Guidebook for Amsterdam

Peter
Guidebook for Amsterdam

Food Scene

The heart of the neighborhood, it offers an excellent selection of meals, great coffee, while from the outside terrace you can watch the world parade by.
96 locals recommend
Café Restaurant Piet de Gruyter
4-6 Van Limburg Stirumplein
96 locals recommend
The heart of the neighborhood, it offers an excellent selection of meals, great coffee, while from the outside terrace you can watch the world parade by.
A modest neighborhood café, well off the beaten tracks. For dinners, Heidi the cook provides a new choice of culinary delicacies every week, to please the critical palate.
9 locals recommend
Bistro Bentinck
32 Bentinckstraat
9 locals recommend
A modest neighborhood café, well off the beaten tracks. For dinners, Heidi the cook provides a new choice of culinary delicacies every week, to please the critical palate.
A short walk from our home, the restaurant is located in a former industrial building, where the drinking water for the city was pumped thru 20 yards of ice age sand from the bed rock below. The restaurant has a large menu, long tables, and a high ceiling. While it seats hundreds, the acoustics are suitable for intimate conversations.
284 locals recommend
Café Restaurant Amsterdam
6 Watertorenplein
284 locals recommend
A short walk from our home, the restaurant is located in a former industrial building, where the drinking water for the city was pumped thru 20 yards of ice age sand from the bed rock below. The restaurant has a large menu, long tables, and a high ceiling. While it seats hundreds, the acoustics are suitable for intimate conversations.
Other bakeries are near by, but this one you reach after a morning walk thru the park. The fresh bread or pastries can be eaten on the premises, along with coffee or tea.
245 locals recommend
De Bakkerswinkel
245 locals recommend
Other bakeries are near by, but this one you reach after a morning walk thru the park. The fresh bread or pastries can be eaten on the premises, along with coffee or tea.
This bakery also provides a sitting area to enjoy your morning coffee. The croissants are the closest you'll find to a Parisian version within Amsterdam.
22 locals recommend
Bakkerij "Mediterrane"
184 Haarlemmerdijk
22 locals recommend
This bakery also provides a sitting area to enjoy your morning coffee. The croissants are the closest you'll find to a Parisian version within Amsterdam.
The Haarlemmerdijk, and its extension towards the centre has become known the past 25 years as the culinary centre of the Netherlands. Although the restaurants may not be exceptional, the street caters to the needs of all who love to cook: a huge supermarket, organic food stores, shops specialized in tea/coffee, mid-eastern or Asian cuisine, as well as cooking utensils and cook books.
269 locals recommend
Haarlemerdijk
Haarlemmerdijk
269 locals recommend
The Haarlemmerdijk, and its extension towards the centre has become known the past 25 years as the culinary centre of the Netherlands. Although the restaurants may not be exceptional, the street caters to the needs of all who love to cook: a huge supermarket, organic food stores, shops specialized in tea/coffee, mid-eastern or Asian cuisine, as well as cooking utensils and cook books.
Dutch cuisine is not particularly extraordinary, unless you crave split pea soup or dishes dominated by mash potatos. Nowhere else in Europe however will you have such a wide choice of Indonesian restaurants. Definitely a culinary experience. I have no specific restaurant I frequent, most emanate an ambience that gives me the creeps. Quite regularly however I pick up dinners here on the way home. Most dishes are on display, you can simply point to whatever interests you, ask for an explanation, and indicate the quantity you want. They have a couple tables if you can't wait to eat.
10 locals recommend
Afhaalcentrum Terang Boelan
3 Tweede Lindendwarsstraat
10 locals recommend
Dutch cuisine is not particularly extraordinary, unless you crave split pea soup or dishes dominated by mash potatos. Nowhere else in Europe however will you have such a wide choice of Indonesian restaurants. Definitely a culinary experience. I have no specific restaurant I frequent, most emanate an ambience that gives me the creeps. Quite regularly however I pick up dinners here on the way home. Most dishes are on display, you can simply point to whatever interests you, ask for an explanation, and indicate the quantity you want. They have a couple tables if you can't wait to eat.
There's a growing number of Sushi restaurants in the neighborhood and city, but I've found none more satisfying than the take-out offered by Etienne and his assistants. The past ten years I'm treated at least once a month to one of his meals. Always excellent.
17 locals recommend
Jo-Sushi japanse sushi bar
5 Eerste Goudsbloemdwarsstraat
17 locals recommend
There's a growing number of Sushi restaurants in the neighborhood and city, but I've found none more satisfying than the take-out offered by Etienne and his assistants. The past ten years I'm treated at least once a month to one of his meals. Always excellent.

Drinks & Nightlife

A modest café on a quiet street in the neighborhood, the Pianist offers live music most evenings which, thanks to the great accoustics, rarely hinder a relaxed conversation with your table mates.
11 locals recommend
Cafe Pianist
41 Groen van Prinstererstraat
11 locals recommend
A modest café on a quiet street in the neighborhood, the Pianist offers live music most evenings which, thanks to the great accoustics, rarely hinder a relaxed conversation with your table mates.
With an outside terrace for sunny afternoons, this bar - just around the corner - can get rather rowdy. The friendly proprietors however (Piet, Mike and Monique) will give you an excellent tour of Belgian beers.
9 locals recommend
Cafe Brel
37 Van Hallstraat
9 locals recommend
With an outside terrace for sunny afternoons, this bar - just around the corner - can get rather rowdy. The friendly proprietors however (Piet, Mike and Monique) will give you an excellent tour of Belgian beers.

Entertainment & Activities

With its variety of restaurants, cafés, theaters, music and dance locales, the park is one huge playground for all ages.
263 locals recommend
Zuiveringshal West
37 Pazzanistraat
263 locals recommend
With its variety of restaurants, cafés, theaters, music and dance locales, the park is one huge playground for all ages.
Convenient outdoor swimming pool. With large wading pool for the younger ones.. Well kept grass lawns for sunbathing or shady naps.
25 locals recommend
Brediusbad outdoor pool
306 Spaarndammerdijk
25 locals recommend
Convenient outdoor swimming pool. With large wading pool for the younger ones.. Well kept grass lawns for sunbathing or shady naps.
A neighborhood movie theater with a good selection of quality films. The adjacent bar and restaurant provide the potential for a full evening of entertainment.
429 locals recommend
The Movies
159 - 163 Haarlemmerdijk
429 locals recommend
A neighborhood movie theater with a good selection of quality films. The adjacent bar and restaurant provide the potential for a full evening of entertainment.

Essentials

In a folder we offer you a map with the wide variety of stores in the neighborhood for grocery purchases. This one I mention here only because it has the widest selection of foods in the vicinity of our home.
150 locals recommend
AH Van Limburg Stirumstraat
44 Van Limburg Stirumstraat
150 locals recommend
In a folder we offer you a map with the wide variety of stores in the neighborhood for grocery purchases. This one I mention here only because it has the widest selection of foods in the vicinity of our home.
If you don't feel like dealing with your laundry, you can drop it off here and the men will have it ready for you in no time for a reasonable price.
Wassalon Dusko
30A Van der Hoopstraat
If you don't feel like dealing with your laundry, you can drop it off here and the men will have it ready for you in no time for a reasonable price.
A wide selection of fruits and vegetables for discount prices
6 locals recommend
Safa Groente/Fruit en Vlees
60 Groen van Prinstererstraat
6 locals recommend
A wide selection of fruits and vegetables for discount prices
When I want to stock up on my favorite foods and drinks, I bicycle either to the Albert Heijns in the Haarlemmerbuurt, or this one 1.5 km away. A more complete stock of all the grocery basics.
103 locals recommend
AH Frederik Hendrikstraat
81 Frederik Hendrikstraat
103 locals recommend
When I want to stock up on my favorite foods and drinks, I bicycle either to the Albert Heijns in the Haarlemmerbuurt, or this one 1.5 km away. A more complete stock of all the grocery basics.

Arts & Culture

This central location provides a child friendly overview of Amsterdam history.. An easy 90 minute museum to walk through.
112 locals recommend
Amsterdam Museum Building
92 Kalverstraat
112 locals recommend
This central location provides a child friendly overview of Amsterdam history.. An easy 90 minute museum to walk through.
The national museum contains numerous paintings by the Dutch Masters - Hals, Rembrandt, Steen, Vermeer - plus a wide range of exhibits protraying the country's colorful history.
3186 locals recommend
Rijksmuseum
1 Museumstraat
3186 locals recommend
The national museum contains numerous paintings by the Dutch Masters - Hals, Rembrandt, Steen, Vermeer - plus a wide range of exhibits protraying the country's colorful history.
Within the walls of this museum you can view more works by Vincent Van Gogh than anywhere else in the world. Plus rotating exhibits of the artist who inspired him, and those he inspired.
2485 locals recommend
Van Gogh Museum
6 Museumplein
2485 locals recommend
Within the walls of this museum you can view more works by Vincent Van Gogh than anywhere else in the world. Plus rotating exhibits of the artist who inspired him, and those he inspired.
The Municipal museum offers a wide range of contemporary art (late 19th century to now) with many temporary exhibits.
1544 locals recommend
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
10 Museumplein
1544 locals recommend
The Municipal museum offers a wide range of contemporary art (late 19th century to now) with many temporary exhibits.
The acoustics of this concert hall are world famous.
476 locals recommend
The Concertgebouw
10 Concertgebouwplein
476 locals recommend
The acoustics of this concert hall are world famous.
A bit off the standard tourist path, the tropical museum houses thousands of artefacts dating from the colonial era when the Dutch occupied land in Africa, Asia and the Americas. The building is magnificent, as well as the standard exhibit. Allowing visitors to walk from one culture to the next, while taking in world-full of sensory experience.
628 locals recommend
Tropenmuseum
2 Linnaeusstraat
628 locals recommend
A bit off the standard tourist path, the tropical museum houses thousands of artefacts dating from the colonial era when the Dutch occupied land in Africa, Asia and the Americas. The building is magnificent, as well as the standard exhibit. Allowing visitors to walk from one culture to the next, while taking in world-full of sensory experience.
The Dutch ruled the seas in the early 17th century. This museum helps explain how a swamp environment could be so successful. Several replicas and a day full of exhibits help you decide whether you too would have wanted to travel by boat back then, half way around the world.
820 locals recommend
Het Scheepvaartmuseum
1 Kattenburgerplein
820 locals recommend
The Dutch ruled the seas in the early 17th century. This museum helps explain how a swamp environment could be so successful. Several replicas and a day full of exhibits help you decide whether you too would have wanted to travel by boat back then, half way around the world.
A former church converted into a rock temple. If you're in to the current music scene, check the agenda here - and at the nearby 'Melkweg' - to see whether theres any live shows that may meet your auditory and other sensory needs.
937 locals recommend
Paradiso
6-8 Weteringschans
937 locals recommend
A former church converted into a rock temple. If you're in to the current music scene, check the agenda here - and at the nearby 'Melkweg' - to see whether theres any live shows that may meet your auditory and other sensory needs.
The museum is located in a remarkable building, designed by Renzo Piano, that juts out of the harbor like the stern of a copper ship. From it's roof one has a unique picnic view of the city. Inside it is jam-packed with exhibits for all ages, though normally children are in the majority. If you haven't learned anything new after a visit here; some politicians will think you already know too much.
603 locals recommend
NEMO Science Center
2 Oosterdok
603 locals recommend
The museum is located in a remarkable building, designed by Renzo Piano, that juts out of the harbor like the stern of a copper ship. From it's roof one has a unique picnic view of the city. Inside it is jam-packed with exhibits for all ages, though normally children are in the majority. If you haven't learned anything new after a visit here; some politicians will think you already know too much.

Parks & Nature

On the outskirts of the city, this huge park provides plenty of opportunities to hike, bike, boat, or do nothing.
17 locals recommend
Amsterdamse Bos
4 t.o
17 locals recommend
On the outskirts of the city, this huge park provides plenty of opportunities to hike, bike, boat, or do nothing.
The botanical gardens offers a modest but unique collection of plants common not only to the Netherlands, but also to its former colonies in the tropics. With several green houses, one of which is often filled with butterflies, and a pleasant café to take you momentarily away from the city hectic.
299 locals recommend
Hortus Botanicus
2a Plantage Middenlaan
299 locals recommend
The botanical gardens offers a modest but unique collection of plants common not only to the Netherlands, but also to its former colonies in the tropics. With several green houses, one of which is often filled with butterflies, and a pleasant café to take you momentarily away from the city hectic.
A train from Centraal Station will bring you to this North Sea beach in half an hour. Lined with tents for refreshments, on the south end you can go naked, very fine sand, just don't expect any surf. Though thanks to the Gulf Stream the water temperature is pleasant from June through September. There are more picturesque beach resorts along the coast but none so accessible from Amsterdam. The sand dunes behind the coast are a great hiking alternative.
124 locals recommend
Zandvoort
124 locals recommend
A train from Centraal Station will bring you to this North Sea beach in half an hour. Lined with tents for refreshments, on the south end you can go naked, very fine sand, just don't expect any surf. Though thanks to the Gulf Stream the water temperature is pleasant from June through September. There are more picturesque beach resorts along the coast but none so accessible from Amsterdam. The sand dunes behind the coast are a great hiking alternative.
Amsterdam's most famous and central park. it can be quite crowded on sunny days, and there's always a steady stream of bicyclists flowing through it, but it provides a great place to rest your feet after seeing one of the nearby museaums.
4196 locals recommend
Vondelpark
4196 locals recommend
Amsterdam's most famous and central park. it can be quite crowded on sunny days, and there's always a steady stream of bicyclists flowing through it, but it provides a great place to rest your feet after seeing one of the nearby museaums.

Sightseeing

This is where in the early 13th century a dam was built to control the flow of the Amstel river into the South Sea. From this point the city expanded. The dam is no longer visible, the river disappears 400 meters southwards. Instead you have the Royal Palace that gazes out upon a sea of cobblestone and continuous hordes of people.
1419 locals recommend
Dam Square
1419 locals recommend
This is where in the early 13th century a dam was built to control the flow of the Amstel river into the South Sea. From this point the city expanded. The dam is no longer visible, the river disappears 400 meters southwards. Instead you have the Royal Palace that gazes out upon a sea of cobblestone and continuous hordes of people.
This secluded little courtyard is a jewel of early Amsterdam architecture. Until this century it could be categorized a 'secret spot', still worth the pedestrian detour.
277 locals recommend
Begijnhof
1 Begijnhof
277 locals recommend
This secluded little courtyard is a jewel of early Amsterdam architecture. Until this century it could be categorized a 'secret spot', still worth the pedestrian detour.
The 'backhouse' where Anne Frank and her family spent the years 1942-1944 hiding from Nazi discrimination and oppression. Once discovered and sent to the Death Camps, only her father survived, to find her diary upon his return. Be prepared for a 3-4 hour wait to enter the tiny space.
2776 locals recommend
Anne Frank House
20 Westermarkt
2776 locals recommend
The 'backhouse' where Anne Frank and her family spent the years 1942-1944 hiding from Nazi discrimination and oppression. Once discovered and sent to the Death Camps, only her father survived, to find her diary upon his return. Be prepared for a 3-4 hour wait to enter the tiny space.
The concentric half-circles of canals surrounding the city centre were developed in large part in the 16th-17th century to house the city's expanding population, and to provide warehouses for its merchant economy. The architecture remains magnificent to this day. Take a canal tour, bike it, walk it, you can't miss it.
77 locals recommend
Grachtengordel
77 locals recommend
The concentric half-circles of canals surrounding the city centre were developed in large part in the 16th-17th century to house the city's expanding population, and to provide warehouses for its merchant economy. The architecture remains magnificent to this day. Take a canal tour, bike it, walk it, you can't miss it.