The Burgermeester is a tiny restaurant/take away next to the famous Albert Cuyp market. Across the street you can find McDonalds, but I’ll tell you now: Burgermeester is the best kept secret among the locals!

The translation for Burgermeester in Dutch can be either ´Burger Master´ or ´mayor/burgomaster´

You can choose from a great variety of proper burgers on fresh bread made with the best fish, lamb, beef or vegetarian options like falafel, whatever you wish for..
Add some delicious ingredients like grilled vegetables, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms and/or cheddar…et voila…You’ve just created the perfect burger!

Their homemade milkshakes of fresh fruits and ice are the best and the 3 mini burger menu is great to have all your favorites at the same time..
Side dishes vary from oven potatoes with basilic/garlic sour cream to exclusive salads. Small or large portion, to stay or take away; everything is possible. Although, take away is the best option as the place is really small, to go in for a quick bite is fine too.

Too many drinks last night? This is the best hangover food ever; goodbye McDonals, BurgerKing and KFC! And it´s healthy too…

Between 18:00 and 22:00 the place gets crowded: waiting up to 40min to take away is not unusual. I live just around the corner…which makes it no problem to come back later! And yes, waiting that long is totally worth it!!

Note: Burgermeester has another restaurant at the Elandsgracht 130, near the canals! And starting July also near the Artis Zoo, at Plantage Kerklaan 37.

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Burgermeester | Snacks | Hamburger € 6.00
Albert Cuypstraat 48 | De Pijp | +31206709339
12:00 – 23:00 daily

This is a well-known place in Amsterdam right next to Hotel de L’Europe. A nice looking place from the inside, especially because of the extremely high ceilings.
In the summer this is one of the best outdoor cafes to sit with loads of boats passing by.The beer company Grolsch still owns this building. In the summer you can enjoy your beer on one of the most beautiful terraces of Amsterdam.

In the winter, loads of magazines are there to get you through a rainy or snowy day. You can sit here for hours with one drink without waiters looking at you like “go away or order something else”. Maybe this is because they do not notice you either if you want to order something.

The sandwiches are fine, but personally I would stick to the beverages only, although the chocolate pie is very good.

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Café de Jaren | Bars, Coffee & tea | Coffee € 2.00
Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20/22 | Old center | +31206255771
10:00 – 00:00 daily

This modern, classy restaurant has despite it’s high ceilings a very pleasant atmosphere. It may be a bit further away from the city centre, but Amsterdam’s new upcoming Westergas-area is definitely worth visiting nowadays.

Café Restaurant Amsterdam is situated in an old engine room. Old control panels and engines needed to make place for some parts of the restaurant but everything else is still there, for example an enormous engine.

The combination of good quality food, reasonable prices and the original setting is the most appealing factor. Service is very friendly and helpful.

The crowd is very diverse, varying from families with kids, large groups, celebs, and expats; a great atmosphere no doubt! Although, for a nice and quiet romantic diner…this may not be the place to be.

Here you probably won’t find students or tourists, but it has been a great success among locals.  In summer you can sit outside on the terrace, in winter it’s overwhelming enough to eat inside, due to the great design of the main room.

Note: It’s smart to make reservations in the weekend!

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Café Restaurant Amsterdam | Restaurants (French) | Main from € 11.00
Watertorenplein 6 | Westerpark | +31206822666
Sun – Thu 10:30 – 24:00, Fri – Sat 10:30 – 01:00

Cafe Weber is a bar where most people in Amsterdam have been at least once. It is one of those places where you end up after a long evening for a final drink. The bar is open till three o’clock during the week and four o’clock in the weekend. This means it is usually one of the only options left after all the other bars are closed.

But if you think it is a dodgy bar in a strange little alley you are wrong. The bar is quite trendy and it is not only for the late hours, you can also go here a bit earlier (it opens at 20:00) for a drink, this is not a bad idea as it will be the only time when you will easily find a place to sit. The later it gets the more crowded it will be and you will have to squeeze yourself through the masses of people. But if you do spot an empty seat don’t hesitate to squeeze yourself in. People will  take advantage of any seat they can get even if that means sitting very close to your neighbours.

As I said the place is quite trendy and the interior is very nice. They change the colour of the walls and the other decorations every once in a while. Inside it used to be very smoky but with the new smoking policy this isn’t a problem anymore inside. Now everyone is crowded around on the street in front of the bar to smoke a cigarette. Sometimes it is as busy outside as it is inside.

The Weber bar is situated together with two other bars on the Marnixstraat. The bar next to it is called Lux and is almost identical to Weber. Choosing between the two bars is usually a matter of where there is the most space. A bit further on is the bar Kamer 401. This is slightly different than the other two. It is usually not as crowded and there are more places to sit. It also closes at the normal closing times. This bar is a good option if you like a bit more space around you but my favorite has to be Weber!

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Cafe Weber | Bars | Beer € 2.20
Marnixstraat 397 | Canals
Sun – Thu 20:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sat 20:00 – 04:00

Canvas is located on the top floor of the former Volkskrant (newspaper) building.
Besides that it’s a club; it’s also a café, restaurant, lounge, cocktail bar and exhibition hall. Because it’s not too close to the city centre, the venue is transformed into a local hotspot. The ultimate hangout of young creatives, students, and inhabitants of the neighbourhood.

Not only the spectacular panoramic view over Amsterdam makes this venue worth visiting. Other super features are the two rooftop terraces and the customized second hand furniture by artists.

In weekends DJs make sure you can dance the night away. Due to its small measurements, the intimate and cosy atmosphere is preserved. I can recall a certain Berlin-style.

The small menu offers the possibility to have dinner or lunch. Don’t expect exquisite dishes but the Canvasburger is tasty and reasonably priced. Simple but just fine!

Check the website for the program and flyers!

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Canvas op de 7e | Art & culture, Bars, Music | Wine € 3.00
Wibautstraat 150 (side entrance) | Plantage/Oost | +31207163817
Mon – thu 12:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sun 12:00 – 03:00

The history of Royal Theatre Carré is closely associated with the family Carré. The family Carré is a French/German dynasty of highly skilled riders and circus artists who performed in the Netherlands for the first time in September 1863. They did an horse-act on the annual fair of Amsterdam. From that day on, Carré became a circus. On the 6th of December 1963 Carré revealed something new, called the One Man Show. One man alone for a big audience. In history, it had never happened that a variety show artist dared to do this.

On the 1st of January 1977 Carré became a real theatre. The city council bought the theatre and brought back the circus into Carré. The next director took on something new; the own production of the musical ‘Cats’. Carré brought de Dutch showbiz on an international level, with the production of Cats.

Tours
Although Carré is a very old building with a great historical history, behind the scenes its an ultra modern theatre. During this tour you can experience the dynamic and daily live of top entertainment. You will wander the stage, the dressing-rooms and the foyers. Nice stories, architecture, history and the performances during the last 120 years are discussed. You will get the complete story and nothing will be a secret anymore!

The guided tours take place every Saturday at 11:00. Ticket price: € 8.00. To make a reservation, call +31 20 5249 452.

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Carré | Art & culture, Theaters | Tickets from € 15.00
Amstel 115-125 | Canals
Open every day when the theatre starts

Club 8 is a great venue for a fully filled, entertaining night! With more than 24 pool tables there’s always space to start your game! Feeling hungry?
The restaurant menu offers burgers, soups, pasta and typically Dutch snacks like ‘bitterballen’ en ‘kaassouffle’.

The restaurant area might not be a picture perfect place for going out for dinner, but for a quick bite it’s just fine.

At night, Club 8’s nightclub plays funky sounds: electro, pop, indie, house….name it, they have it! Check out the program on the website, just to be sure you like what’s on that particular night!

The audience is very diverse: students, tourists, expats, and locals… everybody likes Club 8!

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Club 8 | Bars, Music, Restaurants (international) | One hour pool € 9.50
Admiraal de Ruyterweg 56B | Oud-West | +31206851703
Mon – Thu 14:00 – 03:00, Fri 14:00 – 04:00, Sat 12:00 – 04:00, Sun 12:00 – 03:00

In the Dapperstraat in the Eastern part of Amsterdam you will find the Dapper market. The Dapper market is one of my favourite markets. It is one of the busiest and biggest markets of Amsterdam.

During the week and especially on a Saturday it is always crowded with people from all over the city, and also with people that come from outside of Amsterdam, to do their shopping or to just look around and meet up with friends.

I have been living in Amsterdam Oost since last summer and I am really happy to live so close to the market. Unfortunately I can only go if I have lots of time because shopping at the market does take me longer than shopping at the supermarket. This is because I always see so many different things I want to get that I easily wander around the market for an hour at least…

The market sells a great diversity of food like fruit and vegetables. Besides food you will also find flowers, clothes, shoes and anything else you might need. I usually go there for flowers and fruit and vegetables and am always amazed at how cheap it is!

I also love the fact that at the market all different cultures come together to do their shopping. It is a really multicultural place and it represents Amsterdam really well. It is also worth it to check out the different shops just off the market where you will find little supermarkets hat sell different foreign products. Also the market offers a diversity of different ready to eat snacks from lots of different cuisines. Another favourite of mine are the freshly squeezed fruit juices.

If you are planning to check out Amsterdam Oost, which I can really recommend you to do as it is a very lively area where lots of different cultures and kinds of people come together, you really can’t miss the Dapper Market.

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Dappermarkt | Shopping, Snacks
Dapperstraat | Plantage/Oost
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 17:00

This is a Catholic Church in the centre of Amsterdam, on the Spui, made for the Catholic church service.

The church is officially known as the Roman Catholic Church of Sint Franciscus Xaverius. Since 1654 the members of the “church” then prayed and preached in a house named “The Crijtberg”. In 1881, they officially start building a church. The Neo-Gothic style was introduced by Alfred Tepe and the church was consecrated in 1883. The job for the architect was to build the church between the existing houses. That is why it has such high windows and the more you go to the back of the church, the broader it is.

Between 1979 and 2001 the renovation was accomplished. The foundation, the roof and the stained glass windows were renovated, after that the altar and the pulpit. At the end of the 20th century the paintings, the statues and the plaster were restored.

The organ is a huge one. It is called the organ of Adema and was used since 1905. After 1905, many registers were added to the organ and it was replaced twice in the meantime.

Personally I think this is one of the most beautiful churches in Amsterdam, because of the many colors used and the detailed paintings on the ceiling and walls. It is an impressive church, that gives me a warm feeling when entering it. There is also so much light coming in, it is not a sober church, but really a pretty and pleasant one. I hope my photo will impress you and that you will visit this wonderful church.

The church is opened half an hour before the mass starts.

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De Krijtberg | Art & culture | Free
Singel 448 | Canals | +31206231923
Tue – Thu & Sun open for visitors from 13:30- 17:00

The words ‘typically Amsterdam’, ‘funny fashion’ and ‘Exota’ can easily be mentioned in the same sentence.

Their own vintage label ‘King Louie‘ is sold internationally and a great success. You’ll find people wearing this label all over the Netherlands as it’s really recognizable. With the first store opened in 1985 the concept of ‘first class second hand’ was presented.

Brands as for example Carhartt, Kookai, French Connection are part of the collection. Accessories like key gadgets, necklaces, body cremes, belts and bags decorate the place with their happy colors and designs.

Service is extremely friendly, fashionable and happy to help with any request or advice.

A visit to this shop puts a smile on your face!

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Exota | Shopping | T-shirts from € 20.00
Hartenstraat 10 | Canals | +31206209102
Mon 11:00-18:00, Tue – Wed & Fri – Sat 10:00 – 18:00, Thu 10:00 – 21:00, Sun 13:00 – 17:00

Right at the canals on the Singel you will have to look carefully not to miss this lovely breakfast & lunch spot. You will recognize it by the little white tables and chairs that stand outside which give you a lovely view of one of the most beautiful parts of the city centre.

Greenwoods is a tiny place is and is owned by an English woman. This woman among other thins surely knows how to bake! The carrot cake, lemon meringue pie and cheesecake are absolutely delicious. I really couldn’t believe it. At one point my boyfriend got so addicted to the carrot cake that he got a slice almost daily. He went out of his way for it, you could say he was out of control!

If you’re not in a hurry you can also try the high tea. You will be spoiled with Great tea and lots of little sandwiches and scones with fresh cream and jam will keep you busy for hours.

Besides for the cakes this is also a great place for a savoury lunch or breakfast. The homemade soda bread is heavy but delicious. The club sandwiches are also a meal in itself. Accompany your food by a big cup of coffee and some fresh orange juice and there is no better way to start of your day.

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Greenwoods | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (breakfast) | Sandwich € 6.00
Singel 103 | Canals | +31206237071
09:30 – 19:00 daily

There are a lot of restaurants in this street, but this one really is the best!

They have the best spare ribs in town and they are famous for their 300gr beef sate. I never had better ones. It is always busy, but the staff works hard and never loses their enthusiasm. It really is an upper-class café. You will also find tourists here, since ‘t Vliegertje is located next to the international trade fair RAI. But there are also a lot of locals.

The interior is loaded with airplanes. I never understood if this has to do with the history of the owner, the restaurant or someone really loving airplanes, but I will figure that out. Ok folks, I finally did! The owner is simply into airplanes and flying. It is his hobby and he just loves it.

The place is often fully booked; but sit at the bar, drink something and a table will be ready for you before you finished your glass. I can sit here all evening enjoying the wine and food.

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Het Vliegertje | Restaurants | Saté or spare ribs € 18.00
Scheldestraat 79 | Oud-Zuid | +31206798480
Kitchen open 17:00 – 22:00 daily

This is a cultural and learning environment for both adults and children. It is a really nice museum with lots of theoretical and practical information.

You can read a lot about the history of the Jews, you can see movies, pictures and original items of their belief. Furthermore is the museum located in a synagogue, which makes it even more special.

In the movies you visit families who are celebrating all Jewish traditions and explaining the backgrounds. After one day at the museum you know why they are celebrating and what is important to the Jewish community.

I think it really gives an image and a certain feeling of this country. The sadness, but also the beauty and sometimes even combined in one photo or video.

From 24th of April until 18th September 2009 an exhibition of Morocco is shown.

The exhibition Morocco: Photos by Elias Harrus and Pauline Prior features photos taken by Elias Harrus (1919-2008) in the 1950s of the everyday life of the Jews of southern Morocco in the years just before they migrated en masse to Israel. For centuries they had lived side by side with the Berbers of the region. Harrus was fascinated by these people, his photos have an intensity that only an insider can achieve. In 2008, Dutch photographer Pauline Prior visited the region to photograph what remains of Morocco’s Jewish heritage, and documented Jewish life in Casablanca today.

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Jewish Historical Museum | Art & culture | Adults € 7.50
Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1 | Plantage/Oost | +31205310310
11:00 – 17:00 daily

I’ve discovered this place a short while a go and I must say I won’t have pizza anywhere else. The pizza they bake here is absolutely delicious.

La Perla is situated on a corner in the area called The Jordaan. The Jordaan is a great place for restaurants and bars. If you are looking for a nice place to eat you should definitely find it here. And if you by any chance feel like having pizza La Perla is the place to be!

The shop is quite small. There are a couple of seats at the window but you can also sit on one of the benches outside where you can enjoy your pizza while watching people walking and cycling by. The Jordaan seems to be an area full of interesting people so there is always something or somebody to see.

All the pizza’s are made freshly in front of you and baked in a wood fueled brick oven. This makes the thin pizza base nice and crispy. The ingredients are all imported from Italy and especially the buffalo mozzarella is extremely mouthwatering. As I said and as you can now probably imagine I really won’t go anywhere else to have pizza…

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La Perla | Restaurants (Pizza) | Pizza (average price) € 11.00
Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 14 | Jordaan
17:00 – 22:00 daily

This restaurant was opened in October 2008, so it’s pretty new. The neighbourhood is in a multicultural community in Bos en Lommer. Great to see more trendy restaurants coming up here!

They have small tables with a bar in the middle. Every first Wednesday of the month they have a new menu.

The staff is great and the food is fine. We had salmon and Boeuff Bourgignon, both dishes were prepared well. The carrot soup did not taste like carrots, but was nice as well.

The entire atmosphere is relaxed and you feel welcome here!

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Luim | Bars, Restaurants (French) | Main course from € 10.50
Admiraal de Ruyterweg 404 | Westerpark | +31206889986
Sun – Thu 11:30 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 11:30 – 02:00

The Museum is a 17th century House at the canal. It has several style rooms like: the Blue room, the Red room, the Chinese room and the Library.

The house has a beautiful garden and behind the garden there is the old “Koetshuis”. The staff lived here, and this is where the coaches were stalled. The house can be rented for private dinners, parties or even weddings.

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Museum Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis | Art & culture | Adult € 6.00
Keizersgracht 633 | Canals | +31206390747
Fri – Mon 11:00 – 17:00

This is a double-sized canal house which dates from 1672. The first resident was the painter Ferdinand Bol, one of Rembandt’s most famous pupils.

In the 19th century, the Van Loon family came to live in this house. The family’s history is closely intertwined with that of Amsterdam. Several Van Loons held important positions as city-mayors.

Here you will get a splendid impression how people lived in the 19th century. The house is modernized, but the kitchen is still from the 17th century, as is the bed. On the second floor, the later generation still has it’s own private bedrooms etc. Parties and private diners are held by the family and then the museum is closed.

I think it is nice that they keep the house in it’s original state, make a museum out of it, but still use it privately too.

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Museum van Loon | Art & culture | Entrance adults € 6.00
Keizersgracht 672 | Canals | +31206245255
Fri – Mon 11:00 – 17:00

This house is a double one. It was built in 1685 and took two years before it was finished. The style rooms give you a look of how people lived in the 18th and 19th century.

The hall, stairs, dining room, ball room and the garden give an impression of the family Willet-Holthuysen. You can also see the sleeping room and the blue salon on the first floor. This canal house also has a great garden with an old “Koetshuis”.

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Museum Willet-Holthuysen | Art & culture | Adult € 4.00
Herengracht 605 | Canals | +31205231822
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 17:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 17:00

This building used to be the administration head office of the VOC, Dutch East India Company, built in 1606. Hendrick de Keyser built this renaissance style building. Besides all meetings of the regents, the meetings of the Heren XVII, the board of the VOC, were held here.

The VOC was the most successful and biggest Dutch Trade Company of Europe in the 17th and 18th century. It had a monopoly position of trading between Europe and Asia. Being the first multinational company in the world they went on the stock-market to finance the transport over water.

In 1798 the VOC was abrogated and in 1808 the building was in use of the Colonial management of the Batavian Republic.

This building has had many renovations and expansions over the years. Part of the East-Indonesian building is the Bus Home and the Urban Artillery Warehouse.

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Oost-Indisch Huis | Art & culture | Free
Kloveniersburgwal 48 | Old center | +31205252258
Mon – Thu 08:00 – 19:30, Fri 08:00 – 18:00

The Oude Kerk (”old church”) is Amsterdam’s oldest parish church, consecrated in 1306 by the bishop of Utrecht. It stands in Amsterdam’s main red-light district.

Before the revolution in Amsterdam on 26 May 1578 in which the Roman Catholics lost sole control of the city government, the Oude Kerk was principally Catholic. Following William of Orange’s defeat of the Spanish and the influence of Calvinists, the church was adopted by the Protestants.

In the same year, the Oude Kerk became home to the registry of marriages. It was also used as the city archives, the most important documents locked in a chest covered with iron plates and painted with the city’s coat of arms. The chest was kept safe in the iron chapel.

The church covers 3,300 square meters and the foundations were set on an artificial mound.

The roof of the Oude Kerk is the largest medieval wooden vault in Europe. The Estonian planks date back to 1390 and boast some of the best acoustics in Europe. Therefor, the church is used a lot for concerts and exhibitions.
The floor consists entirely of gravestones. The reason for this is that the church was built on a cemetery. Local citizens continued to be buried on the site within the confines of the church until 1865. There are approximately 2500 graves in the Oude Kerk, under which are buried 10,000 Amsterdam citizens.

I personally think it is not the nicest church in Amsterdam, but still very impressive.

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Oude Kerk | Art & culture, Festivals & events | Entrance fee € 5.00
Oudekerksplein (entrance South) 23 | Old center | +31206258284
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 17:00, Sun 13:00 – 17:00

Raak is probably one of the most popular shops in de Pijp. Not only people from Amsterdam, but also fashionsta’s from other cities in Holland come to Raak to provide themselves with fashionable clothing, items, jewelry, design interior, baby stuff and feminine shoes.

This small shop sells expensive wear, in addition to the exclusive jewelry.
Words to describe Raak are blond, high heeled, good quality, original, fashion, design, St.Tropez/Cannes, Chihuahua dogs and celebrities.

Within the Dutch fashion industry, Raak is also a well-established logo, promoted by several celebrities. Want to look your best? Raak is where you should go for the perfect cocktaildress! Ladies wear only…sorry guys.

Note: A bigger store of RAAK can be found at the Leidsestraat 79, a mini warehouse with even more shopping fun!

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RAAK | Shopping | Bags from € 80.00
Eerste van der Helststraat 49 | De Pijp | +31206704206
Mon 12:00 – 18:00, Tue – Sat 10:00 – 18:00, Thu 10:00 – 21:00

One of the Albert Cuyps hidden gems: South Miami Plaza offers everything what you haven’t thought of yet. Do you think you’ve seen/heard it all…explore your world here!

Music styles varying from Dutch and World to Blues and Rock, a never ending offer.

Wherever you look, special offers are a daily matter. 5 Dvds for 10 euros is not uncommon. Ok, don’t expect to find the newest released films and cds here…but you may find your lost samples of famous oldies or for example the Beatles in concert.  To complete your collection they also sell posters and cards of pop, tv, and filmstars.

The place does look like an old dump store, full of cheap, dusty cds, dvds, vinyl, video’s etc. But that shouldn’t hold you back. Be patient and you’ll bump into one favorite after another, and all this for the lowest prices ever!

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South Miami Plaza | Music, Shopping | DVD € 5.00
Albert Cuypstraat 116 B/C | De Pijp | +31206622817
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Siempre is a really cosy, Spanish tapas restaurant, just in between the Albert Cuyp market and the Sarphatipark.

The tapas they offer are diverse (meat, fish and vegetarian meals) and change every season. This is the current menu.

The (mostly served warm) bread with aioli mayonnaise is very tasteful, and the meatballs in spicy tomato sauce are another absolute recommendation.
The Spanish music (gypsy kings etc.) accentuates the ambiance, completed with small classic wooden tables, ornated tiles and well-fitting wall colours.

In summer you can sit outside till late and enjoy your coffee or fresh mint tea with the cake of the day on the side.

This restaurant is located at the not so busy part of ‘De Pijp’, but do make reservations in the weekend (note: not more than 11 persons!)

Note > From the same owners: Mas Tapas, another tapas restaurant, only a few streets away (Saenredamstraat 37). Smaller on the inside, but in summer they have a bigger terrace than Siempre.

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Tapas Café Siempre | Restaurants (Tapas, Mediterranean) | 5 tapas € 17.50
1e Sweelinckstraat 23 | De Pijp | +31206718616
16:00 – 00:00 daily

Of course, this is a museum that can not be missed on a website about Amsterdam. Probably every tourist goes here, but that does not mean that I can not write about it!

I really do cherish this museum. They have a permanent collection of this great painter and every time several exhibitions around him. It is not only about the paintings of Van Gogh, but also about the story behind his paintings and of course his own life; how did he lived his life and where and what inspired him to make all of the paintings he made.

On Friday night the museum has a special evening act. Sometimes there is a DJ, another time a show from the conservatory students or a symphonic orchestra or anything else you can think of. They really want to entertain the visitors.

What I also like about this museum is the building. The Van Gogh Museum consists of two buildings: the main structure designed by Gerrit Rietveld and opened in 1973, and the Exhibition Wing by Kisho Kurokawa completed in 1999. Both of them are extraordinary buildings and you really must see them for yourselves.

Personally I go there about four times a year, just to see what has changed or has not changed. And every time I am impressed with his paintings!

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Van Gogh Museum | Art & culture | Adults € 12.50
Paulus Potterstraat 7 | Oud-Zuid | +31205705200
Sat – Thu 10:00 – 18:00, Fri 10:00 – 22:00

It is a (maybe even the most) culinary highlight in this neighbourhood. The clientele here is a little old, but everyone is lovely and so nice. I try to come here every two weeks, because I really love this place.

The entire atmosphere of this small shop/lunch room is great. Lots of wine bottles are stalled in the front of the lunch room. In the back there is the showcase with all kinds of sandwich filling. On the right there are small tables were you can sit nicely. Everybody joins, so if you need privacy, you better go somewhere else. Sometimes you have to shift tables, because the wine cellar is underneath your place.

The staff are the two owners, Hans and Trees, and other great people who really make your lunch unforgettable. They do not only take your order, they make it a pleasant memory. You can order highly qualitative sandwiches like wild salmon, Dutch shrimps, foie gras, paté, different kind of hams (serrano, parma) etc.

Furthermore they sell an excellent selection of wines in different price ranges. And of course, lunch does not come here without a glass of wine.

Were can you still find a perfect spot like this? Last week I was here; and again, perfect!!!

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Warmolts | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Lunch) | Lunch from € 4.00
Maasstraat 72 | Oud-Zuid | +31206620448
Tue – Fri 09:00 – 18:00, Sat 09:00 – 17:00

In the middle of ‘The Pijp’ you will find Warung Marlon, a little Surinamese restaurant. There are lots of places like this in Amsterdam, and especially a lot in ‘The Pijp’. They cook the same things in almost all of the places but the food tastes slightly different everywhere. And I suppose it all depends on your personal taste which one you find the best.

In any case a lot of Surinamese people do go to Marlon so that must mean something.  Anyway this place is one of my favourites. The people who work here are very friendly and the food is served quickly when you sit in. There are a couple of tables to sit inside and eat which is okay if all you need is a quick meal. But the place does look very clinical with white tiles on the floor and on the wall and very bright lights.

You can sit in to eat but you can also take your food out.  Especially on a Sunday it gets very busy with people taking food. Sometimes you have to wait a while but you can also phone in your order and pick it up later. I often get a soup in the restaurant for lunch or I like to take some of their food home with me for dinner.

The great thing is also that they are not expensive at all. A main meal will cost you about € 7.50 which is very doable. A couple of my favourites are kip sate, saoto soup, ‘teloh bakkeljauw’ and roti. Also the bakabana is known to be great.

I would recommend everyone visiting Amsterdam to try the food from Suriname. It really is delicious and it is becoming such a part of Dutch cuisine that you really can’t do without.

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Warung Marlon | Snacks, Restaurants (Surinam) | Main meal € 7.50
1e Van der Helststraat 55 | De Pijp | +31206711526
Wed – Mon 11:00 – 20:00

You can find Wolvenstraat by the address because this bar basically has no name. Locals just refer to the bar as ‘Wolvenstraat 23′, but you won’t miss it as it’s located in the popular 9 street district.

Atmosphere is created by the laidback crowd, art on the walls, furry pillows and blankets, retro-styled interior and the friendly cat who sleeps undisturbed. Comfortable enough to stay lounging till cocktail hour starts or even longer..!

This may not be the place for an extensive diner, but for some high quality bites it’s definitely worth visiting. The Thai salad is suberb and so is the cheesecake.
Service is friendly and polite.

At night, the perfect place to go for a beer, wine or exciting cocktail! The mix of trendy young locals and expats make this bar an absolute ‘place to be’, but then with the lack a ’seen and want to be seen’ atmosphere. Think relaxed and cosy with suitable music.

A reliable place with delicious food and a great atmosphere!

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Wolvenstraat | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants | 3 course menu € 17.00
Wolvenstraat 23 | Canals | +31203200843
Mon – Thu 08:00 – 01:00, Fri 08:00 – 02:00, Sat 09:00 – 02:00, Sun 10:00 – 01:00

Zipper sells secondhand and vintage clothing. Imagine American jeans, Westernshirts, glittery cocktail dresses, leather jackets and sweat pants gathered together in two great shops. Some are very rare so steal the show with your one of a kind item!

Besides this huge collection they also sell customized shirts, fun and funky sunglasses, and shoes from old sneakers and boots to vintage pumps. Think of 50, 60, 70, 80 years style.

Between all racks the store is packed with accessories like for example belts, scarf’s, buttons and hats.  Check the website to see what’s new in the store..or what will be coming soon. Be the first to get it!

The shop also sells tickets for cool parties, just ask them what’s on!

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Zipper | Shopping | Shoes from € 30.00
Huidenstraat 7 | Canals | +31206237302
Mon 13:00 – 18:00, Tue – Sat 11:00 – 18:00, Sun 13:00 – 17:00