There is something about Amsterdam that fosters a cozy familiarity within its visitors, whether or not you are already acquainted with its customs or language. The quaint, narrow canal streets and general walkability lend themselves to a small-town feel, while simultaneously offering the amenities and thriving population of a big city.
While it did take me a solid four days to properly pronounce “thank you” in Dutch, I am absolutely enamored with this city. During our short time in Amsterdam, we managed to cover a lot of ground and discover some truly wonderful little gems. Hopefully my recommendations below for things to eat, drink, and do can get you started in planning your own Amsterdam adventure.
EAT
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MOAK: If Belgium is known for its waffles, the Netherlands is known for its pancakes. And trust me when I say this is one of the best places in Amsterdam to get them! Not only is the restaurant itself totally Insta-worthy, but they have a wide variety of sweet and savory pancakes to choose from. Since I don’t necessarily have a sweet tooth, I was pleasantly surprised by the savory pancake options. Plus, there are two locations in the city, so wherever you’re staying you’re probably not too far away from one.
Van Wonderen Stroopwafel: I’m about to contradict myself here, but if you’ve ever had a stroopwafel you’ll know why. This little Dutch concoction is absolutely delicious...and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t love sugar or desserts all that much. I’m sure you could find stroopwafels at a variety of places in Amsterdam, but this tiny storefront was cute, centrally located, and delicious.
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Coffee & Coconuts: If you’re in Amsterdam, this spot is a must for lunch or brunch. C&C is located in the trendy De Pijp neighborhood and occupies a space that used to house a theater. Somehow grand and cozy at the same time, this spot fulfilled all of my Pinterest interior design dreams. Plus, the food was delicious! Don’t forget to try one of their signature coconut iced coffees as well...but I’ll warn you, they are addictive.
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The Pantry: Amsterdam plays host to restaurants and cuisines from all over the world, but no trip is complete without a traditional Dutch meal. This place was TINY. It literally felt like we were in someone’s home...minus the other patrons. Our meal was equally homey and gave us a little taste of real Dutch food.
Mama Kelly: I’ll admit, this restaurant is not on my list based solely on the food. While this spot was not one of my top meals on the trip, the decor and ambiance itself makes the place worth the visit. Known to some as “the pink restaurant,” once you see the interiors it’s easy to see where it gets the nickname.
DRINK
Waterkant: If the sun is out, make your way to Waterkant. This place is situated on one of the larger canals in Central Amsterdam and has plenty of outdoor seating to take in the view. Finding the entrance is the only tricky part. Just don’t be alarmed when you have to walk through a gas station and metal shipping containers to find this day drinking mecca.
The Hoxton: After staying at The Hoxton Shoreditch in London, I was eager to check out another one of their branches. The Amsterdam location did not disappoint. Just as laidback and chic as the last but with a completely different design aesthetic, this place was absolutely hopping for afternoon cocktails!
Proeflaakal A. Van Wees: Though there are a myriad of canal-front cafes to choose from, we stumbled upon this one on our very first jet-lagged day and were immediately taken by it. It was the perfect spot to grab some beers, decompress after our long travel day, and plan for the trip ahead.
Brouwerij 't IJ: If you’re staying in Central Amsterdam, this place is a bit out of the way but it was so worth it. Not only is the building connected to a life-size windmill, this brewery has a huge variety of beers to choose from. I recommend doing a beer flight first, and ask for the bartender’s choice, then deciding what to order based on your favorite of the flight.
EXPLORE
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Anne Frank House: The Anne Frank House offers an emotional, thought-provoking look into the lives of Jewish people under Nazi rule during World War II. Since I was last in Amsterdam (2011), the museum itself has undergone a transformation to bring it more up to date with technology, but the heart of the museum remains the same. Walking up the staircases and through the tiny rooms that housed Anne, her family, and other Jews in hiding is an experience I think all people should go through to understand the weight of the oppression they faced during that time.
*Tip: If you want to visit the Anne Frank House, you definitely need to purchase tickets in advance! Most time slots book up almost a month ahead, and even more so during busy tourist seasons.
Moco Museum: This modern, contemporary, and street art museum is housed in a once privately-owned mansion and currently has exhibits on well-known artists like Banksy, Yayoi Kusama, and Roy Lichtenstein. Each exhibit felt more whimsical than the last, and there are even pieces in the outdoor garden that you're encouraged to interact with. In contrast with the typical art museums I've visited, the Moco Museum felt exciting and it stretched my imagination on what constitutes as "art."
Do
Flagship canal cruise: Taking a canal cruise is one of the best ways to see the city of Amsterdam, and from a completely different viewpoint than you’d get just walking or biking the streets. Flagship, the company we went through, offers a full beverage service (including alcohol) and a guide who will regale you with interesting tidbits about the city, the architecture, and more. Flagship launches right in front of the Anne Frank House, so if you time it right, you can easily cross both excursions off your list.
Cheese tasting at Reypenaer: While Italy may be synonymous with parmesan or mozzarella, the Netherlands can claim gouda. This cheese tasting class in the cellar of the Reypenaer storefront combined an informative lesson in the history of Dutch gouda cheese with a multiple-cheese tasting menu, and wine pairings to boot. You will have the opportunity to taste nine varieties of cheeses and learn how different techniques and aging contribute to the flavor of each. If you consider yourself a cheese enthusiast, this should be a top stop during your trip.
Shop
Waxwell Records: This small record store is a “blink and you’ll miss it” type of spot, so if it hadn’t been directly across the street from Van Wonderen Stroopwafels, we may never have spotted it. There were countless gems to comb through here and I ended up finding an original vinyl of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” which is one of my all-time favorite albums. Getting a vinyl record through the rest of the trip and back to America in one piece wasn’t easy, but it was definitely worth it.
It's hard to capture the magic of a city that feels like home after a mere five days. Before we even left Amsterdam, I was already yearning to return. The people, the culture, and the facades of the city make it a very special place indeed. If you visit, I hope you feel that magic too.
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