Amsterdam tips from your captain

Coffee and lunch

• De Koffieschenkerij

  Oudekerksplein 27

  Daily 9am-6pm. Coffee and cake in the former sacristy of the Oude Kerk, with a hidden courtyard.

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• Café Winkel 43

  Noordermarkt 43

  Famous for its apple pie, with a terrace on the market square by the Noorderkerk. No reservations, just grab a seat.

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• Rudi's Original Stroopwafels

  Albert Cuypmarkt

  Freshly baked stroopwafels from a food truck on the market, made to a secret recipe from Gouda. Not a tourist shop with balloons.

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• De Laatste Kruimel

  Langebrugsteeg 4

  Cosy café for breakfast and lunch with sandwiches, quiche and homemade lemonade. Small terrace by the canal.

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• Café Americain

  Leidseplein 28

  A classic grand café in the American Hotel, with an Art Deco interior from 1928, Tiffany lamps and a terrace on the square. Coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

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• The Kitchen at De Bijenkorf

  Dam 1

  At the top of the department store. Coffee with a slice of cake, with views over the city and a small terrace. Check opening hours beforehand, sources differ.

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Dutch food

• Restaurant Moeders

  Rozengracht 251

  Mon-Fri 5-10pm, Sat-Sun 4.30-10pm. Stamppot, braised beef and French toast. Book well ahead.

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• De Blauwe Hollander

  Leidsekruisstraat 28

  Big portions of stamppot.

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• Heertje Friet

  Herengracht 169

  Near the Nine Streets. In my view the best fries in town: fresh and hand-cut, with the sauce of your choice (joppie, oorlog, frietsaus). Seating, also outside by the canal. Daily 11am-8pm.

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• FEBO

  Oudezijds Voorburgwal 33

  The classic snack wall for late nights: croquette, frikandel or satay croquette from the little hatch. Open late into the night, check the hours beforehand.

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• Stubbe's Haring

  Singel 8n

  By the Haarlemmersluis. A herring stall for more than a hundred years. Hollandse Nieuwe with onion and pickled gherkin, or in a bun. Stand and eat, no seating. Check opening hours beforehand.

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• Vishuisje Simon en Simon

  Utrechtsestraat 117A

  A small herring stall on the bridge over the Prinsengracht, run by a father and son. A good herring sandwich according to visitors and locals. Check opening hours beforehand.

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Bitterballen

A selection from two lists. Which one is best is a matter of taste.

• Proeflokaal A. van Wees

  Herengracht 319

  Historic tasting house with bitterballen of wild boar, tiger prawn, classic beef and a vegetarian mushroom and aubergine one. Also the place to taste very good jenever.

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• Café Luxembourg

  Spui

  Famous café with three prize-winning bitterballen: beef, shrimp and Dutch cheese.

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• Eetsalon Van Dobben

  Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5-9

  Snack bar since 1945, which also supplies bitterballen to other cafés.

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• Café de Tuin

  Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 13

  Brown café in the Jordaan with the traditional beef ragout bitterbal.

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Fine dining

Tasting menus cost about €100-250 per person. Book at least two weeks ahead. Dress code: smart casual.

• Flore

  Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14

  In Hotel De L'Europe, on the Amstel. Formerly Bord'Eau. Chef Bas van Kranen, two Michelin stars.

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• Vinkeles

  Keizersgracht 384

  Two Michelin stars in a sunken 18th-century bakery. Dinner only, Tue-Sat 7-10pm.

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• RIJKS

  Museumstraat 1

  Inside the Rijksmuseum. Chef Joris Bijdendijk was named best chef of the year in 2025.

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• De Kas

  Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3

  In Frankendael. Michelin star and green star, organic, in a greenhouse.

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• Lars

  Danzigerkade

  In the Houthavens. Michelin star.

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• Showw

  Gelrestraat

  Michelin star.

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• More at De L'Europe

  Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14

  Hoofdstad Brasserie (lighter), Hèt Terras (large terrace on the Amstel), Freddy's Bar and Chapter 1896 (cocktails with a view of the Amstel).

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• The Duchess

  Spuistraat 172

  Opposite Hotel W. French and Italian brasserie (€€€) in a former banking hall in Belle Époque style, with dark marble, chandeliers and an open kitchen. Famous for its beef Wellington. Mon-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat noon-2am, Sun noon-1am. Reservations on +31 20 811 3322. Afternoon tea at weekends.

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• De Silveren Spiegel

  Kattengat 4

  Creative French cooking (€€€) in two step-gabled houses from 1614, with an open fireplace, candlelight and plenty of natural wine. Listed in the Michelin Guide, without a star. Tue-Thu 6-11pm, Fri-Sat 12.30-10pm, closed Sun and Mon.

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• Ron Gastrobar

  Sophialaan 55 hs

  Near the Vondelpark. Gastrobar by chef Ron Blaauw: quality without the formality, with small dishes to share, aged steaks and fish.

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• Toscanini

  Lindengracht 75

  In the Jordaan. Authentic Italian since 1985, with an open kitchen, seasonal regional dishes and home-baked bread. Hard to get a table, so book well ahead.

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Casual dining with a view

• Mr. Porter

  Spuistraat 175

  In the penthouse of Hotel W. Steakhouse and cocktail bar with dry-aged beef and a rooftop terrace overlooking the Dam and the Nine Streets. Reviewers praise the grass-fed steaks, the zucchini carpaccio and the chocolate fondant.

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• Pllek

  T.T. Neveritaweg 59

  Amsterdam-Noord, near the NDSM shipyard (by ferry across the IJ). Organic and sustainable restaurant in a raw industrial setting, with a city beach and views over the IJ.

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• De Belhamel

  Brouwersgracht 60

  On the corner with the Herengracht. Seasonal Dutch cooking with Mediterranean influences, in an Art Nouveau interior with canal views. A quiet spot away from the crowds.

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• Hannekes Boom

  Dijksgracht 4

  Right by Central Station. A rustic café built from reclaimed materials with a large waterside terrace and local, organic products.

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Indonesian

• Kartika

  Overtoom 68H

  Rijsttafel, for decades, vegetarian options too.

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• Mama Makan

  Spinozastraat 61

  Indonesian classics, modern style.

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• Restaurant Max

  Herenstraat 14

  Rijsttafel in the canal ring with traditional, fusion and milder versions. Known for its friendly service and a wine list that suits Indonesian food.

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• Tempo Doeloe

  Utrechtsestraat 75

  One of the best-known rijsttafels in town, spicy and with white tablecloths. Dinner only.

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Chicken

• Van 't Spit

  De Clercqstraat 95

  Also at Frans Halsstraat 42. Spit-roast chicken.

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• Bierfabriek

  Rokin 75

  Piri-piri chicken and ribs.

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• Ladybird Fried Chicken

  Sarphatipark 4

  In De Pijp.

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• Kip 'n Drip (KID)

  Ruysdaelkade 251

  In De Pijp. Said by many to be the best chicken burger in Amsterdam.

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• Chris Kip

  Albert Cuypmarkt, kraam 117

  Since 1928, organic.

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Zeedijk

• In 't Aepjen

  Zeedijk 1

  One of the two wooden houses left in Amsterdam (c. 1475-1550). Jenever and beer. Sun-Thu noon-1am, Fri-Sat noon-3am.

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• Bird

  Zeedijk 72-74

  Authentic Thai since 1998, often with a queue at the door.

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• Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple

  Zeedijk 106-118

  The largest Chinese-style temple on the European mainland. Free entry, shoes off. Tue-Sat noon-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon.

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• Trees

  Zeedijk 14

  Atmospheric restaurant in a historic corner building.

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• Amsterdamsche Vishandel Anno 1938

  Zeedijk 129

  Classic fishmonger.

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Shopping

• Fromagerie Abraham Kef

  Marnixstraat 192B

  Cheese shop since the 1950s, also wine and delicacies. Often a queue.

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• De Amsterdamse Muis

  Haarlemmerdijk 36

  Vintage décor, Delft blue and gifts. Tue-Sat 11am-6pm.

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• Antiekcentrum

  Elandsgracht 109

  In the Jordaan. The largest indoor antiques market in the Netherlands, 55 dealers. Free entry.

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• Alladin's Notenhoek

  Jan Evertsenstraat 142

  Oud-West (not in the centre). Family business where the former queen bought her nuts.

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• Tony's Chocolonely Super Store

  Oudebrugsteeg 15

  Near the Damrak, about a 5-minute walk from Centraal Station. Daily 10am-7pm, free entry. Make your own bar, taste the bars and learn about the cocoa problem. Small, often a queue, steep stairs and not wheelchair accessible.

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Markets

Hours come from various sources. Check them before you go.

• Albert Cuypmarkt

  Albert Cuypstraat

  De Pijp. Mon-Sat 9am-6pm. With 260 stalls the largest daily market in Europe: vegetables, clothes, flowers, herring and fresh stroopwafels.

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• Noordermarkt

  Noorderkerkplein

  Jordaan. Mon 9am-1pm (flea market and fabrics), Sat 9am-4pm (organic farmers' market).

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• Waterlooplein

  Waterlooplein

  Mon-Sat during the day. Flea market with vintage clothes, antiques and bric-a-brac.

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• Bloemenmarkt (flower market)

  Singel

  Mon-Sat about 9am-5.30pm, Sun 11am-5.30pm.

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• Dappermarkt

  Dapperstraat

  Oost. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm. Food from all over the world, clothes and household goods.

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• Ten Katemarkt

  Ten Katestraat

  Oud-West. Mon-Sat.

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• Lindengracht

  Lindengracht

  Jordaan. Saturday only.

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• Westerstraat

  Westerstraat

  Jordaan. Monday only. Fabrics, clothes and shoes.

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• Nieuwmarkt

  Nieuwmarkt

  Sat organic farmers' market, Sun antiques market from May to September.

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• IJ-Hallen

  NDSM-plein 1

  Noord. Flea market, one weekend a month.

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• Poffertjes at the market

  Noordermarkt

  According to one source the Amsterdamse Poffertjes stall stands at the Noordermarkt (Sat) and sometimes at the Albert Cuypmarkt (Mon, Tue, Thu). Check this.

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Special places and museums

• KattenKabinet

  Herengracht 497

  Art museum about cats in a canal house from 1667, with real cats. Tue-Sun noon-5pm.

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• Hortus Botanicus

  Plantage Middenlaan 2A

  Botanical garden since 1638, with a butterfly house. Daily 10am-5pm.

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• Museum Van Loon

  Keizersgracht 672

  Canal house from 1672 with a garden and coach house. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon and Tue.

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• Foam

  Keizersgracht 609

  Photography museum, right next to Van Loon. Daily 10am-6pm, Thu-Fri until 9pm.

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• Rijksmuseum

  Museumstraat 1

  Daily 9am-5pm. Don't miss the public bike passage under the museum.

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• Entrepotdok

  Entrepotdok

  19th-century warehouses, now homes and houseboats, next to Artis. Always open and free.

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• NDSM-werf

  NDSM-plein

  Former shipyard in Amsterdam-Noord. Take the ferry (line F3) from Centraal Station: free for pedestrians and cyclists, at least twice an hour.

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• Reguliersdwarsstraat

  Reguliersdwarsstraat

  Near Rembrandtplein. Well-known LGBTQ+ street, home to the first gay bar in 1963.

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• Picasso in the Vondelpark

  Vondelpark

  The sculpture "Figure découpée / l'Oiseau" (1965), known locally as "the Fish". Picasso gave it to the city for the park's 100th anniversary, out of friendship with Willem Sandberg.

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• A'DAM Lookout

  Overhoeksplein 5

  Observation tower with 360-degree views, reached by the free ferry from Centraal Station. The highlight is the Over The Edge swing: you swing over the edge of the roof at almost 100 metres.

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• Swimming at the Marineterrein

  Kattenburgerstraat 5

  Swim in the inner harbour with views of the Maritime Museum and NEMO, right in the city centre. Free to access.

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• Kuuma Sauna

  Marineterrein

  By the piers. Wood-fired sauna on the water that you rent by the time slot, alone or with a group. Book at kuuma.nl.

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• Pension Homeland

  Marineterrein, Kattenburgerstraat

  Own brewery with more than ten house-brewed beers, plus café, restaurant and a sunny terrace, in the former officers' mess.

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• ENTR VR Museum

  Oosterdokskade 131B

  Right by the OBA library and Centraal Station. The first VR museum in the Netherlands. In "Amsterdam 1652" you walk with other visitors through a recreated 17th-century Amsterdam. Tickets from €18, book ahead.

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• Proeflokaal 't Arendsnest

  Herengracht 90

  A café serving only Dutch beer: 52 Dutch beers on tap plus bottles, from witbier to stout and IPA.

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• Coffeeshop Siberië

  Brouwersgracht 11

  Coffeeshop in a converted garage with candles, big wooden tables, games and a live DJ at weekends. 18+ only.

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• Het Stenen Hoofd

  Westerdoksdijk 1

  A former harbour pier from 1902, now a public park on the IJ and a popular spot to walk your dog. Freely accessible.

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• Boom Chicago

  Rozengracht 117

  American comedy with a Dutch twist: improv and sketches in English. Check show days at boomchicago.nl.

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• De Hollandsche Manege

  Vondelstraat 140

  A neoclassical riding hall from 1882 with a public café-restaurant where you can watch the riders.

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• VROG

  Mr. Visserplein 7

  Indoor play space for trampolining, parkour and dance in a former car tunnel near Waterlooplein. Fun with children, including toddlers.

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• NEMO Science Museum

  Oosterdok 2

  A science museum for young and old with experiments, workshops and a rooftop square with views over the city.

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• Klimmuur Amsterdam Centraal

  Dijksgracht 2

  A large climbing hall near Central Station with boulder walls and routes (8 and 16 metres). For children and adults, with taster lessons.

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Going out and cinema

• Paradiso

  Weteringschans 6-8

  Concerts and parties in a former church near Leidseplein.

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• Bitterzoet

  Spuistraat 2

  Club and stage for every kind of music.

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• Tuschinski

  Reguliersbreestraat 26

  A beautiful Art Deco cinema, worth a look inside.

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• The Movies

  Haarlemmerdijk 159-163

  Small Art Deco cinema with dark lacquered wood, said by the tourist board to be the oldest in Amsterdam.

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Typical Amsterdam cafés

• Café Papeneiland

  Prinsengracht 2

  On the corner of Brouwersgracht. One of the oldest cafés in the city (1642), with Delft tiles and famous for its apple pie.

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• Café 't Smalle

  Egelantiersgracht 12

  A traditional brown café in a former distillery from 1780, with a canal-side terrace.

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• Café de Prins

  Prinsengracht 124

  A cosy café near the Westerkerk, known for its candles and poffertjes.

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Sunset and photo spots

• Marineterrein and the VOC ship

  Kattenburgerplein 1

  On the water at the Marineterrein, with the replica of the VOC ship Amsterdam next to the Maritime Museum nearby.

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• Brouwersgracht

  Brouwersgracht

  At the corner of Herengracht and Prinsengracht. Three canals meet here.

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• Damrak

  Damrak

  In the late afternoon. Lovely light on the facades.

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