Oud-Zuid Amsterdam – All our local tips

For years Café Loetje is known for its steak. No, let me rephrase that: the best steak of Amsterdam. Famous with the locals; Amsterdammers and Loetje can not been seen apart from each other.

The old fashioned brown-café interior shows that Loetje has truly kept its authenticity. During the week, especially in weekends, the place gets packed with a varied crowd. Here the atmosphere always feels lively (high noise level) with a local vibe.

Don’t expect an extensive menu. Loetje has basics like steak, sate, hamburger, tuna and schnitzel to offer. Great quality and therefore the menu hasn’t changed in years. That’s all part of Loetje’s successful formula.

The famous (200gr.) steak comes with salad and French fries, for a decent price.

Some of the staff has worked here for years, and that is special because Loetje will celebrate its 33rd year of existence this coming year. The service is friendly, relaxed and efficient. If you’re with a group, make reservations because waiting times up to an hour are no exception.

In summer it’s great to spend some time on the patio and large terrace while enjoying a cold beer. Besides Dutch beers, they have an extended offer of Belgian brews.

Despite the fact Loetje is located near the Museum area, you won’t find too many tourists around here. Blend in with the locals and enjoy the best steak of Amsterdam!

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Cafe Loetje | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (International) | Steak € 16.00
Johannes Vermeerstraat 52 | Oud-Zuid | +31206628173
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 00:00, Sat 17:30 – 00:00

Black lacquer work, rooms where you have something to look, great art, nice and warm staff. You feel welcome in this hip and trendy restaurant in Amsterdam-Zuid, just behind the Concert Gebouw. The restaurant is part of an little-known hotel.

The interior decoration is done by Eric Kuster Design. Eric has quite a recognizable signature; he also designed our famous night club the Jimmy Woo. He likes Asian influences and mixes modern design with tradition. This is also the keyword for the menu. The menu has influences from all over Asia but the main inspiration is from China. The red country, where they have so many cuisines, that you hardly ever will be bored by the variations they offer you.

I have been at Chang-I four times in quite a short period. Every time I was surprised by the nice and delicious and tasteful dishes as well as by the way they make you feel comfortable. So put on a nice dress, because this is an elegant way of fine China dining!

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Chang-I | Restaurants (Innovative Chinese) | 3 courses € 42.50
Jan-Willem Brouwersstraat 7 | Oud-Zuid | +31204701700
Mon – Sat 17:30 – 23:00

Great place to loosen the aching muscles! In this wet country, it is a treat to give yourself this present, the Corpus Rub.

In this cozy and warm studio in Oud-Zuid you can enjoy a relaxing massage. They offer a width range of massages from Classic Therapeutic Massage to Hot Stone Massage and even a pregnancy massage.

I enjoy the place very much and afterwards I am always mentally refreshed and physical relaxed and a bit tired. The couple that runs this Corpus Rub, recently opened a second place at the Leliegracht in the old centre.

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Corpus Rub Massage Studio | Relaxing | Per hour € 62.50
Van Breestraat 72 hs | Oud-Zuid | +31204165055
Mon 09:00 – 17:00, Tue – Sun 11:00 – 22:00

I had never heard of Feduzzi Mercado Italiano until a friend took me there to get some lunch. She had been there before and assured me that their ciabatta’s were delicious. And she is right! Their ciabatta’s are mouth watering.

I’ve made it my personal project to try out all of the different kinds. Until now all the ciabatta’s I have tasted were great but one of my favourites must be the ‘Cortina’. This one is with mozzarella and salami. They give you a choice between ordinary salami and spicy salami. I’ve tried them both and like the spicy salami the best. But be aware because it really is very spicy. That combined with the creamy buffalo mozzarella is an absolute treat!

Another of my favourites is the ‘Feduzzi’. This ciabatta is filled with creamy mozzarella, grilled aubergine, and delicious pesto. Writing about it makes me hungry!

Besides ciabatta’s they also sell loads of different ready to eat food like cheeses, meats, pasta salads, and other things. Also the shop has a wall with shelves full of different sorts of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried and fresh pasta, coffee and all different kinds of wine. The area the shop is in is quiet. There isn’t much happening there. People mostly just live there and there are a couple of shops and a few more bars and restaurants.

Still I would recommend you to go there because Feduzzi’s is really worth a try. I’m sure you will not be disappointed!

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Feduzzi | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Ciabatta sandwich € 4.00
Scheldestraat 63 | Oud-Zuid | +310206646365
Mon 12:00 – 19:00, Tue – Fri 10:30 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

The Weekly News Amsterdammer had exposed the shameful state of musical life in our capital Amsterdam. Where in other countries the officials provide good Concert Halls, our government had the motto that art is not a matter for the government.

It was Bernard Haitink who once described the Concert Hall as the best instrument in the orchestra it houses. This must have been what the great and the good of Amsterdam had in mind in 1881, when they decided that the Dutch capital should have a proper Concert Hall worthy of the name. Seven years later the miracle of neoclassical architecture, the Concert Hall, was finished. This building now enjoys a worldwide reputation, just like the Royal Concert Hall Orchestra does.

For this prestigious project architect Adolf Leonard Van Gendt chose the Viennese Classicism style of architecture. A lyre, part of the Concertgebouw’s logo to this day, proudly crowned Van Gendt’s creation. For the design and layout of the interior, Van Gendt got his inspiration from the Neue Gewandhaus in Leipzig, rounded corners and the auditoriums surrounded by broad corridors.

The Concert Hall has diverse music entertainment. From opera, orchestra’s, jazz to classical music; there is a style of music for everyone. For younger adults, the prices are lower, the Concert Hall has many events: an orchestra of young adults, a free lunch concert on a Wednesday in which you are treated to beautiful music, a Sunday Morning Concert or a concert given by especially talented young musicians.

Before the Sunday morning Concert starts, you can join the Concert Hall tour for €4.50.

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Het Concertgebouw | Music | From € 0.00
Concertgebouwplein 2-6 | Oud-Zuid | +316718345
Open 40 minutes prior to the concert

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

On the top level in Amsterdam rated with Michelin stars, and a room with a view!

In the Okura Hotel, there are two famous restaurants, with stars! Japanese and French with a twist. The service and staff is good, attentive and well trained but not to formal.

Although the Japanese girl who had to explain the cheese trolley was hardly understandable (due to her Japanenglish J). The wine list is for lovers, but as to be expected, mostly very expensive. We took a menu, which was reasonably priced and looked great. The price was 55 euro, which is ususally the price of a main course…..

The maitre suggested a small appetizer in between, spaghetti with truffle, (of course with a small supplement, as he called it) The spaghetti was GREAT! And the rest of the food also, it was really food for thought. But a

t the end of the evening we received our bill, and were surprised by the fact that the supplementary appetizer with truffle was more expensive than the menu we ordered. Just a little detail, but shoot for the moon and you land among the stars.

We enjoyed the evening, although we both think you have to inform your guests about the prices accordingly, which is just something to remember for a following visit! JUST ASK.

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Le Ciel Bleu | Restaurants (French) | Main Course € 75.00
Ferdinand Bolstraat 333 | Oud-Zuid | +31206787450
18:30 – 22:30 daily

MOMO brings the mystic from the far East and the sophisticated West together, from a bento box for lunch to a Seared Mabel Beef for dinner. It is an experience!

The bar serves a wide range of cocktails and mixes, classical, traditional to new, not yet discovered, taste explosions.

A trendy, new hot spot to be seen and to have been!

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MOMO | Bars, Restaurants (Asian-Western fusion) | Main course € 32.50
Hobbemastraat 1 | Oud-Zuid | +31206717474
Bar & Lounge: 10:30 – 01:00 | Restaurant 12:30 – 14:30 & 18:00 – 22:30

The Museumplein is literally in the centre of Amsterdam. From here, anything is nearby. Great meeting point, perfect place to chill out, great view, and the 3 most famous museums just located on the quarter; The Stedelijk museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum (see the Van Gogh museum article). Of these three, only the Van Gogh Museum is open,due to renovation.

For a reason, the Museumplein is one of my favorite places in Amsterdam. In summer you can lie down on the field, watching people play football or tennis, walk your dog, or just enjoy the lunch you just bought from the Albert Heijn supermarket with the sun on your face (if you’re lucky..).

The skateboard park and basketball field are very popular among students and tourists.

In winter, the magical vibe appears: morning fogs covering the field, the I ‘Amsterdam sign’ , the ice skating rink filled with children and young people, with the majestic Rijksmuseum on the background.

You can also go for a cup of hot chocolate and try the typically Dutch ´poffertjes´ at the Old Dutch Poffertjeskraam at the side! Or go for a drink at the Cobra Cafe, inspired by the famous Cobra artists from the 1940’s.

By night, a blue ray of light on the ground illuminates the field, going all the way from the wading pool to the Concertgebouw (orchestra concerts). The Monument dedicated to the woman of Ravensbrück (WW2, concentration camp) on the left side, plays a particular odd sound, making it breathtaking to watch and listen to.

During the whole year, mostly in summer, concerts / events are held on the Museumplein; for example on Queens Day, Soccer trophies, the famous Uitmarkt (annual cultural program) and charity events.

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Museumplein | Art & culture, Relaxing
Van Baerlestraat | Oud-Zuid
24 hours daily

‘Organic Food for You’ is a nice small supermarket. You find it half way the Cornelis Schuytstraat in the Old South area. It offers a wide range of eco and biologic products and articles. I found a nice selection of biologic dynamic vegetables and fruits. The shop is offering a broad selection of Dutch and foreign cheeses. All kind of groceries, f.e. gluten free flour and much more.

There is also a selection of pre-packed ecological meats and meat-cuts. Fish and fish products. I personally love the selection of breads, rolls and loafs they offer. These are not house-made but are supplied by the in Holland famous ‘Vlaamsche Broodhuys‘ a bakery that is specialized in organic and natural baking of bread. And yes, they have wonderful and very tasty fruit juices, fresh daily. I love the place for those special, healthy products.

The third Organic has opened outside Amsterdam in the village of Laren (30 km.), so Organic Food is really growing!

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Organic Food for You | Shopping
Cornelis Schuytstraat 26-28 | Oud-Zuid | +31203795195
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 18:30

The Maasstraat in the south part of Amsterdam is originally a very local street with a bakery, grocery shop and florist for the neighbourhood. But this suddenly changed when Patisserie Tout opened: a fashionable shop with gorgeous cakes & cookies.

They organize small tasting & courses to make desserts or to try out cakes. Herman den Blijker, one of our famous TV chefs, loves the place and passes it on his way from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, to buy his beloved macaroons. And I must admit, the macaroons are worth a detour. Especially the raspberry flavour.

They make a small but attractive apple pie & the red fruit tartlets look divine. So if you are a sweet loving taster, don’t miss on patisserie Tout.

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Patisserie Tout | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cakes from € 8.00
Maasstraat 105 | Oud-Zuid | +31206762620
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 18:00, Sat 09:30 – 17:30

The first time I visited AS was last summer for lunch and we ordered a big wooden plate with French and Italian cold cuts and sausages, with Dutch cheeses and pickled vegetables. A big piece of ‘Bauer’ bread was there to go with it. One word: delicious!

The second time was for dinner in the winter time. I was surprised by the simpleness and the tastiness of the dishes. Most of the products are biological and from fare trade. AS is a beautiful place with many seats outside.

The kitchen is situated in an outside tent, due to the fact the place is a designers venue. Amazing to see the activities in that kitchen.

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Restaurant AS | Art & culture, Restaurants (Ecofood) | Charcuterie plate € 12.00
Prinses Irenestraat 19 | Oud-Zuid | +31206440100
Tue – Sun 11:00 – 23:00

A small and hidden diamond, known by the families and locals from Amsterdam South. A stunning and modern design is what I experienced the first time I visited Spring.

Chef Ralph Woerde has a broad experience cooking in top restaurants. In Spring he cooks with what is available ’selon le marché’ (season bound products). What I like the most in the menu is the fusion combination of the products used for the cooking of the dishes. I had had the pheasant with a slice of goose liver and a game sauce: again it was delicious!

I always make a reservation before I decide to lunch or dine out in Spring. It is a very busy place!

Spring is an average priced restaurant, with a superb wine list. Spring was the winner in a competition of house wines in 2008. I found the service informal – informal and extremely friendly.

Chef Ralph changes his menu just very regular and he changed it just again, it is a winner!

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Restaurant Spring | Restaurants (International) | 3 courses € 35.00
Willemsparkweg 177 | Oud-Zuid | +31206754421
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 14:00, Mon – Sat 18:00 – 22:00

Every time I am impressed by the building, the different rooms and paintings. After six years, it still takes my breath away.

Let me first tell you that the Rijksmuseum is under construction until the end of 2009 (and since it is december 2009 and not finished yet, I think it will take longer, on the website is stated 2012). They adapted very well on this large project, and most of the masterpieces are still to be seen, but not in their originally place. They are all in the newly furnished Philips Wing.

Since the opening in 1885, architect Pierre Cuypers, monumental building has been adapted and extended many times, making the renovation necessary.

The national art collection, which first came into being in 1795, originally consisted of works confiscated from the House of Orange, but was significantly extended by King Louis Napoleon. Over the years, a superb, representative selection has been assembled of Dutch art from the 15th century to around 1900, reflecting the development of art in the Netherlands in this period and is emphasized on particular schools, themes and individual artists. This is accompanied by a collection of paintings by foreign masters.

The paintings collections are divided into Dutch Republic, World Power and Frans Hals sections. After that you’ll see Rembrandt and his pupils, and finally the later Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer.

There is so much more to tell about the museum, the building, the architecture, the paintings and the painters, that I simply do not know where to start and where to end. So, I would strongly suggest you to visit this museum, because it contains a lot of history. Personally, I can not wait until the end of 2009 and see what the museum looks like in its original/old state.

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Rijksmuseum | Art & culture | Adult € 10.00
Jan Luykenstraat 1 | Oud-Zuid | +31206747000
Sat – Thu 09:00 – 18:00, Fri 09:00 – 21:30

Our best restaurant review journalist is Johannes ten Dam. You better be good to score a rating like this. This tells a lot about the restaurant.

This Italian restaurant has pure Italian food and waiters, so do not expect them to understand Dutch fluently. The dishes are very well prepared in a nice surrounding with perfect wines. The staff does make you feel welcome and are proud of their restaurant.

Some of the visitors think it is a hotel restaurant and touristic, however, there are many foreigners in the restaurant, but most of them are no tourists. This is a chain, formerly called Bice, and very known in Italy and other countries which attracts locals and business people because of the excellent food.

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Sogno | Restaurants (Italian) | 3-course menu € 37.50
Stadhouderskade 7-9 | Oud-Zuid | +31205898870
Tue – Sat 18:00 – 22:00

Sophia is part of a very ambitious small Restaurant Group. They own restaurant Ron Blaauw in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel as well – a two Michelin star restaurant. And Ron Blaauw is advising the Chef at Sophia!

Sophia has a sharing concept, you order about 4 to 5 dishes per person, and you share them all, which is great for all your taste-buds. The interior is slick and high profile. The staff is over-educated and well mannered.

Sophia is back on the food track! It’s entertaining, with Sunday brunches with live music. The food is delicious and by that I really mean delicious.

They change the menu extremely often, which makes it difficult to recommend dishes, but actually everything I have tasted in the 6 times I had dinner, was great. When you are having drinks at the bar and can’t wait, order the black plate to start and share, and you’ll smile immediately.

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Sophia | Bars, Restaurants (Fushion) | Evening menu € 55.00
Sophialaan 55 | Oud-Zuid | +31203052760
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 01:00, Fri 12:00 – 02:00, Sat 15:00 – 01:00

Small and elegant at the corner of the Banstraat and Valeriusstraat; that’s Valerius.

A place to go to for breakfast, lunch and after work drinks. If you have something to celebrate, small parties are welcome, but please call a little in advance.

The interior is modern and elegant. Beautiful photos decorate the walls.

Breakfast is a feast with many choices. Lunch offers a range of nice salads, tosti’s, egg-dishes, slices of bread sandwiches with delicious fillings and toppings and interesting finishing sweets.

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Valerius Eten & Drinken | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Breakfast € 8.00
Banstraat 14 | Oud-Zuid | +31204713976
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 18:00

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

The former church of the Holy Heart of Jesus was built in two phases. The choir and the apse were inducted in 1873. With money won in the lottery the construction could be finished in 1880. The finalisation of the interior took more years, the organ was placed in 1890 and the painted fire windows in 1893.

Architect P.J.H. Cuypers was a parishioner himself and tried his best with this neo-gothic church, since he could see it from his home. He stated that this is his best design ever. The tower was lost in a fire in 1904 and was rebuilt by the son of Cuypers.

In 1977 the religious functionality was lost and the church was closed because of dilapidation. Since a few years the church has been restored. It’s a marriage location and there are offices for rent.

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Vondel Church | Art & culture | Free
Vondelstraat 120 | Oud-Zuid
On request

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