterdam IPA

We could hardly feel more at home in Amsterdam than when we step into Café Wilhelmina.

In the Helmersbuurt neighbourhood in Amsterdam's Oud-West district, you rarely encounter excited tourists.

There are wide streets with large old trees and 19th-century townhouses just north of the beautiful Vondelpark.

Wilhelmina itself is an unpretentious place with a friendly team that remains calm and composed even when the few seats are in high demand.

The changing menu is small but spot on.

Actually, we can have breakfast, lunch, a small snack with an aperitif or a delicious dinner here.

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Restaurant JA - Fine Dining with a lot of Love
Restaurant JA - Fine Dining with a lot of Love

in short…

  • a little gem in De Pijp

  • Amy and  Julius - the loveliest hosts

  • what we love - every plate is a work of art

Being cooked for by friends, in a familiar atmosphere, with that extra touch of love that only dear ones can infuse into their food, is always a rare delight to find outside one's home.

At Amy and Julius's restaurant JA such a cozy feeling washes over you the moment you step into the charming space with its open kitchen.

It is here that we learn fine dining can indeed be incredibly familial.

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The Seafood Bar - a Paradise for fish and shellfish
The Seafood Bar - a Paradise for fish and shellfish

in short...

  • a Dutch family business

  • Fish and seafood from sustainable sources

  • what we like best - the location in Spui

Indulging in fresh fish and seafood can be a delightful luxury.

When, as in this case, the highest standards of sustainability are also prioritized, the enjoyment becomes even more profound.

For Amsterdam locals, The Seafood Bar, which boasts three locations throughout the city, is likely no secret. 

It's akin to recommending Dallmayr to a Münchner or Das Schwarze Kamel to a Viennese.

However, if you love the freshest seafood, prioritize sustainable fishing and appreciate bright spaces that evoke the charm of a bustling fish market, this is the place for you.

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Night Kitchen - Levante Bar for Nights with Friends
Night Kitchen - Levante Bar for Nights with Friends

in short…

  • when we feel like going out in Oud West

  • a super friendly team

  • our favourite cocktail here – Broken Negroni

Slow-roasted tomatoes, candied walnuts, fermented chili, confit Medjool dates, Jerusalem artichoke chips, homemade ricotta dumplings, boozy coffee biscuits, pistachio crème Anglaise… just reading the ingredients on the menu at Night Kitchen is enough to lure us there.

But there’s even more to it than that!

They describe their wonderful concept as “Dinner with Friends.”

This idea hails from Tel Aviv and has been successfully exported not only to Amsterdam but also to Berlin.

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Schwarz-weiß-Zeichnung eines Bienenkopfs mit der Aufschrift "sleep" darunter.

Unique Hotels in Amsterdam - Our Top Picks 

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SWEETS Hotel - Living by the Water in Amsterdam’s Bridge Houses
SWEETS Hotel - Living by the Water in Amsterdam’s Bridge Houses

in short...

  • stay overnight in former bridge keeper's cottages

  • small architectural gems right on the waterfront

  • what we particularly love – the whole city is our lobby

For lovers of Dutch architecture, especially Amsterdam’s iconic bridges, SWEETS Hotel offers a truly unique experience.

Scattered throughout the city, these suites are nestled in charming former bridge houses that have been lovingly restored with meticulous attention to detail.

Each of these small houses has been expertly redesigned and outfitted for maximum comfort, blending skilled design with perfect space utilization.

Staying in one of these gems is a magical way to discover Amsterdam from an unparalleled local perspective.

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Maison Elle - Boutique Hotel near Vondel Park
Maison Elle - Boutique Hotel near Vondel Park

in short...

  • Parisian flair in a historic townhouse

  • a stroll in Vondelpark right outside the door

  • Croissants for breakfast – in a velvet armchair with a garden view

A touch of Paris graces the elegant Maison Elle, with its lush green garden.

Breakfast in the morning means croissants, pain au chocolat and café au lait…

And when we enjoy it on pale blue velvet chairs in front of wood-paneled walls, we almost have to remind ourselves that we are not in France, but in Amsterdam and that the famous Rijksmuseum, with its old Dutch masters, is just a five-minute bike ride away.

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Canal House - Living in a Picture-Perfect Canal House
Canal House - Living in a Picture-Perfect Canal House

in short...

  • here, we feel like we are in a Vermeer painting

  • view from the bed onto the beautiful Keizersgracht

  • really llovely - breakfast in the hidden garden

In Jordaan, the former working-class neighborhood, lies this little gem of a hotel, right on the Keizersgracht, perhaps the most beautiful canal in the heart of Amsterdam's canal ring.

The view from the room over the enchanting canal is so dreamy that it truly tempts us to have breakfast in bed. 

However, the delicious breakfast lovingly prepared in the large ground-floor salon, with a view of the charming garden, is worth tearing ourselves away from the morning view of the gently swaying canal boats.

And right outside the door awaits one of the most delightful quarters of the Dutch capital.

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Schwarz-weiß-Zeichnung eines Bienens, das eine Tasse Kaffee hält und einen Kuchen mit Erdbeere serviert, darunter das Wort 'Café'.

Amsterdam’s Most Beautiful Cafés - Our Selection 

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Back to Black - Cozy Coffee Bar with In-House Roastery
Back to Black - Cozy Coffee Bar with In-House Roastery

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.

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De Koffieschenkerij - Dutch Apple Pie in a Church Garden
De Koffieschenkerij - Dutch Apple Pie in a Church Garden

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.

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The Coffee District - Specialty Coffee and Scandic Design
The Coffee District - Specialty Coffee and Scandic Design

in short…

  • the filter coffees are a hit

  • so delicious - the seasonal bundt cakes

  • sunny day tip: take it all for a picnic in Vondelpark around the corner

The Coffee District combines everything coffee lovers dream of - carefully selected specialty coffee, a great selection of delicious fresh pastries, bright spaces in Scandinavian design and a fantastic shop with stylish coffee accessories.

For those who can’t get enough, there are courses on roasting and brewing that can be booked for yourself or a group of friends.

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Breadwinner - sourdough bagels from the stone oven
Breadwinner - sourdough bagels from the stone oven

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.

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Scandinavian Embassy - Copenhagen Breakfast in Amsterdam
Scandinavian Embassy - Copenhagen Breakfast in Amsterdam

in short...

  • Hygge at Café am Sarphatipark

  • When we need a little cinnamon bun break in De Pijp

  • Coffee is rarely prepared with such love

We are often asked if we love Amsterdam more than our other favorite - Copenhagen. Thankfully, at the Scandinavian Embassy, we don’t have to choose.

Here, the coffee tastes as exquisite as it does at Atelier September and the cinnamon rolls are as fragrant and fresh as they are in the far north and yet we find ourselves in the heart of our beloved Amsterdam.

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Zeichnung einer Biene mit einem Aufkleber, auf dem das Wort 'shop' steht, vor schwarzem Hintergrund.

Our Personal Amsterdam Shopping Guide

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Negen Straatjes - 9 Streets at Amsterdam’s beautiful Canals
Negen Straatjes - 9 Streets at Amsterdam’s beautiful Canals

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.

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STACH Food - Amsterdams Colorful Deli Chain
STACH Food - Amsterdams Colorful Deli Chain

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.

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The Otherist - the little Curiosity Shop
The Otherist - the little Curiosity Shop

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.

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Dille & Kamille - the most beautiful household goods
Dille & Kamille - the most beautiful household goods

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.

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Schwarz-weiß Illustration einer Biene mit Kamera in der Pfote und kleiner Blume im Schnabel, auf schwarzem Hintergrund.

Our Perfect Day in Amsterdam

An open boat travels through the canal in the sunshine. People sit on the quay wall with their legs over the water, with narrow brick facades rising between the trees behind them.

Cycling strolls, serene canal cruises and blissfully full bellies

Isn't it the most beautiful thing letting yourself drift without a schedule, daydreaming by the water for an afternoon, guiltlessly transitioning from the finest bakery to the most delightful ice cream parlor or enjoying an endless breakfast?

We believe, this approach can often provide a deeper sense of a metropolis’s rhythm, than a rigid cultural itinerary and sometimes it reveals the true treasures of a city.

Even if it’s just a brief weekend trip, it would be a pity to let haste and stress intrude. After all, when a city is enjoyable, we are bound to return.

Here, we share a few personal tips and secrets on how to savor a wonderful city walk and how to make our Amsterdam-Day truly perfect.

to the perfect day in Amsterdam …